Welcome to Week 4 in another NFL season of fantasy football start and sit lineup advice from The Sporting News.

Vinnie Iyer’s analysis, aka “The Decider,” remains your one-stop shop for fantasy start ’em/sit ’em in 2026 — a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:

• Several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups most weeks when healthy and active are the “must starts.”
• Borderline options with favorable matchups are “stronger starts,” while the recommended plays to avoid are “weaker starts.”
• The advice is based on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.

Going beyond redraft league starts and sits, “The Decider” also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel. Keep scrolling for tips on how to deploy the best fantasy football lineup for your league opener.

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Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Must-start Week 4 QBs

1. Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NE)
2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. TEN)
3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at LV)
4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. LAR)
5. Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. DEN)

Strong Week 4 QB starts

6. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at CIN): T-Law, even with that savvy fantasy-unfriendly kneel against the Patriots, is balling and he should light it up opposite … 

7. Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. JAX): … Burrow, who is getting plenty of help from his elite two wide receivers and then some all over the field.

8. Jared Goff, Lions (at CAR): Goff has been less volatile on the road and the Panthers’ defense is weakened on the back end.

9. Tyler Shough, Saints (vs. ATL): Shough keeps on chucking and that won’t stop in an emotional night at home against a beatable defense that won’t pressure him much.

10. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at PHI): Stafford will need to keep on passing here with the Rams having some major defensive breakdowns.

11. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at HOU): The Texans’ defense isn’t so intimidating and his receivers can still get the best of their whiffing secondary.

12. Kyler Murray, Vikings (vs. MIA): Kyler the creator will find a way to get it done with arms and legs against a Dolphins D with little resistance.

13. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. TB): He’s feeling it in a one-dimensional offense with a clear dynamite trio of targets.

14. Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. DET): Let’s give him a good chance to rebound at home against the Lions, who can’t stop the pass at all.

MORE: Trevor Lawrence gives hilarious reason for kneeling at the 1-yard line

DFS QB Week 4 pick

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at CIN, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,900 on FanDuel): Lawrence can explode in this game with high volume and the price is so nice, too.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker Week 4 QB plays

15. Drake Maye, Patriots (at BUF): Let’s hope this is a reverse jinx but it’s hard to think the Bills game will be his slump-buster.

16. Bo Nix, Broncos (at SF): Nix is on the road against a good overall team, so no.

17. Kirk Cousins, Raiders (vs. KC): The Chiefs’ defense is bound to cool him off big time.

18. Geno Smith, Jets (at CHI): The Bears drove Hurts batty and can do the same here back at home.

19. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. DAL): He doesn’t have the weapons or the trust.

20. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (at NYG): It’s not the worst idea, but it’s the road so more unpredictable.

21. Daniel Jones, Colts (vs. WAS): The Commanders are feeling it a bit vs. QBs after taking down Seattle.

22. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at SEA): You cannot go here for someone who’s hemorraghing mistakes.

23. Sam Darnold, Seahawks (vs. LAC). JSN can help put up decent stats but the defense and running game play a bigger factor.

MORE: NFL Week 4 power rankings: Seahawks and Eagles among teams on rise

Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Must-start Week 4 RBs

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at CAR)
2. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at NO)
3. Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. TEN)
4. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. DEN)
5. Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs (at LV)
6. James Cook, Bills (vs. NE)
7. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. KC)
8. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (vs. LAR)
9. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at HOU)
10. Kyren Williams, Rams (at PHI)
11. Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals (at NYG)
12. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (vs. CIN)
13. Cam Skattebo, Giants (vs. ARI)
14. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at CLE)
15. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. JAX)
16. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. HOU)
17. D’Andre Swift, Bears (vs. NYJ)
18. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. DET)
19. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (vs. GB)
20. David Montgomery, Texans (at DAL)
21. Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at SEA)

Strong Week 4 RB starts

22. Kyle Monangai, Bears (vs. NYJ): He’ll power through to help them make Swift work of the Jets.

23. Braelon Allen, Jets (at CHI): With Breece Hall down, plug and play him.

24. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (at BUF): He’s bound to explode for a few chunk runs with a chance to score.

25. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. IND): “Bill” can cut through this run defense with 60 yards and a score.

26. Rhamdondre Stevenson, Patriots (at BUF): He also a good shot to find the end zone along with Henderson to relieve Maye.

27. Emanuel Wilson, Seahawks (vs. LAC): Jadrain Price won’t play for a while with his chest injury and Zach Charbonnet isn’t ready, so roll with Wilson as a volume-based play.

28. Kendre Miller, Saints (vs. ATL). With Travis Etienne  out, he’s the best shot and giving FLEX-like yardage and catches with a potential score. Alvin Kamara also can be FLEXed.

MORE: Deebo Samuel breaks bizarre NFL record with hook-and-ladder TD

DFS RB Week 4 Picks

Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. TEN, $8,400 on DraftKings, $9,100 on FanDuel): Pray for the Titans in this ultimate revenge game for an all-time great.

Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals (at NYG, $5,800 on DraftKings, $6,600 on FanDuel): Remember when Tyler Allgeier was supposed to be a thing ahead of him in key situations? Neither do we now.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker RB Week 4 plays

29. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (vs. PIT): He’s looked awful with Deshaun Watson running so much better.

30. Rachaad White, Commanders (vs. IND): He scored last week but the usage is not there.

31. JK Dobbins, Broncos (at SF): The Broncos have made it such a mess with him, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie, it’s so bad.

32. Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (at MIN): The idea isn’t bad with De’Von Achane down but the Vikings erased Bucky last week.

33. Tony Pollard, Titans (at BAL): The Titans’ offense will make you want to slam your hand to the table much like Brian Daboll.

34. MarShawn Lloyd, Packers (at TB): They’re just not running the ball well at all without Josh Jacobs.

35. Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (at NYG): He can’t be played unless you want 40 scoreless rushing yards.

MORE: NFL Week 4 predictions against the spread

Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers

Must-start Week 4 WRs

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. LAC)
2. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. JAX)
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at CAR)
4. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. BAL)
5. Chris Olave, Saints (vs. ATL)
6. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (won’t play, vs. MIA)
7. Davante Adams, Rams (at PHI)
8. Drake London, Falcons (at NO)
9. Nico Collins, Texans (if he returns, vs. DAL)
10. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (won’t play, vs. LAR)
11. Christian Watson, Packers (at TB)
12. Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. TEN)
13. Garrett Wilson, Jets (at CHI)
14. Parker Washington, Jaguars (at CIN)
15. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. JAX)
16. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. DET)
17. George Pickens, Cowboys (at HOU)
18. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at LV)
19. Jaylen Waddle, Broncos (at SF)
20. Malik Nabers, Giants (vs. ARI)
21. D.J. Moore, Bills (vs. NE)
22. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (vs. GB)
23. Matthew Golden, Packers (at TB)
24. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (if he plays, at SEA)
25. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (won’t play, vs. IND)
26. Jameson Williams, Lions (at CAR)
27. Michael Wilson, Cardinals (at NYG)
28. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. GB)

Strong WR Week 4 starts

29. Josh Downs, Colts (vs. WAS): He will be busy working the slot and outside with his quickness in London with no Keenan Allen.

30. Stefon Diggs, Commanders (vs. IND). See Downs, Josh. He also gets the added bonus of McLaurin not playing.

31. Luther Burden III, Bears (vs. NYJ): He’s the only real target to trust without Caleb Williams because he’s got a strong Case in his favor.

32. DK Metcalf, Steelers (at CLE): Let’s try this again with the Browns vulnerable outside to big plays.

33. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. MIN): He could really go off should JJ not play.

34. Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. DEN): He’s back to do fun stuff in San Francisco with Mike Evans down.

35. Devaughn Vele, Saints (vs. ATL): Who needs Jordyn Tyson for a while?

36. Denzel Boston, Browns (vs. PIT): Ship up to Boston as the preferred rookie play in Cleveland.

DFS WR Week 4 picks

Christian Watson, Packers (at TB, $6,700 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): Watson is elementary as another big game waiting to happen against the beleaguered Bucs.

Parker Washington, Jaguars (at CIN, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): Staying in the “Ws,” win with this guy as there’s no question he’s the go-to for T-Law.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. DEN, $5,600 on DraftKings, $7,000 on FanDuel): He’s had 3X return twice already and he didn’t even have a “catch” last week.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker Week 4 WR plays

37. Jalen Coker, Panthers (vs. DET): You can play him in deeper leagues but it’s a bit risky.

38. Romeo Doubs, Patriots (at BUF): He’s not doing it with no A.J. Brown.

39. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at SF): He’s not doing it away from Waddle.

40. Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (at CIN). He’s not doing it away from Washington.

41. Rome Odunze, Bears (vs. NYJ): He’s not doing it away from Burden with no Caleb.

42. Carnell Tate, Titans (at BAL). He’s not even doing it over Wan’Dale Robinson.

43. Dontayvion Wicks, Eagles (vs. LAR): There are too many mouths to feed even with Smith out..

Fantasy Football Week 4 Start ‘Em: Tight ends

Must-start Week 4 TEs

1. Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. WAS)
2. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at LV)
3. George Kittle, 49ers (vs. DEN)
4. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at NYG)
5. Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. ATL)
6. Tucker Kraft, Packers (at TB)

Stronger Week 4 TE starts

7. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. DAL): He should have a busy day against his former team who can’t cover him.

8. Sam LaPorta, Lions (at CAR): Get in all your Lions in what should be a high-scoring affair.

9. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (vs. PIT): He’s starting to feel it well with Watson through the red zone.

10. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. MIA). He should rip himself to a huge day should JJ not play.

11. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. NE): The Patriots are good against the position so he cools off a bit.

12. Isaiah Likely, Giants (vs. TEN): Fire him up again with Jameis Winston needing to throw shorter.

13. Kenyon Sadiq, Jets (at CHI): He’s too dynamic of a rookie not to take a shot on in deeper league.

DFS TE Week 4 pick

George Kittle, 49ers (vs. DEN $5,100 on DraftKings, $6,700 on FanDuel): Keep rolling with this healthy behemoth as the Broncos cannot cover the tight end anymore.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker TE Week 4 starts

14. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at HOU): He’s playable but don’t expect another TD.

15. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. TEN): The volume isn’t there yet when Flowers plays.

16. Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. NYJ): There’s not much to love here yet with no Caleb.

17. A.J. Barner, Seahawks (vs. LAC): He won’t get pushed for a cheap score this time.

18. Darren Waller, Panthers (vs. DET):  The idea is not bad but the execution cannot be trusted.

19. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at NO): So much for him ascending with every given season.

20. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at CLE): This is more of a wide receiver game for Aaron Rodgers.

Fantasy Football Week 4: Defense/special teams best starts

1. Minnesota Vikings (vs. MIA)
2. Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAC)
3. Baltimore Ravens (vs. TEN)
4. Green Bay Packers (at TB)
5. Buffalo Bills (vs. NE)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. LAR)
7. New Orleans Saints (vs. ATL)
8. Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (at LV)
11. Arizona Cardinals (at NYG)
12. Los Angeles Rams (at PHI)
13. Dallas Cowboys (at HOU)
14. Houston Texans (vs. DAL)

DFS D/ST Week 4 pick

Arizona Cardinals (at NYG, $2,500 on DraftKings, $3,900 on FanDuel): The Cardinals are a good bet to get some sacks and takeaways from Jameis Winston.