Week 4 of the NFL season has arrived! Injuries have already thrown a wrench into multiple receiving corps around the league, so it’s time to take a deep dive into the position.
Let’s break down my Week 4 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football wide receiver picks.
Start ‘Em: Khalil Shakir (Bills) at Ravens
If you’re not on the Khalil Shakir hype train at this point, this is likely the last stop.
I wrote up Shakir as a start in last week’s article, and he proceeded to score 19.2 PPR points with six receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Josh Allen’s No. 1 receiving threat has caught 14 balls through three games, nearly twice as many as the next-most productive receivers in Buffalo.
This week, the Bills take on a Ravens secondary that has shockingly allowed the most receiving yards (291.7) per game this season. As Shakir continues to strengthen his rapport with Allen, I expect consistent high-end WR2 production from the speedster.
Sit ‘Em: Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts) vs. Steelers
This has virtually nothing to do with Pittman and everything to do with Anthony Richardson, who I wrote up as my sit of the week at quarterback.
As much as it pains me to say this as a huge Richardson fan, his last two games have been a complete disaster. Five interceptions with just one touchdown and a 50% completion rate is about as ugly as it gets, especially considering his immense talent. As a result, Pittman’s numbers have dipped steeply to start the season. Indy’s WR1 has failed to score eight PPR points in each of their three games, and now he’s set to face an elite Steelers defense on Sunday.
Leave Pittman on your bench until he and Richardson get back on the same page.
Check out my full Week 4 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: D.J. Moore (Bears) vs. Rams
The Bears cannot run the ball. Their atrocious offensive line simply does not allow it.
As a result, Caleb Williams has been forced to throw to keep Chicago in games. That’s exactly what he did in Week 3, completing 33 of a whopping 52 attempts. The running game struggles are great news for D.J. Moore managers, as Williams’ go-to guy has seen 28 targets through three games. It hasn’t translated to a touchdown yet, but Moore did rack up 15.2 PPR points against the Colts.
This week, he’ll face off against a Rams secondary that has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards per game. At some point, D.J. is going to get in the end zone, but even if it’s not this Sunday he presents a very safe floor thanks to the high target share.
Fantasy Advice Twitter Takeover
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Sit ‘Em: Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins) vs. Titans
Take a minute and read what I wrote for Waddle as a sit last week.
The same logic applies, except now he’s likely either catching passes from Tim Boyle or Tyler Huntley instead of Skylar Thompson. With Tua Tagovailoa sidelined, Miami is going to continue relying on De’Von Achane and the run game as the focal point of their offense.
Waddle caught four balls for 26 yards in Seattle, and it doesn’t feel realistic to expect much more from him against the Titans this week.
Start ‘Em: Diontae Johnson (Panthers) vs. Bengals
Look at what competent quarterback play can do for a receiver! (Sorry, Bryce Young.)
It was night and day between the rookie and Andy Dalton, who took over and absolutely picked apart a Raiders defense that had just given the Ravens fits in Week 2. His primary target was none other Johnson, who caught 8 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Dalton isn’t going to burn a secondary over the top, but he’s perfectly capable of operating within the intermediate range, which is where Diontae excels.
With Adam Thielen either out or significantly limited after suffering a hamstring injury, Johnson stands alone as Dalton’s top receiver for their Week 4 tilt against the Bengals. He should see a ton of targets once again and immediately steps into fantasy-relevant territory.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 4 fantasy football wide receiver picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice later this week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
