Wide receivers are not immune from the wrath of 2020. Every time one big name gets healthy, it seems like another one gets hurt. That's put us in a tough spot putting together our Week 4 fantasy WR rankings. They change time and again throughout the course of the week when practice reports come out and we find ourself removing players that we expected to play and inserting players we expected to be out. So, bear with us as studs, sleepers and busts shift over and over throughout the week.
Our fun fact of the week that you may not have seen: Stefon Diggs caught touchdowns on consecutive first-quarter plays for the Bills, neither of which counted. The first was a low throw from Josh Allen that unluckily hit the ground as Diggs reached down to catch it. The second came back because of a flag. Diggs continues to be a WR2 while in Buffalo, even if his Week 3 stats don't show the full impact he had on the game (although his third-quarter score did help the cause).
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker
Out of nowhere in Week 3, four rookies stood out in the early afternoon window. Kirk Cousins threw to former LSU star Justin Jefferson early and often; Tee Higgins got into the end zone twice; Josh Allen was having a good time throwing the ball to Gabriel Davis out of UCF; and Brandon Aiyuk showed his versatility with over 100 total yards and a touchdown. Jefferson is someone to target as a pickup in leagues where he was previously dropped after his slow start; Higgins and Aiyuk might have some big weeks scattered with inconsistency; and Davis is more of a deep-league add, though he could have short-term value if John Brown (calf) misses time.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker
While injuries have been annoying all season at wide receiver, it was good to see DeVante Parker look healthy on Thursday Night Football against the Jaguars. He caught five passes for 59 yards and should retain his No. 1 WR role for the Dolphins as long as he stays on the field. With how Parker has played in the past year-plus, that puts him in WR1 territory this week against the worst pass defense in the league. One of our favorite sleepers, Preston Williams, caught a touchdown for the Dolphins on TNF and is in play as a starter this week.
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On the other side of things, Julio Jones seemed to get worse all week leading up to Week 3 and missed out with his lingering hamstring injury. We have him in the rankings for right now, but that could change if things don't seem to get better. Jones and Calvin Ridley are must-starts while healthy, while Russell Gage is a flex play when both are active but moves up to a strong PPR WR3 with one of the others inactive. Gage did leave Sunday with a head injury, however.
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We'll also have to keep an eye on Davante Adams' hamstring injury this week. His status would have big impacts on Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. A.J. Brown (knee) and Diontae Johnson (concussion) were also on our injury watchlist, but in the wake of the Steelers-Titans game being postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, both will be out this week in what will, effectively, be a bye week for each squad.
MORE WEEK 4 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
One more bright spot before we get to the rankings: It looks like Michael Thomas (ankle) will be back this week. His return makes Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith both speculative flex plays, at best, going forward, while Thomas should return to a starting spot in all of your lineups.
WEEK 4 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Note: Check back all week leading up to kickoff, as we'll continue to update our WR rankings based on the latest news and injuries.
Week 4 Fantasy WR Rankings (Standard)
Analysis by Jacob Camenker
These rankings are for non-PPR leagues.
