Making lineup decisions can be the most frustrating or most rewarding part of fantasy football. Here to help you make those decisions are our start ’em and sit ’em picks. Fantasy decisions will only get more difficult from here on out, so let’s take a look at our early Week 4 start/sit plays.
Start ‘Em: Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos (vs. CIN)
It’s been a rough start to the 2025 season for Bo Nix. After performing like an elite QB1 over the second half of his rookie season, Nix has been startable in fantasy just once in the first three weeks. Here’s to him doubling that in Week 4.
The Cincinnati Bengals just allowed 34 offensive points to a Minnesota Vikings team led by Carson Wentz. On the season, the Bengals’ defensive stats against quarterbacks don’t look terrible, but that’s partially because Wentz only had to throw 20 times. This is still not a good defense.
There’s a good chance JK Dobbins steals all the touchdowns this week. Touchdowns are random. The logic behind starting Nix is that the Denver Broncos will probably score four of them. As long as Nix can account for two, fantasy managers should get a QB1 performance.
Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets (at MIA)
The obvious caveat is that Justin Fields needs to clear concussion protocol. We have yet to get an update after he was ruled out of the New York Jets’ Week 3 contest relatively early in the week. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t progressing through the protocol.
Tyrod Taylor was able to post 17.7 fantasy points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We can easily overlook Fields’ disastrous Week 2 outing and remember that he’s been a fantasy QB1 whenever he’s started since the middle of his rookie year.
MORE: Free Fantasy Start/Sit Optimizer
The Miami Dolphins are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. They also possess a good enough offense to force the Jets to score points.
This game is essentially a must-win for both teams. Expect them to pull out all the stops to try to secure a victory. Fields is firmly in the QB1 ranks for Week 4.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers (vs. DAL)
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is the gift that keeps on giving. Basically, if someone performs well against this defense, it’s impossible to determine if they are actually good. For example, did the Chicago Bears figure something out last week offensively? We have no idea because it was against the Cowboys.
As a reminder, the Cowboys allowed Russell Wilson to throw for 450 yards in the year 2025. A quarterback so incredibly finished that he is a week away from losing his job looked like an MVP candidate against this defense.
The Green Bay Packers just lost to the Cleveland Browns. Suffice it to say, they are not happy, and they are about to take out their frustrations on the Cowboys.
The last time these teams met, Jordan Love went into Dallas and threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, dropping 48 points on the Cowboys in the Wild Card Round of the 2023 playoffs.
It wouldn’t be surprising at all if the Packers went full Week 2 Lions on the Cowboys and put up a 50-burger. Start Love as a top-six QB this week.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
This one is a bit of low-hanging fruit, but it is worth mentioning anyway. Trey Benson is now firmly entrenched as the Arizona Cardinals’ feature back following James Conner’s season-ending ankle injury.
Benson had already been seeing an increased role compared to last season, particularly in the passing game. Now, Benson’s receiving role may decrease a bit, as the Cardinals prefer to use someone other than their starting running back as their primary passing-down back. However, he will be more than able to offset this by his dominance of early down work and goal-line carries.
The Seattle Seahawks have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to running backs through three weeks. This should be a game where the game script doesn’t favor either team. It should be competitive. We can expect Benson to handle at least 15 touches, and he is a good bet to find the end zone. Start him with confidence.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots (vs. CAR)
Fair warning. There’s a good chance this looks really stupid after this week. But based on what just happened in week three, I am rolling the dice that this is the week we see TreVeyon Henderson start to take over the New England Patriots backfield.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s grip on the lead back role took a significant hit last week when he fumbled and not once, but twice. His goal-line fumble that directly cost his team a touchdown was particularly egregious.
After Stevenson’s Second fumble, Antonio Gibson got his chance to be the lead runner. He responded by committing a fumble of his own. From that point forward, it was essentially the rookie’s backfield.
Henderson dominated snaps the remainder of the game, handling 26 of them compared to a combined eight from the two veterans. Given the fact that Henderson was the only Patriots running back not to fumble, there is definitely a chance that he earned himself more work.
Although the Carolina Panthers have posted solid numbers against running backs this season, allowing the 16th most fantasy points per game to the position. This is still not a great defense. Do not let their shutout of the Atlanta Falcons last week fool you into thinking this is a defense to fear.
Suppose Henderson can manage to earn 8 to 10 carries, plus see a handful of targets. In that case, he has a shot to break off a big play with his explosive ability, rewarding fantasy managers’ patience.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. PHI)
The stars continue to align for Emeka Egbuka’s rise to fantasy stardom. Before week three, we got a report that Chris Godwin Jr. has “a strong chance” to return in Week 4. The concern with Egbuka was always what his role might look like with Godwin and Mike Evans both healthy and active. For at least one more week, we do not have to worry about that.
