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The Primer: Week 4 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

The Primer: Week 4 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Giants

Chargers Players & Weekly Rankings

Giants Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Cam Skattebo (RB)

With Tyrone Tracy sidelined, Cam Skattebo should be the Giants’ workhorse again in Week 4. I don’t see him letting go of this job when Tracy returns to the lineup. Last week, Skattebo played 59.1% of the snaps with 16 touches and 121 total yards. He had a 55.3% route share and a 25% target share as the RB5 for the week. He has been a top 24 back in each of the last two games (RB22, RB5). Skattebo is a tackle-breaking behemoth ranking second-best in missed tackles forced per attempt and fourth-best in yards after contact per attempt. He should have no problems imposing his will this week against a run defense that has allowed the seventh-highest explosive run rate, the highest missed tackle rate, and has the third-lowest stuff rate.

Ladd McConkey (WR)

Ladd McConkey is the WR42 in fantasy points per game. Just take a second and ingest that. This is not what people thought they were getting when they drafted McConkey, but the return of Keenan Allen and the ascension of Quentin Johnston have severely impacted McConkey. The talent hasn’t left McConkey’s body, though. Among 92 qualifying wide receivers, he ranks ninth in separation score and tenth in route win rate. This could be the big game that McConkey believers have been waiting for. McConkey has a 19.4% target share, averaged 54.3 receiving yards per game (1.39 yards per route run), and a 24.7% first-read share (second on the team). The Giants have the fifth-highest single high rate (61.5%) and the highest man coverage rate in the NFL (46.7%). Against single high, McConkey is third on the team with a 19.7% target share and 21.3% first-read share and only 1.35 yards per route run. Against man coverage, McConkey leads the team with a 29% first-read share. The man coverage usage for McConkey tilts the target pie hopefully in his favor, but also the fact that the Giants have bled out production to the slot, and McConkey leads them in slot rate (61.5%). The Giants have allowed the most fantasy points per game and the 14th-highest PPR points per target to the slot.

Keenan Allen (WR)

What year is it? 2023? Keenan Allen is the WR6 in fantasy points per game and looks like one of the best values from fantasy football draft season. Allen has a 25% target share (leads the team) with 64.7 receiving yards per game (1.98 yards per route run) and a 23.4% first-read share. He leads the team with four end zone targets. The Giants have the fifth-highest single high rate (61.5%) and the highest man coverage rate in the NFL (46.7%). Against single high, Allen leads the team with a 23% target share with 1.93 yards per route run and a 23.4% first-read share (second on the team). Against man coverage, Allen ranks second on the team with a 25.8% first-read share. Allen could continue to crush this week against a secondary that has been crushed against slot receivers (Allen 49% slot). The Giants have allowed the most fantasy points per game and the 14th-highest PPR points per target to the slot.

Quentin Johnston (WR)

The Quentin Johnston BREAKOUT SEASON IS HERE, BABY! LG! For old school Johnston believers like myself, it is vindicating. “They thought they had us in the first half, not gonna lie.” Johnston’s 2025 breakout is for real. Believe it! Among 92 qualifying receivers, he ranks 14th in route win rate, immediately behind Puka Nacua and Rome Odunze. Johnston is the WR8 in fantasy points per game. His performance against Patrick Surtain last week was impressive. Johnston has a 21.3% target share (second on the team) with 79.7 receiving yards per game (2.06 yards per route run) and a 26% first-read share (leads the team). He is second on the team with three end zone targets. The Giants have the fifth-highest single high rate (61.5%) and the highest man coverage rate in the NFL (46.7%). Against single high, Johnston has a 21.3% target share (second on the team) with 2.32 yards per route run (leads the team) and a 25.5% first-read share (leads the team). Against man coverage, Johnston ranks third on the team with a 22.6% first-read share. Johnston could get shadowed by Paulson Adebo this week, but this is a matchup he can win. This season, Adebo followed Terry McLaurin on 74.2% of his routes, surrendering two receptions (four targets) and 27 scoreless receiving yards. He followed George Pickeson on 64.2% of his routes, giving up four receptions (five targets) with 54 receiving yards and a score. Johnston is still a strong play this week. The Giants are 16th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR)