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Davante Adams*, GB vs. ATL |
| 2 | DeAndre Hopkins, ARZ @ CAR |
| 3 | DeVante Parker, MIA vs. SEA. Seattle is allowing the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to WRs this year at a remarkably-high clip of 42.5. Parker is the No. 1 receiver for the Dolphins, and with an extra few days to rest his ailing hamstring, he should be in for a big day. |
| 4 | Tyler Lockett, SEA @ MIA |
| 5 | Odell Beckham Jr., CLE @ DAL |
| 6 | Amari Cooper, DAL vs. CLE |
| 7 | Calvin Ridley, ATL @ GB |
| 8 | Mike Evans, TB vs. LAC. With Chris Godwin likely out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Mike Evans becomes a top-10 play. He has been a big TD threat for Tom Brady and he should have a chance to soak up more targets with Godwin absent. |
| 9 | Allen Robinson, CHI vs. IND |
| 10 | Julio Jones*, ATL @ GB. Jones missed last week's game with a hamstring injury, but the Falcons may need him back with Russell Gage (concussion) questionable. Jones would be in for a date with Jaire Alexander, a great No. 1 corner, but he's still talented enough to produce a lot of yards -- provided that he's fully healthy. |
| 11 | Tyreek Hill, KC vs. NE |
| 12 | Kenny Golladay, DET vs. NO |
| 13 | Adam Thielen, MIN @ HOU |
| 14 | Stefon Diggs, BUF @ LV |
| 15 | DK Metcalf, SEA @ MIA |
| 16 | Cooper Kupp, LAR vs. NYG |
| 17 | Keenan Allen, LAC @ TB |
| 18 | Will Fuller V, HOU vs. MIN. Fuller has posted point totals of 15.2, 0, and 13.4 to start the season. In a matchup against a Vikings secondary that allows 36.6 FPPG to WRs, he has a ton of upside and should easily be a WR2 because of his great matchup. |
| 19 | Tyler Boyd, CIN vs. JAX. Because of Joe Burrow's penchant for targeting the middle of the field, Boyd is the top Bengals receiver to play. He is averaging 8.5 receptions and 98.5 receiving yards per game the past two outings and has a TD. He could score another one against a Jaguars defense that allows 30 FPPG to WRs, the fifth-most in the NFL. |
| 20 | Robert Woods, LAR vs. NYG. Woods has double-digit fantasy points in all three games so far for the Rams. He is handling about seven touches per game and should be able to do damage both through the air and on the ground against a porous Giants defense that just allowed Brandon AIyuk, a weapon similar to Woods, to go for over 100 total yards. |
| 21 | DJ Chark*, JAX @ CIN. Chark (chest) nearly was able to suit up for last Thursday's game against the Dolphins, so he should have a chance to return in Week 4. If he does, he'll being taking on a Bengals defense that has been good against receivers but hasn't faced too many talented receivers outside of Odell Beckham Jr. |
| 22 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB vs. ATL. With Allen Lazard (core) out, MVS should see a good amount of targets and have multiples chances to beat this horrible pass defense deep. |
| 23 | Marvin Jones, DET vs. NO. The return of Kenny Golladay in Week 3 helped Jones to get open more often against the Cardinals. He wasn't targeted as much, but he brought in all three of his targets for 51 yards. He should have a chance to continue on as an efficient WR3 against a Saints defense that has allowed an average of 31.3 points to their opponents through three games. |
| 24 | Terry McLaurin, WAS vs. BAL. The Ravens could pose a tough challenge for McLaurin, but he has logged the most yards after the catch (YAC) among receivers through three games with a mark of 112. Considering that Washington will likely be playing from behind and McLaurin is averaging 8.3 targets per game, he could have a solid week. |
| 25 | Marquise Brown, BAL @ WAS |
| 26 | Jarvis Landry, CLE @ DAL. Landry is averaging just four catches for 47.7 yards through three games this season, but the Cowboys could be the perfect antidote for that. Dallas has allowed the seventh-most FPPG to WRs (28.8) this season so Landry could be in for a solid performance, especially if the Cowboys focus on Odell Beckham Jr. as the bigger threat. Landry should rack up yards and catches even if he's not a big-time TD threat. |
