Week 4 is the first week in which bye weeks are upon us. Both Carolina and Washington are off this week. Each team has its fair share of fantasy-worthy starters, so owners will have to look elsewhere. That is where streaming options come in. The following players are all currently being started in less than half of Fantrax leagues. In most cases, their ownership is also below 50 percent. They all have matchups that should lead to favorable results at their respective positions. Here are my top Week 4 streamers at each position.
Week 4 Streamers
Quarterback
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
There is no shortage of streaming options at the quarterback position in Week 4. My personal favorite among the group is Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco has not lived up to his lofty contract, but he has performed admirably in fantasy recently. The Ravens have thrown the ball an awful lot for a team with a plus-46 point differential through three games. Baltimore has dialed up an average of 47 pass plays per game thus far in 2018. The result has been a solid start from a fantasy perspective for their starting quarterback. Flacco is the overall QB14 after three weeks and has posted eight consecutive top-20 weekly finishes dating back to last season. The veteran will look to keep that streak alive in a primetime matchup in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.
To say Pittsburgh is struggling defensively would be putting it kindly. The Steelers have already allowed 89 points this season. Even more promising for Flacco’s Week 4 prospects are the results of opposing quarterbacks against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have allowed ten passing touchdowns, which is tied for the league’s worst mark. They have also given up three consecutive top-six fantasy finishes. These numbers all bode quite well for Flacco heading into a Sunday night showdown. He may not quite reach top-six status, but Flacco should settle in as a low-end QB1 this week. Joe Flacco is one of my favorite Week 4 streamers.
Running Back Streamers
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers v. Buffalo Bills
Aaron Jones made his 2018 debut last week after a two-game suspension to open the year. He averaged seven yards per carry on six rushes but was on the field for just 17 snaps. It seems Jones is part of a dreaded RBBC in Green Bay along with Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery. However, I believe he will soon separate himself from the pack (no pun intended). Jones has ability that his two backfield mates simply do not possess. Jones’ 17-yard run is already the longest run Green Bay has had all season. That rush was the ninth run of at least 15 yards Jones has had over 89 career carries. Jamaal Williams has gained 15 yards or more on exactly one of his 189 career rushing attempts. Jones has a great opportunity to have a breakout game when Green Bay hosts the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo shocked many (myself included) when they went into Minnesota and upset the Vikings last week. The Bills had been gashed by prior running back opposition to the tune of six total touchdowns over the course of two games. But Minnesota fell behind early and never even tried to challenge Buffalo on the ground. I do not expect the Packers to take a similar tack. I believe Green Bay will try to protect a hobbled Aaron Rodgers by rotating their running backs early and often. Jones stands to benefit the most against Buffalo’s leaky run defense. Currently active in just 27 percent of leagues, Jones has the look of a Week 4 RB2. He is an excellent Week 4 streamer, especially for those who may be without Christian McCaffrey or Adrian Peterson this week.
Wide Receiver Streamers
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants v. New Orleans Saints
Sterling Shepard currently ranks outside the top-40 among wide receivers in both fantasy points (21.2) and Week 4 startership (43 percent). The latter number should be much higher, and the former will be much higher after this week’s tilt against the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans has been brutalized through the air thus far in 2018. The Saints have already allowed over 1,000 passing yards on the season, including a mind-boggling 11.2 yards per attempt. And one of those games was against Tyrod Taylor. Yikes.
Shepard should crush a matchup in which standout cornerback Marshon Lattimore figures to match up exclusively with Odell Beckham. Secondary and slot receivers have had great success against the Saints this season, and I expect that to continue this week. New Orleans has given up nine touchdown catches to opposing wideouts, but only one was to a team’s primary receiving threat. Shepard also figures to benefit from the loss of tight end Evan Engram to a sprained MCL. I believe Sterling Shepard has WR2 potential in what figures to be a Week 4 shootout.
Tight End Streamers
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
I am going to double down on my love for the Baltimore Ravens this week and choose Mark Andrews as my Week 4 streamer at tight end. Truth be told, it is more a case of me targeting Pittsburgh’s defense. But either way, Andrews is a solid option this week. The rookie tight end has impressed in the early stages of his first season. He has flashed big-play ability and leads all Ravens’ tight ends with eight receptions, 107 yards, and a touchdown. However, Andrews has a lower floor than most because of a key phrase in that last sentence – all Ravens’ tight ends. Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle are still around to siphon targets from the young upstart. In Andrews’ favor is a very favorable matchup.
Pittsburgh has allowed at least 100 yards and a score to tight end groups in consecutive weeks. I think Andrews is the favorite among Baltimore’s group to find pay dirt on Sunday night. Owned in just 27 percent of leagues, Andrews makes for an intriguing if risky streaming candidate.
Kicker
Caleb Sturgis, Los Angeles Chargers v. San Francisco 49ers
I was tempted to go back to the well on Brandon McManus, but I have a feeling I could mention him in most home weeks, which feels a little unnecessary. Instead, I am opting to go with Caleb Sturgis here. Sturgis should be plenty busy on Sunday when his Los Angeles Chargers host San Francisco. The Chargers host San Francisco in Week 4 in what projects to be a relatively lopsided affair. Los Angeles is favored by double digits and has an implied Vegas total of 28.5 points. Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon should have little trouble moving the ball against the 49ers, who boast one of football’s weakest defenses. San Francisco is one of two teams yet to have an interception on the young season.
I suppose the biggest threat to Sturgis this week would be a scenario in which the Chargers only score touchdowns. But, provided he sees at least two field goal opportunities, Sturgis should settle in as a top-twelve kicking option in Week 4. Sturgis is available in 78 percent of Fantrax leagues, making him an ideal Week 4 streamer.
Defense/Special Teams
Green Bay Packers v. Buffalo Bills
The Green Bay Packers have not lived up to their defensive potential so far in 2018. They have allowed 83 points, including at least 23 in each game. They have also created just six sacks and three turnovers through three games. Green Bay would have at least a couple more sacks if Clay Matthews hadn’t been flagged every time he breathed on a quarterback, but I digress. I believe that tide will turn when they host the Buffalo Bills this week.
Many had pegged the Vikings as last week’s top fantasy defensive unit heading into the game against the Bills. But Buffalo controlled the action early en route to a 27-6 victory in which they did not turn the ball over. It was a game that left many scratching their heads and entering Week 4 a little leery about doubling down on the Packers’ D/ST. I would not shy away from using them. They are still hosting an offense with limited weapons led by a rookie quarterback. Green Bay is still available in 50 percent of leagues and being started in less than a third of leagues. They should be started with confidence as a potential top-five unit in this matchup.
Mick Ciallela has been writing for FantraxHQ since July 2017. He has also written for Bleacher Report. He is a lifelong sports fan and has been an avid fantasy sports player for many years. Mick was the Overall Champion of both the 2016 Football Challenge – Roto and 2017 Play 3 Football contests hosted by CDM Sports. MIck was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York and currently resides in New London, Connecticut.
Ready to amp up your Fantasy Football game even more? Check out The Fantasy Black Book Show, where Joe Pisapia, Scott Bogman, and The Welsh bring the goods every week.