Week 3 was mixed bag for my start/sit calls. I couldn’t have been more wrong on suggesting to sit Mark Andrews, as well as Quentin Johnston. But I did hit on my Rome Odunze and Michael Pittman Jr. ‘start’ takes, so we’ll accept the wins where we can. With some fresh Week 3 data to reflect on, let’s jump into who I foresee being in your lineup, and who can be left on the bench.
A reminder that I judge my ‘start or sit’ against a full-PPR format.
Start ‘Em
T.J. Hockenson, TE – Minnesota Vikings
Week 4 Matchup: @ Pittsburgh Steelers (London)
This one is rather simple. Look at what Hunter Henry just did to the Steelers last week. Henry was targeted 11 times, catching eight passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. The Pittsburgh defense is allowing an almost league-high 18.8 fantasy points per game to opposing TEs, per FantasyData. Follow the numbers and start T.J. Hockenson with confidence. He, too, had a productive Week 3 in the rout of the Bengals, catching five of six targets for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Remember this game is in London on Sunday bright and early at 9:30 AM. Make sure he’s in your lineups before then!
Omarion Hampton, RB – Los Angeles Chargers
Week 4 Matchup: @ New York Giants
The Chargers’ backfield is Omarion Hampton’s to lose with Najee Harris (unfortunately) out of the picture, having suffered a season-ending torn Achilles last week.
Looking at the numbers, Hampton saw the lion’s share of snaps – 68, good for 79.1% – with Harris exiting after 11 on the day. The bulk of the carries will end up with Hampton, who has a chance to cement himself as the lead back that fantasy circles clamored for this summer. The Giants are allowing the fifth-most points to running backs on the season, with 26.3, per FantasyData.
Scott Matlock and Hassan Haskins are behind Hampton, but pose no real threat to his touches.
Jaylen Waddle, WR – Miami Dolphins
Week 4 Matchup: vs. New York Jets (MNF)
Both the Jets and Dolphins must be looking at one another as their ‘get right’ games. Entering Monday Night Football this week, the two 0-3 teams are desperate for their first win of the season. Aaron Glenn needs his first as a head coach, and Mike McDaniel may just be coaching for his job; unsure how he can be retained if Miami loses this one.
Enough about the coaches, though. The Jets’ secondary has been nothing short of putrid through the first three weeks of the season, making Jaylen Waddle a viable start this week. The Jets are allowing 34.5 points per game to WRs, and just got crushed by the Tampa trio of Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, and Sterling Shepard for a total of 198 yards and a touchdown between the three.
The last time we saw Waddle was in the Thursday night loss to the Bills when he caught five of six targets for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Sit ‘Em
Breece Hall, RB – New York Jets
Week 4 Matchup: @ Miami Dolphins (MNF)
I hate to do it to my guy Breece Hall, but he burned me last week, and it only feels fair to have him as a sit vs Miami on Monday night. In the loss to Tampa Bay, he turned nine carries into 21 yards, with his longest run accounting for 17 yards. He also caught four of six targets for 31 yards, which we’ll take in PPR. He’s still getting the bulk of carries ahead of Braelon Allen, but the inconsistency on the ground is worrisome, and if you can afford to keep him on your bench this week, I’d advise doing so. For what it’s worth, he may be Justin Fields-dependent, but I would rather not rely on a ‘what if’ this week, given that the game is Monday night.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB – New England Patriots
Week 4 Matchup: vs Carolina Panthers
I don’t think many folks were too high on Rhamondre Stevenson entering the season anyhow, and Week 3 proved that sentiment. Two costly [lost] fumbles against the Steelers, plus continuing to concede touches to rookie TreVeyon Henderson? It could be curtains for Stevenson before we know it. Even with a decent matchup on tap with the Panthers, this feels like an easy call to make.
Tee Higgins, WR – Cincinnati Bengals
Week 4 Matchup: @ Denver Broncos
Tee Higgins without Joe Burrow is not a player I’d want to rely on right now. Through three weeks, Higgins has 104 receiving yards on seven total catches and one touchdown. He’s been targeted only 14 times in that span as well. Simply put, until Jake Browning proves he can fill in for Burrow and support both Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins, Tee is unfortunately the Cincy receiver who has to ride the pine.
-Matthew Cava (@cavam_ Twitter & Reddit)
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)