FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast — Ep. 1735

6 Must-Start Players for Week 4 | The Primer
Originally aired: September 26, 2025
Hosts: Seth Wilcock & Derek Brown (dbro)

Episode Overview

In this week’s “The Primer” episode, hosts Seth Wilcock and Derek Brown deliver their top six sleeper starts for Week 4 of the fantasy football season. As injuries mount and fantasy landmines lie in wait, the duo spotlights undervalued quarterbacks, breakout rookie running backs, and sneaky wide receivers and tight ends—each poised for a big fantasy performance. The advice is data-packed, fun, and laser-focused on actionable matchups to plug your lineup holes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Start: Matthew Stafford (LAR)

[02:33]

• Derek: Stafford may not be flashy, but he’s quietly playing at a top-tier level: 11th in yards per attempt, 1st in "hero throw rate," and frequently knocking on the 300-yard bonus door.
• Matchup: Faces the Colts’ defense, which is “a bit overrated”; their stats are inflated by facing struggling QBs.
• Offensive Environment: Rams play at a fast pace, and Stafford’s top 5 in red zone attempts.
• Quote:

  “Assuming that Devante Adams is good to go... you’re telling me the Colts are going to stop Matthew Stafford with Puka Nacua on a legendary pace and Devante Adams this week? I don’t see it, dude, don’t see it.”
  — Derek Brown, 03:37

• Seth adds: “He’s got a high floor, and this could be a ceiling game given red zone usage and pace.”
  — [03:49]

2. Running Back Starts

a) TreVeyon Henderson (NE)

[05:02]

• Context: Many have been burned by Henderson's low production/flex usage, but Week 4 looks primed for a breakout.
• Opportunity: After starter Rhamondre Stevenson’s second fumble last week, Henderson played over 72% of snaps and handled a 12.5% target share.
• Opponent: Panthers (3rd highest yards after contact allowed, 8th most rushing yards to RBs).
• Quote:

  “If there’s ever a week for Trayon Henderson to loudly say, ‘I’m here, I’m the dude and I’m going to sit here and put up fantasy points’, it is this week.”
  — Derek Brown, 06:26

• Seth: “If you ever want to springboard your rookie running back, it’s this team [Panthers] allowing breakout games every week.”
  — [06:32]

b) Cam Scadaboo (NYG)

[07:23]

• Role: Flex/RB2-level start; not drafted to be a starter but has an every-down role after last week’s breakout.
• Usage: Second-best in missed tackles forced per carry (among 50+ RBs with 15+ carries).
• Matchup: Chargers (allowing the 7th highest explosive run rate, highest missed tackle rate, and 6th most RB targets/receptions).
• Quote:

  “He’s a game script-proof running back. Regardless of however this game goes, he’s game script-proofed with his passing down role. Very good week for Cam Scadaboo incoming.”
  — Derek Brown, 09:12

• Seth on metrics: “#10 among RBs in catches, #8 in receiving yards, #4 in fantasy points per opportunity. Love to see it.”
  — [09:39]
• Notable Moment: Mention of a preseason bet on Scadaboo for OROY at 100–1, highlighting the sleeper’s meteoric rise.
  — [10:40]

3. Wide Receiver Starts

a) Matthew Golden (GB)

[13:36]

• Sleeper status: Far down in rankings (WR41 ECR), but data says he can pop this week.
• Scheme insight: Packers receivers’ usage varies by coverage; Golden dominates looks versus “two-high” shells (28% target/route run, 25% target share, 39% first-read share vs. two-high).
• Matchup: Faces Dallas defense getting torched by WRs on the perimeter.
• Quote:

  “We just saw Dallas secondary get absolutely roasted... and against too-high coverage, Matthew Golden is the featured guy. It’s Golden week, dude.”
  — Derek Brown, 14:53

b) Darnell Mooney (ATL)

[16:03]

• Underrated: Only WR42 in ECR, but heavy usage vs. "single high" (Washington leans on this shell).
• Stats: 32% target share, 50% air yards share vs. single-high.
• Injury optimism: Fully back from previous injuries, showing strong route participation.
• Quote:

  “If Michael Penix has a bounce back week— which I think is in the cards—Darnell Mooney is going along for the ride.”
  — Derek Brown, 17:22

• Seth: “I’m impressed for Darnell Mooney... he’s really become a crucial part of it.”
  — [17:33]

4. Tight End Start: Kyle Pitts (ATL)

[18:12]

• ECR: TE13— undervalued.
• Matchup: Commanders give up most yards/reception and 10th most FPPG to TEs.
• Role: Now a full-time player, high route participation unlike other fringe TEs.
• Quote:

  “If Pitts isn’t getting 7, 8, 9 targets— if he only gets like 6— can he make the most out of them? Absolutely, against this defense. Kyle Pitts is not being ranked as a tight end one. He should be. He’s inside my top 10 for the week.”
  — Derek Brown, 18:51

• Seth: “He’s out there all the time, right? That can’t be said for a lot of tight ends.”
  — [19:04]

5. Game Environment & Notable Trends

[19:32–20:54]

• Commanders’ Offense: Key injuries (McLaurin, JD5, Bill) may increase opportunity for Falcons’ offense, benefiting both Mooney and Pitts.
• Falcons’ Defense: Likely to stop Washington’s run, forcing them to throw against coverages they're ill-equipped to beat.
• Fantasy takeaway: The stars are aligning for Atlanta pass-catchers to return strong value and for Washington’s offense to sputter.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Cam Scadaboo’s doubters:

  “People tried to cook me in the draft season and they were like, ‘Oh, Tyrone Tracy...’ I put a tweet out that got a lot of love: ‘I can’t wait until people figure out who the OC was when Peyton Hillis had his monster season. Guess what, people? That was Brian Daboll.’”
  — Derek Brown, 10:19

• On Matthew Golden’s upside:

  “Against too-high, let’s go baby… it’s Golden week, dude.”
  — Derek Brown, 14:53

• On stacking sleeper Falcons:

  “I almost put Michael Penix on this list but I didn’t want to go full Falcons.”
  — Derek Brown, 16:50

Important Timestamps

• QB Discussion (Stafford): [02:33]–[04:51]
• RBs (Henderson/Scadaboo): [05:02]–[11:31]
• WRs (Golden/Mooney): [13:28]–[17:33]
• TE (Pitts): [18:12]–[19:32]
• Game Environment & Injuries: [19:32]–[20:54]

Summary Table: 6 Must-Start Sleeper Players (Week 4)

| Position | Player | Key Reason/Matchup | |----------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | QB | Matthew Stafford | Colts overrated, high volume, fast pace, strong WRs | | RB | TreVeyon Henderson | Now lead back, cakewalk matchup vs. Panthers | | RB | Cam Scadaboo | All-purpose role, vs. porous Chargers run D | | WR | Matthew Golden | Featured vs. two-high, faces leaky Cowboys corners | | WR | Darnell Mooney | Heavy target share vs. single-high, speedy, healthy | | TE | Kyle Pitts | Full role, high-upside matchup, undervalued in ranks |

Closing Thoughts

Seth and Derek lay out clear, actionable starts for Week 4 based on advanced metrics, usage trends, and matchup analytics. If you’re looking for high-upside lineup options—especially amid injuries—the recommendations for Stafford, Henderson, Scadaboo, Golden, Mooney, and Pitts should be top of mind.

Favorite listener prompt:

“Comment down below your favorite week four sleeper starts. And while you’re here, make sure you’re smashing that like button and subscribing…”
— Seth Wilcock, 21:01

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