By Ryan Bologna
We’re heading into week four of the NFL season, and we’re going to start finding out who is for real and who isn’t. There are some players who have disappointed so far that you probably shouldn’t give up on yet, but that doesn’t apply to everyone. We’ve compiled what the experts are saying so you can set your lineups for week four.
Quarterbacks
Given the start to the season Russell Wilson has had, it’s surprising that the majority of outlets suggest starting him this week. The Broncos offense has looked broken, and that’s putting it nicely. The experts see the upcoming game against the 0-3 Raiders an opportunity for Wilson and the Broncos offense to get right.
It’s easy to see why most experts recommend sitting Matthew Stafford this week. He is facing the 49ers, who have an argument for the best defense in the league. Despite the win over San Francisco in the NFC Championship game last year, the Rams have not had a good recent track record against the 49ers. It’s probably a good decision to leave Stafford out of your starting lineup this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Joe Burrow, Derek Carr, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady | Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence, Carson Wentz |
| ESPN | Joe Burrow, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff | Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, Trevor Lawrence, Ryan Tannehill |
| CBS | Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson | Matthew Stafford, Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, Justin Fields |
| Yahoo | Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson | Jameis Winston, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Trevor Lawrence, Aaron Rodgers |
| Sporting News | Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers | Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr, Carson Wentz, Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston |
Running Backs
Four out of five outlets recommend starting Breece Hall this week. Everyone who drafted Hall knew that they would be playing the long game. He was targeted 11 times last week, leading the team. He should continue to have a strong presence in the receiving game with starting quarterback Zach Wilson returning. For those who have stashed Hall on their bench, now might be the time to take the plunge and put him in the starting lineup.
Jeff Wilson was one of the top waiver wire pickups just a couple of weeks ago, but he has a tough matchup with the Rams this week. Those who picked up Wilson might have been using him as a stop-gap until they are comfortable starting someone like Hall. Wilson has been serviceable in the last couple of weeks, but now might be the time to transition away from him.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Dameon Pierce, Breece Hall, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jamaal Williams | Jeff Wilson, J.K. Dobbins, Darrell Henderson, Raheem Mostert, Chase Edmonds |
| ESPN | Jamaal Williams, Jeff Wilson, Breece Hall, Dameon Pierce, Ezekiel Elliott | Tony Pollard, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Rhamondre Stephenson, Damien Harris, J.K. Dobbins |
| CBS | Khalil Herbert, James Connor, Dameon Pierce, Breece Hall, Cordarrelle Patterson | Cam Akers, J.K. Dobbins, Miles Sanders, Damien Harris, |
| Yahoo | Jamaal Williams, James Robinson, Khalil Herbert, Dameon Pierce, Miles Sanders | Jeff Wilson, Ezekiel Elliott, Josh Jacobs, Rhamondre Stephenson, Tony Pollard |
| Sporting News | Dameon Pierce, Ezekiel Elliott, Kareem Hunt, Rhamondre Stephenson, Breece Hall | Miles Sanders, Jeff Wilson, Josh Jacobs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Devin Singletary |
Wide Receivers
Gabe Davis was a popular start in week one, and he returns this week ahead of the Bills’ matchup with the Ravens. Baltimore’s secondary has not been good for over a year now. That’s a recipe for a high-scoring game with how explosive Buffalo’s offense is. Expect a similar game to that Dolphins vs Ravens matchup from a couple of weeks ago. There will be plenty of fantasy points to go around.
Experts recommend sitting Brandon Aiyuk this week. The Rams defense is a tough matchup and the 49ers offense looked terrible last week with Jimmy Garoppolo returning. Aiyuk will also never have a role that is bigger than Deebo Samuel in San Francisco offense. Everything about this matchup indicates that you should leave Aiyuk on the bench this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Gabe Davis, Chris Olave, DeVante Smith, Amari Cooper | Allen Lazard, Russell Gage, Allen Robinson, Treylon Burks |
| ESPN | Drake London, DeVonta Smith, Michael Thomas, Gabe Davis, DK Metcalf | DJ Moore, Zay Jones, Allen Lazard, Elijah Moore, Adam Thielen |
| CBS | Brandin Cooks, Chris Olave, DeVonta Smith, Gabe Davis, Amari Cooper | Brandon Aiyuk, Jahan Dotson, Allen Robinson, Allen Lazard |
| Yahoo | Marquise Brown, Courtland Sutton, Drake London, Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson | Brandin Cooks, Rashod Bateman, Tyler Lockett, DeVonta Smith, Michael Thomas |
| Sporting News | Drake London, DK Metcalf, Rashod Bateman, DeVonta Smith, Michael Thomas | Brandin Cooks, Amari Cooper, Brandon Aiyuk, Elijah Moore, Adam Thielen |
Tight Ends
Experts have recommended sitting a lot of players in that Rams vs 49ers matchup, but one player that they love from that game is Tyler Higbee. He has been consistent so far this season and is playing 95% of the snaps so far this season, which is very high compared to other tight ends. Despite playing a tough defense, outlets still recommend starting Higbee this week.
Four out of five outlets suggest sitting Logan Thomas this week. He was a popular pickup on the waiver wire in recent weeks, but the Washington offense struggled mightily against Philadelphia. Thomas had two receptions for five yards and his role in the offense has diminished each week. The trio of Terry Mclaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel will continue to take away targets from Thomas as the season goes along.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | David Njoku, Tyler Higbee, T.J. Hockenson, Dawson Knox | Cameron Brate, Logan Thomas, Jelani Woods, Robert Tonyan |
| ESPN | Tyler Higbee, T.J. Hockenson, Zach Ertz, Pat Freiermuth, Dallas Goedert | Irv Smith, Robert Tonyan, Evan Engram, Logan Thomas, Hayden Hurst |
| CBS | Zach Ertz, David Njoku, Tyler Conklin | Dawson Knox, Mike Gesicki, Logan Thomas |
| Yahoo | Zach Ertz, T.J. Hockenson, Tyler Higbee, David Njoku, Evan Engram | Logan Thomas, Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry, Cole Cmet, Cameron Brate |
| Sporting News | Dalton Schultz, David Njoku, Tyler Conklin, Hayden Hurst, Robert Tonyan | Pat Freiermuth, Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Dawson Knox, Evan Engram |
