Week 4 of the NFL season has arrived! Multiple significant injuries have already shaken things up around the league, setting the stage for tough lineup decisions for every fantasy manager. Let’s break down my fantasy football start/sit Week 4 picks for the 2026 season.
Week 4 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Picks
QB Start/Sit Week 4
Start: Bryce Young vs. Lions
Bryce Young came back down to earth against the Browns after racking up elite QB1 numbers to open the season, but he still managed 14.6 fantasy points. It was actually a decent day for Carolina’s signal caller, who racked up 291 passing yards. He only found the end zone once through the air and did toss an interception, which explains the middling fantasy output.
Young’s lack of rushing upside will force the young quarterback to rely on his arm to produce points. That shouldn’t be a problem against Detroit. The Lions are allowing by far the most fantasy points to QBs through three weeks, setting the stage for Young to bounce back into QB1 territory.
Sit: Drake Maye at Bills
Sigh. It’s time.
One offseason removed from a runner-up MVP campaign, Drake Maye just doesn’t look right. He’s not confident in any decision he makes on the field right now or in his arm, which has translated to seven turnovers through three games. Each subsequent interception or fumble only compounds his struggles.
After being drafted as a consensus top-three fantasy QB, Maye hasn’t scored 13 points in a game yet this season. He’ll likely need to throw a lot to keep pace with Josh Allen on the other side of the ball, but it’s impossible to trust his ability to do so until proven otherwise.
WR Start/Sit Week 4
Start: Terry McLaurin vs. Colts
No Jayden Daniels, no problem for Terry McLaurin?
That’s what it seemed like against an elite Seattle secondary, as McLaurin commanded nine targets, hauling in six of them for 77 yards and a touchdown. It was the second straight outing Scary Terry saw nine targets in, suggesting he has reclaimed his role as Washington’s WR1.
McLaurin and Marcus Mariota’s rapport should carry over into a favorable Week 4 matchup with the Colts, who have surrendered significant fantasy points to receivers this year. Fire Terry up as a strong WR2.
Sit: Jameson Williams at Panthers
Despite fantasy managers having high hopes heading into the 2026 season, the immensely infuriating Jameson Williams experience has continued through three weeks. Williams is a game-breaker, capable of taking any touch to the end zone. The issue is, his usage is wildly inconsistent.
Williams hasn’t scored double-digit fantasy points in a game yet this season. In Week 1, at least he saw nine targets, suggesting an expanded role in Detroit’s offense. However, he amassed just eight combined looks over the subsequent two contests. There’s little room for optimism that he’ll be able to break out against the Panthers, who have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers this season.
Find all of our Week 4 fantasy football advice and content here!
RB Start/Sit Week 4
Start: Aaron Jones vs. Dolphins
About to turn 32 years old, many doubted Aaron Jones’ ability to be a bell cow for Minnesota following Jordan Mason’s injury. He wasted little time proving those doubters wrong.
Jones has seen 40 carries over the last two weeks, averaging over four yards per attempt. Last week against Tampa Bay, he returned to his vintage form as a receiving back, catching five balls for an additional 34 yards. It’s safe to say Jones hasn’t lost his fastball, playing a massive role in the Vikings’ improbable 3-0 start.
The veteran will aim to keep the momentum rolling against an atrocious Miami run defense this week. The Dolphins are allowing the most fantasy points to RBs in the league, putting Jones firmly in RB2 territory with upside.
Sit: Alvin Kamara vs. Falcons
Following Travis Etienne Jr.’s hamstring injury, Alvin Kamara is going to be a popular start in Week 4 within a productive Saints offense. I’m here to tell you to pump the brakes.
Kamara was hideously inefficient in his Week 2 season debut, which he remedied a bit against the Raiders last game. Unfortunately, the veteran and New Orleans draw arguably the toughest run defense on paper in their next matchup. Atlanta is surrendering fewer than 14 points to running backs per contest. Kamara could prove useful returning to his featured role down the line, but I doubt that will end up being the case in Week 4.
TE Start/Sit Week 4
Start: Darren Waller vs. Lions
It should come as no surprise that my QB start of the week’s emerging target earns the nod at tight end. Darren Waller is throwing the “washed” accusations to the side early into the 2026 campaign. The veteran caught a pair of touchdowns against the Falcons and carved out a more established role against Cleveland in his next outing, hauling in five of eight targets for 51 yards.
The Lions have been incredibly vulnerable to tight ends this year, allowing by far the most fantasy points per game to the position. That bodes well for Waller, who immediately jumps into TE1 territory for this matchup.
Sit: Dalton Kincaid vs. Patriots
Don’t be fooled by New England’s recent demoralizing defeat at the hands of Jacksonville, this is a top-five defensive unit in the NFL. Drake Maye still clearly has to figure it out, but the Patriots are going to compete every week because of their defense.
New England has been incredibly stingy to tight ends through three contests, giving up just 6.2 fantasy points per game to the position. That should remain the case against Kincaid, who came back down to earth last week after a hot start to the season. Trust what the matchup data says and look elsewhere at TE in Week 4.
Those are my Week 4 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em picks! Stay tuned for positional WR and RB 2026 Week 4 start/sit picks and advice later this week.
