Fantasy Football: Top 10 Start ‘Em Picks For Week 4

Heading into Week 4 Fantasy Football action, make sure to start these top 10 players heading into great matchups.

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs after a catch during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy football is well on its way and by now, you have decided who works and who doesn’t. Unfortunately, we have now stepped into our bye weeks, which shake things up a little in Week 4 luckily, there are only two bye teams this week.

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We also have out first International Series game in Week 4 and we see the return of Le’Veon Bell. This is also Tom Brady‘s last week of his suspension.

Week 4 offers a ton of great matchups that will make for an exciting week for fantasy football. That is, only if you are smart with your lineup.

This is always the hardest part. But, don’t worry; I have identified the 10 most valuable fantasy football starters for Week 4. Let’s take a look.

Next: 10. He is clearly the new Megatron

10. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Detroit Lions

Marvin Jones Jr. has been a secret weapon this fantasy football season. In the last two weeks, he’s earned well over 60 points combined in some leagues.

Last week, Jones completed 6-of-8 targets for 205 yards and two touchdowns; don’t expect that every week. Everyone wondered what Matthew Stafford would do without Megatron; here is the answer!

In his last three games, Jones has had at least one catch for over 30 yards. On average, he completes 22 yards per catch. This week’s matchup offers the same results.

Jones takes on the Chicago Bears, who don’t defend the pass well. The Bears allowed opponents 214 passing yards per game. Expect Jones to have another great week.

Next: 9. This quarterback is underrated

9. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins

Last season I found a new appreciation for Kirk Cousins, and his fantasy football performance so far has reminded me why. Cousins has earned over 20 points per game this season.

In his Week 3 win over the New York Giants, he completed 21-of-35 passes. Cousins had two touchdowns and totaled 296 yards.

This week he takes on the Cleveland Browns, that should be enough! On average, the Browns are giving opposing quarterbacks 294 passing yards per game.

Nothing seems to be stopping Cousins. This week doesn’t seem to be any different.

Next: 8. He's looking at a 20 point week

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) on the sidelines in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

8. Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers

Fantasy football owners expected a lot more production when they drafted Greg Olsen. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been a huge asset however, he consistently earns double-digits and had one 30-point week.

Last week was one of the not so great performances by Olsen. He only caught 6-of-10 targets for 64 yards and no touchdowns.

This week will be the week we see the Olsen we all remember drafting. His Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons is an ideal situation for any tight end.

The Falcons defense doesn’t do a great job at defending the position. Over the last three weeks, the Falcon have given tight ends four touchdowns.

Olsen is a must-start in Week 4.

Next: 7. He's an every-week starter so far

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) is lifted up by tackle King Dunlap (77) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

7. Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers

If you haven’t started Melvin Gordon on your fantasy football lineup you should be ashamed of yourself. Gordon has consistently earned 16 or more points per week.

Last week, Gordon rushed 16 times for 35 yards. He also had a rushing touchdown and added 43 yards on four pass completions.

Gordon earned 17 fantasy points last week, and critics suggest it should have been more. This week’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints seems to be another great possibility for Gordon.

The Saints have allowed the most rushing yards out of any team this season. Averaging almost 150 rushing yards per game is a clear sign Gordon will have a great week!

Next: 6. This D/ST are moving up in the rankings

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) lays on the ground after being sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

6. Minnesota Vikings D/ST

I guess it takes an injured quarterback for the defense to realize they’re going to have to step it up if they don’t want to throw away their season. The Minnesota Vikings D/ST looks incredible this season.

Yes, it could be a fluke, but I don’t think it is! For the last three weeks, the Vikings’ D/ST earned over 30 fantasy football points in each of their outings.

Last week alone they earned owners over 50 points against the Carolina Panthers. The Vikings had three interceptions and sacked him eight times.

Carolina not only lost to the Vikings but, they were held to only 10 points. I am not sure I would trust the wishy-washy Eli Manning in this matchup. Start ‘em!

Next: 5. Week 4 should be his breakout game

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) breaks the tackle by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cortez Allen (28) during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jordan Reed, TE. Washington Redskins

Maybe Jordan Reed should have been the in this week’s sleepers list because he hasn’t topped 13 fantasy football points yet this season. However, he is owned in 100 percent of leagues and players like Rob Gronkowski haven’t wowed us yet either.

Reed completed 4-of-7 targets for 56 yards in last week’s game. Reed still hasn’t scored a touchdown this season. But, just be patient with Reed, this could be the week!

The Washington Redskins take on the Cleveland Browns, just like I stated earlier with Cousins, it’s an easy matchup! The Redskins are 25^th in the league against defending the pass.

Look for Reed to have a breakout game. He’s a must-start against a poor Browns defense.

Next: 4. He will be the focal point of the offense

Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) and running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrate after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

4. LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots

With Brady suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo battling a shoulder injury, LeGarrette Blount has been the focal point of the New England Patriots offense. With Brady returning next week, Blount gets one more week to make fantasy owners proud.

Last week, he rushed 24 times for a little over 100 yards. He also had two touchdowns; he earned over 35 fantasy football points.

Now this week will question his abilities against the Buffalo Bills. Not only is this a division showdown but, the Bills have only allowed 98 rushing yards per game!

But, last week’s two touchdowns and 100 yards were against the Houston Texans who only offered Spencer Ware 9 fantasy points.

This is a good matchup for Blount! Not to mention, the Patriots don’t really have another choice unless they plan on putting Julian Edelman front and center.

Next: 3. His worst week brought in 19 fantasy points

Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

3. Matthew Stafford, QB. Detroit Lions

I don’t care what anyone says but, Matthew Stafford is on fire. Week 2 was his worst fantasy football outing bringing in almost 20 points; yes, that was his worst.

During Week 1 and 3 he earned over 30 points in some leagues. In his last three matchups, Stafford has had over 330 passing games twice and had thrown at least three touchdowns twice.

This week, Stafford take on the Chicago Bears. The Bears have offered opponents on average about 27 points per game.

There’s no reason Stafford won’t be able to throw over 300 yards and three touchdowns this week. Stafford is a must-start in Week 4.

Next: 2. He earned 40 fantasy football points last week

2. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts

T.Y. Hilton finally proved his fantasy worth in last week’s matchup. Not only was it the first time he earned more than 10 fantasy football points this season but, he earned over 40 points.

Hilton completed 8-of-11 targets, 174 yards, and a touchdown. This was all why battling a supposed knee injury, but there were no signs of that!

This week the Indianapolis Colts travel to London to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the Jaguars have defended the pass, Hilton has a great history against his opponent.

I am confident Hilton will explode in the International Series game this week. He’s projected 18 fantasy football points and should be considered a WR1 in Week 4.

Next: 1. He makes his debut this week

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (26) runs away from New Orleans Saints linebacker James Laurinaitis (53) in the first quarter of the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

1. Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell is back from his three-game suspension and makes his 2016 NFL debut on Sunday. The pressure is on because the Pittsburgh Steelers coaches have high hopes for Bell this week.

Expect to see him featured heavily this week. Even Ben Roethlisberger said he plans on using Bell in the passing game as well; this is exciting for fantasy owners!

This week Bell takes on the Kansas City Chiefs. Last year when Bell played the Chiefs, he had a little over 120 rushing yards.

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Even though we haven’t seen Bell, I can trust the Steelers have everything in order and are ready to use him as their “workhorse”. Start him this week!