Get your 2023 IDP Football Week 4 Start-Sit advice of the 2023 Fantasy Football season, hot off the press!
Your 2023 IDP Football Week 4 Start-Sits lie in the paragraphs within this article. Unless the situation requires it, it's likely that the IDP Start-Sits in this series won't contain the most obvious choices and should give plenty of food for thought.
Here we'll review some stats and analysis of previous weeks as well as a look into team dynamics and team set-up. Set a weekly reminder and keep an eye out on the Fantasy Six Pack website for the upload each week, and while you're there sign up to be a member and join our IDP Discord channel to stay up to date with all the latest IDP info, including live responses from the whole of the Fantasy Six Pack IDP Team.
Also, check out our Week 4 IDP Rankings.
2023 IDP Football Week 4 Start-Sit
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Linebackers to Start
Terrell Bernard, Buffalo Bills
Going into this season, there was uncertainty around who would be complimenting Matt Milano on the field at the linebacker position, especially with the introduction of Dorian Williams into the picture. With three weeks of incredible production, including 24 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble, how can you not start Bernard this week?
Even though the Bills will be in an assumed gunslinger event against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, if Week 3 is anything to go by, Bernard will have plenty of opportunities to stop the running game. And when the Dolphins are passing, Bernard operates in shallow coverage, so he will be ready to attack any wheel/ curl routes, where he works best.
Quincy Williams, New York Jets
Quincy Williams has had a strong start to the season so far. With 26 total tackles so far, Williams' numbers have been aided as a byproduct of the very poor offense that the Jets are rolling with sans Aaron Rodgers. So much so that Williams has been on the field for a total of 222 snaps so far this season, which equates to 97.37% of total available defensive snaps through Weeks 1-3.
The Jets are facing the Chiefs in Week 4 and as we saw in the Chiefs matchup against the Bears in Week 3, there are plenty of tackling opportunities for linebackers. In Week 3, T.J. Edwards notched 16 tackles and assists against the Chiefs. If Williams is able to amass even half that in Week 4, it would be considered a good day at the office for an in-form Williams.
Let's take a second to appreciate @nyjets linebacker Quincy Williams playing his best football as a pro in the early going this season.
- Currently second in the NFL w/23 solo tackles.
- No. 1 rated LB in coverage per PFF at 91.1 (over 30 snaps).
Yes, only three weeks in,…
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) September 27, 2023
Linebackers to Sit
Ernest Jones, Los Angeles Rams
Bold statement alert! I know what you're thinking. What the heck is Ernest Jones doing in the sit section? The argument would be a strong one. Jones has played in 100% of defensive snaps so far this season and has 28 tackles to his name, he's wearing the "green dot" for the Rams and so forth but, I'm going to need you to hear me out on this one.
The Rams are up against the Colts in Week 4. In the "new-look" Indianapolis Colts they relied on heavy usage in the run game in Week 3, with Zack Moss, the Colts' only viable option at running back in receipt of 30 (yes, 30) carries. This won't happen again in Week 4 purely as Moss can't handle that volume two weeks in a row, not many running backs can.
If Anthony Richardson makes it to the field, he won't be running with the ball after a week in concussion protocol. It is likely that he loads passes to Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce against a Rams secondary that has been hit-and-miss. I expect Jones to have an okay day of five or six tackles and think Byron Young might even be the better play this week.
Jordan Hicks, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Hicks had a nice day against the Chargers and boosted his numbers with his first forced fumble and recovery since Week 1 of 2022. After a strong outing in Week 2 where Hicks racked up eleven tackles against the Philadelphia Eagles, it may seem as though Hicks is undroppable.
This week against the Carolina Panthers Hicks' production will ultimately come down to whether the Panthers will start Andy Dalton or not. The Panthers will likely wrap Bryce Young in cotton wool this week to be on the safe side. With Dalton at the helm, Hicks will see a sharp downturn in opportunities, even if Hicks keeps up his 96.68% snap rate. A Dalton-led offense will look similar to the Baker Mayfield offense that Hicks had very little joy against in Week 1.
Defensive Linemen to Start
Samson Ebukam, Indianapolis Colts
Improving with each week, Samson Ebukam is bringing a certain kind of pedigree to the defensive line in Indianapolis. As the perfect compliment for Kwity Paye, both Ebukam and Paye are primed to have another good day against the Rams. Ebukam will carry the extra chip on his shoulder against his former team.
The Rams in their last game against the Bengals allowed six sacks by defensive linemen, with all of the starting linemen getting in on the action. With a sack in each of his last two games, Ebukam will be looking to continue his form in Week 4.
Samson Ebukam was a menace on Sunday pic.twitter.com/uZTHDzBq4X
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) September 18, 2023
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants
Dex has had a slow start to the season so far but as each week goes by, the Giants offense seems to get progressively worse, which is a good sign for Lawrence's fantasy football production. In Week 3 against a strong San Francisco 49ers team, Dex managed a strong seven tackles from defensive tackle which is a very positive return.
