In week two, we got knocked down. We got back up in week three by hitting 50% of our starts and sits. Heading into week four means we are almost a quarter of the way through the NFL season. Teams are starting to show who they are. This means it will start to become easier to understand their offensive schemes that can benefit our starts. On the other hand, those same schemes will give us a reason to sit certain players. Even if you are 0-3 in your IDP Fantasy Football leagues, there is still plenty of time to change things around.
*SIDE NOTE*—We consider a start as a player who will earn 10 or more points for you, while a sit scores less than 10 points.
Before we look at our Week 4 IDP Starts and Sits, let us take a look at how we did in Week 3.
| 12pts | PASS | |
| 3pt | FAIL | |
| 14pts | PASS | |
| 22pts | PASS | |
| 9pts | FAIL |
| 2pts | PASS | |
| 6pts | PASS | |
| 12pts | FAIL | |
| 11pts | FAIL | |
| 19pts | FAIL |
**Injuries happen when we least expect it! In case of an all-of-sudden injury or reason a player cannot play, be sure to check out our pivot options too!**
STARTS
Defensive Lineman – Houston Texans – Danielle Hunter (vs. JAX) – START
Hunter has been dominant on his home turf, recording two sacks and generating seven total pressures. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses makes him a reliable source of fantasy points. He consistently produces with the potential to deliver big plays. Hunter’s Week four matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line further boosts his value. The Jaguars’ line struggled significantly in Week three, allowing 21 total pressures. Plus, they surrendered three sacks from those pressures. This vulnerability presents a favorable opportunity for Hunter to continue his strong home performance by capitalizing on a weakened offensive front. Given the Jaguars’ recent struggles, Hunter is positioned to rack up valuable stats.
Defensive Lineman – Kansas City Chiefs – George Karlaftis (@ LAC) – START
The Los Angeles Chargers may be without both of their Pro Bowl-caliber tackles, which would be a major blow to their offensive line. With the Chargers’ protection potentially weakened, Karlaftis should have a much easier path to getting to the quarterback. His speed and power off the edge should be able to disrupt the compromised offensive line. This will allow him to be a strong candidate for sacks and pressures, which can translate into valuable IDP points. Divisional matchups often bring out the best in players.
This game against the Chargers could be where Karlaftis dominates at the line. Facing a banged-up offensive line, he has the potential to apply constant pressure on the backfield. Karlaftis has been steadily improving this season. The favorable matchup positions him to make a big impact. For fantasy managers looking for a breakout performance, Karlaftis should be in the lineup this week.
Linebacker – New York Jets – C.J. Mosley (vs. DEN) – START
Mosley is expected to be back to full strength. He will resume his role as one of the league’s top tackling defenders. The Broncos have struggled offensively, particularly behind rookie quarterback Bo Nix. A rookie quarterback creates a favorable matchup for Mosley to rack up tackles and potentially force turnovers. His veteran presence in the middle of the Jets’ defense makes him a reliable source for high-volume tackling. Moreover, against a Denver team that could lean on the run game and short passing plays. With the inexperience of Nix at quarterback, Mosley’s ability to read offenses and anticipate mistakes will be critical. As a seasoned linebacker, Mosley is well-equipped to capitalize on a rookie quarterback’s errors. Given Denver’s struggles, Mosley’s return offers an opportunity for him to assert dominance and post big fantasy numbers.
Linebacker – Jacksonville Jaguars – Devin Lloyd (vs. HOU) – START
Star linebacker Foyesade Oluokun is expected to be sidelined due to a foot injury. Lloyd has already proven his reliability. He is averaging seven tackles per game this season. With Oluokun out, Lloyd should step into an even larger role on defense. As the primary linebacker, Lloyd will have more opportunities to rack up tackles and make game-changing plays. It will help that he will not have to compete for tackles with Oluokun. This increased responsibility could quickly push Lloyd’s tackle numbers beyond his current average. The time is now for Lloyd to establish himself as the Jaguars’ defensive leader. With Oluokun set to miss time, Lloyd will be the go-to linebacker in Jacksonville’s defensive scheme. This will allow him to dominate in both run defense and pass coverage. His physicality and instincts make him a perfect candidate to step up and deliver big fantasy points in Oluokun’s absence.
Defensive Back – Philadelphia Eagles – Reed Blankenship (@ TB) – START
This week, Blankenship faces a team that loves to take deep shots downfield. This plays right into his strengths as a ball-hawking safety. His role in the Eagles’ defense often puts him in a position to track those deep passes. Blankenship will hover over wide receivers like Mike Evans or Chris Godwin, who are ready to close in on the ball. The Buccaneers’ tend to want to stretch the field. This creates a high chance to make big plays in coverage or capitalize on poorly thrown passes. Additionally, Blankenship’s tackling ability will be important in this matchup.
Whether it’s coming up to stop the run or helping in pass coverage, expect another big tackle game from him. Against a physical receiving duo like Evans and Godwin, Blankenship will be heavily involved in stopping short and intermediate plays too. His ability to be around the ball, combined with the Buccaneers’ downfield passing attack, sets him up for another impactful week in IDP leagues.
