Week 3 brought some surprises across the NFL, especially among fantasy football wide receivers. Jauan Jennings had a career day for the 49ers in the loss to the Rams. Malik Nabors backed up his strong performance in Week 2 with a spectacular catch and another top-level WR performance in Week 3.
Other wide receivers weren’t as solid. Mike Evans had his second worst performance in the last 18 months at home against the Broncos. Rashid Shahid, an early season darling, had zero catches against Philadelphia’s previously porous pass defense.
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But that ends with the Week 4 deck. Many players, including Nabors, are required starters at this point in the season. However, if you’re looking for some insight into completing your wide receiver lineup, we have five starting wide receivers and five Week 4 wide receivers.
Fantasy Football Starters: Week 4 WR
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (vs. Washington Commanders)
Harrison Jr. had a team-high 11 targets last week and had five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. He should have another good week on Sunday against one of the worst fantasy football defenses against wide receivers. Washington allowed 14 catches for 209 yards and three touchdowns to the Bengals’ wide receiver corps. With so much attention on Harrison Jr., there is the possibility of a shootout.
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Jackson Smith-Njiba, Seattle Seahawks (Detroit Lions)
Smith-Njiba only scored three goals last week against the Dolphins, but he could have a better week in Detroit. The slot receiver led the Lions well in the first two weeks, but not so much in Week 3 against a less talented Cardinals corps. Seattle has depth at the position, which should give Smith-Njiba more chances to bounce back.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (Baltimore Ravens)
Shaquille is a top 20 WR in PPR leagues this season and should be in the starting lineup. He leads the Bills in targets (14), receptions (14), receiving yards (168) and touchdowns (2). He had a solid performance against Jacksonville in Week 3, but now faces a Ravens defense that has allowed five touchdowns and over 500 yards to opposing wide receivers in just three games.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (Indianapolis Colts)
This week’s pickens could be boom or bust, and we’re looking toward the boom. Pittsburgh could be tempted to run the ball against the Colts’ 31st-ranked run defense, which could limit their targets. But he is by far the team’s top wide receiver, and the Colts sometimes allow the sixth-most points to opposing wide receivers. Even with limited targets, he will definitely convert and may find himself in the end zone for the first time this season.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (vs. New England Patriots)
Jennings could return to Earth after a career day in Week 3 against the Rams. But even if he doesn’t score over 40 fantasy points, he should have a good week. New England has given up the ninth-most points to wide receivers in fantasy football this season. It should be a good week for Jennings if Brandon Aiyuk gets the attention of defenses again.
Fantasy Football Sit ’em: Week 4 WR
Allen Lazard, New York Jets (vs. Denver Broncos)
Lazard bounced back in Week 3 with three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. He may not have the same luck in Week 4. The Broncos allow just 83 yards per game to opposing wide receivers and just one touchdown to the position all season.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (Tennessee Titans)
Waddle had a dismal 4 catches for 26 yards in Week 3 against Seattle, and he sat out again this week. The Titans have had one of the best defenses against wide receivers this season, allowing just nine catches and 105 yards per game to the position. No wide receiver has scored against Tennessee this season, but it would be shocking if Waddle was the first.
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (Chicago Bears)
Thanks to Los Angeles’ injury luck, Robinson will have a bigger role in the near future, which may not bode well against the league’s top secondary. The Bears have allowed just one touchdown and 116 yards to wide receivers per game this season. Robinson only caught one of his four targets last week, and Week 4 will likely not be as good.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Steelers boast one of the best pass rush groups in the NFL, and that has helped the secondary this season. Against the Steelers, opposing wide receivers barely hit more than half of their targets. Pittman Jr. only caught 11 of his team-high 20 targets through three weeks. It’s hard to trust him, especially against Pittsburgh’s defense this week.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (vs. New York Jets)
New York’s defense has allowed more rushing touchdowns (two) to wide receivers than touchdowns (one) this season. This pass defense is tough on opposing wideouts through the air. No wide receiver has had more than 80 yards against New York this season. The Jets’ defense could make life difficult for rookie quarterback Bo Nix and lock Sutton in the process.
Fantasy Football Starter, Sit ‘Em, Week 4
Want more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports covers:
โ Kickers Are Human Too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your Week 4 fantasy team.
โ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and sit in Week 4.
โ Tight ends are the perfect addition to any fantasy team. Here’s who should start and sit in week 4:
โ A good running back changes everything. A bad running back can cost you a ton of points. Here’s who will start and who will sit in Week 4.
โ A good defense can block fantasy opponent attacks. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit week 4.