Week 4 Rankings: QB, RB, WR

By Dustin Pritchard, 9.25.13

Ranked below are the Top 25 QBs, Top 50 RBs, Top 50 WRs for Week 4 of the 2013 NFL season.

Check out our Week 4 rankings for TEs, Kickers, and Defenses.

Match ups you should be salivating over: (for QBs/ WRs/TEs) Washington, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Green Bay, San Diego, Oakland, and Arizona (for RBs) Washington, Jacksonville, Miami, Minnesota, and San Diego.

Match ups that may cause headaches, and possibly nausea: (for QBs/WRs/TEs) Kansas City, Seattle, Miami, Tennessee (for RBs) New York (J), New York (G), Houston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Baltimore

ON BYE: Packers, Panthers

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning

1. Peyton Manning v. PHI – Red hot, future hall of famer at home against arguably the league’s worst pass defense in what should be the week’s highest scoring game.  CHYUP!

2. Drew Brees @ MIA – Miami has a strong pass rush, but it’s Drew Brees.  He’s matchup proof.

3. Michael Vick @ DEN – You have to love Vick’s potential this week.  Denver is likely to get out to a big lead early. The Vick show will take off in the 2nd half against a very overrated Denver pass defense.

4. Andrew Luck @ JAC – The Jaguars are really, really bad.  There’s a decent chance they don’t win a single game this season. Luck will shred the Jags pathetic defense.

5. Tony Romo @ SD – The Chargers defense has been a weekly gift to fantasy owners.  This trend should continue.

6. Matt Stafford v. CHI – While still opportunistic, this is not the same standout Chicago defense.  They are a leaky crew, sure to sink against Stafford’s Lions offense.

7. Matt Ryan v, NE – His receivers are getting healthier every minute, and while the Patriots cover well, they are getting zero pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Matty Ice‘s accuracy will be a difference maker.

8. Robert Griffin III @ OAK – Averaging over 300+ yards per game passing.  The rushing is down obviously, but the Redskins have confidence in his arm.

9. Russell Wilson @ HOU – Houston’s defensive backfield has been very pedestrian so far. Wilson and the Seahawks look like the best team in the NFL.

10. Colin Kaepernick @ STL – Really struggling his last two.  A probable smash mouth NFC West contest, this could be a tough one to rebound in.

11. Tom Brady @ ATL – Would get an upgrade if Amendola and Gronk suit up, until then he’s stuck with the sure handed, yet underwhelming Julian Edelman and the rookies.

12. Philip Rivers v. DAL – Not really a big fan of playing against Dallas’ defense right now, but Rivers has been playing well, and Dallas has given up a lot of FP to QBs  

13. Joe Flacco @ BUF – Great matchup.  The Ravens run game is not what it once was, this team relies on Flacco’s arm and decision-making to win.

14. Terrelle Pryor v. WAS – If he plays he a borderline QB1.  Monitor his progress as he recovers from a concussion.  if he’s out Sunday, don’t use Matt Flynn unless you are desperate.

15. Jay Cutler @ DET

16. Ben Roethlisberger @ MIN

17. Andy Dalton @ CLE 

18. Alex Smith v. NYG

19.  Sam Bradford v. SF

20. Ryan Tannehill v. NO

21. Mike Glennon @ ARI 

22. Carson Palmer @ TB

23. Eli Manning @ KC

24. Geno Smith @ TEN

25. Matt Schaub v. SEA

Darren McFadden

Runningbacks

1. Adrian Peterson v. PIT – The matchup doesn’t mean much with All Day on your team.  Start him per usual.

2. LeSean McCoy @ DEN – He’s a weekly standout, and even against a tough run defense like Denver’s we’re just not worried.

3. Darren McFadden v. WAS – By far the worst rush D in the NFL right now.  McFadden will eat them alive.

4. Doug Martin v. ARI – Expect the Bucs to lean on the Muscle Hamster more than usual as they ease rookie QB Mike Glennon into his first start.  Dumpoffs will be frequent.

