FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Week 4 Lineup Advice: Starts, Sleepers, Sits, Player Debates, and TD Calls (Ep. 1734)

September 25, 2025 | Host: Ryan Warmley | Guests: Pat Fitzmaurice, Jake Ciely

Episode Overview

This episode delivers comprehensive fantasy football analysis for Week 4, focusing on lineup decisions, waiver-wire pickups, start/sit debates, player flag-planting, and touchdown calls. Host Ryan Warmley is joined by Pat Fitzmaurice and Jake Ciely, providing insightful player assessments, engaging debates, and practical advice tailored for competitive league players.

Key Discussion Points

1. Waiver Wire Review: Start or Sit?

Trey Benson (Arizona, RB)

• Should you start him?
  • Pat Fitzmaurice: "Yeah, you're most likely playing Benson for the workload... We are about to find out whether he's good, like Trey Benson stakeholders just fell into a feature back." (02:41)
  • Jake Ciely: "Benson is in the top 15 conversation... if he comes out at 17 for 54 [against Seattle], I would actually see it as a buy low opportunity. If you have Benson, don't panic." (04:36)
• Outlook: Workhorse role is likely with James Conner out, but matchup vs. Seattle is tough.

Alec Iomanor (Tennessee, WR)

• Startable in Week 4?
  • Jake: "I’d be hesitant because of the matchup... wide receiver fours mean you’re going to get weeks with four points, maybe even a goose egg... All that being said... Yes, you’re starting them, but he’s still a wide receiver four." (08:13)
• Long-term view: Trending towards WR1 status on team if Ridley doesn’t improve.

Calvin Ridley (Tennessee, WR)

• Worry?
  • Pat: "Ridley... has had a lot of drops already. Like a problematic amount of drops. Like a 'what's wrong with Calvin Ridley' amount of drops." (09:54)
  • Jake: "About two weeks away from saying... Iomanor is the one and Ridley's the two." (08:13)

Luther Burden (Chicago, WR)

• Pickup post-breakout?
  • Jake: "This is one of the ones I'd do [trade] by any stretch...it’s just the landing spot... He's behind two wide receivers... it's just unlikely to happen." (11:39)
  • Pat: "He's played fewer than 20 offensive snaps in every game so far... his time is coming. He's really talented, but it's just not here yet." (13:45)

2. “Plant Your Flag” Players (16:01+)

Cam Skattebo (New York, RB)

• Pat: "I’ve seen enough. It is going to translate. I am all in."
  • Praise for his power and pass-game usage. Predicts 20–25 touches against the Giants.
• Jake: "If you are trying to get fired, you give Devin Singletary ten touches this week... this should be possibly 20 touches for Skattebo." (17:16)

JK Dobbins (Denver, RB)

• Jake: "I think I’m buying in. I have him as a top 15ish running back this week and... ready to set it and forget it." (19:38)

3. Start/Sit Player Debates (24:42+)

JK Dobbins vs. Cam Skattebo

• Pat: Dobbins RB20; Skattebo RB14—“I am all the way in on this guy.” (25:05)
• Jake: Favors Dobbins, citing matchup; “If you wanted to argue Skattebo, I’m not going to call you bonkers.” (26:41)

Javonte Williams vs. Travis Etienne

• Jake: "I like ETN. I know he’s going against the 49ers... but ETN is the guy." (29:16)
• Pat: "I’ve got Javonte behind all those guys... Got ETN ranked higher here. His usage has been really consistent." (30:35)

Ricky Pearsall vs. Zay Flowers

• Jake: "I would still go Zay Flowers this week... if Jennings [is out], Pearsall’s on his heels." (32:57)
• Pat: "Going with Pearsall here, but it's conditional on Brock Purdy and Juwan Jennings’ injuries." (34:50)

Ladd McConkey vs. Brian Thomas Jr.

• Jake: "I'm just going to give Brian Thomas the slight edge... At least I know he's a top-two option." (37:38)
• Pat: "I'm taking Ladd McConkey here pretty easily... My concerns with Ladd are far less than with Brian Thomas Jr." (39:22)

4. Rapid-Fire Start/Sit Decisions

RB: Isaiah Pacheco vs. Rhamondre Stevenson

• Pat: Leans Pacheco, “Maybe this Ravens run defense... could be a get well card for Isaiah Pacheco.” (44:56)
• Jake: Stevenson, but dislikes both: "I don't want a Chiefs running back. I don't want a Patriots running back... I find another one." (45:30)

WR: Quentin Johnston vs. Jameson Williams

• Jake: Favors Johnston due to matchup and target volume. (47:21)
• Pat: Leans Jameson Williams but admits it’s close: “We know Jameson Williams doesn't necessarily need heavy target volume in order to pop.” (48:43)

Flex: Tony Pollard vs. Tetairoa McMillan

• Both choose Tony Pollard for volume, though both see McMillan as close. (50:02, 50:45)

