It’s the last weekend of September, three data-rich weeks are in the books, and trends are starting to harden. Below are my favorite Week 4 start/sit calls—backed by 2025 production, usage, and matchups. Don’t let Week 4 points stack up on your bench—these are the plays that win matchups. I’ve cut the obvious auto-starts; instead you’ll find the real decisions that managers are still overthinking (yes, Tetairoa McMillan), with quick, no-nonsense blurbs on why they belong in your lineup—or why they don’t. Make the swaps, lock it in, and bring home the W.
Quarterbacks
Start of the Week — Caleb Williams (CHI) @ LV
This might be the final week Caleb appears in a start/sit—he’s about to graduate to set-and-forget. Through three games he’s at 715 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT (66.7 QBR), fresh off a statement win where Chicago kept him clean and pushed the ball more aggressively into the intermediate windows. The matchup is pristine: the Raiders have been bottom-third by passing yards allowed so far, and the total in Las Vegas projects a shootout environment. Plug him in and stop overthinking it. ESPN.com+2ESPN.com+2
Starts
- Jordan Love (GB) @ DAL — The Packers are leaning on Love’s efficiency: 663 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT (QBR 66.0). Dallas’ defense is legit, but a 50.5 implied total keeps Love squarely in the circle of trust for volume + red-zone chances. Treat him as a confident QB1 this week. ESPN.com+1
- Brock Purdy (SF) vs JAX — Monitor inactives, but all signs point to Purdy having a “real chance” to go after limited practices. Jacksonville has allowed a middling ~209 pass yards per game, and San Francisco’s structure elevates QB efficiency. If he’s active, he’s a go; if he’s not, pivot off 49ers QBs entirely. Niners Nation+2Reuters+2
- Daniel Jones (IND) @ LAR — New helmet, new life. Jones has piloted Indy to 3-0 with 816 yards, 0 INT, league-best 85.8 QBR, and the Colts are top-2 in total offense per team stats. The Rams are playing fast and explosive on offense, which should keep Jones throwing. He’s a strong start in all formats. ESPN.com+2New York Post+2
Sit of the Week — Dak Prescott (DAL) vs GB
Dak has volume (800 yards) but just 3 TD with 3 INT and some volatility behind it. Green Bay’s pass defense has been top-10 by yardage allowed, and this setup tilts toward Dallas leaning on the run + short game. If you have a comparable option, I’d park Dak. ESPN.com+1
Running Backs
Start of the Week — Omarion Hampton (LAC) @ NYG
The Chargers’ first-round rookie already owns a real workload (42 carries, 142 yards, TD)—and with Najee Harris lost to an Achilles injury, Hampton’s role is even safer. The 3-0 Chargers have been ahead often, which feeds rushing volume. Play him confidently as a high-floor RB2 with upside against a Giants with a rookie QB making his first start. ESPN.com+2Reuters+2
Starts
- Jordan Mason (MIN) @ PIT — Minnesota’s new RB1 is off to a hot start (40 carries, 214 yards, 2 TD). The Steelers have quietly bled rushing yards (bottom-10 by yards allowed to date), and local analysis has hammered their early run-D issues. This is a volume + matchup special. ESPN.com+1
- Breece Hall (NYJ) @ MIA — Hall’s floor is buoyed by passing work; he just posted 103 receiving yards in Week 3 and remains the Jets’ best offensive lever heading into Monday night in Miami. In PPR, he’s a locked-in start. New York Jets
- Ashton Jeanty (LV) vs CHI — I believe this the breakout game for Jeanty. His metrics are strong despite limited production. 144 rushing yards through three games and growing trust near the stripe. Chicago’s defense has been up-and-down; Jeanty’s touch count keeps him in the high end RB2 mix. ESPN.com
