FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Week 4 Fantasy Football Quarterback and Tight End Rankings: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1732)
Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh & Pat FitzMorris

Episode Overview

In this week’s episode, Chris Welsh and Pat FitzMorris dive into their top-12 rankings for both quarterbacks and tight ends for Week 4 in fantasy football. The discussion centers around which studs you can trust, sleepers worth a shot, players to avoid, and actionable takeaways based on injuries and matchups. The hosts debate rising rookies, breakdown key matchups, explain tough start/sit decisions, and sprinkle in advanced stats—aimed at helping listeners make optimal, data-driven lineup choices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterbacks: The Top 12 for Week 4

(Starts at 02:32)

• Consensus Top 12 QBs (Week 4):

  1. Josh Allen
  2. Lamar Jackson
  3. Jalen Hurts
  4. Justin Herbert
  5. Caleb Williams
  6. Drake Maye
  7. Patrick Mahomes
  8. Jordan Love
  9. Daniel Jones
  10. Bo Nix
  11. Baker Mayfield
  12. Kyler Murray

• Drake Maye: Is He Set-and-Forget?

  • Welsh notes Maye’s high ranking surprises him but acknowledges his top-7/8 consistency and strong matchup vs. Carolina.
  • Fitz:

    “Maye is tied for QB6 in fantasy scoring... he's kind of established himself as a set it and forget it quarterback.” (04:35)

    • Completion rate: 72.6%
    • 7.4 yards per attempt, 101.3 passer rating (9th), +29 rushing yards/game
    • Rising above preseason draftees like Dak Prescott, Jared Goff

• Jordan Love & The Dallas Matchup

  • Welsh highlights Dallas' struggles against the pass and likes Jordan Love's upside as a top-10 play.
  • Fitz:

    “Cowboys are giving up a league-worst 9.8 yards per pass attempt...I just wonder if Jordan Love is really sort of equipped to dice up this Cowboys past defense with all this firepower missing.” (06:53 – 07:59)

    • Concerns: Missing offensive line (Zach Tom/Aaron Banks), no Jaden Reed

• Baker Mayfield: A Sit in Week 4

  • Mayfield faces tough Eagles D, missing multiple starters including WR Mike Evans and both starting guards.
  • Fitz:

    “Another quarterback with a very injury depleted starting cast... Baker Mayfield certainly does not get an easy matchup against the Eagles.” (08:27)

    • Only reason for hope: Possible return of LT Tristan Wirfs, WR Chris Godwin

• Kyler Murray: Temper Expectations

  • Hosts split: Erickson ranks Murray QB11, Fitz QB17
    • Fitz:

      “You say no, not if you can help it... The matchup really scares me. The Seattle defense is really, really underrated.” (09:16)

      • Seahawks: 9th in DVOA vs pass, only 4 TDs allowed, strong secondary
      • Limited pass catchers (Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. underperforming)

2. Tight Ends: This Week’s Top 12

(Starts at 12:16)

• Consensus Top 12 TEs (Week 4):

  1. Trey McBride
  2. Brock Bowers
  3. Tyler Warren
  4. Tucker Kraft
  5. Jake Ferguson
  6. Sam LaPorta
  7. Hunter Henry
  8. Dalton Kincaid
  9. TJ Hockenson
  10. Juwan Johnson
  11. Travis Kelce
  12. Zach Ertz

• Jake Ferguson: Volume Monster

  • Ferguson is ECR’s TE5, high in all rankings
  • Welsh:

    “If you give him Ferguson, he’s going to take it... continue seeing massive amounts of targets for Jake Ferguson.” (13:02)

  • Fitz:

    “He doesn’t do much after the catch... But the volume: 32 targets already this season, 22 catches over the last two weeks. He’s on pace for 153 receptions.” (13:12)

    • Packers: 30th/32 in covering tight ends at LB and S, 26th/32 at CB

• Hunter Henry: Set for a Smash Week

  • Henry is ECR TE7, Fitz has him at TE5
  • Fitz:

    “Henry is currently the tight end one in half-point PPR fantasy scoring... He and Drake Maye have nice chemistry... you’re absolutely targeting the Panthers with your tight ends.” (15:00)

    • Panthers: Most fantasy points allowed to TEs in 2024, 8th most so far in 2025 season

• Mark Andrews: Fading Gone Too Far?

  • Not in consensus top-12 despite a big Week 3. Fitz: TE11, Erickson: TE8
  • Fitz:

    “He should be in the top 12. Like, stop fading this guy. He’s a very good touchdown scorer... you’re always getting pretty good odds of a touchdown with Mark Andrews.” (16:23)

    • Yardage can be sporadic, but TD upside remains strong despite Baltimore’s run-heavy approach

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Drake Maye:
  “You need to get with the program, Welsh. I mean May is tied for QB6 in fantasy scoring and you are just way down at QB7. You're obviously disappointed. You're a hater.” — Pat FitzMorris (04:35)

• On Jake Ferguson’s production:
  “He doesn’t really do much after the catch, like Jake Ferguson is kind of a classic catch and fall down tight end. But the volume! 32 targets already this season... He’s on pace for 153 receptions this season.” — Pat FitzMorris (13:12)

• On Hunter Henry’s upside this week:
  “He and Drake Maye seem to have some really nice chemistry... this matchup is great too, Welsh... let's keep the train on the tracks here with Hunter Henry.” — Pat FitzMorris (15:00)

Key Takeaways & Start/Sit Recommendations

• Set-and-Forget QBs: Trust Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, and Drake Maye (now in the set-and-forget group).

• Start Drake Maye over preseason names like Dak Prescott/Jared Goff due to rushing upside and remarkable passing accuracy.

• Jordan Love is startable due to Dallas’ poor pass D, but temper expectations because of depleted supporting cast.

• Avoid Baker Mayfield (bad matchup, missing weapons) and Kyler Murray (tough Seahawks defense, lack of WRs) unless desperate.

• Tight End Must-Starts:

  • Jake Ferguson: Volume and matchup make him a top-6 play, particularly in PPR
  • Hunter Henry: Trust the chemistry with Maye and the Panthers’ awful TE defense

• Mark Andrews: Don’t get cute—he belongs in the top-12, especially with his TD equity.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:32 — QB Top 12 Rankings Summary
• 04:35 — Drake Maye discussion & stats
• 06:53 — Jordan Love vs. Dallas
• 07:59 — Baker Mayfield: why he’s a sit
• 09:16 — Kyler Murray’s Week 4 outlook
• 12:16 — Tight end Top 12 Rankings Overview
• 13:02 — Jake Ferguson’s breakout and matchup
• 15:00 — Hunter Henry’s upside
• 16:23 — Mark Andrews' rest-of-season trust level

“Maye is tied for QB6 in fantasy scoring... he's kind of established himself as a set it and forget it quarterback.”
— Pat FitzMorris (04:35)

“He doesn’t really do much after the catch... but the volume! 32 targets, 22 catches in two weeks... on pace for 153 receptions.”
— Pat FitzMorris on Jake Ferguson (13:12)

For more personalized rankings, check out FantasyPros.com and see where each expert stands by player. Good luck in Week 4!