Although we rely on big-name players to guide our fantasy football teams to victory, knowing how to locate the sleepers in a given week can be what pushes your team over the edge. Here are some of our favorite fantasy football sleepers for Week 4.
Week 4 fantasy football sleepers | Running backs
These RBs are flying under the radar as sleepers for Week 4 in fantasy football.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Chuba Hubbard is going to be Carolina’s primary back, filling in for an injured Christian McCaffrey.
Hubbard played 55% of the snaps last week compared to just 15% for Royce Freeman. Hubbard is a bit risky as the Panthers have no allegiance to the fourth-round rookie. If Freeman outplays Hubbard, Freeman could see increased work. With that being said, Hubbard will get the first crack at the role and could be a volume-based RB3 this week.
Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
The Ravens had no answer for D’Andre Swift in Week 3, giving up 7 receptions for 60 yards to the talented sophomore. Now, Baltimore has to face Denver’s one-two backfield punch.
Williams was the most-targeted Broncos running back in Week 3, edging out Gordon by a single target. That’s not much to go on, but with the Broncos likely having to throw to keep up with the Ravens, Teddy Bridgewater could look to check it down several times.
Williams and Gordon each have 5 targets on the season, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to which one is used at what time. Both of them are upside RB3s in an intriguing matchup.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
Were it not for a monster 73-yard touchdown reception, Week 3 would’ve extended the nightmare that is the 2021 season for Antonio Gibson. We expected increased usage and work in the passing game, but instead, we’re just getting more McKissic.
The satellite back was only targeted twice in Week 3, but he played just 6 fewer snaps than Gibson. McKissic continues to regularly run more routes than Gibson as well.
A Week 4 matchup against the Falcons is a prime spot for McKissic to see a bunch of dump-offs. The Falcons just allowed 6 receptions to Saquon Barkley and allowed 7 receptions to Tampa Bay’s trio of running backs the week prior. McKissic is a sneaky PPR RB3 play.
Week 4 fantasy football sleepers | Wide receivers
The NFL’s receiving talent pool is as deep as it’s ever been, and these WR sleepers could be in store for a bigger than expected performance next week.Â
Will Fuller, Miami Dolphins
Fuller returned to the Dolphins last week following a Week 1 suspension and a Week 2 personal matter. He played firmly behind DeVante Parker and Jaylen Waddle, but he did see 6 targets.
Fuller was a top-12 wide receiver by PPR ppg in 2020, but he missed the final five games due to suspension. He is just getting reacclimated to NFL action.
The Colts have struggled to cover opposing wide receivers thus far and just allowed 3 passing touchdowns to Ryan Tannehill. Fuller is a nice fantasy football sleeper that should make for a solid Week 4 flex play.
Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
It almost feels wrong to call Renfrow a fantasy football sleeper. He’s posted double-digit fantasy points in every game to start the season. Renfrow has a really solid floor and is clearly Derek Carr’s favorite non-Darren Waller pass catcher.
The Raiders and Chargers could produce a high-scoring affair. If the Chargers choose to bracket Waller, we could see a heavy dose of Renfrow underneath. Until fantasy managers start respecting Renfrow as an every-week WR3, he qualifies as a fantasy football sleeper.
Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After a dud Week 2 and a missed Week 3 due to COVID-19, Brown is unlikely to be viewed as an automatic start. His stellar Week 1 is out of sight, out of mind. Given that Brown is vaccinated, it’s likely that he will be able to test negative twice and return from the COVID-19 list this week.
Don’t think for a second that Brown isn’t fired up to play against the Patriots. And don’t think for a second that Tom Brady doesn’t want to stick it to Bill Belichick with Brown. Yes, I’m playing narrative street here. AB is going to have a big game this week — you want him as a sleeper in your fantasy football lineups.
Week 4 fantasy football sleepers |Â Tight ends
With the TE position so shallow, just about everyone qualifies as a sleeper, but are there any particular TEs that should be on the sleepers list for Week 4 in fantasy football?
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings
To be perfectly honest, this is probably point chasing. Conklin is coming off a season-high in targets (8), receptions (7), yards (70), and fantasy points (20). That type of usage is hard to come by. For that reason, Conklin is worth grabbing off the waiver wire and inserting into fantasy football lineups as a Week 4 sleeper.
