Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 4 BOOM or BUST!

Fantasy football lineup advice – Wide Receiver

BOOM:

Sammy Watkins, KC @ DET

In the absence of Tyreek Hill, Watkins has been an absolute target-hog, averaging over 10 targets per game. After his 46.8-point outburst in Week 1, he’s cooled off a bit, but has still seen enough volume to warrant him a strong WR1-play until Hill returns to action. As the top target on the Chiefs’ high-flying offense, Watkins’ ceiling remains as high as anyone heading into Week 4. At this point, nobody should be doubted when they’re catching passes from Patrick Mahomes.

The Detroit Lions have some serviceable coverage guys in their secondary, but their unit takes a big hit if Darius Slay, who suffered a hamstring injury last week, can’t suit up for their matchup. Even if he’s able to go, it’ll be at less than 100 percent, giving Watkins an opportunity to feast. Even with Slay, the Lions have given up the 12th-most fantasy points this year to WRs. This, alone, makes Watkins a top option this week.

Sterling Shepard, NYG vs. WSH

Out with the old and in with the new. The Giants’ offense took a huge step forward last week in what was first-round pick Daniel Jones‘ first career start. Shepard proved to be his new quarterback’s go-to-guy, reeling-in seven receptions on a team-high nine targets for 100 yards and a touchdown. Shepard also took two carries for 21 yards, showing the G-Men were willing to do as much as possible to get the ball into his hands.

Shepard may have to shoulder an even-heavier load now that Barkley is out, something that should work to his advantage against a Redskins’ defense that has been a doormat for opposing aerial-attacks up to this point. Washington has allowed an absurd 54.7 FPPG to wideouts this season, making this another ideal matchup for Jones and his pass-catchers. Drawing coverage from Josh Norman isn’t as scary for fantasy owners as it used to be, either. Start Shepard with confidence.

BUST:

Stefon Diggs, MIN @ CHI

One of the biggest busts in all of fantasy football thus far, Diggs looks to be the odd man out in Minnesota’s new run-heavy approach. He currently sits as just the WR72 on the season, averaging only 6.7 PPR points per game. Owners that drafted him in the third or fourth round this year are likely kicking themselves, and for good reason, being that Diggs has just six total receptions on the season. His Week 4 matchup, the Chicago Bears, isn’t going to do him any favors.

Diggs could very well be in for another disappearing act going against Kyle Fuller and a defense that’s allowed the fourth-fewest points per game to opposing offenses. While the Bears rank middle-of-the-pack against WRs in fantasy terms, much of the damage done against them has come in garbage time situations. This is a game that should be a hard-fought battle that goes down to the wire. If you’re starting Diggs, you’re banking on a couple of big plays or a touchdown, neither of which he’s managed to this point.

Emmanuel Sanders, DEN vs. JAX

After starting the year as fantasy’s WR3 (24.2 FPPG) through two weeks, Sanders came crashing back to earth against the Packers, who’ve boasted one of the best secondaries in the league in the early stages of the season. It was questioned whether or not Sanders would be able to sustain top-tier WR numbers this season on a subpar Denver offense, especially coming off offseason surgery and having to fight second-year receiver Courtland Sutton for targets. His matchup was tough last week but spelled trouble for his future outlook against top defenses.

It won’t get any easier for Sanders this week against the Jaguars. Whether he gets paired-up with Jalen Ramsey or A.J. Bouye, these are two of the true premier lockdown cover-corners in today’s game. Jacksonville has an extensive history of suppressing opposing teams’ top receiving options, including Week 2 this season where they limited DeAndre Hopkins to just five catches for 40 yards. He’s best viewed as a shaky flex play.

Sleeper:

Parris Campbell, IND vs. OAK

Campbell has had a quiet start to his rookie campaign, but could be in-line for an increased target-share after T.Y. Hilton re-aggravated a quad injury last week against the Falcons. It’d be fair to assume the team plays it safe and sits their often-injured star this week being this early in the season. The Colts will have to replace his targets somehow, giving Campbell a nice opportunity against the Raiders, who’ve allowed 43.3 FPPG to opposing wideouts.