| 27 | D.J. Moore, CAR vs. ARZ. Moore is averaging 17.1 yards per catch this season and has already seen 26 targets through three games. Most weeks, he'll be a WR2, but the Cardinals have been excellent against WRs this year and have allowed the fifth-fewest yards to the position (365). Moore can still be started, but his ceiling is lower given the matchup. |
| 28 | Julian Edelman, NE @ KC. Through three games, Edelman has established himself as Cam Newton's favorite receiver and has racked up 24 targets. He should be targeted frequently once again when the Patriots take on the Chiefs, as this game could be an offensive battle. However, the Chiefs have been good against WRs and had only allowed 17.8 FPPG to the position before their Monday night battle with the Ravens. |
| 29 | Preston Williams, MIA vs. SEA. In three games, the Seahawks have allowed 1,136 yards to WRs. That's 400 more than the next-worst team, Atlanta. As such, Williams should be trusted as a WR3 because the matchup is so good and the Dolphins will, likely, be playing catch-up. Williams could post season-best numbers in targets, catches, yards, and he could grab a TD for the second consecutive week. |
| 30 | CeeDee Lamb, DAL vs. CLE. The Browns have allowed five TDs to receivers this year, which is tied for the second-most in the NFL with several other teams. Lamb should have a chance to take advantage of that, as he has good size and is averaging seven targets per game. The rookie is due to catch his first TD anyway, so feel free to fire him up as a flex. |
| 31 | Emmanuel Sanders, NO @ DET. Sanders hasn't done much with the Saints in terms of yardage, but he does have two TDs, including one against the Packers last week. If Michael Thomas (ankle) returns, Sanders may see fewer targets but he may find himself more open against a beat-up Lions secondary. |
| 32 | Brandon Aiyuk, SF vs. PHI. Aiyuk emerged as the top target for the 49ers against the Giants and racked up 101 total yards and a score on eight touches. He's as both a pass-catcher and a runner, and he should have a chance to find success against a Philly defense that has struggled to contain WRs to the tune of 545 yards and two scores on the year. |
| 33 | A.J. Green, CIN vs. JAX. Boyd may be the more consistent of the Bengals receivers right now, but Green could get going soon. He has a good matchup and has seen 28 targets from Joe Burrow through three games. It's only a matter of time before he has a big breakout game and is reminiscent of the Green of old. |
| 34 | T.Y. Hilton, IND @ CHI. Hilton hasn't quite clicked with Philip Rivers yet, and he has seen his target share decrease each game from 9 to 5 to 3. He's still averaging 13.3 yards per catch and is a big-play threat, but the lack of opportunities will limit him against a Bears offense that hasn't allowed a WR to score a TD this season. |
| 35 | Tre'Quan Smith, NO @ DET. |
| 36 | Justin Jefferson, MIN @ HOU. Jefferson, a first-round pick in 2020, broke out for the Vikings in their third game of the season. He caught seven-of-nine targets for 175 yards and a TD and looked like the focal point of the Vikings' offense. The Texans have been good against WRs, but given how much better the Vikings were with Jefferson playing a big role, Kirk Cousins will likely look to get him involved in the offense early and often. |
| 37 | John Brown*, BUF @ LV |
| 38 | Scotty Miller, TB vs. LAC. Chris Godwin is out for the Bucs on Sunday with a hamstring injury, so that means Miller will be the No. 2 receiver for Tampa Bay. Brady has enjoyed throwing to him so far this year and Miller could catch another deep pass or make some plays out of the slot with DB Chris Harris sidelined for the Chargers. |
| 39 | Jamison Crowder, NYJ vs. DEN |
| 40 | Jerry Jeudy, DEN @ NYJ. rett Rypien will quarterback the Broncos on a short week against the Jets. The matchup is a good one for Jeudy, but it's hard to trust him as more than a WR3/flex play because of his team's quarterback situation. |
| 41 | Greg Ward Jr., PHI @ SF. Ward became Carson Wentz's favorite receiver when DeSean Jackson went down with a hamstring injury and didn't return against the Bengals. Sound familiar? That's because Ward averaged 6.7 targets per game down the stretch of last season with Wentz's receiving corps banged up. Ward will have a chance to become fantasy relevant once again because of this connection along with injuries to Jackson, Alshon Jeffery (foot), and Dallas Goedert (ankle). |