- J.K. Dobbins (DEN) vs CIN — Dobbins has flashed his old burst (222 yards, 3 TDs) and Denver has shown willingness to feature him. With the Bengals traveling to altitude, Dobbins profiles as a strong start on volume and goal-line equity. Facebook
- Trey Benson (ARI) vs SEA — With James Conner sidelined, Benson steps into a feature role (already 125 rush yards plus 8 catches for 45 to date). Seattle is stingy on the ground but has allowed RB work through the air—Benson’s dual-threat usage keeps him in your lineup. ESPN.com+1
Sit of the Week — David Montgomery (DET) vs CLE
Monty has been terrific (coming off 151 and 2 TD), but the Browns’ run defense has been elite—top-tier by yards allowed and overall defensive grade—making this a brutal one-week spot. If you have a similar-tier option with a friendlier matchup, I’d bench him. ESPN.com+2NFL.com+2
Wide Receivers
Start of the Week — Michael Pittman Jr. (IND) @ LAR
Pittman owns the No. 1 chair in an offense that’s humming: 16-193-2 so far for MPJ and the Colts sit top-2 in total offense. Even against a better-than-expected Rams defense, the combination of volume and red-zone work keeps Pittman in must-start territory. ESPN.com+1
Starts
- Chargers WRs (LAC) @ NYG — Keenan Allen: 19-194-3 and Quentin Johnston: 14-239-3—and the Giants have yielded 818 passing yards already. Start either (or both in deeper leagues) as strong WR2s with WR1 ceilings. ESPN.com+2ESPN.com+2
- Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) @ NE — The rookie is Carolina’s top downfield threat (14-216, 6 catches of 20+ yards) and he returned to practice Thursday after a calf scare. New England’s defense can be stingy, but TMac’s usage and air-yard share make him a weekly upside play. ESPN.com+1
- Jakobi Meyers (LV) vs CHI — Rock-solid volume with 17-228 on the season. In a game with Caleb on the other side, Meyers’ route volume and slot usage are exactly what we chase for stable PPR production. ESPN.com
- Jauan Jennings (SF) — start if he plays — The 49ers are beat up at WR, which would funnel targets to Jennings if he’s active; he’s been sidelined with ankle/shoulder, so treat him as a late-week value if cleared. (Sanity check Sunday morning.) Reuters
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI) vs SEA — The sophomore’s line (10-142-1) understates his per-route dominance, and Seattle has been middle-of-the-pack by pass yards allowed. With TNF spotlight and condensed Cards targets, MHJ belongs in lineups. ESPN.com+1
Sit of the Week — Xavier Worthy (KC) vs BAL
I get it—you’re itching to jam him in. But he has hasn’t caught a single pass in 2025 yet and is only now returning to full practice after a Week 1 shoulder injury. Let’s breathe. Let’s confirm role and snap share before we hit “start.” ESPN.com+1
Tight Ends
Start of the Week — Jake Ferguson (DAL) vs GB
Ferguson is on a ridiculous early-season pace (27 catches, 183 yards) and has been Dak’s chain-mover. In a game where perimeter throws may be squeezed by GB’s corners, expect another TE-centric game plan. He’s nearing must-start territory. ESPN.com
Starts
- Juwan Johnson (NO) @ BUF — Volume plus red-zone chops (19-176-1) on a team likely to chase points in Buffalo. That usage profile travels. ESPN.com
- Zach Ertz (WAS) @ ATL — 12-128-2 and still drawing high-leverage targets. With A.J. Terrell sidelined for Atlanta, the middle of the field should be there for Ertz to exploit on seams and sticks. There’s a chance Terry McLaurin misses also.ESPN.com+1
- Dalton Kincaid (BUF) vs NO — Allen’s trust near the goal line shows: 13-151-2 already. Against a winless Saints team traveling north, Kincaid profiles as a touchdown-chasing TE1. ESPN.com
Sit of the Week — David Njoku (CLE) @ DET
Njoku’s usage has been muted (12-117-0), and rookie Harold Fannin Jr. is siphoning more of the receiving juice in two-TE sets. Against a physical Lions front, Njoku looks like a volume-risk TE2 you can sit. ESPN.com+1