Additional Players to consider starting:
Los Angeles Chargers – Edge – Khalil Mack
Houston Texans – Edge – Will Anderson
Atlanta Falcons – LB – Kaden Elliss
Tennessee Titans – LB – Ernest Jones
Indianapolis Colts – DB – Julian Blackmon
SIT
Edge Rusher – Cincinnati Bengals – Sam Hubbard (@ CAR) – SIT
Through the first three games, Hubbard has only managed seven total pressures. He has not been able to get to the quarterback consistently. His near 20 percent missed tackle rate is also concerning. It indicates a lack of finishing ability on plays where he does get into position. This inconsistency makes him a risky option for IDP fantasy football lineups. The Carolina Panthers offensive line looked revitalized in their most recent game, allowing only one sack and doing a solid job protecting quarterback Andy Dalton. With their improved blocking, it’s unlikely that Hubbard will find much success pressuring Dalton or generating significant IDP stats.
The Panthers’ ability to move the chains efficiently will also reduce Hubbard’s opportunities to make impactful plays. Given his current form and Carolina’s recent offensive line performance, Hubbard is not a reliable start this week.
Edge Rusher – Minnesota Vikings – Andrew Van Ginkel (@ GB) – SIT
Despite a hot start to the season with one sack in each game, it may be wise to bench Van Ginkel this week. Van Ginkel has benefitted from opposing blockers focusing on Jonathan Greenard, allowing him to capitalize on mismatches. His upcoming matchup against the Green Bay Packers presents a significant challenge. The Packers have one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the league. This will make it difficult for Van Ginkel to succeed in rushing the passer. Facing an offensive line that excels at protecting the quarterback could limit his opportunities to extend his sack streak.
In addition to Green Bay’s stout protection, Van Ginkel’s hot streak may also cool down due to the Packers’ quick passing game. This further reduces his chances to pressure the quarterback. Green Bay often utilizes quick, short passes, which can neutralize pass rushers like Van Ginkel by getting the ball out before pressure can develop. Considering these factors, Van Ginkel might struggle to produce his usual IDP value this week. Fantasy managers should weigh the matchup carefully and consider benching him in favor of a player with a more favorable situation.
Linebacker – Baltimore Ravens – Trenton Simpson (vs. BUF) – SIT
Simpson has yet to tally more than five tackles in a game. Plus, he has only managed seven solo tackles through three weeks. His Week one performance, while boosted by a sack, was far from dominant, as even that sack was an assisted one. This kind of inconsistent output makes Simpson a risky option. His role in the defense has not translated into significant stats. This makes it difficult to trust him week-to-week.
To make matters worse, Simpson will face Josh Allen, who has recently looked unstoppable and in top form. Allen’s mobility and strength will make it challenging for Simpson to bring him down or even make impactful plays in the backfield. The Bills’ explosive offense also minimizes opportunities for opposing defenders to rack up tackles. Allen’s ability to extend plays and evade pressure creates difficulties for opposing defenses. Given Simpson’s struggles to produce consistently and the daunting challenge of containing Allen, this is not the week to rely on Simpson for fantasy success.
Linebacker – Detroit Lions – Jack Campbell (vs. SEA) – SIT
The potential absence of Alex Anzalone due to a concussion could allow Campbell to see an increase in snaps and responsibilities. He faces a tough matchup against a Seattle Seahawks team filled with elusive playmakers. The likes of DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Zach Charbonnet can make defenders miss in open space. This may limit Campbell’s ability to rack up tackles. The quickness and agility of Seattle’s offensive weapons make it a risky play for IDP managers expecting a high volume of stops. While there’s a chance Campbell could salvage his day with a sack, it’s far from guaranteed.
Seattle’s offensive line has held up well, and if Campbell does not get to the quarterback, his day could be quiet. Once the ball is in the hands of the Seahawks’ playmakers, it may be difficult for Campbell to consistently bring them down by himself. Their elusiveness could lead to missed tackles or shared tackles that limit his fantasy output.
Defensive Back – Kansas City Chiefs – Trent McDuffie (@ LAC) – SIT
Last season, McDuffie started strong, tallying 16 total tackles and forcing two fumbles early on. He has yet to regain that form this season. McDuffie has only averaged three tackles per game through the first few games. He has been unable to make an impact on key defensive plays. His slow start has made it difficult for fantasy managers to rely on him.
This upcoming matchup against the Chargers does not offer much optimism for a breakout performance. The Chargers are dealing with injuries on their offensive line, which could lead them to focus on quick, short passes to avoid pressure. If they keep their offense centered around quick passes up the middle, this could significantly reduce McDuffie’s opportunities to make plays. He often thrives in downfield coverage or in situations where he can challenge wide receivers. With the Chargers likely playing it safe, McDuffie may continue struggling to find his rhythm.
Additional Players to Consider Sitting:
Seattle Seahawks – Edge – Boye Mafe
Baltimore Ravens – DL – Nnamdi Madubuike
Buffalo Bills – LB – Nicholas Morrow
New England Patriots – LB – Jahlani Tavai
Miami Dolphins – DB – Jevon Holland
Be sure to follow us along all season long for weekly tips on who start and who to sit on the defensive side of the ball. Follow me on X @ThePPRShow for more fantasy football content and for offensive starts and sits be sure to check out @TFFGRobbie article too. Thank you for reading.
For a more detailed start/sit list, make sure you check out our Weekly IDP Rankings.