Sit/Start Week 4: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, October 2, 9:30 AM ET

Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Betting Odds: MIN -2.5, 43.5 total via PFF.com

Network: NFL Network

Writer: Callen Elslager (@callen_elslager on Twitter and Reddit)

Minnesota Vikings

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins (Start, QB1)

While the Saints defense is in the bottom half of fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins has been a stable option at quarterback, outside of the bad matchup against Philadelphia. The potential injury to Dalvin Cook should only increase the potential for passing attempts in this matchup.

Running Backs

Dalvin Cook (Start, RB2), Alexander Mattison (Sit, Start as RB2 if Cook out)

With Dalvin Cook dealing with a shoulder injury and likely wearing a brace to protect the shoulder this week, his upside is limited compared to a normal healthy Dalvin Cook week. The matchup against New Orleans of course doesn’t help as they’re in the top half in terms of points allowed to RBs. However, it is unlikely that you have anyone on your roster you would want to start over him, so as long as he’s out there he should be started, as he has played through this injury in the past. The same can be said about Alexander Mattison. He is one of the more valuable handcuffs in the league and so long as Cook is out, he should get a similar volume as Cook would have, which we saw last week. However, if Cook is active, his carries should be limited making Mattison nothing more than a valuable stash option for the week.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Justin Jefferson (Start, WR1), Adam Thielen (Start, Flex), KJ Osborn (Sit), Irv Smith Jr. (Sit, TE2)

While the incredible WR1 overall performance from Justin Jefferson is unlikely in this matchup with New Orleans, there is no reason to keep him on the bench. A matchup against Marshon Lattimore should be very fun to watch, but Jefferson is that consistent WR1 that will never be sat unless on a bye week. The real question comes when deciding about Adam Thielen. As we had mentioned the Saints defense is in the top half in terms of preventing points to wide receivers, which limits the upside for Adam Thielen. However, he is the Vikings’ most efficient wide receiver in the Redzone receiving the most targets in the Redzone among all receivers in Minnesota, making him a likely touchdown option. The touchdown upside makes him a flex option, however if he does not catch one he’s likely to be quieted on Sunday. With how efficient the Saints are against tight ends, allowing the 4th fewest points to tight ends, you likely will be able to find a streaming option better than Irv Smith Jr. this week, and he should likely find his way on your bench.

New Orleans Saints 

Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston (Start, QB2), Andy Dalton (Sit if Winston is Out)

It is worth monitoring that Jameis Winston missed practice on Wednesday as he is battling a back injury. However, early reports do not seem concerning as both he and head coach Dennis Allen expect him to play this week. The Vikings have been middle of the pack in terms of allowing points to quarterbacks and with 34 or more pass attempts in all three games so far, volume alone should keep Winston in that QB2 range. However, if unexpectedly Winston was to miss this week, Andy Dalton does not have that some passing volume. With some banged up passing options, Dalton should be on your bench, even if Winston is inactive.

Running Backs

Alvin Kamara (Start, RB1), Mark Ingram (Sit)

There are plenty of reasons to be concerned abut Alvin Kamara so far. He’s missed a game already and is only averaging 14.5 touches per game. However, he did receive 7 targets last week and now faces the Vikings defense which has allowed the 5th most points to fantasy RBs. If Kamara is going to get right, a banged up Jameis Winston and receiving options can only help him do so, especially against a defense who is struggling to contain RBs so far. If he does not have that bounce back this week, then there are many reasons to be concerned. Even with the matchup, I can’t recommend Mark Ingram and an unclear workload, making him a clear sit at this point.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Chris Olave (Start, WR3), Michael Thomas (Start, WR3), Jarvis Landy (Sit, Flex), Taysom Hill (Sit), Juawan Johnson (Sit)

Two straight games of 13 targets make Chris Olave a very strong option from this point moving forward. With Michael Thomas dealing with a foot injury, it is very possible Olave eclipses that amount, even in a tough matchup against the Vikings, making his upside very viable as a WR3 this week. As mentioned, the foot injury for Michael Thomas lowers his upside this week against the Vikings and with the emergence of Chris Olave, Thomas has fallen down to the second option for Jameis Winston. However, he is still getting a consistent share of the targets, and should still remain in your lineups, so long as he is active. The foot injury does lower him down to a WR3 however.

On the other hand, Jarvis Landry is currently dealing with an ankle injury and was a nonparticipant in practice on Wednesday. Even without the injury, he has only one more target the past two weeks combined than he did all of week 1. The decrease in targets, injury and matchup this week all combine to make for a player I would not want to start. The tight end options are very simple, Taysom Hill was inactive last week and Juwan Johnson has not done anything as of now to enter that streaming option. Both are easy sits this week against the Vikings as you should look to the waiver wire if you had either of these options in your lineup.