Sit Em, Start Em – Week Four
Start Em
Kirk Cousins – Kirk Cousins exploded in week three versus the Eagles and while he may never pass for 427 yards again in his career he has proved to be a competent QB2 and bye week filler option. Cousins has the Giants on the slate this week who have been susceptible to the pass despite upgrading their secondary and he should be a good bet for at least 250+ yards and 1-2 touchdown passes. Start Cousins with confidence this week.
Donald Brown – Donald Brown is locked in as the Chargers’ workhorse following injuries to both Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead and the somewhat perplexing offseason addition of Brown now looks like a shrewd move. Brown should run all over a Jacksonville defense giving up a league high 160 rushing yards per game. Start Brown as a surprising RB2 with upside.
Rashad Jennings – Rashad Jennings shook the fantasy landscape this past Sunday by absolutely torching the Texans defense for a robust 5.2 yards per carry on route to a stellar 176 rushing yard and a touchdown performance. Jennings will likely never see 176 yards in a game again in his career but his career day goes to show the upside an unquestioned workhorse getting 34 carries possesses. The Redskins have not been giving up much yards on the ground at 62.7 per game but have the Jacksonville Jaguars and a off-night by LeSean McCoy skewing their stats as Arian Foster ran over the Redskins for 103 yards on 27 carries in week one. Jennings is an upside RB2 in standard leagues and a borderline RB1 in PPR formats.
Jordan Matthews – Lets hope we are seeing a changing of the guard in Philadelphia as Jordan Matthews is fresh off an eight reception, two touchdown performance against the Redskins and has an easy date against the 49ers pass defense on the slate for week four. Matthews is a superior talent to Riley Cooper and should see more work in the passing game going forward following his breakout week three.
Allen Robinson – Allen Robinson was the big fear any owner who drafted Marqise Lee had in the back of their minds this off-season. Robinson quite simply brings a size element that neither Cecil Shorts or Marqise Lee can offer and looks primed to be a starter for the Jaguars for the rest of the season, especially with Blake Bortles now under center. Robinson profiles as an outside receiver but also has the skills to be a possession receiver as evidenced by his eight reception week three against the Colts. Robinson is an upside WR3 for week four.
Sit Em
Mike Glennon – Bye week or no bye week, Ike Taylor or no Ike Taylor, you do not want to be in the position to have to start Mike Glennon against the Steelers this week. Glennon has multiple top end weapons at his disposal but he has not yet inspired confidence at any time during his NFL career. The astute owner may wish to stash him on the bench in case he goes off but starting him this week could be a recipe for bitter disappointment. We suggest Terry Bridgewater or Blake Bortles this week as they look set to throw it a ton against two top teams. Don’t start Glennon unless you are in a 20 team league.
Bernard Pierce – Bernard Pierce will likely return to a full blown RBBC this week with Lorenzo Taliaferro looking like a superior early down option and Justin Forsett already proving he is the better fit on third downs. Pierce still has a shot to regain his fantasy value but he has taken a major hit since the spike following the release of starter Ray Rice. Those in a bye week pinch may have to start Pierce but if you have other options this week you would be well advised to take a wait-and-see approach regarding the Taliaferro/Pierce workload split.
Knile Davis – With Jamaal Charles expected back this week Knile Davis has all but lost his fantasy value for week four. Davis may be sprinkled in and see 6-8 touches but he will not see enough to warrant consideration outside of the deepest of leagues. Davis is no more than a flex2 option despite the star heavy bye week.
Riley Cooper – Riley Cooper saw less targets than the more talented Jordan Mathews in week three and we expect that to be the trend going forward. Perhaps you can package Cooper off to a Eagles fan in a bye week crunch but he is no more than a desperation deep league play for the time being. Cooper belongs on the waiver wire in shallower formats.
Brian Hartline – Hartline saw seven targets in week three but only managed to haul in three passes for 26 yards; rookie Jarvis Landry did no better with seven targets, three receptions and 25 yards but what is becoming clear here is that Jarvis Landry’s role is growing at the expense of not only Rishard Matthews and Brandon Gibson but at Hartline’s as well. Hartline does not inspire confidence with a waning role on a team with a struggling Ryan Tannehill and should be on fantasy benches for all except those facing the most desperate of bye week crunches.
