Week Four Positional Rankings

Whether mass injuries to star players or games getting postponed due to COVID-19, the 2020 NFL season has already seemingly had it all. While many dynasty players with star talent are scrambling to find alternatives, other – perhaps lesser on paper – teams are coming away with the fantasy Ws. Personally, I’ve had many matchups thus far decided by just one start/sit decision; the process we go through in this article each week will set you up to be better than simply a 50/50 guess for those decisions.

In this series, I’ll give you my top 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers, and 30 tight ends each week to help you with your start/sit decisions in your leagues. To generate this list each and every week, I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics.

Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players that perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision.

Without further ado, let’s dive into week four’s positional rankings!

Quarterback

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
QB	Russell Wilson	@MIA	1
QB	Dak Prescott	CLE	2
QB	Patrick Mahomes II	NE	3
QB	Lamar Jackson	@WAS	4
QB	Kyler Murray	@CAR	5
QB	Josh Allen	@LV	6
QB	Aaron Rodgers	ATL	7
QB	Cam Newton	@KC	8
QB	Deshaun Watson	MIN	9
QB	Joe Burrow	JAC	10
QB	Matthew Stafford	NO	11
QB	Ryan Fitzpatrick	SEA	12
QB	Gardner Minshew II	@CIN	13
QB	Matt Ryan	@GB	14
QB	Jared Goff	NYG	15
QB	Drew Brees	@DET	16
QB	Kirk Cousins	@HOU	17
QB	Ben Roethlisberger	@TEN	18
QB	Tom Brady	LAC	19
QB	Baker Mayfield	@DAL	20
QB	Ryan Tannehill	PIT	21
QB	Daniel Jones	@LAR	22
QB	Teddy Bridgewater	ARI	23
QB	Carson Wentz	@SF	24
QB	Justin Herbert	@TB	25
QB	Nick Foles	IND	26
QB	Philip Rivers	@CHI	27
QB	Derek Carr	BUF	28
QB	Sam Darnold	DEN	29
QB	Nick Mullens	PHI	30
QB	Dwayne Haskins	BAL	31
QB	Brett Rypien	@NYJ	32

Start ‘em: Joe Burrow, QB CIN

Arguably the most hyped rookie quarterback to come into the NFL since Andrew Luck, Burrow has not disappointed fantasy managers during the early part of his career. With the fantasy-cheat-code combination of rushing and passing volume, Burrow has managed to be the QB10 on the season thus far. While he still has a long way to go to plant his flag as a top-tier fantasy quarterback, the number one overall pick is making a strong case to be in your lineup each and every week.

In week four, the Bengals face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who in back-to-back weeks have allowed huge fantasy games to Ryan Tannehill and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Despite Joe not being a “Ryan”, he’s set up for success against this same defense. The Bengals have an implied team total of 26 points as three-point home favorites against the Jags.

Consider the following: the Jaguars have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks while only allowing the second-fewest passing attempts in the NFL. It’s not due to rushing either – the Jags have allowed just 51 yards on the ground and no touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. This Jaguars defense has been letting up incredibly efficient fantasy performances, and Joe Burrow stands to benefit in week four.

Sit ‘em: Nick Foles, QB CHI

It only took until week three for Nick Foles to steal the starting job from disappointing second-overall pick Mitch Trubisky. The former Super Bowl MVP came into Chicago’s week three game down by multiple scores, throwing three touchdowns en route to a comeback victory against Atlanta. While dynasty managers, particularly those in superflex leagues, loved seeing this performance out of Foles, there’s reason to be cautious heading into week four.

The Bears take on the Colts in a game that has one of the lowest over/unders of the week: just 43.5 points. The Colts have been the best team in the league against opposing quarterbacks this season, allowing just 26 fantasy points total on the season. Even in Superflex leagues, look for other options to Foles in what is shaping up to be a tough week.

If you’re desperate: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB MIA

The Fitz-magic has continued into 2020 from a fantasy perspective thus far. Despite a dismal five-point outing in week one, Fitzpatrick still ranks as the QB14 on the season on the back of two 24+ point games in weeks two and three. The Dolphins offense as a whole looks significantly better than they did in 2019, and it’s showing on the fantasy scoreboard. In week four, the Dolphins get the Seattle Seahawks and their incredibly efficient offense lead by Russell Wilson.

While the Seahawks have been one of the best offenses in the league so far, their defense has been suspect at best. They have allowed 1,319 passing yards on the season, the most in the league by over 200 yards. As teams have needed to score early and often against the Seahawks, opposing quarterbacks have put up big fantasy days. This trend will continue into week four, and Fitzpatrick should finish as a top 15 option at worst with upside for more.