5. DeMarco Murray v. SD – 200+ total yards and a TD last week, now he gets the disappointing Chargers defense

6. Ray Rice @ BUF – He’ll be an annoying game time decision, but if he plays…. it’s going to be nice.  Buffalo’s defense is what we thought they were… terrible.

7. Jamaal Charles v. NYG – The Giants run defense is about the only thing New Yorkers should be proud of about this team right now.  Charles has been playing like a man possessed though, so the matchup probably won’t matter much.

8. Matt Forte @ DET – Michael Bush is the TD vulture here, but it doesn’t really matter. Forte is tearing apart teams right now as the featured player in the new look high scoring Bears offense.

9. Trent Richardson @ JAC  – Ya this one’s going to be another timeshare.  Fortunately, the Jaguars are very generous.  Richardson is a good bet for multiple touchdowns.

10. Alfred Morris @ OAK – The unsung hero is the Washington Redskins will continue to do what he does best, quietly rush at an elite level.

11. Reggie Bush v. CHI – He’s baaack.  Look for the former Helix High School standout to continue a very solid campaign.  He and the Lions go together like Chocolate and Peanut Butter.

12. Marshawn Lynch @ HOU – Lynch needs volume to be truly effective, and he won’t get it this week.   

13. Bilal Powell @ TEN – He’s not going to blow you away, but he does all the little things well and most importantly he’s getting a full workload against a suspect run defense. Career average of 11 fantasy points when receiving 15 or more touches.

14.  Darren Sproles @ MIA – With Mark Ingram out, Sproles will have his best game to date.

15. Arian Foster v. SEA – Stuck in a timeshare with the talented Ben Tate. Seattle’s defense is no joke.  He’s an RB2.

16. C.J. Spiller v. BAL – HC Doug Marrone said Spiller should be fine. This is a full-fledged timeshare.  We still love Spiller’s ability, but the matchup and RBBC situation this week will make it difficult for him. 

17. Maurice Jones-Drew v. IND 

18. Frank Gore @ STL

19. Chris Johnson v. NYJ – We really don’t like this one, but this position will be very thin through the bye weeks. He’s a workhorse.

20.  Gio Bernard @ CLE – The Bengals would be wise to phase out BJGE completely, but I understand if they want to keep their rookie Ray Rice clone healthy and fresh.

21.  Stevan Ridley @ ATL – We might get burned again by Ridley, but he is still a good running back with a significant role in what can be a very potent offense.  We’re not benching him yet.

22. Le’Veon Bell @ MIN – We want to take a wait and see approach, but Le’Veon’s matchup is too juicy.  You never know with Tomlin, but we expect a solid workload for the rookie in his debut.

23. Ahmad Bradshaw @ JAC

24. Knowshon Moreno v. PHI

25. Pierre Thomas @ MIA – With Mark Ingram out, PT will cruise.  Easily one of the most underrated RB of the past 5 years.