Wan’Dale Robinson is still the WR18 in fantasy points per game despite the dud last week. He looks primed for a rebound this week. Robinson has two red zone targets this season. He has a 20% target share averaging 74.3 receiving yards per game (2.28 yards per route run) with a 29.2% first-read share. The Bolts have the eighth-highest two-high rate in the NFL (55.9%). Against two high, his yards per route run has increased to 2.62, and his first-read share has jumped to 33.3%. The Chargers have been quietly terrible against the slot, giving up the sixth-most PPR points per target and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Dart should lean on Robinson this week.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

N/A

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Jaxson Dart (QB)

Oh BABY! I’m so excited to watch Jaxson Dart this week. Yes, I know he faces a tough defensive matchup and it’s his first NFL start, but I’m pumped to see how he operates in this offense after a wonderful preseason. This preseason, among 68 qualifying quarterbacks, Dart ranked second in passing grade, fifth in big-time throw rate, 20th in adjusted completion rate, and he had only one turnover-worthy throw. He navigated the pocket well, but we still have to see him do it in a regular-season game. Dart also provides a rushing element for this offense that Russell Wilson no longer had. The Chargers have allowed the second-fewest yards per attempt, the third-lowest passer rating, and the lowest CPOE. The Bolts rank tenth-best in pressure rate. It’s a tough matchup for Dart this week, but I’m crossing my fingers that much of the poise we saw from the preseason at least flashes this week.

SEA vs. ARI | MIN vs. PIT | NO vs. BUF | TEN vs. HOU | CLE vs. DET | WAS vs. ATL | PHI vs. TB | CAR vs. NE | LAC vs. NYG | IND vs. LAR | JAC vs. SF | CHI vs. LV | BAL vs. KC | GB vs. DAL | NYJ vs. MIA | CIN vs. DEN

Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Rams

Colts Players & Weekly Rankings

Rams Players & Weekly Rankings

Matthew Stafford QB QB1/2
Kyren Williams RB RB1
Blake Corum RB RB3
Puka Nacua WR WR1
Davante Adams WR WR1
Tutu Atwell WR WR5
Tyler Higbee TE TE2

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

**Davante Adams is dealing with a hamstring issue. He didn’t practice until Friday, but he logged a limited practice session on Friday and has been listed as questionable. Sean McVay, when he was asked about Adams’ snap count and the hamstring ailment limiting his snaps at all, McVay replied, “He’s in good spirits. He’s been engaged in the walkthroughs. He’s doing everything that he can to be physically and mentally ready to go, and that’s why he’s a total stud. I’m excited about that. We’ll see how the game goes. Ultimately, we have be able to do what we think is best for Davante and for our team. Those things go hand in hand for us. If that changes any of the snap count, that’s not something that we’re expecting, but we’ll see.” If Adams is active (which I expect him to be), then he needs to be in your lineup.**

Is Davante Adams playing Week 4? Check out our Are They Playing tool for the probability of injured players suiting up this week partner-arrow

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Daniel Jones (QB)

Daniel Jones continues to defy preseason expectations as the QB4 in fantasy points per game. He is fourth in yards per attempt, sixth in passer rating, tenth in catchable target rate, and 11th in hero throw rate. In addition to his passing stats, he has kicked in 5.7 rushing attempts and 18.3 rushing yards per game (three scores) on the ground. Jones is still in starting consideration this week despite a tough defensive matchup. The Rams have allowed the tenth-fewest passing yards per game, the eighth-lowest CPOE, and the tenth-lowest success rate per dropback. Jalen Hurts displayed last week that this pass defense isn’t without its faults, though. Jones has the skill players around him to succeed.

Matthew Stafford (QB)

Matthew Stafford has played much better this season than his QB20 ranking in fantasy points per game would have you believe. He is 11th in yards per attempt and first in hero throw rate. Stafford isn’t without his faults, though, as he also ranks 25th in catchable target rate and 18th in highly accurate throw rate. Stafford should have a nice week against Indy. I’m taking their defensive stats with a grain of salt. In three games, they faced Tua Tagovailoa, Bo Nix, and Cam Ward. Two of these passers are struggling mightily to find their footing this season. Nix carved them up with three passing scores, a 111.2 passer rating, and a completion rate of 73.3%. I’m not worried about Stafford’s Week 4 outlook.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR)

Michael Pittman Jr. has been awesome so far this season as the WR12 in fantasy points per game. He has a 21.6% target share, 64.3 receiving yards per game (2.38 yards per route run), and a 24.3% first-read share. Pittman Jr. has one red zone target and two touchdowns. He should excel again this week against a secondary that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points per target and receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

N/A

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Josh Downs (WR)

This has been a tough season for Josh Downs so far. He has yet to see more than a 57.7% snap share in any game this season. Overall, he has a 54.1% route share, a 15.9% target share, 1.83 yards per route run (32.3 receiving yards per game), and a 17.1% first-read share. None of these market share or usage metrics is strong enough to consider starting him. Add in that the Rams have allowed the 14th-fewest receiving yards per game to the slot, and Downs is an easy player to bench again this week. Quentin Lake (41.6% catch rate and 49.3 passer rating allowed) has taken over slot coverage for the Rams and has been shutting down the opposition.

