Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Lineup Advice and Smart Sleepers to Exploit

The 2026 NFL season continues to be an unpredictable one. Over the past week, we saw the Green Bay Packers get embarrassed at home, the Los Angeles Rams fall to 1-2, and the Las Vegas Raiders move to 3-0.

We've also seen a number of injuries that will impact both the NFL season and the fantasy football landscape. In Week 3 alone, we saw the likes of Justin Jefferson, De'Von Achane, Baker Mayfield, Breece Hall, and Mike Evans exit with injuries.

Heading into Week 4, managers should be looking for matchups they can exploit and sleepers they can use to bolster their rosters. Here, you'll find some early start/sit recommendations for point-per-reception (PPR) play, along with some potential waiver targets.

Start: Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones was a value pick for many fantasy managers on draft day, as he entered the season as part of a Minnesota Vikings committee. However, his role was increased significantly when Minnesota placed Jordan Mason on injured reserve with a fractured thumb.

Jones was a high-volume runner against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, finishing with 17 carries for 58 yards and five catches for another 34 yards. That's solid production against a Buccaneers defense that has allowed just 3.1 yards per carry in 2026.

This week, Jones will face a Miami Dolphins defense that has also been fairly stout against the run (3.5 yards per carry allowed), but prone to giving up volume after falling behind.

Miami has surrendered an average of 30.3 fantasy points to opposing backfields through Week 3.

Jones has been working through a knee injury, and that will bear watching during the week, but if he starts on Sunday, he should be in fantasy lineups as well.

Sit: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, New Orleans Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. was a veritable must-start last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he hasn't held the same high-volume role with the New Orleans Saints this season. Kellen Moore has stuck with a committee approach, and now, Etienne is set to miss time.

According to Moore (h/t ESPN's Katherine Terrell ), Etienne exacerbated a hamstring injury in Week 3.

With Moore out, some managers may be tempted to plug in longtime Saints back Alvin Kamara. However, they should stick to other options this week. The Saints are set to host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, and Atlanta has been fairly unfriendly to opposing backs on the field and in fantasy this season.

The Falcons have allowed just 2.8 yards per carry through Week 3 and have surrendered an average of only 10.5 fantasy points to opposing backfields.

Start: Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

The New York Giants lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. Naturally, that's a detriment to the fantasy stock of pass-catchers like Malik Nabers.

Jameis Winston is one of the league's better backups, but he's still a backup. Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2, he found Nabers for five completions, but the two only tallied 26 yards. Obviously, that's not what managers have come to expect from Nabers.

On Monday, the Giants traded a 2027 fifth-round pick for Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, according to ESPN's Ian Rapoport, Adam Schefter, and Mike Garafolo. However, coach John Harbaugh previously told reporters that he expects Winston to remain the starter, even if the team adds another veteran to its quarterback room.

"Yes, I do," Harbaugh said (h/t ESPN's Jordan Raanan ).

While Winston's presence lowers Nabers' floor, he can be trusted this week. Winston has shown that he's willing to pepper Nabers with targets, and the visiting Arizona Cardinals have surrendered an average of 34.2 fantasy points to opposing receiver groups in 2026.

Harbaugh Reveals Giants QB1 After McCarthy Trade

Preseason Contenders in Desperation Mode

The Raiders moved to 3-0 with a big road win against the Saints on Sunday. During the game, however, Las Vegas lost wide receiver Jack Bech to a broken forearm .

Bech's injury should mean more targets for other receivers, like No. 1 perimeter receiver Tre Tucker. However, the return of tight end Brock Bowers lowers the value of wideouts like Tucker significantly.

Tucker still leads Las Vegas in receiving yards, but he had just four catches for 43 yards in Week 3, while Bowers had 10 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Tucker could also struggle to get open on the outside this week against rival Kansas City Chiefs, who will be eager to cement their spot at the top of the AFC West. Kansas City has surrendered an average of only 17.2 fantasy points to opposing receiver groups this season.

QB Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders

*Waiver targets rostered in fewer than 50 percent of fantasy leagues. All fantasy and roster information from FantasyPros .