The Giants are up against the Seahawks in Week 4, and the Seahawks are down a few people at the tackle position which opens up a lot of opportunities for Lawrence to work the inside. The Seahawks have held strong so far but are due a game of complacency, and against the Giants, this should benefit Dexter Lawrence the most.
#NFL Highest-graded interior defenders thru 3 weeks (min. 49 snaps)
Jalen Carter, Eagles - 93.2
Chris Jones, Chiefs - 92.6
Dexter Lawrence, Giants - 91.0
Javon Hargrave, 49ers - 90.6
Aaron Donald, Rams - 90.4
David Onyemata, Falcons - 89.6
Jordan Davis, Eagles - 88.7— Brent Rollins (@BrentRollinsPhD) September 27, 2023
Defensive Linemen to Sit
Andrew Van Ginkel, Miami Dolphins
A great game in Miami in Week 3 saw Andrew Van Ginkel get in on the action with three tackles and a fumble recovery. With a couple of weeks of strong performances in a row that includes six tackles and a sack in Week 2, Van Ginkel might be on people's radars for a potential start.
Van Ginkel is up against a very different team in the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Even though the Commanders couldn't string together an offense, they did have some joy on defense. However, not much was offered up by the defensive line, and the same is likely to occur again in Week 4. Van Ginkel's time on the field has varied from week to week and his scoring is purely reliant on a big play or two. Sit Van Ginkel this week.
Chase Young, Washington Commanders
Chase Young is back on the field, and everyone is waiting to see how this plays out. More importantly, we're waiting to see how long this plays out. Young has been on the field for over 70% of defensive snaps in the two games that he's played, but his production isn't anywhere near the tail end of his rookie season, and nor can we expect it to be. Young started off well in Week 3 against the Bills but remained quiet for most of the game.
This week against the Philadelphia offensive line Young won't get much joy working against some of the best in the business. This week is a sit for Young but the following week against the Bears is a go if he remains healthy.
Chase Young made this play and I thought we were in for a generational game not gonna lie #HTTC pic.twitter.com/hasCOgQdWI
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) September 26, 2023
Defensive Backs to Start
Roger McCreary, Tennessee Titans
Not only is McCreary a good start this week, he's likely also available on waivers! With 10 tackles and a sack in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, it was a great showing for the second-year pro out of Auburn.
This week the Titans are facing the underwhelming Bengals, led by Joe Burrow who seems to have transferred his superpowers to the Monstars in Space Jam. The Bengals have failed to click so far this season, making this a great matchup for McCreary in fantasy production terms. With 183 snaps to his name so far this season and Burrow throwing interceptions, it could be a fantastic day for McCreary.
The TL;DR for this chart concerning #Titans CBs:
Sean Murphy-Bunting & Roger McCreary = Good
Kristian Fulton = Very Bad https://t.co/HVVo7XFfs8— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) September 27, 2023
Brandon Stephens, Baltimore Ravens
Brandon Stephens has really eased his way into the starting lineup for the Ravens in particular since the inactivity of Marcus Williams. Playing in 100% of every snap so far for the Ravens this season, Stephens has racked up two games with eleven tackles and a total of twenty-five total tackles overall.
Stephens has a favorable matchup again in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns who are inconsistent on offense. Roger McCreary benefited last week and Brandon Stephens stands to take advantage of the situation this week. This might be my favorite start for the week.
Defensive Backs to Sit
Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills
Tre'Davious White bagged himself an interception last week against the Commanders for the first time since Week 18 in 2022. An over-zealous Sam Howell must have forgotten that opposition quarterbacks purposely avoid targeting Tre White, and he was burned for flying too close to the sun, much like the whole of the Commanders offense in Week 3.
White's Week 3 fantasy production is on the anomaly side and shouldn't be considered the norm as White doesn't get many interceptions. The last quarterback playing for Miami to throw an interception Tre's way was Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Tua Tagovailoa is in the form of his life so he will avoid making the same mistake Howell did in Week 3. It should be business as usual in Week 4 for Tre White, expect a good performance but low fantasy production.
Tre'Davious White gets the end zone PICK on the Commanders ?pic.twitter.com/CgtFvIttYM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 24, 2023
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
Keep him out of your fantasy lineup. The continued fierce rivalry with Mike Evans could escalate as it usually does and could lead to a mid-game ejection from either player. As the saying goes, if you play with fire, you're going to get burned. While Lattimore has been performing well, it's a risky play this week against the Buccaneers.
Lattimore rarely scores well in games against Tampa Bay, and this isn't solely down to his preoccupation with Mike Evans. Lattimore works best dropping into the hole and won't have as many opportunities to do so against a gunslinging Baker Mayfield chucking passes to two pure wide receivers in Chris Godwin and Evans who work on the outside. Alontae Taylor could be the safer bet in Week 4.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments, please reach me at @DynastyGuruNFL on Twitter.
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