SEA vs. ARI | MIN vs. PIT | NO vs. BUF | TEN vs. HOU | CLE vs. DET | WAS vs. ATL | PHI vs. TB | CAR vs. NE | LAC vs. NYG | IND vs. LAR | JAC vs. SF | CHI vs. LV | BAL vs. KC | GB vs. DAL | NYJ vs. MIA | CIN vs. DEN

FantasyPros Fantasy Football Trade Finder

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers

Jaguars Players & Weekly Rankings

49ers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Brock Purdy (QB)

Brock Purdy will be back under center this week. He doesn’t carry an injury designation into this game (toe/shoulder). In his only action this season, Purdy was the QB14 in Week 1 against a talented Seattle pass defense. Purdy finished with 277 passing yards (two scores), 7.91 yards per attempt, a decent 2.3% CPOE, and an 8.6% hero throw rate. On paper, the Jacksonville pass defense has been good, but I’m not sold on that bag of goods. They have faced Bryce Young, Jake Browning, and C.J. Stroud to this point. That’s not exactly a murderer’s row of quarterbacking talent, no matter how you slice it. Jacksonville is 19th in passing yards allowed and has given up five passing scores (tied for ninth-most). I think Purdy can have success here. He should have time in the pocket against a defense that ranks 20th in pressure rate.

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB)

Travis Etienne is the RB9 in fantasy points per game. He has averaged 18 touches and 100.3 total yards. Since Week 2, he has had a 60.3% snap rate, a 36.8% route share, and a 4.9% target share. Etienne has been explosive. Among 48 qualifying backs, Etienne ranks 12th in explosive run rate, 22nd in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 11th in yards after contact per attempt. Etienne should have a solid game this week against a run defense that has allowed the sixth-highest missed tackle rate, the 12th-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the third-highest success rate with zone runs (Etienne 52.2% zone).

Ricky Pearsall (WR)

Ricky Pearsall (knee) has been listed as questionable this week. He didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he did manage limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. He’s expected to play. Pearsall is the WR16 in fantasy points per game. Among wide receivers, he ranks third in deep targets and 17th in red zone targets (three). He has a 20.9% target share, a 50.4% air-yard share, 2.60 yards per route run (93.7 receiving yards per game), and a 27.8% first-read share. He faces a Jaguars secondary that has utilized two high at the 11th-highest rate (52.7%). Against two high, Pearsall leads the team with a 19.1% first-read and 13.9% target share, but his efficiency has suffered with 1.23 yards per route run. Pearsall could change that this week, though, against a secondary that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Jauan Jennings (WR)

Jauan Jennings opened this week with DNPs (ankle/shoulder) on Wednesday and Thursday before logging a limited practice session on Friday. Jennings has been listed as questionable. Monitor his status up to kickoff. Our “Are They Playing?” tool gives Jennings a 74% chance of playing. Jennings is the WR32 in fantasy points per game. He was the WR83 in Week 1 in weekly scoring, but he rebounded in Week 2 as the WR11 for the week. Jennings missed last week’s game because of his ankle and shoulder injuries. Jennings has an 18.9% target share with 1.81 yards per route run (52.5 receiving yards per game) and a 26.5% first-read share. He faces a Jaguars secondary that has utilized two high at the 11th-highest rate (52.7%). Against two high, Jennings has a 13% target share, 1.45 yards per route run, and an 18.5% first-read share (second on the team). Jennings should be able to bring those stats against two high up this week against a secondary that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Trevor Lawrence (QB)

Well, after three games, the Liam Coen magic has yet to grace Trevor Lawrence‘s play. He is the QB29 in fantasy points per game. Among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 30th in yards per attempt, 34th in passer rating, 22nd in CPOE, 15th in highly accurate throw rate, and 14th in catchable target rate. He was the QB12 in weekly scoring in Week 2, but outside the top 20 fantasy quarterbacks in the other two games. This is a decent matchup for Lawrence. He should be able to post solid QB2 numbers, but I’m not expecting much more than that. The 49ers have allowed the 12th-highest passer rating while ranking 14th in CPOE and 19th in success rate per dropback.

