Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice: What to do with Jameson Williams, Emeka Egbuka, more players in Week 4

Start-sit decisions can be vexing for even the best of fantasy managers. If you need help setting your fantasy football lineups, Scott Pianowski offers some assistance with his Week 4 traffic report.

Green Light ✅

RB Bhayshul Tuten at Bengals: Tuten was in a job battle all summer, but he’s left Chris Rodriguez Jr. in the dust after three strong games. The Bengals talked up their defensive improvement before the year, but they’re still handing out 4.7 yards per carry. Tuten is pushing for set-and-forget status.

WR Josh Downs at Commanders: Downs is seeing more targets and additional downfield work in the absence of Alec Pierce, and Washington has given up the most WR fantasy points through three weeks. Downs has Circle of Trust privileges moving forward, and Keenan Allen is a reasonable spot start if you’re feeling an injury pinch. Note, the Colts-Commanders game is a 9:30 a.m. ET start in London this week.

QB Bryce Young vs. Lions: He lost his way at Cleveland, but can make amends against an injured and ineffective Detroit secondary (110.2 rating allowed). Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker (if healthy) are auto-starts, and TE Darren Waller also makes sense here. Islands in the stream, that is what we are.

WR Kalif Raymond vs. Jets: He’s done it for three straight weeks now, it’s time to accept that Raymond could have staying power. A lot of Raymond’s wins are coming on shorter, quickly-defined routes, the type of work we thought Luther Burden III might feast on for 2026. Be open-minded with Chicago’s surprise receiver.

WR Jameson Williams at Panthers: We accept most wide receivers live a boom-and-bust life, but the gaps are wider for Williams, who needs splash plays to cover his ADP. But the Lions will surely take some deep shots Sunday night, taking aim at a Carolina secondary that’s missing its two starting cornerbacks.

Yellow Light 😕

RB Ollie Gordon II at Vikings: Gordon piled up the volume after De’Von Achane got hurt last week, but he might have to share with Jaylen Wright this Sunday. Running lanes could be scarce up against Minnesota’s No. 1 ranked defense.

WR Malik Nabers vs. Cardinals: He’s probably not 100% healthy yet and the drop to Jameis Winston can’t be understated. But the Arizona secondary arrives just in time — the Cardinals rank 31st in pass defense DVOA. Give Nabers another week to make good.

RB Alvin Kamara vs. Falcons: While player development isn’t always linear, player decline almost always is — Kamara’s late-career dip makes sense. But with Travis Etienne Jr. now on IR, Kamara can hold fantasy value simply through projectable volume. Just remember to keep the light on for Kendre Miller, a legitimate sleeper in deeper pools.

RB Keaton Mitchell at Seahawks: At a modest 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Mitchell will never profile as a bell cow. And any date at Seattle is a tricky spot. But Mitchell continues to outplay Omarion Hampton, which means Mitchell has a good chance to earn double-digit touches per week moving forward.

Red Light 🚨

QB Drake Maye at Bills: There’s plenty of blame to go around for New England’s offensive collapse — OC Josh McDaniels isn’t helping the cause and the talent drop-off after A.J. Brown is significant. Maye’s pedigree and intelligence should be considered before a fantasy manager makes a rash decision, but the Patriots probably won’t get airborne again until Brown returns.

TE Kyle Pitts Sr. at Saints: Michael Penix Jr. has always had a smooth connection with Drake London, but it’s never translated to Pitts. The Saints have not covered tight ends well this year, but we still need a show-me game from Pitts before he returns to fantasy consideration.

WR Emeka Egbuka vs. Packers: It’s been a slow liftoff for the entire Tampa Bay passing game, and things could get worse with undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels forced to start. The Green Bay defense has been a downfield escort for three weeks, but Egbuka and Chris Godwin aren’t proactive starts at the moment.

WR Courtland Sutton at 49ers: I’m a longtime Sutton advocate, but he’s struggling to gain separation as he navigates his age-31 season. We also have to consider that Jaylen Waddle is the obvious target hog here, and QB Bo Nix has struggled to click with new play-caller Davis Webb. Even if you still believe in Sutton, make him play his way off your bench.