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Fantasy Football Week 4: Start 'Em Advice And Waiver Wire Rankings

Seahawks fantasy insider gives you tips and advice to help your fantasy squad this week. 

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Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com. Scott's work is also featured on The Athletic and he is a weekly gameday host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

The Seahawks are 3-0 as they head to Detroit for Week 4. No matter what your fantasy football record is, there is much work to be done every week. Managing a successful team requires constant roster changes, and even if you don't have a winning fantasy record, it is still early in the season, and fantasy fortunes can turn around very quickly.

Every week, we supply you with key starting options to go with when faced with close lineup decisions. The waiver wire rankings at each position help prioritize the preferred pickups. Analysis leans to Point Per Reception (PPR) formats.

Running Back Starters For Week 4

START Brian Robinson Jr.: Washington's primary ball carrier has rushed for two TDs in the first three weeks, and he showed statistical upside with a 133-yard rushing performance in Week 2. Arizona ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed to RBs and Washington has the eighth-best offensive line run blocking grade against an opponent for Week 4 on Pro Football Focus. Commanders-Cardinals could be the highest-scoring game of Week 4. We may see Robinson visit the end zone more than once.

START Tony Pollard: One key for the Titans to earn their first win is to get Pollard rolling. Doing so will ease pressure on quarterback Will Levis, and as we saw with Zach Charbonnet last week, the Dolphins can be run on. The second-year Seahawk rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries and two TDs vs. Miami. The Dolphins have allowed an AFC-high five rushing TDs to RBs over the first three weeks, and their defense is susceptible to spending a lot of time on the field. Miami's offense doesn't have its usual continuity without the regular starting QB.

START Chuba Hubbard: Andy Dalton lit the fire under the Carolina offense in Week 3, and Hubbard benefitted while delivering his best game of the season so far. He ran with authority and determination, finishing with 114 rushing yards, while also catching five passes for 55 yards and a TD. Cincinnati ranks 23rd in rushing yards allowed to RBs after three weeks. Hubbard is back on the fantasy map with Dalton running the offense.

START Zack Moss: He has become the clear lead back for the Bengals, who will look to score their first win of the season against Carolina. Moss is the drive finisher for a good offense and he has also displayed some versatility with his new team. The 26-year-old has rushed for two TDs and he caught five passes in Week 1. The Panthers rank 27th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 4 Waiver Wire Running Backs

  1. Bucky Irving: The rookie should at least work in a timeshare role in the Tampa Bay backfield going forward.
  2. Braelon Allen: The Jets' first-year RB is forcing his way into the team's backfield picture and he can be considered for fantasy lineup usage during the upcoming bye weeks,
  3. Alexander Mattison: He has three scrimmage TDs in three weeks and may soon be operating in a timeshare, too.
  4. Kareem Hunt: The Chiefs elevated Hunt from the practice squad this week, so it will be interesting to see how he might figure into their backfield mix.
  5. Justice Hill: The essential insurance RB for Derrick Henry is Baltimore's preferred back in passing situations.
  6. Samaje Perine: You can get some decent PPR outings from Perine if he continues to work as Kansas City's primary receiving back.
  7. Roschon Johnson: In Week 4, Johnson saw some quality reps as a third down back, and he also found his way into short-yardage packages.
  8. Ray Davis: James Cook has looked terrific so far this year, and those who roster him should make sure they have his immediate backup in reserve.
  9. Tyrone Tracy Jr.: This rookie found his place on the Giants depth chart right behind Devin Singletary. He is another required fantasy insurance RB, if you roster Singletary.
  10. Emanuel Wilson: Josh Jacobs' current backup totaled 81 yards from scrimmage with a receiving TD in Week 3.

Wide Receiver Starters For Week 4

START Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The Seahawks will face their most potent offensive opponent so far this season on Monday Night at Detroit. Game flow may dictate that Geno Smith and his pass-catchers will be very busy, and the Lions pass defense is vulnerable to the Seahawks' premier WR trio. Detroit has allowed the second-most FFPG to WRs, and we may see the version of Smith-Njigba that came through with a breakthrough performance at New England in Week 2.

START Terry McLaurin: We will double down on Washington offensive players this week, as the Commanders boast the best pass blocking grade for any team on PFF in Week 4. Jayden Daniels will have time to throw and can also be dangerous when breaking the pocket, so McLaurin is set to shine against a shaky Arizona pass defense. He caught a 55-yard TD pass and finished with 100 receiving yards in a Week 3 win over Cincinnati.