26.Daryl Richardson v. SF

27. Joique Bell v. CHI

28.Lamar Miller v. NO

29. David Wilson @ KC

30. Fred Jackson v. BAL

31.Rashard Mendenhall @ TB

32.Jacquizz Rodgers v. NE

33.Ryan Mathews v. DAL

34. Benjarvus Green-Ellis @ CLE

35.Ben Tate v. SEA

36. Brandon Bolden @ ATL

37.  Jason Snelling v. NE

38. Willis McGahee v. CIN

39. Danny Woodhead v. DAL

40. Andre Ellington @ TB

41. Bernard Pierce @ BUF

42. Marcel Reece v. WAS

43. Montee Ball v. PHI

44. Daniel Thomas v. NO 

45. Ronnie Hillman v. PHI

46. Michael Bush @ DET

47. Bryce Brown @ DEN

48. Kendall Hunter @ STL

49. Christine Michael @ HOU

50. Benny Cunningham v. SF – Isaiah Pead a healthy scratch.

Wide Receivers

Dez Bryant

1. Dez Bryant @ SD – Dez is going to destroy the Chargers secondary.

2. Calvin Johnson v. CHI 

3. A.J. Green @ CLE – Not that worried about Joe Haden here. A.J. is a different class of human.

4. Julio Jones v. NE

5. Brandon Marshall @ DET

6. Demaryius Thomas v. PHI – These top 6 WRs are all elite options this week. Start them without fear.

7. Wes Welker v. PHI – 190 yards and 4 TDs through three games.  Visibly strong connection with Peyton.

8. DeSean Jackson @ DEN – Philly will be playing catch up.  This is always a good thin for wide receivers.

9.  Pierre Garcon @ OAK – Garcon is one of the most heavily targeted WRs in the NFL right now. That will continue.

10.  Larry Fitzgerald @ TB – Fitzy’s full go.  Do not fear Revis Island.  Fitzy is just too good.

11. Antonio Brown @ MIN – Brown will build on a very strong week 3 performance.   The Vikings are struggling on defense right now.

12. Reggie Wayne @ JAC

13. Vincent Jackson v. ARI – Rib injury not expected to be serious.  Day to day.

14. Torrey Smith @ BUF – Mark my words.  Torrey will catch at least one long bomb for a score.

15. Josh Gordon v. CIN – Tough defense, but look for the Browns to keep their star play maker heavily involved. Update: Three Bengals DBs could miss the game. 

16. Anquan Boldin @ STL

17.  Victor Cruz @ KC – The Giants offense is in a not very typical disarray.  Serious offensive line issues.

18. Marques Colston @ MIA 

19. Stevie Johnson v. BAL

20. Eric Decker v. PHI – Decker finally put together the game we all knew he could.  The Eagles are a great matchup for him.

21. Cecil Shorts v. IND

22. Andre Johnson v. SEA – Day to day with a shin bruise.  Terrible matchup, do not expect his usual contribution.

23. Julian Edelman @ ATL

24. Dwayne Bowe @ NYG – He was a huge disappointment last week.  We’ll give him another shot against a questionable Giants secondary.

25. Hakeem Nicks @ KC

26. Mike Wallace v. NO

27. TY Hilton @ JAC

28. Ryan Broyles v. CHI – The Lions will unleash the healthy (for the time being) playmaker.  Burleson’s injury opens the door.

29. Terrence WIlliams @ SD – Miles Austin likely out, the rookie takes over #2 WR duties against one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses.

30. DeAndre Hopkins v. SEA – Very bad matchup, but this player is special.  AJ could still miss the game too, which would be a huge boost to DeAndre’s value this week.

31. Golden Tate @ HOU

32. Emmanuel Sanders @ MIN

33. Mike Williams v. ARI – 50/50 to play this week.

34. Eddie Royal v. DAL

35. Tavon Austin v. SF

36. Roddy White v. NE

37. Marlon Brown @ BUF

38. Michael Floyd @ TB – Regression’s a good thing.  He’s been targeted a lot on the red zone.

39. Vincent Brown v. DAL

40. Greg Jennings v. PIT – Ike Taylor is a dominant shutdown corner. Just look at  AJ Green in Week 2 and Brandon Marshall last week. Do not even think about starting Jennings this week.

41. Stephen Hill @ TEN

42. Kenbrell Thompkins @ ATL

43.Santonio Holmes @ TEN

44. Miles Austin @ SD – Austin in a T Shirt at practice Thursday.  Not looking good. MONITOR. If active, he’s an OK flex play.

45. Darius Heyward-Bey @ JAC

46.Chris Givens v. SF – Knee issue kept him out o practice Monday. He’s shaping up as a very weak flex option. Monitor this one.  

47. Sidney Rice @ HOU Lance Moore @ MIA

48. Denarius Moore v. WAS

49. Alshon Jeffrey @ DET

50. Brian Hartline @ NO