Each week there are some obvious starts and sits in fantasy football. Other decisions are not quite so simple. Here are some of my picks for Week 4 in the first edition of Studs, Duds & Sleepers of the 2023 season.
STUDS
QB: Justin Fields (CHI vs. DEN): It has been downright ugly for Fields through three games as he enters Week 4 as QB18. However, the Broncos just got lit up for 70 points and the Bears are at home. If Fields can’t deliver here then it might be time to panic.
RB: Ken Walker (SEA at NYG): Don’t look now but Ken Walker has emerged as a high-end RB1 through three weeks. Only four teams have ceded more fantasy points to running backs through three weeks. Look for Walker to add to that count here.
WR: Calvin Ridley (JCK vs. ATL): I am a sucker for a revenge game and it looks like Ridley is in line for just that in a meeting vs. his former team in London on Sunday. Expect a bounce back from him despite the decline in targets each week and a tougher matchup, especially with Zay Jones (knee) still dinged up.
TE: Sam LaPorta (DET at GB): With at least five catches in each of the first three games of his career, the rookie tight end has firmly entrenched himself in the weekly starter conversation at fantasy’s thinnest position. The Packers haven’t been too generous to the position yet, but LaPorta is by far the best one they’ve faced to this point of the season.
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DUDS
QB: Jared Goff (DET at GB): Goff’s home/road splits speak for themselves and add to it a Thursday night game on a short week at Lambeau Field. Fantasy managers in 1QB leagues need to look elsewhere for Week 4.
RB: Najee Harris (PIT at HOU): Harris has a decent matchup this week, but his workload has been reduced greatly by Jaylen Warren through three weeks and Pittsburgh’s offense is still very much a work in progress. He’ll be hard to sit on many season-long teams, but he’s definitely outside my top 20 running backs for Week 4.
WR: Drake London (ATL vs. JCK): London in London sounds like a nice fit, but after two dud performances over three contests it’s hard to trust the Falcons’ wideout. Fantasy managers need to hope for a big game soon so they can try to shop him to WR needy teams.
TE: David Njoku (CLE at BAL): The Browns’ tight end has yet to reach 7 PPR points in a single game this season and now he faces a Ravens’ D that has ceded eight catches for 45 yards and 0 TD’s to the position total through three games.
SLEEPERS
QB: Brock Purdy (SF vs. ARI): Assuming he has both Deebo Samuel (ribs) and Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) available, Purdy remains a steady viable fantasy starting option. Despite the surprising performance of the Cardinals early on, look for the San Fran starter to be good for another multi-TD effort.
RB: Roschon Johnson (CHI vs. DEN): If Fields gets consideration for the super matchup, then Johnson does too. The rookie saw a season-high in snaps (45%) and rushing attempts (36%) in Week 3.
WR: Terry McLaurin (WAS at PHI): It’s been tough finding fantasy production at receiver in the Commanders’ offense. That won’t change vs. Philadelphia and their fierce pass rush. I also have concerns that the turf toe issues may be lingering with McLaurin.
TE: Luke Musgrave (GB vs. DET): The targets have been there. The breakout game is coming. It could be Thursday night vs. a dinged up Lions’ D.
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