The players we expected to be household names among wide receivers showed up in a big way in week 3.
Stefon Diggs is showing why he was a major steal in fantasy football drafts with almost 30 points in week 3, while big names like Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham, Jordy Nelson, A.J. Green, T.Y. Hilton, Brandin Cooks and Sammy Watkins were among the top-11 in points.
The big names should continue to contribute. For those on the borderline, here’s the week 4 wide receivers start ’em, sit ’em guide in fantasy football.
Start
Pierre Garcon vs. Arizona Cardinals
You may have some doubts heading into a game with the Cardinals, with a solid secondary, but I’m all in on San Francisco’s ability to move the ball against Arizona in week 4.
Garcon is in the top-20 among wide receivers in targets for a reason. He’s by far the best playmaker on the outside for the 49ers and he’s a necessary piece for this offense to move the ball.
And it’s not like the Cardinals have been dominant against the pass anyway. They rank in the middle of the NFL in pass defense and teams haven’t been as shy about attempting passes, going for 32 per game, also a middle-of-the-road number.
He has a tough matchup with Patrick Petersen, but Garcon’s value to his team is worth backing in this game.
Alshon Jeffery vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Jeffery may give you some headaches this year, but his volume is still worth starting.
For the second time in three games, Jeffery was held to less than five catches and no touchdowns in week 3. Despite the low output, his targets are still hovering at a decent level, with at least seven targets in each game this season.
Philadelphia is going to pass often, and that shouldn’t change in week 4 against a Chargers team that has been good statistically against the pass. When looking at the game flow of those Los Angeles games, though, it highlights how in two of three games, the opposing teams have jumped out to big leads and milked the clock, artificially inflating Los Angeles’ pass defense numbers.
The Eagles can’t run the ball as well as Kansas City, Denver or Miami (previous three opponents to the Chargers), so expect plenty of balls in the air in this one.
Devin Funchess vs. New England Patriots
The Patriots defense has been acting this way for more than just this season. They’ve been employing a dangerous bend, but don’t break, approach, and in past years, they haven’t broken.
In 2017, that hasn’t been the case.
This pass defense is weak and just allowed rookie Deshaun Watson to dissect them. I’m a little more down on Cam Newton’s ability, but with Kelvin Benjamin questionable with an injury, Funchess should see plenty of targets.
And against New England, the more targets you can get, the better chance there is for fantasy value. Funchess totaled 10 targets in week 3, up from his combined eight in the previous two weeks.
The Panthers need someone to throw to, so Funchess makes the most sense against currently one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.
Sit
Marvin Jones Jr. vs. Minnesota Vikings
If he’s not scoring touchdowns, his fantasy value is at the bargain basement level.
His six targets and three catches in week 3 were season highs. He has yet to go over 40 yards receiving this season, but his fantasy owners have been saved by a touchdown in each of the first two weeks.
The Vikings still own one of the best defenses in the NFL and this matchup just doesn’t work for the Lions. There’s also way too many mouths to feed in Detroit’s passing strategy, limiting Jones’ appeal.
T.Y. Hilton vs. Seattle Seahawks
I don’t mind Jacoby Brissett. He gives an outlet to Hilton that brings back his fantasy value with most matchups.
This one, though, doesn’t work out as well.
The Seahawks are still limiting the opposition to only 200 yards passing per game. And touchdowns are hard to find, too, with only three touchdowns allowed through the air this season.
Hilton’s prospects are heightened with Brissett’s presence, but this is the wrong matchup. If you can find a better matchup on your bench, use it.
Martavis Bryant vs. Baltimore Ravens
Something’s wrong in Pittsburgh. It could be rust, so I won’t completely ditch the Steelers. Bryant missed an entire season and Le’Veon Bell missed training camp.
So, it may take more time than I anticipated for them to come all the way back. For now, though, especially against a defense that won’t be on London time once again, I’m sitting Bryant.
He turned in an atrocious performance in week 3, catching only two-of-eight targets for 30 yards. That gives him two clunkers for the season.
The Steelers aren’t moving the ball well against anybody, so week 4 should be a colossal chore against a Ravens defense that is much better than it showed in week 3.
This is always a hard-hitting contest with very little happening on the offensive side of the football. I expect that again in week 4.
