Skip to main content

5 Things We Learned in Week 4

5 Things We Learned in Week 4
DeAndre Hopkins leads the NFL in targets through four weeks

DeAndre Hopkins leads the NFL in targets through four weeks

With the NFL beginning to hit its stride in Week 4, fantasy owners should begin to have a solid understanding of how their teams will project for the rest of the season. While there are always injuries and bye weeks that can throw a wrench in any momentum your team may be building, now is the time for key waiver wire additions or trades to solidify for the long run. So, with nearly a quarter of the NFL season already in the books, here are five things we learned in Week 4.

Import your team for free to get lineup advice partner-arrow

DeAndre Hopkins will finish the year as a top 10 WR

While being stuck on a bad team in the NFL is never easy, DeAndre Hopkins remains the lone bright spot for the Texans four weeks into the season. The Houston WR has been great to start the season, even with very inconsistent quarterback play around him. Including his monster game yesterday (nine catches for 157 yards), Hopkins is now fifth in the league in receiving yards with 409. He’s also found the end zone three times already and leads the league in targets with 61 (including a whopping 22 targets on Sunday). Hopkins is the obvious go-to guy in the Houston passing attack, no matter who is under center, so it’s easy to expect him to keep getting his average of 15 targets per game going forward. Better yet, with Arian Foster now back in the fold, opposing teams will not be able to focus on Hopkins alone, which should open up the passing game even more. Currently, Hopkins is ranked 9th for WR fantasy points this season. With the number of looks he’ll continue to get in the passing game, especially while Houston plays catch up in their games, Hopkins will likely stay in the top 10 all season, and maybe even the top 5.

Veteran wide receivers continue to light it up

Outside of Hopkins, veteran receivers are on a tear to start this NFL season. In previous weeks it has been the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Smith Sr. This week, several other veterans put up huge numbers to help out their fantasy owners. First, in London, Brandon Marshall continued his hot start to the season with another big game on Sunday (seven catches for 128 yards). Jeremy Maclin, after his big game last Monday, also had a huge Sunday with 11 catches for 148 yards. Not to be outdone, Vincent Jackson finished the day with 10 catches for 147 yards and one touchdown. While all these guys had big games Sunday, I’m more excited about Marshall and Maclin going forward than I am Jackson. Marshall already has three 100-yard games this season to go along with three touchdowns. Plus, Marshall is seventh in the league in targets. Maclin, while off to a slow start, is coming off back-to-back big games and seems to be hitting his stride in the new offense. I’d expect big things from him in the upcoming weeks. As for Jackson, there is reason to be less optimistic. He did have a great game Sunday, but prior to yesterday he only averaged six targets, three catches and 48 yards. Going forward, Marshall and Maclin will continue to lead their passing games and you should start them going forward. If you’re a Jackson owner, I’d be cautious, especially as Mike Evans works his way back from injury.

C.J. Spiller will be a great RB2/FLEX play going forward

This offseason, when the Saints acquired Spiller, it had fantasy players dreaming of the days when Darren Sproles was catching passes from Drew Brees. Following offseason surgery, Spiller was kept out of the first game of the season and his snaps were limited in the following two games. However, on Sunday Spiller showed everyone what we can do in the New Orleans offense. He finished the game with five catches for 99 yards and one touchdown while adding two rushes for 10 yards. Granted, most of Spiller’s receiving yards were boosted by an 80-yard catch that won the Saints the game in overtime, but I believe Spiller will be a solid FLEX play (and possible RB2 play in PPR leagues) going forward. The Saints, and Brees, have always loved pass-catching backs and Spiller finally seems 100% healthy. He’ll get more looks going forward and will finally fill the Sproles role that had fantasy players dreaming this offseason.

Go out and get Todd Gurley for your team

One of the most exciting performances in Week 4 was by St. Louis rookie RB Todd Gurley. While the rookie made his debut last week, his performance was mediocre as he worked himself back from injury (he finished with six carries for nine yards). However, Week 4 was completely different. Gurley was clearly the featured back on Sunday as he helped carry the Rams to a win over the Cardinals. The St. Louis back finished with 19 carries for 146 yards while adding two catches for 15 yards. No other player on the Rams received more than two carries, meaning Gurley will likely carry the load for the Rams going forward. If Gurley is available in your league, pick him up immediately as he looked great ripping off huge chunks of yards Sunday (he averaged 7.7 yards per carry). If he is not available, he’ll likely not be cheap after his performance on Sunday. Either way, I’d want him on my team as he’ll get a majority of the carries going forward and will likely see more targets in the passing game as he gets more comfortable in the Rams’ offense.

Andy Dalton is the real deal

I touched on Dalton last week as a potential fill-in for Romo and Roethlisberger owners, but that may be an insult to how well Dalton has played so far this season. The Bengals QB had another solid game on Sunday, going 17-of-24 for 321 yards and one touchdown. On the season, Dalton is third in the league in yards (with 1,187) and has thrown nine touchdowns to only one interception. After Week 4, Dalton is the second highest scoring fantasy QB. If Dalton is somehow still available in your league, pick him up, even if you already have a stud QB on your roster. You can never have too many weapons on your squad and with bye weeks and injuries upcoming, Dalton will either be a great addition to your team or solid trade bait to help you in another area of your squad. Regardless, Dalton is a must-own quarterback in all leagues.

Get Start/Sit & Waiver Advice with My Playbook partner-arrow

Brad Behrens is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Brad, check out his archive or follow him @_BradBehrens.

More Articles

RB3s with RB1 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)

RB3s with RB1 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by TJ Horgan | 3 min read
Best Ball Strategy & Advice: Draft Targets by Round (2024 Fantasy Football)

Best Ball Strategy & Advice: Draft Targets by Round (2024 Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by Tera Roberts | 3 min read
NFL Draft Burning Questions: J.J. McCarthy, Drake Maye, Caleb Williams (2024 Fantasy Football)

NFL Draft Burning Questions: J.J. McCarthy, Drake Maye, Caleb Williams (2024 Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by Joe Pepe | 3 min read
Thor Nystrom’s 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Running Backs

Thor Nystrom’s 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Running Backs

fp-headshot by Thor Nystrom | 1 min read

About Author

Hide

Current Article

3 min read

RB3s with RB1 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)

Next Up - RB3s with RB1 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)

Next Article