START George Pickens: The Steelers have not lost a game yet, and Justin Fields is remaining as the QB starter as Mike Tomlin sticks with the formula that is leading to early-season victories. This might be the week when the new Pittsburgh QB starts to let loose more, and Pickens is his unrivaled No. 1 pass-catcher. Indianapolis ranks 29th in FFPG allowed to WRs.

START Khalil Shakir: He is Buffalo's most established WR and is worthy of regular fantasy lineup consideration. The Bills' passing game is reshuffled in terms of personnel, yet Shakir remains a trusted target for Josh Allen. He has caught two TD passes and registered two games with five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards. Baltimore-Buffalo is going to be a fun game to watch and have fantasy interest in, and the Ravens are 26th in receiving yards allowed to WRs.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 4 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

  1. Jauan Jennings: Those who consulted Seahawks Fantasy Insider last week saw that Jennings was No. 1 in our WR waiver wire rankings ahead of his massive statistical performance against the Rams. Hopefully, you enjoyed the 40-plus point fantasy day, which far exceeded all expectations.
  2. Mike Williams: The new Jet and former Charger is progressively working himself back into form after last season's knee injury. Make a forward-looking play on him now.
  3. Josh Downs: Returned to action in Week 3 and may soon resurface as a quality PPR option.
  4. Tutu Atwell: Once again, he is admirably filling an injury void for the Rams.
  5. Jahan Dotson: The Eagles are dealing with significant WR injuries, so Dotson could play a prominent role in the passing game in Week 4, before a needed bye.
  6. Darnell Mooney: Showing upside again as a deep threat for Kirk Cousins.
  7. Michael Wilson: Pick Wilson up and see if he seizes the No. 2 WR role in Arizona.
  8. Xavier Leggette: This rookie may start to make some fantasy noise with Dalton at QB.
  9. Allen Lazard: Has caught three TD passes this season, and can be a streamer for TD potential even when Mike Williams is more up to regular speed.
  10. Demario Douglas: Is showing signs of potentially becoming the best New England WR to have on your roster.

Quarterback Starters For Week 4

START C.J. Stroud: Expect a rebound performance from Houston and its QB in Week 4. Jacksonville has allowed the second-most FFPG to QBs. The Jaguars will also be aiming for a better performance after getting blown out by Buffalo, so the AFC South matchup will be competitive and should supply a healthy amount of offense. Stroud will throw often to keep his team ahead. The Texans are another team with a top WR trio, and that group will help their QB post good numbers in Week 4.

START Brock Purdy: The 49ers have the fourth-best pass blocking grade on PFF for Week 4. Even though the Niners are dealing with some key offensive injuries, they will overwork the Patriots defense while controlling time of possession and game flow.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 4 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

  1. Sam Darnold: His knee injury is not considered to be serious. You do have to take the four-TD performance from Week 4 seriously, though.
  2. Justin Fields: If he stays slotted into the starting role, the good rushing numbers should roll in soon.
  3. Geno Smith: He passed for 320-plus yards and two TDs in a pair of matchups with the Lions over the past two seasons. Add the Seahawks QB before another possible quality fantasy outing, because he will be very deserving of starting fantasy consideration in the upcoming weeks, when streaming options will be needed.
  4. Andy Dalton: He passed for 319 yards and three TDs last week, and faces his former team, the Bengals, in Week 4.

Tight End Starters For Week 4

START Dalton Kincaid: Some fantasy players may be unsure whether to start Kincaid if they have another respectable TE option. He caught his first TD pass of the season in Week 3, and Baltimore has allowed the second-most FFPG to TEs.

START Cole Kmet: The Chicago TE is back on the fantasy radar after he caught 10 balls for 97 yards and a TD in Week 3. The Rams rank 29th in FFPG allowed to TEs.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 4 Waiver Wire Tight Ends

  1. Cole Kmet: The TE position is so thin in fantasy football, that you simply must add Kmet and see if he can build off the Week 3 outing.
  2. Tyler Conklin: He finished with five receptions for 93 yards last week. Conklin might be a quality streaming option in the weeks ahead.
  3. Noah Fant: In Week 3, Fant caught six passes for 60 yards. He is a viable TE2 add for the upcoming weeks.

Check out the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2024 season.

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