Faux Football Preview - Week 4
Chew previews Week 4 in the NFL with some redraft and dynasty fantasy advice.
Week 3 is in the rearview, and our fantasy rosters are (hopefully) finding ways to win. There were surprise boom weeks from Marcus Mariota, Jordan Mason, Tre Tucker, and Hunter Henry; however, there were clunkers from Michael Penix, Chase Brown, Calvin Ridley, and Pat Freiermuth. Let’s look ahead to a healthy, fantasy-point-filled Week 4.
Check out last week’s preview here to see how things shook out. As a reminder, both redraft and dynasty are considered in this weekly roundup, so without further ado, let’s get to it.
DYNASTY BUY/SELL
Once the NFL season starts, the dynasty mindset can take a backseat to the redraft mindset. Each week, I will highlight two players to buy and two players to sell in dynasty, providing examples for each. As always, the trades are taken from the dynasty-daddy.com trade database.
Buy #1 - OMARION HAMPTON
Make no bones about it, the fantasy production has been underwhelming for Omarion Hampton through the first two weeks. With an unfortunate, likely season-ending, injury to Najee Harris, Hampton turned 25 touches into nearly 29 fantasy points. The key improvement for Hampton was his increased involvement in the passing game, which doubled his reception totals compared to Weeks 1 and 2 combined. Look for the first-round running back to garner at least 15 touches per game with underwhelming depth behind him. I want Hampton before the schedule gets easier starting with the Giants in Week 4.
Trade #1: Omarion Hampton ←→ Javonte Williams + ‘26 3rd
Trade #2: Omarion Hampton + ‘26 2nd ←→ Bucky Irving
Sell #1 - C.J. STROUD
The Texans’ brass saw Stroud’s struggles in 2024 relative to his rookie season and thought the wise thing was to add offensive weapons and strip down an already underperforming offensive line to the studs. Guess what? It doesn’t look great. Another concern is missing throws that are not attributable to poor O-line play. I have sincere doubts about Stroud’s ability to return to his rookie-season form, and I am looking to trade him before that window narrows. Ideally, I am getting another quarterback and getting a pick and/or upgrading another position.
Trade #1: C.J. Stroud + Nico Collins + ‘26 2nd ←→ Daniels Jones + Justin Jefferson
Trade #2: C.J. Stroud + Kaleb Johnson ←→ Kyler Murray + Zach Charbonnet + ‘28 1st
Buy #2 - TETAIROA MCMILLAN
The rookie season for Tetairoa McMillan has started with a bang, as he has been one fo the very few bright spots in the Carolina Panthers offense. Despite being on a run-first offense, McMillan has shown a clear connection with Bryce Young. Week 3 may have been disappointing, but with the Panthers winning 30-0, the emphasis shifted more to the ground game to finish off the Falcons. With the rookie glow shining brightest for Emeka Egbuka for some, I am looking to buy McMillan wherever I can.
Trade #1: Tetairoa McMillan + ‘26 2nd + ‘27 1st ←→ Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Trade #2: Tetairoa McMillan + Brock Purdy ←→ Russell Wilson + Emeka Egbuka + ‘26 2nd
Sell #2 - GEORGE PICKENS
Watching George Pickens play and seeing each week’s stat line is usually two very different stories. The opportunities are certainly there for Pickens alongside CeeDee Lamb; however, the defensive matchups from Weeks 2 and 3 are not indicative of how the next few weeks could look. With Lamb leaving the Week 3 matchup early with an injury, Pickens could very well be vaulted to the WR-1 role in Dallas. This role is much more valuable in Dallas than it was for Pickens during his time in Pittsburgh. But this year’s Cowboys offense places an old-school emphasis on the rushing attack. I choose to get off the Pickens ride sooner rather than later, and with the narrative full of optimism this is my chance to sell.
Trade #1: George Pickens + Jacory Croskey-Merritt ←→ A.J. Brown + ‘26 2nd
Trade #2: George Pickens ←→ ‘26 1st
HANDCUFF HEIRARCHY
The running back position can be one of frustration in fantasy as we scour the bench and waiver wire to fill in when injuries and bye weeks strike. But since we are just now getting started with the NFL season, here is a look at the various tiers for all 32 backup running backs. As the season progresses, we will see players rise and fall amongst the tiers, so stay tuned!