Running Back

Pos	Player	Matchup	My Rank
RB	Alvin Kamara	@DET	1
RB	Aaron Jones	ATL	2
RB	Ezekiel Elliott	CLE	3
RB	Dalvin Cook	@HOU	4
RB	Kenyan Drake	@CAR	5
RB	Austin Ekeler	@TB	6
RB	Josh Jacobs	BUF	7
RB	Nick Chubb	@DAL	8
RB	Jonathan Taylor	@CHI	9
RB	Derrick Henry	PIT	10
RB	James Robinson	@CIN	11
RB	Clyde Edwards-Helaire	NE	12
RB	Darrell Henderson	NYG	13
RB	Miles Sanders	@SF	14
RB	James Conner	@TEN	15
RB	Joe Mixon	JAC	16
RB	Devin Singletary	@LV	17
RB	Kareem Hunt	@DAL	18
RB	David Montgomery	IND	19
RB	Mike Davis	ARI	20
RB	Melvin Gordon III	@NYJ	21
RB	Todd Gurley II	@GB	22
RB	Jerick McKinnon	PHI	23
RB	Myles Gaskin	SEA	24
RB	David Johnson	MIN	25
RB	Antonio Gibson	BAL	26
RB	Leonard Fournette	LAC	27
RB	Joshua Kelley	@TB	28
RB	Adrian Peterson	NO	29
RB	James White	@KC	30
RB	Mark Ingram II	@WAS	31
RB	Jeff Wilson Jr.	PHI	32
RB	Ronald Jones II	LAC	33
RB	Rex Burkhead	@KC	34
RB	J.K. Dobbins	@WAS	35
RB	Nyheim Hines	@CHI	36
RB	Carlos Hyde	@MIA	37
RB	Chase Edmonds	@CAR	38
RB	Latavius Murray	@DET	39
RB	Malcolm Brown	NYG	40
RB	D’Andre Swift	NO	41
RB	Giovani Bernard	JAC	42
RB	Zack Moss	@LV	43
RB	Frank Gore	DEN	44
RB	Devonta Freeman	@LAR	45
RB	Kerryon Johnson	NO	46
RB	Sony Michel	@KC	47
RB	Dion Lewis	@LAR	48
RB	Chris Thompson	@CIN	49
RB	Alexander Mattison	@HOU	50
RB	Jordan Howard	SEA	51
RB	Benny Snell Jr.	@TEN	52
RB	J.D. McKissic	BAL	53
RB	Boston Scott	@SF	54
RB	DeeJay Dallas	@MIA	55
RB	Darrel Williams	NE	56
RB	Jamaal Williams	ATL	57
RB	Reggie Bonnafon	ARI	58
RB	Gus Edwards	@WAS	59
RB	Tony Pollard	CLE	60

Start ‘em: Darrell Henderson, RB LAR

It’s been two consecutive weeks that Henderson has commanded significant volume in the Rams backfield. Over those weeks, Henderson has scored roughly 20 points per game in PPR leagues. With rookie second-round pick Cam Akers looking likely to continue to miss time, Henderson should be viewed as a top option at the running back position moving forward.

In week four, Henderson and the Rams get the lowly New York Giants who have allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs so far in 2020. The Rams, who have the second-highest implied team total at 30.75 points, will be scoring early and often against this Giants defense. Henderson is a clear plug-and-play option as a top 15 back with upside to be a top-five option this week.

Sit ‘em: Antonio Gibson, RB WAS

Washington’s third-round pick this season certainly hasn’t been a disappointment, but Gibson hasn’t “wow”-ed as a fantasy football running back thus far. While Gibson has been efficient with his rushes – averaging a solid 4.5 yards per carry – he has just 16 yards on six receptions on the season and does not yet have a game with more than 15 total touches. Ultimately, Gibson hasn’t shined as a fantasy option on one of the league’s bottom-tier offenses.

This week, Washington faces a Ravens team looking for redemption from their big Monday night loss. The Ravens have allowed just the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and are one of just two teams that have yet to allow a rushing touchdown to opposing backs. While Gibson should be a fine floor play at running back this week, his lack of matchup upside keeps him outside the top 24.

If you’re desperate: Carlos Hyde, RB SEA

With Chris Carson likely out for week four, one of the Seahawks running backs will have the opportunity to step up against a vulnerable Miami defense. The Seahawks are big favorites – unsurprisingly – and boast the fifth-highest implied team total of the week at 29.5 points. This, combined with Miami having just allowed a massive 30+ fantasy point performance to James Robinson, make this matchup ideal for a desperation play.

