Sports

Fantasy Football Week 4: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em WRs; Malik Nabers primed for a rebound

Malik Nabers faces a favorable Week 4 matchup to overcome recent struggles. Josh Downs and Michael Wilson are also strong starts for your fantasy lineup.

CBS Sports·Sep 30, 2026·via CBS Sports

Fantasy Football Week 4: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em WRs; Malik Nabers primed for a rebound

Fantasy managers are worried about Malik Nabers after two bad games, which is understandable since Jaxson Dart (knee) is out for the season. But let's relax heading into Week 4 against Arizona. Nabers is still worth starting in the majority of leagues.

He looked fine in Week 1 with Dart against Dallas, with six catches for 69 yards on nine targets. It was an awful game in Week 2 at the Rams with one catch for 1 yard on four targets, but Dart was injured in that game, along with Nabers dealing with a shoulder injury.

In Week 3, Nabers had five catches for 26 yards on six targets in his first start with Jameis Winston against Tennessee, but that game was played in poor weather. And here we are.

I'm hopeful this game against the Cardinals turns into a track meet, and we get the full Winston experience of over-targeting his No. 1 receiver. That would be great for Nabers.

The Cardinals are No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and four receivers (Ladd McConkey, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel) have already scored at least 12.4 PPR points against Arizona. Nabers should have the chance for a big game.

Now, the Giants' offense could be conservative in an attempt to limit Winston. And Nabers might not get the targets he needs. But I'm not ready to panic about him yet. He remains a starting Fantasy receiver in Week 4, and I hope he makes everyone relax with a strong performance against the Cardinals.

QB | RB | WR

WRs to Start Projections powered by Sportsline

Josh Downs

IND Indianapolis

• #2

Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ WAS IND -3.5 O/U 47.5

OPP VS WR

32nd

PROJ PTS

13.9

WR RNK

19th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

186

TD

FPTS/G

10.9

Alec Pierce (heel) was injured early in Week 2 at Kansas City, and Downs has been great in the past two games against the Chiefs and Texans with 12 catches for 149 yards on 20 targets. He scored at least 12.7 PPR points in each outing, and he should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues against Washington in Week 4 in London. The Commanders are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and four guys (Dontayvion Wicks, CeeDee Lamb, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp) have scored at least 14.6 PPR points this year. Keenan Allen is also worth using as a sleeper, and he just had 18.3 PPR points in Week 3 against Houston. Both Indianapolis receivers should have success against this Washington secondary in Week 4.

Michael Wilson

ARI Arizona

• #14

Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ NYG ARI -2.5 O/U 44.5

OPP VS WR

22nd

PROJ PTS

13.9

WR RNK

23rd

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

163

TD

FPTS/G

13.4

Wilson had a standout game in Week 3 at San Francisco with 11 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets, and he firmly established himself as the No. 1 receiver for the Cardinals. He should have the chance for another solid outing in Week 4 at the Giants, who are without star pass rusher Brian Burns (knee). Three receivers (CeeDee Lamb, Davante Adams and Wan'Dale Robinson) have already scored at least 15.4 PPR points against the Giants, and Wilson should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues in Week 4.

Luther Burden III

CHI Chicago

• #10

Age: 22 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs NYJ CHI -3.5 O/U 42.5

OPP VS WR

11th

PROJ PTS

13.8

WR RNK

25th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

156

TD

FPTS/G

11.8

Burden had his best game of the season in Week 3 against Philadelphia with seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets, and he now has 18 targets in his past two games. We'll see who starts at quarterback for the Bears in Week 4 against the Jets, but it should be Case Keenum while Caleb Williams (hamstring) is out. The Jets have only allowed Christian Watson to score more than 12 PPR points this season, but I still like Burden as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. And you can use Kalif Raymond, who has scored at least 16.4 PPR points in two of three games this year, as a flex option. However, I would only start Rome Odunze in deep, three-receiver leagues. He has scored 7.4 PPR points or less in every game this year.

Terry McLaurin

WAS Washington

• #17

Age: 31 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs IND IND -3.5 O/U 47.5

OPP VS WR

20th

PROJ PTS

12.8

WR RNK

18th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

141

TD

FPTS/G

McLaurin had his best game of the season in Week 3 against Seattle with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, and he scored 19.7 PPR points. He has now played six games with Marcus Mariota, going back to last season, and McLaurin has scored at least 14.4 PPR points in four of those outings. Mariota is expected to start again in Week 4 against the Colts in London with Jayden Daniels (elbow) hurt, and Indianapolis has already allowed four receivers (Zay Flowers, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice) to score at least 12.3 PPR points this season. Stefon Diggs, who has two games this season with at least 15.5 PPR points, is worth starting in all three-receiver leagues, and I like McLaurin as a starter in all formats.

