Week 4 of the NFL season has arrived, and the fantasy quarterback landscape has taken quite the turn. Josh Allen and Jayden Daniels currently reign supreme, but who will stand out this week?
Let’s break down my Week 4 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football quarterback picks.
Start ‘Em: Joe Burrow (Bengals) at Panthers
After an underwhelming Week 1 effort, Burrow has bounced back nicely from a fantasy perspective. While it hasn’t translated to wins for the Bengals, their quarterback has scored 42.6 points over the last couple games. With Tee Higgins back at his disposal and Cincy’s offensive arsenal fully healthy, Burrow racked up 324 yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders.
This week, Burrow will take on a Carolina defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Andy Dalton replacing Bryce Young could actually prove to be a positive thing for Burrow’s fantasy production, as we could be looking at a closer contest than if Young was under center for the Panthers.
Things appear to finally be clicking for the Bengals’ offense, which means you can fire up the man who runs it with confidence in starting lineups.
Sit ‘Em: Kirk Cousins (Falcons) vs. Saints
Last year’s QB7 in points per game has failed to find his footing in Atlanta so far.
Despite having an abundance of talent to work with, Cousins has scored more than 13 points just once through three games. Things won’t get any easier against this stout New Orleans secondary, who have allowed 11.25 fantasy points per contest to opposing quarterbacks. The Saints have given up just one passing touchdown in 2024 while racking up a ridiculous five interceptions.
While there are certain members of Atlanta’s offense you have to start — Bijan Robinson and Drake London — their signal caller has not earned that right. Keep him on your bench ahead of what should be an ugly, grind-it-out divisional affair.
Check out my full Week 4 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Sam Darnold (Vikings) at Packers
One week of production could be a coincidence. Two weeks puts you on notice. Three weeks makes a statement.
Sam Darnold and the Vikings are here to stay. The former first-round pick put on a show against Houston on Sunday, effortlessly racking up four touchdowns and no interceptions to accumulate 23.2 fantasy points. His rapport with Justin Jefferson has been seamless through three games, as the two have connected 14 times for 273 yards and three scores. It’s not just Jefferson though, Darnold has established a strong on-field partnership with Jalen Nailor, also finding success targeting Aaron Jones out of the backfield.
Darnold has proven he’s capable of taking down high-level defenses in back-to-back weeks, which gives me plenty of confidence in him heading into a clash with the Packers. The 27-year-old did pick up a minor knee bruise, so be sure to monitor his status throughout the week. Assuming he’s good to go, fire him up as a QB1 in Green Bay.
Sit ‘Em: Anthony Richardson (Colts) vs. Steelers
If you haven’t been able to watch a Colts game this year, I would highly recommend tuning in next Sunday.
Unless Anthony Richardson is on your fantasy team. It may be too painful.
Everything that made Richardson an elite fantasy quarterback last season has been missing in his last two games. The cannon of an arm? Gone. The elite rushing upside? Evaporated. The horrendous decision making that leads to turnovers? Very present.
Chicago’s defense is a relatively formidable unit, and they made Richardson incredibly uncomfortable operating out of the pocket. He couldn’t seem to make a decisive read, rarely set his feet for throws, and the result was two truly atrocious picks. This week, Indy draws one of the strongest defenses in the league in Pittsburgh, which doesn’t give me much hope for a bounce-back performance from Richardson. There are better options out there at quarterback.
Fantasy Advice Twitter Takeover
On Sunday from 11-1 ET, Jeff Pratt will be taking over the DraftKings Network X account to answer all of your start/sit questions. Don’t miss out!
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 4 fantasy football quarterback picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice next week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
