The middle of September is here and the leaves are starting to change colors from vibrant greens to dark browns. While this fall scene is picturesque, by December, cold winds and freezing temperatures will have swarmed in. So, if the nature of decay is happening to your fantasy team right now or you want to prepare for a harsh winter, let’s go over some of the top receivers and running backs to see where they stand heading into Week 4 of the NFL season.
On The Ground: RBs to start or sit
Some things never seem to change in the NFL from season to season. New York teams can’t find wins (unless you live upstate and wear a Josh Allen Jersey), the Cincinnati Bengals desperately need Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield still has a taste for vengeance against his former allies. However, something that is in flux is the backfield situation for the Cleveland Browns. After the era of Nick Chubb, the Dawg Pound has looked for a solid RB1 everywhere — but their tiring search may have just ended this past Sunday. Rushing for 94 yards on 18 attempts with a touchdown in the mix, second-round draft pick Quinshon Judkins made an impressive performance against a hardy Green Bay defense. The former Buckeye logged 16.5 points and continues to prove himself as the primary rusher for the Browns. If you have this rising star or can pick him up, make sure to start him in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, where he’ll be sure to see plenty of touches.
Kansas City is known for its exciting jazz clubs, tasty barbecue food and the rodent which supposedly inspired Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse. In the 2025 NFL season, you can add struggling running backs to the list. Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco have both failed to assert their dominance in the backfield, leaving quarterback Patrick Mahomes to scramble for himself. The two RBs together average 3.6 yards per carry and each has yet to rush for 100 yards this season. Perhaps Mahomes likes to keep the ball for himself on run plays a bit too much or the talent of Pacheco and Hunt just doesn’t suffice. Whatever the reason may be, neither of the two should start for your fantasy team in Week 4 as the Kansas City Chiefs will have to put up against the lights-out Baltimore Ravens’ defense.
In The Air: WRs to start or sit
Injury can ruin any team’s chances of holding the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season. This could certainly be the case for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Mike Evans must now battle a hamstring injury and Chris Godwin has yet to take the field after dislocating an ankle in October of last year. However, fans are still holding onto hope with rookie Emeka Egbuka. The Bucs drafted the wide receiver in round one, after he stunned viewers week in and week out at Ohio State University. Egbuka had a strong start in his NFL debut, scoring 23.6 points for fantasy users with two touchdowns and 67 receiving yards on four catches. While Weeks 2 and 3 have been less plentiful for Egbuka, the loss of Evans in the offense could mean more attention for the first rounder. If he’s somewhere in your lineup, make sure he finds a starting spot in Week 4 as the Buccaneers brawl it out with the Philadelphia Eagles in what should be a high-scoring shoot-out.
If you want to see an injury ruining a team’s chance for glory, just look at the Queen City. The Cincinnati Bengals held their breath as Joe “Shiesty” Burrow headed to the injury tent in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. To the fan’s demise, the star quarterback can add “Turf-Toe” to his list of injuries he’s faced in his six years with the Bengals and he will miss most of the season because of it. To further the damage, the Who-Dey nation’s doubts about backup QB Jake Browning came true after a devastating 48-10 loss against the Minnesota Vikings last week. Not only are the fans struggling with Shiesty’s absence, but the wide receiving core is too. Both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase fell short in their fantasy performances for Week 3. Since Chase fills the WR1 slot for the Bengals, Higgins’ fantasy owners should be wary of throwing him into their lineup for Week 4. Head coach Zac Taylor will take his team to the Mile High City in what could be another blowout against the Denver Broncos. Between the elevation change, Browning’s lack of proficiency and Uno’s presence, fantasy users should sit Higgins out for this Sunday.
See you next week and as always, best of luck Huskies.