Streamers of the Week (Week 4)
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields (NYJ) @ MIA — Monday
If he clears concussion protocol, Fields is a priority stream because the rushing floor is already showing up: 97 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs across two games, with a tidy 245–1–0 as a passer on limited attempts. He returned to practice Thursday and the Jets have said he’ll start if medically cleared, which puts him in line for a full-slate MNF environment against Miami. In 1QB leagues he’s a swing-for-upside play; in 2QB/superflex he’s a near lock. NFL.com+3New York Post+3Reuters+3
Geno Smith (LV) vs CHI
Volume is your friend with streamers, and Geno has it: 831 passing yards through three games (No. 2 in the league), plus 4 TD. Las Vegas’ passing game has been functioning at a top-10 clip early, and the home matchup with Chicago projects cleanly for another 30+ attempt day. If you’re replacing an injured starter or chasing ceiling in a deeper league, Geno fits. ESPN.com+1
Running Backs
Kareem Hunt (KC) vs BAL
The efficiency isn’t sparkling yet (23 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD), but Kansas City has given Hunt enough work to matter—and Baltimore will be down a key run-stuffer with Pro Bowl DT Justin (Nnamdi) Madubuike ruled out. In a game where KC should prioritize balance, Hunt profiles as a usable RB3/FLEX streamer with goal-line equity. ESPN.com+1
Woody Marks (HOU) vs TEN
Deep-league stream: the rookie has seen 12 carries for 44 yards so far and is being mixed in behind the starters. That’s thin usage, but at home against Tennessee—and in a backfield that’s still sorting roles—Marks is a viable “hope for 10+ touches” FLEX if you’re pinched by injuries/bye-style holes. ESPN.com+1
Ollie Gordon II (MIA) vs NYJ — Monday
Another rookie dart with real red-zone juice: 12 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD already. Miami has sprinkled him in, and a prime-time script that tilts run-heavy late would give Gordon a path to double-digit touches. He’s a touchdown-dependent but live FLEX if you need a Monday hammer. ESPN.com+1
Wide Receivers
Matthew Golden (GB) @ DAL
First-round rookie usage is quietly stable: 6 catches for 68 yards on 8 targets through three weeks, and Green Bay heads into a fast, high-total game in Dallas. If you need a WR3 with a path to 6–8 looks, Golden is a sensible stream with some big-play pop. ESPN.com+1
Tre Tucker (LV) vs CHI
Ride the heater. Tucker’s sitting at 13–211–4 to open the year (tied for the league lead in TDs), and just posted a breakout performance in Week 3. In a home spot against Chicago with Geno pushing volume, he’s a plug-in WR3/flex with real ceiling. ESPN.com+1
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (KC) vs BAL
You’re streaming him for targets: 19 receptions for 171 yards already (top-10 in catches), and Baltimore’s defense has been leaky to start 2025. Even if the YAC hasn’t popped yet, that kind of volume in a Mahomes offense is the exact profile we chase for a one-week WR2/3 stream. There will be some ramp up for Worthy. ESPN.com+2ESPN.com+2
Tight Ends
Brenton Strange (JAX) @ SF
Strange is getting bankable opportunities: 13 catches for 137 yards on ~16 targets through three weeks, and Jacksonville may need quick-game outlets against San Francisco’s front. If you’re living the streamer life at TE, the combination of routes + catch volume keeps Strange firmly in play. ESPN.com+2SumerSports+2
Cade Otton (TB) vs PHI
The counting stats are light (3–25–0), but context matters: Tampa could be without Mike Evans (hamstring) and projects to face volume against unbeaten Philly. That sets up extra tight end involvement near the sticks and in the red zone—enough to justify Otton as a spot start in deeper formats. ESPN.com+2Bleeding Green Nation+2