Bhayshul Tuten (RB)

Since Week 2, Bhayshul Tuten has averaged only 22% of the snaps, eight touches, and 47.5 total yards. He has managed a touchdown in each of the past two games, which has helped his fantasy output (RB17, RB33). Over the last two games, he has had a 13.8% route share and only a 3.7% target share. Among 48 qualifying backs, he ranks 20th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. He’s a volatile flex with the limited volume, and with his production is so heavily dependent upon touchdowns. The 49ers have allowed the sixth-highest missed tackle rate, the 12th-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the third-highest success rate with zone runs (Tuten 76.5% zone).

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Dyami Brown (WR)

Dyami Brown sustained a shoulder injury last week. Brown has been listed as questionable this week. He didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he managed limited practice sessions on Thursday and Friday. Brown could split time with Parker Washington on the perimeter this week if his shoulder truly isn’t 100%. This isn’t the matchup to consider flexing him, even if he is a full-time player. San Francisco has allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points per target and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers..

Brian Thomas Jr. (WR)

Brian Thomas Jr. has had a difficult start to the season as the WR55 in fantasy points per game. He hasn’t surpassed 55 receiving yards in any game and has only three red zone targets, which all came in Week 2. Thomas Jr. has a 21.2% target share, a 36.6% air-yard share, a 23.3% first-read share, and has produced 38.3 receiving yards per game (1.15 yards per route run). It looks like Thomas Jr. is headed toward another sadness-inducing stat line. San Francisco has allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points per target and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Travis Hunter (WR)

Travis Hunter‘s offensive snap rate has dropped every week this season, from 63.6% in Week 1 to 52.9% last week. Last week, Hunter’s route share dropped to 58.1% and he saw only a 5% target share with a 7.5 aDOT. With a limited share of the offense and targets getting fed in his direction close to the line, there’s not much here that will inspire optimism. Hunter is a sit until these trends move in the opposite direction.

Brenton Strange (TE)

Brenton Strange has one TE1 finish this season. That was last week as the TE7 in fantasy. He’s still waiting for his first red zone target this season, so expecting a touchdown from him in any week right now is probably a fool’s errand. Strange has a 65% route share with a 14.2% target share, 1.76 yards per route run (45.7 receiving yards per game), and a 14.4% first-read share. Strange isn’t on the streaming radar this week. San Francisco has held tight ends to the eighth-lowest yards per reception and the tenth-fewest receiving yards.

SEA vs. ARI | MIN vs. PIT | NO vs. BUF | TEN vs. HOU | CLE vs. DET | WAS vs. ATL | PHI vs. TB | CAR vs. NE | LAC vs. NYG | IND vs. LAR | JAC vs. SF | CHI vs. LV | BAL vs. KC | GB vs. DAL | NYJ vs. MIA | CIN vs. DEN

Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Bears Players & Weekly Rankings

Raiders Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Caleb Williams (QB)

After destroying a clueless Dallas secondary, Caleb Williams is the QB3 in fantasy points per game. Among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 12th in yards per attempt and eighth in passer rating, but his per-dropback metrics STILL aren’t great as he is 23rd in CPOE, 27th in highly accurate throw rate, and 30th in catchable target rate. Hopefully, he pulls those accuracy metrics up as the season moves along. He should have no issues dismantling the Raiders’ secondary, though. Las Vegas has allowed the seventh-highest yards per attempt, the tenth-highest passer rating and passing yards per game, and the fourth-highest CPOE.

Geno Smith (QB)

Geno Smith is the QB15 in fantasy points per game, but passing volume is propping up some mediocre per-dropback stats. Smith is eighth in passing attempts, fourth in passing yards per game, and tenth in yards per attempt. Among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, he also ranks 23rd in highly accurate throw rate, 31st in catchable target rate, and he has the third-highest off-target rate. Smith could still light up the Bears’ struggling secondary this week despite his shortcomings. Chicago has allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game, the sixth-most yards per attempt, and the third-highest CPOE.

