Fantasy Football Week 4: Top 5 wide receivers to start

Here’s a look at the top five wide receivers to start heading into Week 4 fantasy football action.

There were some fairly big fantasy football performances by wide receivers in Week 3. However, many of those games came from some unsuspected players.

Atlanta Falcons’ rookie wideout Calvin Ridley led all wide receivers in scoring with 40.5 points. He caught seven balls for 146 yards and a whopping three scores. Robert Woods finished second with 33.7 and Jordy Nelson came in behind both Woods and Ridley with 29.3 points.

The top five scoring receivers round out with Mike Evans at four and Tyler Boyd five. Both players finished with 25.7 fantasy points in ESPN PPR Standard scoring leagues.

Who knows what this week will bring, but let’s take a look at the top five wide receivers to start in fantasy football for Week 4.

5. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans stretched his games with a touchdown streak to three during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Not only was that his third straight game with a score, but also his third straight game with 20+ fantasy points.

Evans has become one of Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s top targets early on this season. He has been highly targeted, and that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.

The Bucs will face the Chicago Bears in Week 4. Yes, the Bears have had one of the better defenses in the NFL.

However, the Bears have been very vulnerable through the air. They have gotten better every week, but they haven’t faced a tough receiving core since Week 1 in Green Bay.

Next: 4. Jarvis Landry

4. Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are about to shift into another gear following the team’s Week 3 win over the New York Jets. Of course, this is referencing towards the Browns plugging in first overall pick Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield electrified the game, and he may have also rejuvenated one of the best wide receivers in the league as well. Jarvis Landry hadn’t had a 20+ point game up until last week.

Not that Tyrod Taylor didn’t target him, but Mayfield and Landry looked to have a strong chemistry once the former Heisman Trophy winner entered the game. Landry gathered 20.3 points with his eight catches for 103 yards.

The Browns play the beleaguered Oakland Raiders in Week 4, meaning, Landry will look to finally catch a touchdown pass. The Raiders are by far one of the worst defenses in the league, especially when it comes to the pass defense.

Next: 3. Antonio Brown

3. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Times are weird in the Steel City. Le’Veon Bell is on his way out of town, Antonio Brown has made some interesting social media comments, and the Steelers are struggling.

Yes, the Steelers won on Monday night against the Bucs, but it was a close one. What’s more surprising is the fact that Brown has yet to have a game with at least 100 receiving yards or multiple touchdown catches.

Brown only scored 17 fantasy points during Monday night’s win. Not bad, but not good when it comes to a player like Brown.

The Steelers play their arch rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 4. While the Ravens have a middle of the pack pass defense, Brown will want to come out and torch the most hated team in Pittsburgh.

Next: 2. Michael Thomas

2. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency
• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target

Michael Thomas has had a historic start to the NFL season. He has caught 38 passes through three games. More impressively, he has caught 38 passes on 40 targets.

Thomas registered 20+ fantasy points each week, and he has gone for 30+ points in two of those contests. However, he didn’t find the end zone for the first time this season during the New Orleans Saints Week 3 win.

But, you shouldn’t worry that Thomas may be slowing down. No, he is just getting started.

This week the Saints travel to the big apple to play the New York Giants. The Giants have been great in defending the pass, but Thomas is seemingly incapable of being shut down.

Next: 1. Odell Beckham Jr.

1. Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants

Odell Beckham Jr. will be on the opposite sideline of Thomas in Week 4. Both of these players will headline what may turn into a shootout between the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints have been one of, if not the worst defense against the pass. Their secondary has been torched so far this year, which is a shock after the great year the unit had last season.

So, this means that Beckham is setup to have a big day. He is coming off a Week 3 performance of nine catches for 109 yards.

Beckham has yet to celebrate a touchdown catch. However, he may have a couple this week, in front of the home crowd at MetLife Stadium.