*This list only includes each team’s RB-2; thus, if the RB-1 is injured, then the RB-3 will take the place of the RB-2 on this list.
STANDALONE VALUE
These players have flex appeal even with the RB-1 being healthy in Week 4.
Some exciting names on this list could overtake the current RB-1s even without injury.
TreVeyon Henderson overtook Rhamondre Stevenson in snaps, but was it just temporary?
David Montgomery, not Jahmyr Gibbs, was the one breaking off long runs in Week 3!
Kenneth Walker stepped up big in the absence of Zach Charbonnet, but will the latter step back into his 1B role once healthy?
Woody Marks and Kareem Hunt are narrowly behind their respective RB-1, but the rushing attacks are currently underwhelming.
SPOT STARTER
The initial RB-1 is injured, and everyone moves up the depth chart, or a specialized role is created for the player.
There are some touchdown vultures and gameflow beneficiaries that could creep into flex territory if the stars align.
Ollie Gordon and Rico Dowdle had bigger weeks than expected, but how sticky are those opportunities?
Despite Dylan Sampson’s early-season success, it is Jerome Ford who slotted in as the RB-2 behind Quinshon Judkins.
Tyler Allgeier, Rachaad White, and Brian Robinson will continue to have roles; however, they are still clearly behind their respective RB-1s.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If you are in a DEEP league, these are the rest of the bunch that you’re picking from for Week 4.
I expect some of these names to change throughout the season as injuries mount and rosters churn.
Cam Skattebo has jumped Tyrone Tracy, injury or not, but considering the former’s all-around skillset, what is left for Devin Singletary?
Omarion Hampton stepped up with Najee Harris losing his 2025 season to an Achilles injury, but there is not much behind them that will warrant meaningful snaps.
Another veteran, James Conner, went down with a season-ending injury, so will Trey Benson step in, or will the role be shared with Emari Demercado.
TIGHT END STREAMERS
Of all the fantasy-relevant positions, it’s the tight end that is my favorite to stream. If you were not fortunate enough to get one of the top few tight ends, it can be a futile process to find fantasy points at the tight end position. Here are three tight ends ranked outside the top 12 who are stream-worthy in Week 4.
A Look Back At Week 3 (If Top-12 ✅)
Harold Fannin → 5.5 points ❌
Dalton Kincaid → 17.6 points ✅
Ja’Tavion Sanders → 3.1 points ❌
Week 4
KYLE PITTS (TE-13) v. WAS
Kyle Pitts has settled into a steady role with an 80% snap share and a sure-handed target underneath. The big issue with the Falcons’ offense has been uneven quarterback play, which came to a head in Week 3, with sophomore Michael Penix getting benched in favor of Kirk Cousins. Regardless of which quarterback is under center, Pitts should have a consistent role. And with a focus on short-to-intermediate targets, Pitts has the opportunity to pile up yards in a solid matchup against the Commanders.
MARK ANDREWS (TE-16) @ KC
The issue for Mark Andrews’ fantasy relevance has not been because of his time on the field, but his utilization once he is there. There is no better support for this than a combined 2.9 fantasy points through two weeks but a booming 27.1 fantasy points in Week 3, which was buoyed by two touchdowns. Week 3 promises to be an interesting one, as the Ravens and Chiefs battle to return to a .500 record. The Ravens’ defense has been a turnstile, so look for Baltimore to need points, and if there is anything that Andrews can hang his hat on, it’s his touchdown upside.
DALLAS GOEDERT (TE-17) @ TB
After missing Week 2 with an injury, Dallas Goedert’s target share in Week 3shrank, but his impact was notable with a touchdown. The Eagles’ offense finally had to throw the ball more after two weeks of leaning on a run-heavy scheme. Goedert garnered seven targets in Week 1, and the Eagles should be looking to fill up the scoreboard with an injury-riddled but still potent Buccaneers’ offense in Week 4. It is anyone’s guess who will get the targets in this run-first offense in Week 3, but I am banking on Goedert’s role to be enough to creep into the top-12.
So you made it this far, and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow fantasy football degenerates, I would greatly appreciate it!
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