Injuries have forced offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and the Philadelphia Eagles to toss out the game plan entering the 2024 season. With star wide receivers DeVonta Smith (concussion) and A.J. Brown (hamstring) both in serious doubt for Week 4, the Eagles have no choice but to alter their approach entering a big road test at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sunday will mark the third meeting between the Eagles and Bucs at Raymond James Stadium in the past calendar year. The Eagles bottled up Tampa Bay’s run game and shut down quarterback Baker Mayfield in a 25-11 win in Week 3 of 2023. The teams met again in the NFC wild-card round, with the Bucs blowing out a listless Philly squad, 32-9.
From an Eagles fantasy perspective, you’re always starting your studs, especially against a Bucs defense that’s performing below its usual stingy standards. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, and wide receivers Smith and Brown (if either of them are active) are must-starts this and every week.
Do the Eagles have a few sleeping giants in their lineup entering Week 4? Let’s break it down.
WEEK 4 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Dallas Goedert
Goedert is not a sleeper entering Week 4, at least not anymore.
He was drafted in fantasy leagues as a backup, but coming off a career-high 10 catches for 170 yards against the New Orleans Saints, Goedert should be soaring up weekly start-sit rankings.
With tight end production way down across the league, Goedert is the TE1 overall entering Week 4. He’s one of only two players at the position to score at least 5 fantasy points in each of the first three weeks.
If both Brown and Smith are both ruled out this week as expected, Moore and the Eagles will be forced to run their passing game through Goedert. After Smith left the Saints game in the 4th quarter, Goedert was targeted on three of Hurts’ final eight passes of the game and turned them into 90 receiving yards.
Treat Goedert like a stud in Week 4 and beyond. He’s a must-start for the foreseeable future.
Verdict: Start him.
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Jahan Dotson
The Eagles traded the Washington Commanders for Dotson in August and started him in their WR3 spot. For an Eagles position group that lacks a proven producer behind Smith and Brown, Dotson’s been a dud through three games.
While his attitude and route-running has been praised, such as the mesh route he ran vs. the Saints that helped spring Goedert for a huge 61-yard gain, his production has him firmly off the fantasy radar entering Week 4. He has three total catches for 14 yards on the season to date.
If Smith and Brown can’t go, Dotson will operate as the Eagles’ de facto WR1. With Smith forced out early against the Saints, Dotson actually out-snapped every Eagles skill position player in Week 3, playing 62 of a possible 71 snaps.
He has a slight pulse as a desperation flex option in Week 4, based purely on expected opportunity.
Verdict: Sit him.
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Kenneth Gainwell
Could the Eagles running backs get more involved in the passing game vs. the Bucs?
Gainwell was heavily involved against the Bucs in last year’s regular season meeting, carrying 14 times for 43 yards. He also snagged a pair of catches last week against the Saints.
Although Barkley has dominated the backfield touches for Philly, Gainwell did see a slight uptick in snaps Week 3, playing 13 total, up from the seven snaps he played the week prior.
It’s possible Gainwell’s hands are utilized more in the short passing game going forward, especially with Britain Covey sidelined. But we have to see it first. Gainwell remains purely a strong handcuff for Barkley at this point.
Verdict: Sit him.
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Eagles DST
A bonus start-sit option: Is Philly poised for back-to-back dominant performances on defense?
It’s easy to like this one. The Eagles have seen plenty of Mayfield and Todd Bowles over the past calendar year. The Bucs are among the worst rushing teams in the NFL, and there’s a chance Jalen Carter and Co. take this game over once again.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News had this to say about this week’s matchup: “Vic Fangio will have the fangs out for Mayfield.”
Verdict: Start 'em.
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Projected trade has Eagles adding former SB champion to aid decimated WR group
Bryce Huff vs. Josh Uche: Why Eagles made a $51 million blunder in free agency
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NFL picks, predictions Week 4: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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