Week 4 Players I Hate in Fantasy Football

Each week, I’ll be looking to spotlight players and defenses that I think have a tough matchup that could prevent them from producing their usual value. However, this is not intended as blanket advice to play fringe players ahead of established studs—for example, even if I call out a negative matchup for Josh Allen, it doesn’t mean he should be benched for Cam Ward—so always consider your own lineup alternatives.

With that out of the way, let’s look at Week 4:

Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

It’s been a dream start for Cousins and the Raiders with the veteran tossing nine touchdown passes to set up a battle of 3-0 teams with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. The bad news, though, is that Kansas City has been the best in the league in limiting quarterbacks. Thus far, the Chiefs have allowed 184 yards passing per game and an NFL-low two TD passes. This might be the week Cousins turns back into a pumpkin to kick off October.

Others I Don’t Like

• Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: The Tennessee Titans may be winless, but they’ve allowed little to opposing quarterbacks this year. That includes just 37 yards rushing despite facing Jalen Hurts in Week 2.
• Drake Maye, New England Patriots: In two meetings with the Buffalo Bills last year, Maye didn’t throw a touchdown pass. He’s struggling right now, and this doesn’t feel like a get-right game.
• Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Not that you probably need another reason to be down on LA’s offense, but I’ll give you one anyway. They’re facing an angry Seattle Seahawks defense on the road this Sunday.

Running Backs

Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

Williams finally got rolling in Brazil, turning 19 carries into 98 yards and a touchdown. The good times may not last. Awaiting the jet-lagged Cowboys in Week 4 will be a desperate Houston Texans team that, despite its winless record, is brutal against running backs. Through three games, the Texans are allowing 88 total yards per game and have yet to allow a back to score.

Others I Don’t Like

• Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints: Kamara should be the lead back this Monday with Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) out. Thus far, however, nobody has been able to run on the Atlanta Falcons, who are allowing just 48 rushing yards per game to RBs.
• Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: While you’re never going to sit Taylor, it could be another performance akin to his 23-68-0 line from Week 3 this Sunday. Only Atlanta and Tampa Bay have given up fewer ground yards to backs than the Washington Commanders.
• Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers: All that stuff above about a fired-up Seahawks D. That applies to Hampton as well.

Wide Receivers

Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Following a quiet opener, Rice has picked things up considerably, topping 80 yards receiving in each of the last two games. He runs into a surprisingly solid Raiders defense in Week 4. On the season, Las Vegas has given up 142 yards per game to wideouts and is one of just two teams to not allow a touchdown to the position. This is the biggest game the Raiders have played in years, so expect that defense to be flying around come Sunday.

Others I Don’t Like

• Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions: Williams was marginally better in Week 3 (4-49-0), though he still has just 10 receptions through three games. This week, he faces the Carolina Panthers. Only Seattle has allowed fewer yards to receivers this season than Carolina.
• Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers: Have I mentioned I really don’t like LA’s matchups this week, especially after Seattle lost against Marcus Mariota last Sunday?
• Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears: Raymond is riding high and on pace to have by far his best season after more than a decade in the NFL. I’d be careful with him this week. The New York Jets have limited wideouts to 112 yards per game, and Aaron Glenn knows Raymond well from their time together in Detroit.

Tight Ends

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

With Zay Flowers back in the fold, Andrews resumed his complementary role in Week 3, catching three passes for 24 yards. That’s still more than the Titans have allowed on a per-game basis this season as Tennessee has given up just 16 yards to the position—Kenyon Sadiq had a running TD in Week 1, which is why they’re not No. 1 overall versus tight ends, but Andrews is no threat to do that.

Others I Don’t Like

• Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: Kincaid came crashing down to Earth in Week 3 after opening the year with back-to-back big games. It may not get much better this week. The New England Patriots have held TEs to a collective 10-84-0 line through three games.
• Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears: The Jets limited Tucker Kraft and Sam LaPorta to 59 yards on five catches combined over the last two weeks. Those waiting for Loveland to break out may need to wait at least another week.

Defensive Teams

• Chicago Bears: The Jets have turned the ball over only once this season. Plus, having this matchup sandwiched between games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers makes it feel ripe for a letdown.
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Burrow typically doesn’t take a lot of sacks and is careful with the football. Why bank on Jacksonville bucking those trends in Week 4?
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay’s only path to victory with an undrafted rookie at QB might be to force turnovers. The Packers know that, and it could spawn a very conservative approach that limits what Tampa Bay’s D can accomplish.