If we had more information, Hyde would be higher up the rankings with more confidence. However, it’s unclear at this time what the Seattle backfield will look like without Carson. Hyde is projected for lead duties, but his lack of receiving upside makes him a low-floor play. In the Seattle offense, Hyde has potential for a multi-touchdown day. You’d have to be a risk-taker, but Hyde is one of the better gambles in week four.

Wide Receiver

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
WR	DeAndre Hopkins	@CAR	1
WR	Calvin Ridley	@GB	2
WR	Allen Robinson II	IND	3
WR	Tyreek Hill	NE	4
WR	Tyler Lockett	@MIA	5
WR	Davante Adams	ATL	6
WR	Cooper Kupp	NYG	7
WR	Robert Woods	NYG	8
WR	D.K. Metcalf	@MIA	9
WR	Amari Cooper	CLE	10
WR	Adam Thielen	@HOU	11
WR	Keenan Allen	@TB	12
WR	JuJu Smith-Schuster	@TEN	13
WR	Terry McLaurin	BAL	14
WR	Mike Evans	LAC	15
WR	Stefon Diggs	@LV	16
WR	D.J. Moore	ARI	17
WR	Julian Edelman	@KC	18
WR	Odell Beckham Jr.	@DAL	19
WR	Kenny Golladay	NO	20
WR	Tyler Boyd	JAC	21
WR	DeVante Parker	SEA	22
WR	CeeDee Lamb	CLE	23
WR	Robby Anderson	ARI	24
WR	Marquise Brown	@WAS	25
WR	D.J. Chark Jr.	@CIN	26
WR	Allen Lazard	ATL	27
WR	Marvin Jones Jr.	NO	28
WR	Preston Williams	SEA	29
WR	Will Fuller V	MIN	30
WR	Jarvis Landry	@DAL	31
WR	Russell Gage	@GB	32
WR	Justin Jefferson	@HOU	33
WR	Michael Gallup	CLE	34
WR	T.Y. Hilton	@CHI	35
WR	A.J. Green	JAC	36
WR	Darius Slayton	@LAR	37
WR	Jerry Jeudy	@NYJ	38
WR	Corey Davis	PIT	39
WR	Laviska Shenault Jr.	@CIN	40
WR	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	ATL	41
WR	Brandon Aiyuk	PHI	42
WR	Keelan Cole	@CIN	43
WR	Cole Beasley	@LV	44
WR	Tee Higgins	JAC	45
WR	N’Keal Harry	@KC	46
WR	Golden Tate	@LAR	47
WR	Brandin Cooks	MIN	48
WR	Emmanuel Sanders	@DET	49
WR	Hunter Renfrow	BUF	50
WR	KJ Hamler	@NYJ	51
WR	Curtis Samuel	ARI	52
WR	Sammy Watkins	NE	53
WR	Mecole Hardman	NE	54
WR	Kendrick Bourne	PHI	55
WR	Randall Cobb	MIN	56
WR	Andy Isabella	@CAR	57
WR	Scotty Miller	LAC	58
WR	Anthony Miller	IND	59
WR	Tre’Quan Smith	@DET	60

Start ‘em: CeeDee Lamb, WR DAL

Lamb was without question one of the top rookie wide receivers in the 2020 draft class, and it’s showing on the field already. The star rookie has managed three consecutive games of five or more receptions and 50 or more yards. While Lamb has yet to find the end zone, his usage in the Dallas passing game has earned him a starting spot on your fantasy football team.

In week four, the Cowboys take on the Cleveland Browns in the game with the highest over/under of the week: 56 points. Vegas is expected a shootout, and that means fantasy points for everyone involved. The Browns has been a bottom-third team against opposing wide receivers this season, setting Lamb and the Cowboys up for another successful day. Overall, Lamb settles in as a low-end WR2 this week and should be started in most formats from here on out.

Sit ‘em: Robby Anderson, WR CAR

This week’s sit ‘em isn’t a true sit ‘em, as Anderson ranks as WR24 on the week. It’s hard to ignore what the newly signed Anderson has done for the Panthers. Through three weeks, Anderson is the WR8 overall in PPR formats. Though for the first time all season Anderson failed to eclipse 100 yards, week three was still a fairly productive ten-point fantasy performance for the veteran. If Anderson has a ten-point floor for 2020, he’s going to be a great fantasy asset throughout the year.