Just as Godwin is set to make his season debut, Evans is now going to miss a little time with what is being described as a mild hamstring strain. That means Egbuka is set to serve as Baker Mayfield’s primary target for the first time in this week’s showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles have been an average defense against wide receivers, allowing the 14th most fantasy points per game to the position. However, last week, we saw what can happen when they face a very formidable wide receiver duo. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams combined to catch 14 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown.
Egbuka is coming off his best game yet, hauling in six balls for 85 yards, including some clutch receptions late in the fourth quarter. His trust and rapport with Mayfield is only growing.
Even if Godwin does return, there is no way he will be able to play a full complement of snaps. The rookie will be the WR1 for this week’s game, which could be high-scoring. Egbuka is a borderline WR1.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts (at LAR)
The fact that Josh Downs was being drafted ahead of Michael Pittman Jr. looks pretty foolish in hindsight. Downs only plays in three-receiver sets, whereas Pittman is the clear WR1.
With Daniel Jones playing well and this offense clicking on all cylinders, Pittman has posted games of 20.0 and 19.3 fantasy points in two of his first three to open the season. Even his down game against the Broncos in Week 2 wasn’t a total disaster, catching four balls for 40 yards.
Now, Pittman gets a Los Angeles Rams defense that has been slightly below average against wide receivers, allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Most importantly, this is the type of game the Colts shouldn’t be able to dominate with Jonathan Taylor.
As great as Pittman has been, he’s only averaging 6.3 targets per game. A significant factor has been the lack of need for Jones to air out. The former New York Giants quarterback is only averaging 29.3 pass attempts per game.
Matthew Stafford and the Rams should force the Colts to throw a little more. That should work to Pittman’s benefit. He is a strong WR2 this week.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (at TB)
Week 3 reminded us that the Philadelphia Eagles can, in fact, throw the ball. Faced with a negative game script, Jalen Hurts actually hit up all three of his top targets (A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert) for touchdowns. It’s a reminder that this passing game is functional and very consolidated.
We know the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an offense capable of forcing the Eagles to call pass plays. Plus, this is a pass funnel defense. The way to move the ball against the Bucs is through the air.
Goedert only caught one pass against the Rams, but it went for a 33-yard score. He’s now hit double-digit fantasy points in both games he’s played this season. With so few reliable TE1s, Goedert should be in fantasy lineups.
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints (at BUF)
The question isn’t whether the Buffalo Bills will win this game; it’s by how many. The New Orleans Saints just got obliterated by the Seattle Seahawks in a game that was over in the first quarter. Yet, the Saints still battled. They played their football and just tried to score some points.
Juwan Johnson remains the second option in the passing game behind Chris Olave. Even in a blowout loss, the veteran tight end caught six of eight targets for 51 yards. Johnson has now hit double-digit fantasy points in every game this season.
The Bills have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. However, specifically at the TE position, those numbers can be so heavily impacted by what specific tight ends a team faces.
With negative game script a certainty, there will be plenty of passing volume for the Saints. Johnson remains a must-start at a very weak TE position.
Sit ‘Em: Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions (vs. CLE)
The inherent problem with ever starting Jared Goff is you are at the mercy of how the Detroit Lions happen to score their touchdowns. Everything about the matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night suggested Goff was an excellent start, given their porous defense. Sure enough, the Lions dropped 38 points on the Ravens.
Unfortunately, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs claimed two touchdowns each, leaving just one for their quarterback, resulting in an underwhelming 12.7 points. This week, it’s a red light, caution tape, military blockade, whatever you want to call it, saying do not start Goff.
The Browns are allowing just 15.6 fantasy points per game to opposing passers. They just held Jordan Love to his worst outing of the season in an upset win over the Packers.
Cleveland may not have a good offense, but they are a bad defensive matchup for anyone. It’s floor games for the ancillary Lions and the bench for Goff.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. GB)
This one is simple. Do not start quarterbacks, or really anyone, against the Green Bay Packers.
Dak Prescott somehow managed to flop against a Chicago Bears defense that let Jared Goff throw for 334 yards and five touchdowns. Losing CeeDee Lamb obviously didn’t help, but there’s no excuse for 251 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against that team.
MORE: Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer
Now, Prescott will have to battle the best defense in the NFL without his elite WR1. Good luck.
The Packers are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Prescott has now posted duds in two of his first three games. Even with the Cowboys having what looks like the league’s worst defense, volume alone cannot save Prescott’s fantasy value. He belongs on fantasy benches in this awful matchup.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders (at ATL)
Unsurprisingly, the injury to Austin Ekeler had absolutely no impact on Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s usage. This should have been evident based on the fact that Ekeler’s role as the receiving back does not overlap at all with Croskey-Merritt’s role. If it wasn’t before Week 3, it certainly is now.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. started the game, with JCM not making an appearance until the third offensive possession for the Washington Commanders. The rookie played one more snap than Rodriguez, while Jeremy McNichols took over the receiving back role previously held by Ekeler. Simply put, this was a three-man committee.