| 42 | Darius Slayton, NYG @ LAR. Slayton caught two TDs in the Giants' opener but has since struggled to gain separation. Now, he'll be taking on the Rams and could get a date with Jalen Ramsey. That's enough to make owners lean toward sitting him in Week 4. |
| 43 | Brandin Cooks, HOU vs. MIN. Cooks should have a chance to break a long catch against the Vikings' poor cornerback group. That said, he is a bit of a boom-or-bust playmaker considering that he has only 10 catches through three games this season. |
| 44 | Tee Higgins, CIN vs. JAX. Higgins emerged as a viable target for the Bengals in the red zone, catching two TDs and five-of-nine targets for 40 yards. Higgins is still behind Boyd and A.J. Green in the pecking order, but he's a player on the rise. If he scores another TD against a beatable Jacksonville secondary, fantasy owners will feel a lot more comfortable starting him down the line. |
| 45 | Michael Gallup, DAL vs. CLE. Gallup led the Cowboys in receiving yards last week with 136 and scored a TD against the Seahawks. The Browns are a tougher matchup, so Gallup may go back to be an inconsistent deep threat in that contest. |
| 46 | Russell Gage*, ATL @ GB. Gage is dealing with a concussion. If he plays, he'll be a flex option against a beatable Packers secondary that will focus on Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones. His status will be worth watching in the coming weeks. |
| 47 | Robby Anderson, CAR vs. ARZ. Anderson continues to show good chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater and is a big play waiting to happen. He has a tough matchup against the Cardinals, but he's always a threat to take one to the house. |
| 48 | Hunter Renfrow, LV vs. BUF. Renfrow caught a TD for the Raiders against the Patriots, was inches away from another score, and was Vegas' leading receiver with six catches and 84 yards. He may not be as productive if Henry Ruggs returns to action but in PPR formats, Renfrow can be a nice flex option. |
| 49 | Cole Beasley, BUF @ LV. Beasley posted six catches for 100 yards last week when John Brown failed to catch a pass while nursing a calf injury that held him out half of the game. If Brown can't play, Beasley is a nice PPR flex option and is similar to Renfrow in terms of upside. |
| 50 | Golden Tate, NYG @ LAR |
| 51 | Deebo Samuel, SF vs. PHI |
| 52 | KJ Hamler, DEN @ NYJ. Hamler's ceiling will be higher when Drew Lock is back. Even in a good matchup, it's too hard to trust him with Brett Rypien at quarterback. |
| 53 | Laviska Shenault Jr., JAX @ CIN. Shenault is averaging 6.3 touches per game and is a threat as a pass-catcher and a runner out of the backfield. His upside is high but the volume isn't quite there yet for him to be a consistent flex play. |
| 54 | Curtis Samuel, CAR vs. ARZ. With Christian McCaffrey out, Samuel handled four carries while catching four passes. He could continue to see solid volume in both phases of the game and will be startable in weaker matchups. |
| 55 | Christian Kirk*, ARZ @ CAR |
| 56 | Sammy Watkins, KC vs. NE |
| 57 | Andy Isabella, ARZ @ CAR |
| 58 | Randall Cobb, HOU vs. MIN |
| 59 | N'Keal Harry, NE @ KC |
| 60 | Anthony Miller, CHI vs. IND |
| 61 | Keelan Cole, JAX @ CIN |
| 62 | Braxton Berrios, NYJ vs. DEN. With Jamison Crowder set to return, Berrios' value will be lessened as he won't see as many targets. Still, the Jets will be without Breshad Perriman, so Berrios has some upside as a DFS flier this week. |
| 63 | Mecole Hardman, KC vs. NE |
| 64 | Jalen Guyton, LAC @ TB |
| 65 | Dontrelle Inman, WAS vs. BAL |
| 66 | Josh Reynolds, LAR vs. NYG |
| 67 | Damiere Byrd, NE @ KC |
| 68 | Larry Fitzgerald, ARZ @ CAR |
| 69 | Gabriel Davis, BUF @ LV |
| 70 | Zach Pascal, IND @ CHI |
| 71 | Kendrick Bourne, SF vs. PHI |
| 72 | Demarcus Robinson, KC vs. NE |
| 73 | Isaiah Ford, MIA vs. SEA |
| 74 | Chris Hogan, NYJ vs. DEN |
| 75 | Van Jefferson, LAR vs. NYG |
| 76 | Danny Amendola, DET vs. NO |
| 77 | Miles Boykin, BAL @ WAS |
* = Injury worry this week