Ashton Jeanty (RB)

Ashton Jeanty saw his role rebound some last week. He had 60% of the snaps played with a 41.2% route share. It was nice to see his route share bump back into the 40% range after dipping to 37.5% last week. He still hasn’t seen more than a 9.3% target share in any game, which is ridiculous. Jeanty is averaging 17.4 touches and only 49 total yards as the RB34 in fantasy points per game. The offensive line hasn’t helped him at all, as they have the seventh-lowest yards before contact per attempt. Jeanty has a decent 4.3% explosive run rate and a strong 26% missed tackle rate, so I still believe that better days are ahead for him, and they could start this week. The Bears have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards per game, the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the ninth-highest missed tackle rate, and the highest yards before contact per attempt (3.1!). If the Raiders can keep this game close, Jeanty could easily post his best stat line of the season.

D’Andre Swift (RB)

D’Andre Swift is the RB24 in fantasy points per game, ranking 16th in snap share, tenth in opportunity share, and 15th in weighted opportunities. Swift has averaged 17 touches and 70.7 total yards. His lackluster 12% missed tackle rate and 1.83 yards after contact per attempt aren’t surprising, as he was inefficient last year as well. Volume is the only thing keeping him afloat. Swift is a solid RB2 again this week, facing a Raiders’ run defense that has given up the sixth-most yards after contact per attempt and the tenth-highest missed tackle rate while ranking 17th in stuff rate.

Jakobi Meyers (WR)

Jakobi Meyers is the WR22 in fantasy points per game. He has finished as a top-36 fantasy wide receiver in two of three games (WR15, WR33). Meyers has two red zone targets and three deep targets this season. He has garnered a 22.6% target share with 1.98 yards per route run and a 27.9% first-read share. This week, he faces a Chicago secondary that has utilized two high at the third-highest rate (64%). Against two high, Meyers has seen his target share balloon to 27.3% with 2.03 yards per route run and a 39.4% first-read share. Meyers should eat this week against a secondary that has allowed the most PPR points per target to slot receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Tre Tucker (WR)

Tre Tucker is the WR4 in fantasy points per game after his insane 40.9 fantasy point outing last week. With only three games in the bag this season, that one monster performance will throw off his full-season stats so far, so let’s look at what he did in Weeks 1-2. In the first two games of the season, he had a 14.3% target share, a 20.9% air-yard share, 0.85 yards per route run, and a 20.4% first-read share. Those stats more closely resemble what Tucker had done in his career than his Week 3 performance. This week, he faces a Chicago secondary that has utilized two high at the third-highest rate (64%). In Weeks 1-2, against two high, Tucker had a 15% target share, 0.89 yards per route run, and a 21.7% first-read share. Last week’s performance could be more indicative of things to come, but I think we have a larger sample size stating that it was a wonderful outlier and is unlikely to be replicated even in a diluted fashion for the rest of the season. Chicago has allowed the 11th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers, so Tucker could return decent flex production this week.

Cole Kmet (TE)

Cole Kmet is a viable streaming option this week. He has a 69.6% route share, a 7.3% target share, has averaged 23.3 receiving yards, and has had an 8,5% first-read share this season. All of those numbers could increase with Coltson Loveland out. Kmet has one red zone target this season. The Raiders rank 19th in receiving yards given up to tight ends, but they have also allowed the second-highest yards per reception to the position.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

DJ Moore (WR)

D.J. Moore is the WR43 in fantasy points per game. He has seen two deep targets and one red zone target (one score). He has a 16.7% target share, a 20.4% air-yard share, 1.42 yards per route run (45 receiving yards per game), and a 16.9% first-read share. This week, he faces a Raiders’ secondary that has utilized single-high at the 11th-highest rate (56.5%). Against single high, his target share has plummeted to 9.3% with only 0.34 yards per route run and an 8.1% first-read share. This isn’t the week to flex Moore. Sit him.

Luther Burden (WR)

Yes, I understand Luther Burden finished last week with 101 receiving yards and a score, but he ran only seven routes. He isn’t playing enough yet to consider him in a flex spot despite the big splash play last week.

Colston Loveland (TE)

Colston Loveland has been ruled out (hip) for this week.

SEA vs. ARI | MIN vs. PIT | NO vs. BUF | TEN vs. HOU | CLE vs. DET | WAS vs. ATL | PHI vs. TB | CAR vs. NE | LAC vs. NYG | IND vs. LAR | JAC vs. SF | CHI vs. LV | BAL vs. KC | GB vs. DAL | NYJ vs. MIA | CIN vs. DEN

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