Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Running Backs to Start
Breece Hall NYJ
Breece Hall hasn’t had the start to the fantasy season that managers hoped for, scoring under 10 PPR points in two of three games. But Week 4 offers a prime bounce-back opportunity against the Dolphins. Miami ranks eighth in most fantasy points allowed to running backs, giving up 19+ PPR points to both Rhamondre Stevenson and James Cook in consecutive weeks. Hall himself posted 18.2 PPR points against Miami in Week 18 last year, and his explosiveness makes him less game-script dependent. The Dolphins also allow explosive runs at the fifth-highest rate, which plays directly into Hall’s skill set. With Justin Fields’ potential return to open up running lanes, Hall is a strong start as an RB2 in fantasy football this week
JK Dobbins DEN
J.K. Dobbins has quietly been one of the most consistent running backs in fantasy, scoring at least 14.8 PPR points in every game this season. He’s averaging 15 touches and nearly 79 total yards, while ranking first among all RBs in explosive run rate. In Week 4, he faces a Bengals defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs and multiple 15+ PPR outings already. Cincinnati has also been vulnerable to yards after contact and explosive gains, which fits Dobbins’ running style perfectly. With a season-high 70% snap share last week, his workload is secure, making him a must-start RB2 across all fantasy football formats.
TreVeyon Henderson NE
TreVeyon Henderson is one of the riskier plays at running back in fantasy, but the matchup makes him worth the risk. After multiple fumbles from Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in Week 3, Henderson earned an 88% snap share and handled 14 touches, his most of the season. He also showed passing-game involvement from day one that has given him a bit of a floor in PPR leagues. The rookie now draws the Panthers, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards to running backs while giving up 5.7 yards per carry and multiple explosive plays. Carolina has also surrendered 12+ PPR points to three different RBs in just three weeks. With his role expanding, Henderson is a high-end flex and a viable option in deeper fantasy football leagues..
Running Backs to Sit
David Montgomery DET
David Montgomery is coming off a monster Week 3 performance (164 total yards and two TDs), but this is the wrong week to chase points. He faces a brutal Browns defense that has allowed the fewest rushing yards to RBs and just one touchdown all season. Cleveland has yet to surrender a single run of 10+ yards to a back and is holding rushers to negative yards before contact on average. They just held Josh Jacobs to 30 yards and Derrick Henry to 23. Montgomery has seen 13 or fewer touches in two of his three games, and without reliable receiving work, his floor is dangerous in this matchup. Fantasy managers should not trust Montgomery in Week 4 unless desperate, using him only as a low-end flex.
Isiah Pacheco KC
Isiah Pacheco has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football so far. He hasn’t topped 6 PPR points in a single game this season and is losing valuable touches to Kareem Hunt, who has already claimed goal-line opportunities. Despite a strong matchup against the Giants, Pacheco could not capitalize on being more efficient. Pacheco is averaging just 9.6 touches per game and has yet to record an explosive run, ranking near the bottom of the league in efficiency metrics. Now he faces the Ravens, who have been strong against RBs despite high rushing yardage allowed, ranking top three in limiting yards before contact. With declining snaps and little passing-game involvement, Pacheco is an easy fade heading into Week 4.
D’Andre Swift CHI
D’Andre Swift continues to frustrate fantasy football managers. Despite ranking 10th in opportunity share, the veteran only has a 12% missed tackle rate and sits at RB24 right now. Despite a strong matchup last week, he produced only 78 total yards despite 16 touches. Swift now draws the Raiders, who have been quietly stingy against the run. Outside of one long TD by Jeremy McNichols, they’ve limited backfields to under 55 rushing yards in two of three games. Swift’s lack of dominance in the Bears’ backfield, paired with a difficult matchup, makes him more of a desperation flex than a r
