Welcome to the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 4 Vampire League Starters article. Well, it was another crazy fantasy football week for vampires. Five running backs in the Top 10 in Week 3 were available to vampires. I hope many of you vampires walked away with a victory and a new player on your team. I love weeks like Week 3 because the point totals were crazy. One of the best feelings in fantasy football is when your vampire squad puts up crazy high numbers, and you snag an elite player from a good team.  Â
I had that feeling in Week 3, thanks to the explosive games from Raheem Mostert and Zack Moss (both of the Top 10). Amon-Ra St. Brown is the elite player joining DeVonta Smith on my list of acquired additions.Â
If you read last week's article, I mentioned the strategy of taking high-end wide receivers when deciding on what players to take after a victory. It is still a solid choice to prioritize wide receivers over running backs.Â
After Week 4, we will start to see players from the IR and PUP return to their teams, and in normal years, that's when the running back well dries up for us vampires. Wide receivers will be in the position to dry up fast after Week 4 this year. There's a strong possibility that the players we have relied on for solid production will vanish. A prime example would be Puka Nuca if someone could have his workload completely gone once Cooper Kupp returns from the IR next week.Â
Running back scarcity shouldn't be a problem for vampires in the future, but wide receivers could, so please stick with the trends. Enough of my ranting; let's get to setting the best starting vampire lineup for Week 4
2023 Fantasy Football Week 4 Vampire League Starters
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Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders
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Jimmy G is slinging the ball around in his new home in Vegas, averaging 236.3 yards and 1.7 touchdowns so far this season. Now, he does come with a red flag because Garoppolo is currently averaging two inceptions per game, which is an alarming stat. BUT, his matchup against the Chargers in Week 4 is so good I'm willing to take the risk.
The Chargers' secondary has apparently forgotten that their job is to tackle people with the ball, and it shows based on their fantasy points allowed this season. They allow 24.6 fantasy points, 359.7 yards, and 2.5 touchdowns per game to quarterbacks this season.
He is still in the concussion protocol, so it does make him risky, but could be worth it. If Garoppolo is out then I'll take a chance on C.J. Stroud.
Running Backs
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Johnson is getting used quite a bit in the Bears' offense, averaging 40 percent of the Bears' snaps. Even though it's been a light workload for Johnson, he is averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. I'm willing to take a chance on this light workload because of his efficiency and his terrific matchup against the Broncos.
Denver is coming off a week where they got embarrassed by two running backs. The Broncos allow 50.3 fantasy points, 165.6 yards, and 2.3 touchdowns per game to running backs this season. I know that is a skewed sample size because of the Miami game, but their regression isn't going to be too far from that.
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers
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Austin Ekeler's availability is still in the air, though he returned to practice on Wednesday. But the Chargers will likely rely on Joshua Kelley for one more week. His matchup against the Raiders is the perfect opportunity for Kelley to be a fantasy darling for one week.
The Raiders allow 26 fantasy points, 121.6 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game to running backs this season.Â
Let's hope for considerable efficiency improvements, though.
Wide Receivers
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Meyers is putting up some crazy stats this season. He is averaging 11 targets, eight receptions, 83 yards, and one touchdown, impressive right? Well, Meyers also averages 105.5 Air Yards per game and has an incredible 91.7 percent target-on-route rate. Here's the cherry on top: he has a target share of 23.4 percent. Let's see how Meyers will continue his crazy averages against the Chargers in Week 4.
The Chargers allow 55.1 fantasy points, 269 yards, and two touchdowns per game to wide receivers this season. I can't stop smiling while looking at those numbers.Â
Tank Dell, Houston TexansÂ
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Welcome to the vampire article, Tank Dell. I wish I had pulled the trigger on you sooner, but don't worry, I won't make that mistake in Week 4. Dell is averaging seven targets, five receptions, 83.7 yards, and 0.7 touchdowns this season.Â
Here are some Jakobi-Meyers-like stats for Dell: he averages 92.7 Air Yards per game and has a 13.2 yards average depth of target rate. This rising star is getting an early gift with a terrific matchup against the Steelers.
The Steelers allow 46.2 fantasy points, 211.3 yards, and 1.3 touchdowns per game to wide receivers this season.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta, Detroit LionsÂ
Sam LaPorta is making many fantasy managers rethink the approach of avoiding rookie tight ends with his early start. He is averaging 7.3 targets, six receptions, and 60 yards. Even though it's early in the season, LaPorta has a great rapport with Jared Goff.
His matchup against the Packers doesn't seem impressive based on their fantasy points allowed averages. The Packers allow 11.9 fantasy points, 45 yards, and 0.3 touchdowns per game to tight ends, but don't let those numbers fool you. The Packers haven't been tested with a guy like LaPorta; he will definitely bump up those averages.
Flex
Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
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I mentioned Cooper Kupp's return next week could affect some players' roles, like Tutu Atwell. He is averaging 8.7 targets, 5.7 receptions, 82 yards, and 0.3 touchdowns this season, so let's take advantage of this tremendous workload again.
He has a good matchup against the Colts, who allow 42.9 fantasy points, 189 yards, and 1.3 touchdowns per game to wide receivers. This would be the best week if he wants to make a statement to keep to his workload.
Defense/Special Teams
Cleveland Browns
The Browns' defense has been destroying the teams they face off against. They have nine sacks, two fumbles, and one interception. Plus, they are averaging only 6.6 points allowed this season. They'll have their hands busy with Lamar Jackson, but they'll get after him and there will be sacks.
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