Fantasy Football QB Rankings Week 4: Who to start, best sleepers at quarterback

Nick Musial

Fantasy Football QB Rankings Week 4: Who to start, best sleepers at quarterback image

Fantasy's highest-scoring position lived up to its name last week, as several of the NFL's best fantasy football quarterbacks (Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Tua Tagovailoa) balled out. In what could be another relatively high-scoring set of games, our Week 4 fantasy QB rankings are hitting their stride as more data points roll in.

While the week-to-week nature of the NFL routinely leads to some head-scratching results, the QB position's been relatively stable this season, save for some busts like Justin Fields and, potentially, Trevor Lawrence.

Let's break down the signal callers in the best position for success while identifying potential sleeper and bust candidates. 

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Who are the best fantasy QBs Week 4?

With Patrick Mahomes (@ Jets) facing arguably his toughest test yet in Week 4, his ranking takes a slight dip. He's still a top-five QB play, but takes a backseat to Justin Herbert (vs. Raiders), Jalen Hurts (vs. Commanders), and Josh Allen (vs. Dolphins). 

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Herbert owns the top spot in our Week 4 QB rankings, drawing a juicy matchup against a Raiders defense unable to generate much pressure in the early go. Plenty of clean pockets should result in another strong fantasy day following Herbert's 405-yard, three-touchdown effort in the Chargers' first win of the season. Hurts and Allen are also in favorable spots, warranting their place within our top three.

Although he faces a Bills defense that just held the Commanders to three points, Tua Tagovailoa's utterly dominant start to the season results in Miami's QB1 rounding out our QB5. 

WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy QB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 4?

For fantasy owners in need of a Week 4 streamer, consider Matthew Stafford (@ Colts), Russell Wilson (@ Bears), C.J. Stroud (vs. Steelers), and Jimmy Garoppolo (@ Chargers). While Stroud draws the toughest matchup of the bunch, each signal-caller has QB1 upside and is a widely available free agent. 

People might be hesitant to start Wilson with the Broncos 0-3, but the Bears' poor pass defense could lead to Wilson putting together his best effort of the early season. For the most part, Garoppolo's offensive line has held up nicely in pass protection, a plus against an inconsistent Chargers' stop unit. Stafford's a borderline streamer, given he's nearly 60 percent owned in Yahoo leagues, but L.A.'s pass-heavy offense is in line for a solid offensive output against a subpar Colts defense. We also like the ultra-consistent Brock Purdy (vs. Cardinals) in a favorable home matchup.

WEEK 4 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the biggest potential QB busts Week 4?

While he's still a must-start, Lamar Jackson's (@ Browns) Week 4 ranking takes a tiny dip in a challenging matchup against a sound Browns defense that just held the Titans under 100 total yards of offense. Few fantasy owners will bench him after his 30-point showing last week but don't be surprised if he underperforms relative to his projection. Dak Prescott (vs. Patriots) also sees his ranking drop after an uninspiring Week 3 showing but is still a borderline QB1 play if he's your only/best QB option. 

We still have him as a top-10 QB this week thanks to the matchup, but we're starting to lose faith in Trevor Lawrence (vs. Falcons) as a must-start QB1. Hopefully, a trip across the pond to London will give him a much-needed fresh breath of air. We've also dropped Fields (vs. Broncos) well out of the starter's tier despite a seemingly favorable matchup. He simply doesn't look in sync with his receivers, and his offensive line isn't doing him any favors.

WEEK 4 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

What are the biggest QB injuries Week 4?

Week 3 saw rookies Anthony Richardson (head) and Bryce Young (ankle) miss time with ailments, while Joe Burrow (calf) is at the mercy of his ailing calf. Although the timetable for players to return to game action following a concussion isn't linear, we have Richardson (vs. Rams) in our initial Week 4 rankings, as he draws a plus matchup against the Rams. 

Young's set to make his return to the field after a one-game absence, while Derek Carr (shoulder) is healthy enough to suit up against Tampa. Jimmy Garoppolo (head) couldn't clear concussion protocol in time, as the Raiders will lean on rookie QB Aidan O'Connell (@ Raiders) to make his first career start. Another rookie, Dorian Thompson-Robinson (vs. Ravens) makes his first career start with Deshaun Watson (shoulder) sitting out in Week 4.

We'll be updating these QB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy QB Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit at quarterback

These rankings are based on four-point passing TD scoring

Rank    Player
1    Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Raiders
2    Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. Commanders
3    Josh Allen, Bills vs. Dolphins 
4    Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ Jets
5    Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ Bills
6    Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ Browns
7    Kirk Cousins, Vikings @ Panthers
8    Anthony Richardson, Colts vs. Rams
9    Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. Falcons
10    Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Titans
11    Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. Cardinals
12    Jared Goff, Lions @ Packers
13    Geno Smith, Seahawks @ Giants
14    Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Patriots 
15    Daniel Jones, Giants vs. Seahawks
16    Matthew Stafford, Rams @ Colts
17    Russell Wilson, Broncos @ Bears
18    Justin Fields, Bears vs. Broncos
19    Jordan Love, Packers vs. Lions
20    C.J. Stroud, Texans vs. Steelers
21    Sam Howell, Commanders @ Eagles
22    Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers @ Saints
23    Kenny Pickett, Steelers @ Texans
24    Derek Carr, Saints vs. Buccaneers
25    Bryce Young, Panthers vs. Vikings
26    Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Browns vs. Ravens
27    Desmond Ridder, Falcons vs. Jaguars
28    Aidan O'Connell, Raiders @ Chargers
29    Ryan Tannehill, Titans vs. Bengals
30    Mac Jones, Patriots @ Cowboys
31    Josh Dobbs, Cardinals @ 49ers
32    Zach Wilson, Jets vs. Chiefs

Week 4 QB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week

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Nick Musial

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Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.