Twenty Players to watch in Week Four

While many fantasy football players stop paying attention to the preseason after week three, veteran dynasty league players know week four is still very important. Many players are still competing for important roster spots, some are locked into pivotal positional battles and some may even be cut and find better homes later this weekend. No matter how you slice it, this is no time to fall asleep. With that in mind, here are some players to keep an eye on this week:

Kendall Hunter, RB SF
Hunter is seemingly making a serious run at Anthony Dixon for the backup running back spot in San Francisco after averaging a robust 7.3 yards per carry this preseason. With Frank Gore’s contract situation, this is becoming very noteworthy.

Ben Tate, RB HOU
Tate has also stepped up big time and has posted 147 yards on just 20 carries so far this preseason. With Arian Foster looking moderately iffy, the battle between Tate and Derrick Ward is on. It’s likely they’d both split carries if Foster was to miss time, but Tate has outplayed Ward thus far.

John Beck, QB WAS
It’s now or never for Beck or Rex Grossman to stake their claim to the job in Washington.

Marcus Easley, WR BUF
It may actually show us more if he doesn’t play, as he’s started to gain ground on Donald Jones for the #2 spot in Buffalo.

Danario Alexander, Greg Salas and Austin Pettis, WRs STL
You could put Mardy Gilyard, Donnie Avery and some others in this group as well because there simply aren’t enough spots on the roster for all these guys.

Brandon Tate, WR NE
Sounds like he needs a big game to make the roster – that would be a huge for the player many thought could help replace Randy Moss last season.

Cam Newton, QB CAR
He’s looked nothing like a starting caliber quarterback so far. Another clunker would get the Panthers faithful a little worried.

Dwayne Harris and Kevin Ogletree, WRs DAL
Can we have a third receiver to go with Bryant and Austin, please?

Dezmon Briscoe, WR TB
Much like Easley, it could tell us the most if he doesn’t play. It certainly looks like he’s earned a serious role.

Tashard Choice, DeMarco Murray, Phillip Tanner, Lonyae Miller, RBs DAL
Somebody has to step up and stake their claim as the handcuff to Felix Jones.

Ryan Torain, RB WAS
Once thought to be the sure fire starter this season, he may now need a big game to solidify his spot in the pecking order behind Tim Hightower and Roy Helu.

Jerrel Jernigan, WR NYG
Having four fumbles in one game is no way to make a football team. Can he bounce back?

Shane Vereen, RB NE
Big week for him to prove he belongs on the Pats final roster – his hamstring injury has destroyed his training camp.

Antonio Brown, WR PIT
If he continues to play this well, he’s going to be tough to bench in favor of Emmanuel Sanders.

Donald Brown, RB IND
He’s quickly losing his grip on the backup job to Joseph Addai.

Daniel Thomas, RB MIA
Anyone who drafted Thomas this Summer has to be getting concerned as he’s showed relatively nothing thus far.

Julius Thomas, TE DEN
He’s quickly becoming relevant in redraft formats, not just keeper and dynasty leagues.

Vincent Brown, WR SD
He’s a bit behind in camp and could use a solid outing to make his owners feel good about drafting him.

Greg Little, WR CLE
He may not play much, but it’s becoming significant that the Browns seem to be holding him down on the depth chart at the moment. He may need a shot across the bow, but he’ll be fine in the long run – let’s see how he responds this week.

Colin Kaepernick, QB SF
Alex Smith looks like, well, Alex Smith right now. Kaepernick could use a good game to at least make the coaching staff consider him at some point this season.