It's inevitable, players who you are relying on in fantasy football will disappoint you each and every week. For the most part, tight ends have been driving the disappointment and frustration, but the other positional groups have put up their fair share of duds.
Last week, we gave you names like Anthony Richardson, C.J. Stroud, Josh Jacobs, Mike Evans, and Michael Pittman Jr. as players to avoid in lineups. If you started any of these five, chances are that you were disappointed by their performance. Week 4 presents a new set of circumstances and matchups, and we'll be looking to avoid the lineup landmines once again.
We'll be using a roundtable style article for our Week 4 fantasy football busts. Three of our fantasy football analysts will be taking a look at the slate and covering one player who they will be shying away from at each position. Fantasy managers could be set up for disappointment if they choose to start any of these players.
WEEK 4 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Busts Week 4
Michael O'Hara: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers - When discussing his fade of C.J. Stroud last week, Vinnie mentioned how he did not like the matchup with Minnesota's disruptive defense. His fears became reality as the Minnesota defense picked off Stroud twice and held Houston to seven points. Jordan Love will face the Vikings in his return from injury in Week 4. Brian Flores will have a devious gameplan that should give Love fits as he gets his legs under him after a two-week absence.
Ed Williams: Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts - It's officially time to start panicking about Anthony Richardson. Given Richardson's rushing upside, he's been in the top-6 of our rankings each week so far. While there are plenty of highlight reel throws that he unleashes each week, there have been a wide array of catastrophic mistakes in between the highlights. With T.J. Watt and the stout Steelers defense up next, Richardson is a fade unless you're in 2QB leagues.
Vinnie Iyer: Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints - Keep him in the garage after he took plenty of dents against the Eagles' defense and came crashing hard down to earth. The Falcons' defense can cause his fender to bend with tough coverage looks and a combination of outside-inside pressure. Carr is back to being a fantasy lemon and will be in need of further repair after Atlanta.
WEEK 4 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver List | Top Players to Target | How to spend FAAB
Fantasy RB Busts Week 4
O'Hara: J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers - Since accepting the head coaching job in Los Angeles, Jim Harbaugh has made it very clear that he wants to utilize a slow, methodical offense that emphasizes the rushing attack. This approach has worked early in the year, but it wouldn't come as a shock to see the Chargers abandon the run game early in Week 4. The Chargers are currently 7-point underdogs to the Chiefs and will likely have to lean on the passing attack to stay in the game. Unfortunately, Justin Herbert isn't guaranteed to play in this game either. He aggravated an ankle injury last week which could sideline him in Week 4. This is all setting up to be an offensive disaster for the Chargers.
Williams: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bucky Irving continues to look like the better running back for the Bucs, and White's time as the RB1 may have already ended. While it's not confirmed that Irving is now the 1a in this committee, Irving racked up 70 yards on nine carries against the Broncos, and White could only muster 17 yards on six carries. That equals out to 7.8 yards per carry vs. 2.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, many are assuming the Eagles' defense will struggle against the run. Yes, they gave up a ton of yards to Josh Jacobs and Bijan Robinson in the first two games this season, but they also held the Saints to just 89 rushing yards after they had just racked up 180 rushing yards against Carolina and 190 rushing yards against Dallas. If Jalen Carter and the Philly defense can continue to contain the running game, White will be in for another rough week.
Iyer: Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers - Jacobs managed only 43 rushing yards on 14 carries vs. the Titans, and his struggles will continue regardless of the QBs against the tough Vikings defense in Week 4 as former Packer Aaron Jones has a lot more success in a revenge game. The Packers should also open up the passing game more with Love set to return.
Fantasy WR Busts Week 4
O'Hara: Garrett Wilson, New York Jets - You don't have to do a deep dive into advanced metrics to come to the conclusion that it is difficult to feel comfortable starting No. 1 receivers against the Denver Broncos. Why? Talented receivers draw shadow coverage from Pat Surtain, one of the best corners in the NFL. Surtain has squared off with DK Metcalf, George Pickens, and Mike Evans so far this season. He has held that trio to 53 receiving yards... combined. Aaron Rodgers may have to look for production elsewhere in Week 4.
Williams: Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints - After two great weeks to start the season, New Orleans' dynamic deep threat Rashid Shaheed laid an egg against the Eagles -- literally -- his fantasy score was 0.0. The Saints are hoping to rebound this week against the Falcons, but with Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons manning the safety positions, it's going to be very tough to take the top completely off the defense. Atlanta has only given up two plays through three games that resulted in 20 or more receiving yards, and unfortunately for Shaheed, that's how he racks up most of his points.
Iyer: Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens - He was held to 20 yards on three catches off four targets against the Cowboys. The Bills' cornerbacks are much nastier, and the Ravens need to be very run-heavy to win the tough home game this week. Flowers won't be forced into the offense with Lamar Jackson spreading the ball around and leaning on his legs and those of Derrick Henry's.
Fantasy TE Busts Week 4
O'Hara: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens - After a disastrous Week 1 performance, it seemed like Mark Andrews was back on the right track in Week 2. Well, it somehow got even worse in Week 3. Andrews played just a third of snaps, ran six routes, and was blanked in the box score. It's one thing to put up a goose egg, but it's another thing to play less than half the snaps. Not even prime Travis Kelce could produce on this sort of snap share. It's a mess in Baltimore, and it's best to avoid it.
Williams: Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans - This was my bust last week, and Schultz lived up to the anti-hype, reeling in just two catches for 11 yards. In fact, he has only seven catches for 48 yards on the entire season. With Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell all receiving a lot of C.J. Stroud's attention, Schultz's receiving talents just haven't been needed, and I don't expect that to change this week.
Iyer: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles – His massive game was helped by a fluky defensive crash and the fact he had to be more involved with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith (exited early in 4th quarter) not available. But the Buccaneers have proven to be tough on tight ends out of the gate and will contain him as the Eagles try to run away on the ground.
Fantasy Defense Busts Week 4
O'Hara: Buffalo Bills - The Bills have been a reliable fantasy defense throughout the season, ranking third so far through three weeks. Week 4 is a spot where they can be dropped in favor of a defensive streamer. The Baltimore Ravens are one of the league's toughest matchups and should be avoided in fantasy.
Williams: Los Angeles Chargers - The Chargers have been a very good defense so far this season, but they've faced the Raiders, Panthers, and Steelers -- not exactly a few elite offenses. But they step up in class a few notches this week as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs. On top of that, they'll be without Derwin James who was suspended for a game after another vicious hit resulting in an instance of not following the rules that protect the safety of the players. With two offensive linemen likely out, and with Justin Herbert hobbled to the point he may not suit up, this one could get away from the Chargers early.
Iyer: Dallas Cowboys - This defense cannot stop the run or big-play wide receivers. They might be temping on the road vs. Daniel Jones, but the Giants' offense is getting better in being more dangerous and more careful.
