Week 3 was another reminder that fantasy football is a weekly roller coaster, so on to Week 4. Players we thought were locked-in studs disappeared, while unexpected names carried lineups to victory. That’s exactly why we love doing hot takes. Logic is important, but sometimes you have to trust your instincts and plant a flag.
Last week’s article went 2-for-4 on hot takes, which means we’re officially trending in the right direction. Not quite fantasy prophet territory yet, but we’re no longer completely throwing darts blindfolded.
- Travis Kelce finished as a Top-5 TE
The veteran tight end reminded everyone why he’s still one of the safest bets at the position. When the Chiefs needed a reliable chain mover, Patrick Mahomes looked Kelce’s way with a few big plays, leading to another strong fantasy outing.
- Garrett Wilson finished as a Top-5 WR
Wilson finally delivered the eruption game fantasy managers have been waiting for. The elite target share translated into elite production, rewarding managers who stayed patient through the first few weeks.
- Bryce Young Top-10 QB Finish
The process was solid, but the fantasy points weren’t quite there. Young continues to show improvement, but he did underperform with his worst fantasy outing this season.
- De’Von Achane Outside the Top 20 RBs (Due to Injury)
A 50% hit rate on bold predictions isn’t too bad. If we can keep cashing these at that clip, there’s a chance the group chat starts taking these articles seriously.
Now let’s see if Week 4 can top it.
This week, we’re taking swings on five players whose Week 4 outlooks could dramatically outperform or underwhelm consensus rankings. We’re talking about Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts, Brock Bowers, Harold Fannin Jr., Jameson Williams, and Ashton Jeanty.
Some of these predictions are bold. Some are reckless. All of them are fun.
HOT TAKE #1: Kirk Cousins Finishes as a Top-5 QB
Kirk Cousins isn’t flashy, but fantasy football doesn’t care about style points.
The veteran quarterback has quietly settled into a rhythm over the last few weeks, and Week 4 presents the perfect environment for a fantasy eruption. Cousins is operating efficiently, taking advantage of favorable matchups, and most importantly, throwing to one of the league’s most talented pass-catching groups.
The biggest reason for optimism is volume. When Cousins attempts 35-plus passes, the fantasy production usually follows. With multiple red-zone weapons available and an offense that is becoming increasingly pass-heavy, a three-touchdown outing is firmly in play.
A top-five finish sounds aggressive, but Cousins has the experience and surrounding talent to deliver one of the biggest quarterback performances of the week.
HOT TAKE #2: Kyle Pitts Finishes as a Top-20 TE
Every fantasy manager has been waiting for the Kyle Pitts breakout.
Maybe this is finally the week.
The athletic ability has never been the issue. Pitts remains one of the most unique mismatch weapons in football, and his role has steadily grown as the season progresses. Defenses simply don’t have many answers when he is being used downfield and in the red zone.
Week 4 sets up as a potential spike week thanks to favorable coverage matchups against the Saints on Monday night. If Pitts turns his expected target volume into a touchdown, he suddenly has the path to finishing as one of the highest-scoring non-quarterbacks of the week.
Fantasy managers have been burned before, but betting against elite talent forever is usually a losing strategy.
HOT TAKE #3: Brock Bowers Finishes with a 30-point game
The Raiders drafted Brock Bowers to be a centerpiece of the offense, and Week 4 could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Bowers has already shown flashes of what made him one of the most dynamic tight end prospects we’ve seen in years. The route-running, yards-after-catch ability, and versatility are obvious every time he touches the football.
What makes this prediction interesting is the possibility that Las Vegas starts funneling even more of the offense through its young star. Tight ends who earn wide receiver-level target shares instantly become fantasy difference-makers, and Bowers has that upside even without scoring in Week 3.
A 30-point finish is something he has only done twice in his career. Something in the neighborhood of 12-13 catches, 125 yards, and a touchdown or two would easily put him in the conversation.
HOT TAKE #4: Harold Fannin Jr. Finishes as a Top 10 TE
Now we’re getting spicy.
Harold Fannin Jr. has quickly become one of the most intriguing young tight ends for fantasy football. His ability to create separation and generate production after the catch gives him a ceiling most players at the position simply don’t possess.
The tight end landscape remains extremely volatile, which means one big game can launch a player all the way to the top of the weekly leaderboard.
If Fannin finds the end zone while maintaining his recent target share, the path to finishing as the overall TE1 is surprisingly realistic. He had an awesome finish last week, catching 7 passes for around 50 yards and 2 touchdowns.
HOT TAKE #5: Jameson Williams Scores 25+ PPR Points While Ashton Jeanty Finishes Outside the Top 15 RBs
Jameson Williams has always been one play away from breaking fantasy football.
The difference this season is that he’s becoming more than just a serious threat. Williams is earning consistent opportunities, and his elite speed continues to put defensive backs in impossible situations.
Week 4 feels like the perfect setup for a splash performance. A long touchdown is always on the table, but if Williams adds volume underneath and in the intermediate game, a 25-point fantasy outing becomes very realistic. With both starting cornerbacks for the Panthers out, this sets up to be a big Jamo game.
Back to the Raiders-Chiefs game, we’re fading Ashton Jeanty this week.
Jeanty remains one of the most talented young backs in football, but fantasy production is often about situation more than talent. A difficult matchup, potential game-script concerns, and defensive attention could make life significantly tougher than fantasy managers expect.
A finish outside the top 15 running backs isn’t an indictment of Jeanty’s talent. It’s simply a reminder that even elite players can have disappointing fantasy weeks when everything doesn’t break their way. It is also concerning that Mike Washington Jr. is splashing on limited volume, while Jeanty has struggled recently despite his Week 1 success due to the matchup.
Final Thoughts
Week 4 is where fantasy football starts getting serious. Early-season noise begins turning into meaningful trends, and managers have a better understanding of who they can trust each week.
This week’s hot takes are simple:
- Kirk Cousins finishes as a top-five quarterback.
- Kyle Pitts finishes as a top-20 TE.
- Brock Bowers rewards Raiders fans with 30+ fantasy points in PPR.
- Harold Fannin Jr. shocks the fantasy world and finishes as a top-10 TE.
- Jameson Williams explodes for 25+ PPR points while Ashton Jeanty disappoints relative to expectations.