Flex: Travion Henderson vs. Calvin Ridley

• Jake: Leans Ridley, chasing upside. (51:26)
• Pat: "I'm going with Henderson... I just don't want to play Calvin Ridley right now." (52:20)

QB: Bryce Young vs. Jackson Dart

• Jake: "Let's go Jackson Dart... I do think Dart has a higher ceiling." (57:24)
• Pat: Leans Bryce Young—"Dart’s passing numbers probably aren’t going to be pretty in his first NFL start." (59:25)

TE: Hunter Henry vs. Jake Ferguson

• Pat: Picks Ferguson, highlighting increased usage with CeeDee Lamb out and Packers’ weakness vs. TEs. (62:08)
• Jake: Agrees Ferguson has slight edge, especially in PPR. (64:57)

5. Touchdown Calls (67:01+)

• Jake: RB — Omarion Hampton (“You just got your potential RB1... he's going to have a great one this week against the Giants.”) (67:01)
• Fitz: WR — Ricky Pearsall (“He is third in the NFL in receiving yardage but hasn't scored a touchdown yet. I think the drought ends this week.”) (67:29)
• Ryan: TE — Tucker Kraft (“Catching a touchdown... obviously he's having this great breakout season... So I'm going to Tucker Kraft.”) (68:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Benson is in the top 15 conversation... if your worst running back is Isaiah Pacheco, I’m dropping him for Trey Benson.” — Jake Ciely (04:36)
• “I have seen enough. It is going to translate. I am all in [on Skattebo].” — Pat Fitzmaurice (16:01)
• “I’m just going to give Brian Thomas the slight edge... At least when at the end of the day comes, I know there's no question he's a top two option for his team.” — Jake Ciely (38:35)
• “BTJ [Brian Thomas Jr.] and Trevor Lawrence have zero chemistry. BTJ is dropping passes and it seems like he's going out of his way to avoid contact.” — Pat Fitzmaurice (39:22)
• “I think I’m buying in [on JK Dobbins]... set it and forget it.” — Jake Ciely (19:38)
• “Polling, volume is more important than matchups. Always.” — Pat Fitzmaurice (06:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:41 — Trey Benson Waiver & Start/Sit Analysis
• 08:13 — Iomanor Start/Sit & Titans WR room
• 11:39 — Luther Burden Outlook
• 16:01 — Flag Plant Segment: Skattebo & Dobbins
• 24:42 — Start/Sit RB debate: Dobbins vs. Skattebo
• 29:16 — RB Debate: Javonte Williams vs. Etienne
• 32:57 — WR Debate: Pearsall vs. Zay Flowers
• 39:22 — Ladd McConkey vs. Brian Thomas Jr.
• 44:56 — Quick Hit: Pacheco vs. Rhamondre Stevenson
• 47:21 — Quentin Johnston vs. Jameson Williams
• 57:24 — QB: Bryce Young vs. Jackson Dart
• 62:08 — TE: Hunter Henry vs. Jake Ferguson
• 67:01 — Touchdown Calls for Week 4

Tone and Style

The episode is packed with lively debate, sharp analysis, and good-natured banter. All three hosts bring robust knowledge and insight, with a clear emphasis on actionable advice (“Set it and forget it,” “Volume is king”), context-specific calls, and addressing fantasy football trends as they develop week to week.

Summary Table: Player Takes

| Player | Start/Sit Verdict | Notables | |---------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Trey Benson | Start (RB2/3 range) | Top 15 RB upside, tough matchup, buy-low if bad | | Alec Iomanor | Flex/WR4 Start | Touchdown machine, WR1 on team possible | | Calvin Ridley | Cautious sit/flex | Drops/catch issues, trend in wrong direction | | Luther Burden | Hold/Sit | Talented, but third WR on depth chart | | Cam Skattebo | Start (RB2 ceiling) | Flag-planted, projected 20+ touches | | JK Dobbins | Start (RB2) | Volume + production, trust unless proven wrong | | Ricky Pearsall | Flex if healthy | Massive target share, especially if Jennings out| | Zay Flowers | WR3 cap | Boom-bust, competitive for target share | | Quentin Johnston | Flex, start over Jamo| Big play and matchup appeal | | Tony Pollard | Prefer over McMillan | Volume driven, but sell-high candidate | | Travion Henderson | Prefer over Ridley | Safer floor, good matchup vs. Carolina | | Bryce Young / Dart | Young safer, Dart ceiling | Both risky, Dart more upside | | Henry/Ferguson | Ferguson slight edge | Increased volume, both mid-TE1 for week |

In Closing

This episode offers clear, nuanced takes for Week 4. The crew emphasizes volume over matchup, warns against overreacting to one-week wonders, and makes strong points about team context and trend-watching. Touchdown calls cap off a rigorously debated, humor-laced show ideal for any serious fantasy football manager prepping their Week 4 lineups.