Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 29th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Mercedez-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Network: FOX
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Derek Carr: Sit, QB2
Derek Carr plummeted back to earth in Week 3. There is still hope for more above-average performances this season in the Saints’ new system, but if defenses stop the Saints, specifically Rashid Shaheed, from scoring a deep play touchdown, then Carr’s ceiling is limited. The Falcons are a matchup that Carr should be able to take advantage of, but not one to be ignored. If you play in 1QB leagues, there are better options, especially as defenses get wise to the “Shaheed down there somewhere” strategy that worked in Weeks 1 and 2.
Running Back
Alvin Kamara: Start, RB1
Alvin Kamara saw the most touches of the season in Week 3. With Taysom Hill missing time, Kamara was leaned on heavily against the Eagles. His efficiency took a hit as he faced the first good defense of the season. In Week 4, Kamara faces a Falcons defense that is one of the best in the league against the run. He still comes in as my RB5 this week, as he will need to touch the ball another 20+ times if the Saints want to come out on top in this one. Expect the efficiency numbers from Week 3 to carry into at least his next two matchups, but volume should make up the difference. Kamara’s last ride in New Orleans will continue to pay off for fantasy managers in Week 4. If there’s one wrinkle to be aware of, it’s that Saints center Erik McCoy will be out for some time as he recovers from surgery. How this offensive line performs without him will be a worthwhile trend to keep tabs on this week. Kamara also missed Wednesday’s practice with rib and hip injuries, making this a situation to monitor, but would still be an RB1 if he is able to play. Jamaal Williams would be a risky FLEX play at best if Kamara misses time.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave: Start, WR2
Rashid Shaheed: Start, FLEX/WR3
Chris Olave is starting to put things together this season, posting back-to-back weeks of 80+ receiving yards. One of the elite separators in the NFL, Olave is a high-end WR2 for the rest of the season; in Week 4, he comes in as WR13. While Olave is not going to rack up double-digit touchdowns, he will lead the Saints in targets and should contend for 1,200-1,300 receiving yards this season. Against a strong Falcons secondary, you can still fire up Olave with confidence. While Shaheed failed to catch a pass in Week 3, Carr still took a shot with a few home-run balls thrown his way. You know what you’re getting with this player–a long touchdown means a boom, while a failure to do so likely means a bust.
Tight End
Sit All
Taysom Hill is on the right track to playing again in Week 4, but his unpredictable usage make him an ill-advised start this week.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: Sit, QB2
Kirk Cousins had an up-and-down performance in Week 3. He still looks stiff moving around, though, and will need some more time to get back to 100%. The talent is all around him, but he is best used as a QB2 option or on the bench until he can regain some of his strength and mobility. It doesn’t help that he faces one of the top 10 defenses against opposing Quarterbacks in the New Orleans Saints.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: Start, RB1
Tyler Allgeier: Sit
Bijan Robinson continues to dominate snaps for the Atlanta Falcons. He saw 82% of snaps and probably could have had a touchdown in this one if the Falcons didn’t galaxy-brain themselves into having Tyler Allgeier block for Bijan Robinson on a late-game scoring opportunity against the Kansas City Chiefs. Continue to roll out Bijan as a strong RB1 candidate, even in a tough matchup against the Saints. Tyler Allgeier has lost the + in the handcuff+ and is now a roster-clogging handcuff. As long as Bijan is healthy, he will be impossible to put into lineups.
Wide Receiver
Drake London: Start, WR2
Darnell Mooney: Sit
Drake London has become a go-to option for scoring opportunities for Kirk Cousins and the Falcons. The one thing that limits London from reaching the ceiling many fantasy managers have hoped for is his yardage totals. London has yet to hit 70 receiving yards in a game, and while he should reach that mark while maintaining a strong target share, Darnell Mooney has become a regular target for Cousins as well. I still hesitate to trust Mooney in my lineups, but once bye weeks hit, he will become a solid FLEX play if he continues to display a solid target share. Mooney saw just one less target than London in Week 3 and was able to bring in all eight of those targets. Mooney profiles as a great WR2 in the NFL, and now that he has a pass-friendly offense, he may find that opportunity. If he is out there on waivers, put him on your bench, and if he is rostered, I wouldn’t mind throwing some low-stakes trade offers out there to acquire him for bye weeks. Names I would consider trading away for him are Zack Moss, Chuba Hubbard, and maybe even Devin Singletary if you can get another small piece on top and aren’t running back needy.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts: Start, TE1
Kyle Pitts saw his snap share drop again from Week 2 to Week 3. It was slight, and he did end up seeing one more target this week, but there are still concerns. Pitts still looks uncomfortable in the offense. Ideally, he will be able to take advantage of softer defenses going forward this season, but the risk meter has gone from a 3 to a 5 for me heading into Week 4. He is still a TE1 for me for Week 4, and he should find more success as the season progresses.
i feel like only the thursday game should be posted on thursday and the rest of the games on friday.. after this is posted there is so much more player news with practice sits etc that a lot of what youre writing is no longer valid and the opinion is void.
for example: damien pierce was limited just today. so akers should be a viable start if he doesnt play.
Hey, thanks for reading and commenting! We try to get all of our recommendations out on Thursday so that you have all that information in case you’re on the fence between a guy that plays on Thursday vs. Sunday. We don’t always have all of the information because of the timing with practice reports, but we try to update things as we get more info. As for the Texans backfield, I’m still a bit hesitant to recommend Akers, but he could have an easier time this week against the Jags than he did last week against the Vikings.
This list used to be a lot more nuanced in the past. Talking about #3 / #4 players and ranking them as such. Now it seems like every player if they’re not a #1 or #2 at their position they are simply a sit. I don’t need to know to start my top players it’s the flex ones in the middle I need a write up on. Wish this list was as thorough as years past.
Thanks for this feedback! We try and do our best to cover as many fantasy-relevant players as possible, and you can check out our list of weekly rankings to see how everyone stacks up. Is there a player or two I can help provide a more detailed breakdown of for you?
Having Anthony Richardson as a Start and Sam Darnold as a Sit is fantasy malpractice.
Hey, thanks for reading. I personally think Richardson has the higher ceiling this week with his rushing upside and Darnold has a hostile environment this week heading into Green Bay. If you personally want to see more out of Richardson before giving him the start again, I completely understand!