With JCM offering nothing in the passing game, running seven routes and seeing the lone target that went to a running back, he is entirely reliant on rushing and touchdowns. Regardless of the matchup, it will be difficult for JCM to reach any ceiling when he is sharing the early down role with Rodriguez and contributing nothing in the passing game.
This week, things will be even more challenging against an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the seventh fewest fantasy points per game to running backs through three weeks. Fantasy managers should view Croskey-Merritt as nothing more than a touchdown-or-bust RB3 who does not need to be in lineups.
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions (vs. CLE)
Coming off his best game of the season, can you really sit David Montgomery? He’s always liable to fall into the end zone. The Browns are not going to shut out the Lions. But this is not going to be a week where your Lions can carry you to victory.
The Browns are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Josh Jacobs managed a mere 30 yards on 16 carries last week. He did, however, catch five passes for 44 yards.
This project is to be a game where Jahmyr Gibbs is needed far more than Montgomery as the Lions try and dink and dunk their way to points. Unless the veteran can punch in a short touchdown, he’s not likely to crack double digits.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans (at HOU)
Based on where fantasy managers drafted him, we probably can’t call Calvin Ridley the biggest bust so far. But it’s been a complete disaster.
Ridley is averaging 6.4 fantasy points per game. That is not a typo. Despite a healthy 23.3% target share, Ridley has yet to hit double-digit fantasy points. Last week, in a game, Cam Ward attempted 38 passes, and Ridley caught one pass for 27 yards. He’s been thoroughly outplayed and outproduced by rookie Elic Ayomanor.
This week, Ridley gets a Houston Texans defense that gave Brian Thomas Jr. fits last week. Houston’s intense pass rush will be a problem for Ward, likely leading to more checkdowns and underneath targets, rather than allowing downfield routes to develop.
At this point, fantasy managers have to plant Ridley on the bench until something changes. He is closer to finding himself on the cut list than the start ’em section.
DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. MIN)
If you drafted DK Metcalf, are you happy with his production? He’s given you a remarkably consistent 11.8 fantasy points per game. Is that what you want out of an early fifth-round pick?
Metcalf has been the clear WR1 for Aaron Rodgers, but the Pittsburgh Steelers’ passing volume concerns remain legitimate. That’s especially concerning, considering they actually have a 63% neutral game script pass rate.
The math isn’t adding up for this offense. They’re throwing a lot relative to expectations. They’re averaging 28.1 seconds per snap, the ninth-fastest in the league. Yet, they average 45 plays per game, the lowest in the league. Rodgers is only averaging 28.6 attempts per game and just threw for a mere 139 yards against the Patriots.
This week, the Steelers have to contend with the Minnesota Vikings’ menacing defense that’s allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers thus far. It’s a tough matchup for a passing offense that is lacking volume. If Metcalf doesn’t score, fantasy managers will likely be disappointed.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills (vs. NO)
It’s been an excellent start to the season for Dalton Kincaid. He’s caught at least four passes in each of his first three games, including two touchdowns. The concern here is twofold.
First, this looks like one of those games where Josh Allen does not need to do much. The Buffalo Bills should be able to lean heavily on James Cook and the running game. We’ve seen these games in the past where the Bills dominate their opponent, and Allen has something like 200 scoreless yards. A positive game script does not bode well for any Bills pass catchers.
Second, despite Kincaid’s strong start to the season, he is still only running a route on about 62% of the Bills’ pass plays. With no clear top option in the passing game and Allen’s propensity to spread the ball around, Kincaid is increasingly reliant on efficiency and touchdowns to produce fantasy points.
Fantasy managers probably do not have a better option than Kincaid. However, expectations must be tempered in this one.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons (vs. WAS)
For all the talk about Kyle Pitts finally putting it together this year, he hasn’t exactly done much this season. Pitts opened the season with seven receptions for 59 yards. Since then, he’s had two games of four receptions for 37 and 39 yards, respectively.
It’s definitely encouraging that Pitts was able to produce passable fantasy numbers in a game where the Atlanta Falcons did not score any points. However, the performance of Michael Penix Jr. is incredibly concerning. His last two weeks have been so bad that the Falcons need to consider going back to Kirk Cousins seriously.
The Falcons will definitely score some points this week, but will Penix be able to sustain enough drives to keep feeding his pass catchers? The Washington Commanders do not have the same miserable defense they did last season. Again, given the state of the tight end position, it will be challenging to bench Pitts. But if you can, you should.