Matthew Golden

GB Green Bay

Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ TB GB -3.5 O/U 39.5

OPP VS WR

6th

PROJ PTS

11.8

WR RNK

16th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

253

TD

FPTS/G

15.4

Golden continues to impress in his sophomore campaign, and he's worth starting in all leagues in Week 4 at Tampa Bay. He just had five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets in Week 3 against Atlanta, and he has now scored at least 15.5 PPR points in two of three games this year. Jayden Reed (neck) is out for the season, and Golden, Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft should dominate targets from Jordan Love. The Buccaneers have allowed at least one receiver to score at least 20 PPR points in each of the past two games, with Denzel Boston in Week 2 and Jordan Addison in Week 3. I expect Watson and Golden to have success against this secondary, and Golden should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all formats. Sleepers (Start/Sit) Projections powered by Sportsline

Jordan Addison

MIN Minnesota

• #3

Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs MIA MIN -10.5 O/U 38.5

OPP VS WR

5th

PROJ PTS

12.9

WR RNK

26th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

111

TD

FPTS/G

Justin Jefferson (ankle) missed practice Wednesday, and he could be out in Week 4 against Miami after leaving Week 3 at Tampa Bay. Addison stepped up with Jefferson out against the Buccaneers with five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, and he should get plenty of opportunities against the Dolphins if Jefferson can't go. If Jefferson is out, then Addison should be considered a borderline starter in two-receiver leagues. And if Jefferson is in, then I would still start Addison in three-receiver leagues. The Dolphins have only allowed one touchdown to a receiver this season, and Rashee Rice in Week 3 is the lone receiver to score more than 12 PPR points. That said, I'm confident in Jefferson and Addison against this secondary, and Addison would be a solid Fantasy option for the second week in a row if Jefferson is out.

Jameson Williams

DET Detroit

• #1

Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ CAR DET -3.5 O/U 50.5

OPP VS WR

1st

PROJ PTS

11.5

WR RNK

34th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

127

TD

FPTS/G

7.6

The secondary for the Panthers is a mess, with starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quadriceps) and Mike Jackson (groin) being placed on injured reserve Wednesday. That should be a huge plus for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Williams. St. Brown is an automatic start, but Williams is due for a big game after scoring 8.9 PPR points or less in all three games this year. Jared Goff should pick apart this battered defense, and Williams will hopefully end his slump to start the season in Week 4.

Jakobi Meyers

JAC Jacksonville

• #3

Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ CIN CIN -2.5 O/U 51.5

OPP VS WR

16th

PROJ PTS

WR RNK

42nd

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

132

TD

FPTS/G

11.8

Meyers had a quiet start to the season with three catches for 68 yards and a touchdown on three targets in the first two games against Cleveland and Denver, but he exploded in Week 3 against New England with seven catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. He should have the chance to play well again in Week 4 against the Bengals. This should be a high-scoring game -- it has the highest-projected total of 51.5 points -- and Cincinnati cornerback D.J. Turner will likely spend most of his time on Brian Thomas Jr. That makes Thomas a sit in most leagues, and Parker Washington is a must-start receiver in all leagues. Meyers should also be productive, and he should be considered a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all formats.

Devaughn Vele

NO New Orleans

• #14

Age: 28 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs ATL NO -2.5 O/U 47.5

OPP VS WR

27th

PROJ PTS

9.6

WR RNK

31st

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

172

TD

FPTS/G

12.7

Vele had a down game in Week 3 against Las Vegas with three catches for 39 yards on six targets, but he should rebound in Week 4 against Atlanta. I like Vele as a starter in all three-receiver leagues. He scored at least 11.4 PPR points in each of his first two games against Detroit and Baltimore, and he's averaging seven targets per game from Tyler Shough. The Falcons are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and a pair of receivers have scored at least 14.6 PPR points in each of the past two games against Carolina (Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker) and Green Bay (Christian Watson and Matthew Golden). I expect Vele and Chris Olave to follow suit in Week 4. WRs to Sit Projections powered by Sportsline

Ladd McConkey

LAC L.A. Chargers

• #15

Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ SEA SEA -7 O/U 42.5

OPP VS WR

4th

PROJ PTS

11.2

WR RNK

24th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

183

TD

FPTS/G

12.1

McConkey is still worth starting in all three-receiver leagues, but he's struggling coming into Week 4 at Seattle. He has combined for just 17.1 PPR points in his past two games against Las Vegas and Buffalo, with seven catches for 101 yards and no touchdowns on eight targets over that span. The Seahawks are No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and only Terry McLaurin in Week 3 has scored double digits in PPR against this defense. Quentin Johnston should be reserved in all formats, and I would lower expectations for McConkey in this matchup.

Chris Godwin

TB Tampa Bay

• #14

Age: 30 • Experience: 10 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs GB GB -3.5 O/U 39.5

OPP VS WR

24th

PROJ PTS

10.3

WR RNK

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

111

TD

FPTS/G

7.5

Emeka Egbuka is only worth starting in three-receiver leagues in Week 4 against Green Bay, but I like his chances to succeed with backup quarterback Jalon Daniels better than Godwin. Daniels will start in pl

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/start-em-sit-em-wr-in-week-4-dont-panic-on-malik-nabers/)._