Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, September 30th, 2024, 8:15 ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Network: ABC/ESPN+
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Geno Smith: Streaming Option
Geno Smith technically comes in as a “Sit” recommendation this week, coming in as QB13 in my weekly rankings, leaving him just outside of the Top 12 in single QB leagues. However, any game featuring the Detroit Lions has the potential to be a high-scoring affair, meaning Geno can return streaming value if this becomes a shootout or the Seahawks find themselves playing from behind on the road. There are certainly worse options out there–he’s a fine streamer for Week 4.
Running Back
Zach Charbonnet: Start, RB2
Kenneth Walker III: Sit
Kenneth Walker III’s injury status will be one of the more crucial storylines to monitor this week. Since the Seahawks play on Monday, we don’t have any official practice reports yet for the team, meaning Walker’s status is completely up in the air. Mike McDonald didn’t do much to indicate one way or the other on Walker’s status this week. Zach Charbonnet has been a rock-solid option while Walker has been out and will be an RB2 against Detroit’s stout rush defense if he operates as the lead back once again. If KW3 plays, both will be riskier FLEX options due to the uncertainty of how the workload will be split in Walker’s return to the lineup.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: Start, WR1
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Start, WR2
Tyler Lockett: Sit
DK Metcalf has caught a pair of long touchdown passes the past couple of weeks and profiles as a strong WR1 this week against a Lions secondary that’s still figuring things out with rookie Terrion Arnold and free-agent addition Carlton Davis. In a game that could become a shootout, Metcalf could deliver for your fantasy teams for a third straight week. The Lions also tend to struggle defending slot receivers, meaning Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be in for a big week after a disappointing Week 3 showing. Tyler Lockett is the odd man out in this offense, but there are worse desperation FLEX options out there.
Tight End
Noah Fant: Sit, TE2
Noah Fant is firmly in the “touchdown or bust” category of TE streamers. There’s probably a better option somewhere on your waiver wire.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Start, QB1
The Lions managed to beat the Cardinals on the back of the running game last week, meaning Jared Goff wasn’t asked to do much. It’s been a somewhat rocky start to the season for the Lions QB, but he slides in as a back-end QB1 this week in what should be a high-scoring affair. His rushing upside is nearly zero, but he has plenty of tools to help him reach a solid point total.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB1
David Montgomery: Start, RB2
We’re beginning to sound like a broken record when it comes to the Lions’ backfield, but both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are great options for your fantasy teams yet again this week. Once again, Gibbs has the higher upside due to a more prominent role in the passing game, while Montgomery is the bruiser who gets things done between the tackles behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. Montgomery has scored in every game so far this season, and both backs have a good chance to do so in Week 4. Fire them both up with confidence.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Jameson Williams: Start, WR3/FLEX
After a rough Week 1, Amon-Ra St. Brown has been exactly the guy you hoped he would be when you drafted him in the first round. He’s about as consistent and safe an option as you’ll find at the WR position and is a no-doubt WR1. Jameson Williams gave us his first bust game of the year in Week 3 when the Lions returned to a ground-and-pound game strategy, but we’ve seen enough development from him during the first two weeks of the season to give him a start as a WR3 or FLEX this week. Jamo’s game-breaking speed could help him find the end zone at any given time.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: Start, TE1
Head coach Dan Campbell considers Sam LaPorta as day-to-day with a low ankle sprain he suffered in Week 3’s win over the Cardinals. LaPorta hasn’t given us that ceiling game yet in 2024, but if he suits up on Monday night, he’ll be a TE1. Monitor this practice report closely throughout the week and have a contingency plan ready if LaPorta is still questionable on Sunday–his backup, Brock Wright, wouldn’t be an advisable fill-in.
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!