Fantasy football is basically a game of lying to yourself until the stats prove you wrong. We’re heading into Week 4 of the 2025 season, and honestly, the vibes are chaotic. You've probably spent the last three days staring at your roster, wondering if CeeDee Lamb's high ankle sprain is the literal end of your season or just a temporary detour into the abyss.
It’s not. Well, probably not.
But the reality of fantasy football week 4 rankings this year is that the "obvious" stars are falling off a cliff, and names you didn't even know in August are suddenly carrying the load. If you're looking for a generic list of names, go elsewhere. We're talking about the actual leverage points that will win your matchup this weekend.
The QB Tier Shift: Is the Era of "Elite" Passing Over?
Look at the numbers. Josh Allen is still the king, sitting at the top of the pile after a massive Week 3, but the gap is closing. You’d think Patrick Mahomes would be a lock for 25 points a night, but he’s currently averaging closer to 18.2. That's fine, but it’s not winning you a week against the guy who streamed Caleb Williams during a breakout.
The New Guard
- Josh Allen (BUF) vs. Saints: He’s the QB1. Period.
- Lamar Jackson (BAL) at Chiefs: The rushing floor is just too high to ignore.
- Jalen Hurts (PHI) at Buccaneers: Even when the Eagles look messy, Hurts finds the end zone.
- Jayden Daniels (WAS): This is the one to watch. He’s been dealing with a knee strain, and if he sits, Marcus Mariota becomes a desperation play. But if Daniels is in? He’s a top-5 lock because of that rushing upside.
Honestly, the most surprising thing is seeing Justin Herbert climb back into the elite conversation. Under Jim Harbaugh, he’s playing efficient, mistake-free football. He’s currently the QB4 in many standard formats, which felt impossible two months ago.
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Running Backs: The Trey Benson Takeover
If you owned James Conner, I'm sorry. The season-ending ankle injury is a brutal blow to a guy who was finally getting his flowers. But for fantasy managers, this opens the door for Trey Benson.
Benson is the clear-cut priority on waivers, but don't expect him to be Christian McCaffrey overnight. Emari Demercado is still going to steal third-down work. It’s a split, but Benson has the "home run" speed that wins leagues.
Why You Can't Trust Alvin Kamara
We need to talk about Kamara. People are still ranking him as a top-10 RB based on name value. Look at the targets. Last year he was seeing a 22% target share; this season, that’s cratered to 11%. He’s still the lead guy in New Orleans, but he’s not the PPR monster he used to be.
Christian McCaffrey remains the RB1 because the 49ers' offense is a machine, but keep an eye on Bijan Robinson. He only had 24 rushing yards last week, but he saved his fantasy day with 100 receiving yards. That versatility is why he’s ranked RB2 for Week 4 against a Commanders defense that couldn't stop a nosebleed.
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Wide Receiver Chaos: The Malik Nabers Void
The biggest tragedy of the young season is Malik Nabers tearing his ACL. The Giants' offense was basically "throw it to Nabers and pray," and now that prayer has been unanswered.
The Rankings Reality
- Puka Nacua is the WR1 this week against the Colts. He’s seeing a ridiculous amount of volume.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown remains the safest floor in the league.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the "bold" play that isn't actually bold anymore. He’s been on fire, and the Cardinals' secondary is a mess.
The real headache is CeeDee Lamb. With a high ankle sprain, the average recovery time is about 2.4 games. If you're a Lamb owner, you're looking at Jalen Tolbert or maybe even Romeo Doubs off the wire. It feels gross, but that’s the 2025 season in a nutshell.
Tight Ends: A Literal Wasteland
If you don't have Trey McBride or Brock Bowers, you're basically guessing. Hunter Henry had a massive Week 3 with two scores, but he’s the definition of "feast or famine." He was available in nearly 80% of leagues last week. If you missed out, Harold Fannin Jr. is a solid bounce-back candidate against the Lions.
Fannin had a quiet Week 3 (only 5.5 points), but the Browns are lining him up everywhere. The volume will come back.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Week 4
The biggest mistake managers make right now is chasing last week’s points. Just because Bucky Irving had a good game doesn't mean he's suddenly the workhorse over Rachaad White. Coaching staffs are slow to change.
Also, ignore the "revenge game" narratives. They make for great tweets, but they rarely translate to actual fantasy production. Focus on Snap Counts and Target Share. If a guy is on the field for 80% of snaps, the points will eventually follow.
Actionable Strategy for Your Weekend
- Check the Weather: Several East Coast games are looking at potential rain. This usually helps the run game and hurts deep-threat WRs.
- The Late Swap: If you have Jayden Daniels, make sure your backup plays in a late-afternoon or Monday game so you aren't locked in.
- Dump the Dead Weight: If you're still holding onto Najee Harris or Jerome Ford, it might be time to move on for a high-upside rookie like Luther Burden III.
Start your studs, but don't be afraid to bench a "big name" who isn't getting the targets. Winning in Week 4 is about being cold-blooded with your roster management.
Get your waiver claims in for Trey Benson or Elic Ayomanor before the Saturday deadline. Monitor the Jayden Daniels knee situation closely through Friday's practice report. If he's a full participant, he's a must-start; if he's limited, have a backup ready for the late window.