In week four, however, the Panthers have a difficult matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. With an implied team total of just 23.5 points, the Panthers are projected to be in the bottom third of team scorers for week four. Combine this with Arizona’s stout defense against wide receivers – having allowed the second-fewest points to the position on the year so far – and you have a difficult matchup in store for the Panthers’ WR2. Temper expectations this week for both Anderson and DJ Moore, but both should find some success as low-end fantasy WR2s.

If you’re desperate: Preston Williams, WR MIA

Going hand-in-hand with this week’s desperation play at quarterback, Williams is a solid option as a WR3/FLEX in fantasy football this week against the Seahawks. For all the aforementioned reasons, Williams should have plenty of highly efficient opportunity as the Dolphins try to keep up with the Seahawks’ top-tier offense.

Seattle has allowed by far the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season. Their 76 receptions allowed is 26 more than the second-most team, and they have allowed 400 more yards than the second-most team. Though Williams has not performed from a fantasy perspective to date – ranking as just the PPR WR77 – this Sunday shapes up to be a solid outing for the 2019 breakout UDFA.

Tight End

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
TE	Travis Kelce	NE	1
TE	Mark Andrews	@WAS	2
TE	Zach Ertz	@SF	3
TE	Darren Waller	BUF	4
TE	George Kittle	PHI	5
TE	Tyler Higbee	NYG	6
TE	Mike Gesicki	SEA	7
TE	Noah Fant	@NYJ	8
TE	Jonnu Smith	PIT	9
TE	Hunter Henry	@TB	10
TE	Hayden Hurst	@GB	11
TE	T.J. Hockenson	NO	12
TE	Logan Thomas	BAL	13
TE	Dalton Schultz	CLE	14
TE	Evan Engram	@LAR	15
TE	Jimmy Graham	IND	16
TE	Mo Alie-Cox	@CHI	17
TE	Greg Olsen	@MIA	18
TE	Austin Hooper	@DAL	19
TE	Jared Cook	@DET	20
TE	Eric Ebron	@TEN	21
TE	Chris Herndon IV	DEN	22
TE	Drew Sample	JAC	23
TE	Jordan Akins	MIN	24
TE	Robert Tonyan	ATL	25
TE	Kyle Rudolph	@HOU	26
TE	Tyler Eifert	@CIN	27
TE	O.J. Howard	LAC	28
TE	Rob Gronkowski	LAC	29
TE	James O’Shaughnessy	@CIN	30

Start ‘em: TJ Hockenson, TE DET

There are very few non-obvious plays at tight end this week. However, if one tight end were to emerge as a top-five scorer this week from ranks 12-18, it would be Hockenson. The Lions take on the Saints in what should be one of the higher scoring games of the week with a total over/under of 54 points. The Lions are underdogs in this matchup but still have a solid implied team total of 24.75 points on the day.

The Saints have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends on the season in large part to a big game from Darren Waller, but fantasy managers should expect good gameplan usage from Hockenson against this vulnerable part of the Saints defense. Overall, Hockenson ranks as the last viable TE1 on the week, but start him with confidence if you don’t have a better option.

Sit ‘em: Tyler Eifert, TE JAC

There’s a case to be made for arguably any of the tight ends ranked 13-25 to finish as a top 12 option on the day. The tight end position is once again one of the weakest in fantasy football in 2020. However, there’s little to no upside to be had playing Eifert in week four. While Eifert managed a solid week two performance, he has failed to see more than three targets in either of Jacksonville’s other two games.

The veteran tight end is not going to be a focal point of the Jaguars offense featuring breakout running back James Robinson as well as multiple viable wide receivers in Keelan Cole and Laviska Shenault. The Bengals have been beatable thus far both on the ground and passing to wide receivers, so expect Jacksonville to attack those two areas of the defense on Sunday. Overall, there isn’t much reason to play Eifert even in TE premium formats.

If you’re desperate: Greg Olsen, TE SEA

While star wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf have stolen the show from a fantasy perspective, Olsen has quietly put up two good fantasy performances in 2020. The veteran TE has managed ten or more fantasy points in two of three games and has consistently played more than 60% of the team’s snaps. This workload in one of the best offenses in the league makes Olsen an ideal dart throw at tight end every week.

His floor it noticeably low, as seen by his zero-point week-two outing, but overall fantasy managers could certainly do worse at the position. In a great matchup against Miami, plug Olsen in as a desperation, mid TE2 on the week.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! As this series is released before Thursday’s game, be sure to follow any lingering injuries and changing injury status updates for players as Sunday approaches. If you’re wondering about a player I didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me @FFzinger on Twitter. Best of luck this week, and I’ll be back next week to give week five’s positional rankings.