Fantasy Football: Confident NFL Week 4 Starters
Fantasy Football: Confident NFL Week 4 Starters
Fantasy football managers are already scrambling to put together their lineups leading up to NFL week 4 due to all the major injuries we have seen to big-time players early into the season. With some of these key fantasy football assets being out this week, it does provide an opportunity for other players, and if you are an owner of these guys, throw them in your lineup with the increased volume they can expect to see with their supporting cast being sidelined for NFL week 4. All projections are based on sleepers’ PPR week 4 projections.
Fantasy Football NFL Week 4 Starts: Quarterback
Tyler Shough / Week 4 Projection – 18.61 FPTS vs. Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough found his way on this list last week when he faced off against the Raiders, in which he produced 24.80 fantasy football points despite turning the ball over 3 consecutive drives in a row. At this point, Shough is every week starter for your fantasy football lineups coming in at QB 3 through the first 3 weeks of the NFL season.
Not only is Shough on a heater, but the situation and matchup are one of the more favorable spots around the league this week. The Saints take on the 3rd-worst pass defense in the Atlanta Falcons, who rank 29th in the NFL, giving up 263 YPG to opposing quarterbacks. On top of that, the Saints have shown, even on the goal line, they prefer to air it out instead of pounding the rock on the ground like most teams. With running back Etienne hitting the IR this week, that trend will continue for the Saints’ offense and their pass game.
Sep 27, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Fantasy Football NFL Week 4 Starts: Running back
Braelon Allen / Week 4 Projection – 12.81 FPTS @ Chicago Bears
The New York Jets offense has been very productive, averaging over 21 points per game through the first 3 weeks of the NFL season. The offense did take a blow losing star running back Breece Hall with a quad injury for week 4. That gives Braelon Allen the nod to lead the backfield this Sunday against the Bears’ shaky defense. Allen isn’t just a fill-in backup; he is a massive body that can provide a big spark in the running game, and we can expect to see him get serious usage in week 4.
The Chicago Bears defense ranks 23rd in the NFL issuing 122 yards on the ground a game on the defensive side of the ball. With Allen expected to have a big workload in a favorable matchup, we can expect to see the fresh big frame back have a solid fantasy football performance, making him a must-start if you were lucky enough to have him on your bench or sniped him off waivers.
Sep 27, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) leaps over Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Fantasy Football NFL Week 4 Starts: Wide Receiver
Jordan Addison / Week 4 Projection – 12.81 FPTS vs. Miami Dolphins
Big news in the fantasy football world is that top NFL wideout Justin Jefferson will be inactive for the Minnesota Vikings in week 4 when they host the Miami Dolphins. Last week, when Jefferson exited the game, we saw Jordan Addison step in and make some massive plays, including a deep touchdown catch on 3rd and long in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Addison finished the game with 5 catches on 9 targets and 90 yards, finishing with 20 FPTS, which finished in the top 12 for week 3 receivers. With no Jefferson, we can expect Addison to be the main focal point for this Minnesota offense against a Miami defense that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL, giving up over 230 pass yards a game this season. Jordan Addison will see a lot of usage and should be starting in your fantasy football lineups for week 4.
Sep 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) runs against Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Fantasy Football NFL Week 4 Starts: Tight End
Sam Laporta / Week 4 Projections – 11.16 FPTS @ Carolina Panthers
The Lions will toe it up on Sunday night football in Charolette taking on the Carolina Panthers in a SNF matchup that looks like a shootout on paper. This game should be very high-paced, so there are plenty of starts in this matchup. Sam Laporta, Detroit tight end, is looking to have a bounce back after having a quiet week 3 against the Jets in what was a high-scoring affair.
Carolina’s defense ranks 21st against the tight end position so far this season, and they don’t have an easy task going up against Laporta and the Lions on Sunday. We saw Laporta have a big game in week 2 against the Bills in a game that was high-paced, and this game looks like it will be similar; that should give you plenty of confidence in starting Laporta in week 4 with a good matchup in primetime football.
The Last Word
It is really frustrating to see one of your early-round picks go down and miss time, but as a fantasy football manager, you have to find a way to make it work. Hopefully, you drafted handcuffs for some of those players. With Hall and Jefferson being out, this is a huge spot for Allen and Addison, who are great talents that are just in the shadows of those superstars. Both players will have big weeks and must start.
With Shough, you can feel confident every week going forward with how well he is playing and Kellen Moore running the show and calling the plays in New Orleans. With Laporta, the game is going to be fast and high scoring, just like the Lions have been playing all year, plus the favorable matchup vs a Carolina defense that struggles to contain the position. This is an awesome spot for a Laporta Legacy game.
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