We now have three weeks’ worth of data to help us analyze matchups and project workloads more accurately. That’s where all of your lineup decisions should start, and the more expert analysis, opinions, and projections you can take in, the better it will make your Week 4 start ’em, sit ’em choices.
To prove we believe in the “more is better” approach to fantasy football research, we’re pleased to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning weekly projections and rankings. We’ll also highlight players at each position who stand out in our rankings compared to theirs so you get multiple perspectives on a few of the biggest start-or-sit headaches. To see Draft Sharks’ exclusive Week 4 3D floor-to-ceiling projections, become a Draft Sharks member today at the link below!
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Week 4 Fantasy Football Projections, Rankings from Draft Sharks
Week 4 fantasy QB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Russell Wilson, Broncos @ Bears (SN Ranking: 18 | DS Ranking: 12)
The Broncos have had a lot of issues this season, but Wilson isn’t at the top of the list. In fact, he’s been good for fantasy owners over the past two games, averaging 307 passing yards and two TDs. The Bears were torn apart by Patrick Mahomes last week — no shame in that — but in Weeks 1 and 2, Jordan Love and Baker Mayfield combined for 562 passing yards and four passing TDs against them. That type of production seems about right for Wilson, which is why Draft Sharks has him as a borderline QB1. We expect Denver to try to establish its running game for the first time all season, which is why we rank him lower in what could be an ugly road contest.
SN’s WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 4 fantasy RB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Steelers (SN PPR Ranking: 18 | DS Ranking: 27)
Pierce has yet to top 38 rushing yards in a game, so our No. 18 ranking might seem lofty. However, he has been more involved in the passing game (at least three targets each week), and he remains the Texans’ goal-line back. More important, the Steelers have struggled against RBs this year, allowing 100-yard games to Christian McCaffrey and Jerome Ford and three total RB touchdowns. We view Pierce as a safe RB2 thanks to the touches and matchup, while Draft Sharks is clearly worried about the production trends, ranking him as a flex.
Spotlight Player: Kareem Hunt, Browns vs. Ravens (SN PPR Ranking: 33 | DS Ranking: 45)
Hunt played 20 percent of snaps in his season debut last week, racking up 35 total yards on seven touches. Compare that to starter Jerome Ford, who played 56 percent of snaps and had 51 total yards on 12 touches. Based on that, Ford is “the guy,” but it’s important to remember that Hunt was on a snap count and should be ramping up his activity over the next couple of games. We could see closer to an even split this week, and if that happens, Hunt will be much more of a flex back like we have him ranked than a deep-league afterthought like Draft Sharks ranks him.
SN’s WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 4 fantasy WR projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Rams (SN PPR Ranking: 21 | DS Ranking: 37)
Pittman Jr. has posted at least eight catches and 11 targets in each of the first three games, giving him a rock-solid PPR floor. Draft Sharks must be focused on the relatively mediocre yardage totals the past two weeks (133) and a seemingly tough matchup against what’s been a stingy Rams’ pass defense, but we just saw Ja’Marr Chase tear them up. Pittman isn’t Chase, but given the workload, he can post WR2-caliber numbers this week.
Spotlight Player: Jahan Dotson, Commanders @ Eagles (SN PPR Ranking: 43 | DS Ranking: 56)
Dotson was a popular preseason breakout pick, but he’s done next to nothing through three games, catching just 10 passes for 83 yards. His snap share and route participation remain high, though, and we think it’s only a matter of time before he gets going. The Eagles’ pass defense has struggled at times this year, allowing five WR touchdowns through three games. Whether it’s in garbage time or earlier in the game with a touchdown, Dotson has a good chance of paying off our more generous ranking.
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Week 4 fantasy TE projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Broncos (SN PPR Ranking: 23 | DS Ranking: 13)
Kmet caught nine-of-13 targets in the first two games, so even though the yards and TDs weren’t there, the participation was. However, last week he saw just two looks despite ample garbage time. The Bears’ offense is a complete mess right now, and even at a mess of a tight end position, we don’t see Kmet as a viable starting option. Draft Sharks disagrees, projecting a mini breakout against a Denver defense that’s been middle of the pack against TEs.
Week 4 fantasy defense projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Seattle Seahawks vs. Giants (SN Ranking: 19 | DS Ranking: 12)
The Giants are allowing the second-most fantasy points to D/STs and once again figure to be without Saquon Barkley (ankle), so Seattle is a great play, right? Well, maybe not. They couldn’t get anything going last week in the rain at home against Andy Dalton (three sacks, no takeaways, 27 points allowed), and that was after a home dud against the Rams in Week 1 (no sacks, no takeaways, 30 points allowed). They had a big game in Detroit in Week 2 (two sacks, three takeaways, TD), but they still gave up 31 points. We’re worried this is a “fool’s gold” scenario and Seattle ends up disappointing despite the cake matchup.