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 2026 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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Wide Receivers to Start
Carnell Tate TEN
Carnell Tate is beginning to establish himself as the focal point of Tennessee’s passing offense, and his Week 4 breakout was exactly what I wanted to see from the rookie. Tate caught nine of 12 targets for 145 yards against Baltimore, giving him 22 receptions for 268 yards on 32 targets through four games. He’s now received 21 targets over his last two appearances, with his 32 targets ranking 10th among qualified wide receivers and his 268 receiving yards ranking 14th. Tate hasn’t scored a receiving touchdown yet, but I’m encouraged by how consistently Cam Ward is looking in his direction. The target volume is becoming difficult to ignore, particularly for a rookie playing in an offense that will frequently need to throw while trailing.
Houston is one of the best matchups Tate could ask for entering Week 5. The Texans have allowed 830 receiving yards and six touchdowns to opposing wide receivers through four games, averaging 207.5 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per contest. They’ve also surrendered approximately 44.6 PPR fantasy points per game to the position, creating an appealing opportunity for Tennessee’s emerging top receiving option. Houston plays zone coverage at one of the league’s highest rates, which is encouraging given Tate’s involvement against zone looks. Tennessee could also find itself trailing, creating additional passing volume for Ward and his primary target. I’m not expecting another 145-yard performance automatically, but Tate’s expanding role and favorable matchup make him a strong WR3 with legitimate WR2 upside.
Denzel Boston CLE
Denzel Boston has quietly become one of the more productive rookie wide receivers through the opening month, and his ability to generate explosive plays has been particularly impressive. Boston has caught 13 of 22 targets for 284 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an outstanding 21.8 yards per reception. He’s also generated 108 yards after the catch without recording a drop, while his 18.0-yard average depth of target demonstrates how frequently Cleveland is using him to attack downfield. According to PFF, Boston owns a 77.6 receiving grade, ranking 19th among qualified wide receivers. He’s played more than 92% of Cleveland’s offensive snaps and accounts for approximately half of the team’s air yards. The target volume isn’t overwhelming at just 5.5 opportunities per game, but his downfield role gives him the ability to generate meaningful fantasy production without needing double-digit targets.
The Jets have allowed only 28.3 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, making this a difficult matchup on paper. However, Boston’s role in Cleveland’s offense gives him a realistic opportunity to produce even when the passing game isn’t particularly efficient. His 284 receiving yards have come on just 13 receptions, demonstrating how much of his production comes from explosive gains rather than sustained short-area volume. He’s also played more than 92% of the offensive snaps, giving him opportunities to remain involved regardless of game script. The concern is that Cleveland hasn’t consistently generated enough passing volume to guarantee Boston a substantial number of targets, and one or two missed downfield connections could significantly impact his fantasy output. Nevertheless, I’m willing to bet on his established role and ability to generate explosive plays. Boston is a worthwhile flex start despite the challenging matchup.
DK Metcalf PIT
DK Metcalf finally delivered the kind of performance fantasy managers have been waiting for in Week 4, catching five passes for 115 yards against Cleveland. That outing was particularly encouraging because he’d managed only 98 receiving yards across Pittsburgh’s first three games, despite playing nearly every offensive snap. Through four games, Metcalf has caught 16 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown on 32 targets, averaging eight opportunities per contest. His 96.3% snap share demonstrates that playing time isn’t a concern, and his Week 4 performance showed how productive he can be when Aaron Rodgers connects with him downfield. Metcalf recorded three receptions of at least 20 yards against Cleveland, including a 43-yard gain. Pittsburgh’s passing offense has also become considerably more aggressive, with Rodgers throwing for 591 yards and six touchdowns over the past two games.
Indianapolis presents an appealing opportunity for that momentum to continue, although the matchup is more complicated than the overall fantasy numbers suggest. The Colts have allowed 35.7 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, including 44 receptions for 706 yards through four games. That works out to 176.5 receiving yards per contest, while Indianapolis has also surrendered more than 1,100 total passing yards. The Colts have been more effective against perimeter receivers on an efficiency-adjusted basis, which is a legitimate concern for Metcalf. However, Pittsburgh’s increased passing volume and his 96.3% snap share give him opportunities to overcome that defensive resistance. Rodgers has demonstrated a willingness to attack downfield, and Metcalf remains one of his primary options when the Steelers need an explosive play. I’m treating him as a WR2 or strong flex option rather than assuming another 100-yard performance.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Deebo Samuel Sr. SF
Deebo Samuel has remained fantasy-relevant through the opening month, but his underlying receiving involvement makes me uncomfortable trusting him against a difficult opponent. Through four games, Samuel has caught 14 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns while averaging only 4.3 targets per contest. He’s also contributed seven carries for 74 rushing yards, giving him an additional source of fantasy production that shouldn’t be overlooked. However, Samuel has played approximately 60% of San Francisco’s offensive snaps, a concerning number for a player whose fantasy value has historically benefited from consistent involvement throughout the offense. His three receiving touchdowns have helped compensate for the limited target volume, but averaging just 46.3 receiving yards per game leaves relatively little margin for error when he doesn’t find the end zone.
Seattle is one of the worst matchups for a wide receiver relying on limited receiving opportunities. The Seahawks have allowed only 21.5 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, the second-lowest total entering Week 5. They’ve consistently limited explosive receiving production, making it difficult for opponents to generate meaningful yardage without sustained target volume. Samuel’s rushing involvement gives him another path toward fantasy relevance, but seven carries through four games isn’t enough for me to overlook his limited receiving role. San Francisco also has multiple offensive weapons competing for opportunities, and Samuel’s current snap share makes his weekly involvement difficult to predict. He can always create a big play with the football in his hands, but I’d rather avoid relying on that outcome against one of the league’s most effective pass defenses.
Dontayvion Wicks PHI
Dontayvion Wicks has demonstrated some big-play ability since joining Philadelphia, but his recent production makes him a difficult player to trust entering Week 5. Through four games, Wicks has caught 12 of 20 targets for 197 yards and one touchdown, averaging 16.4 yards per reception. However, 147 of those yards came during his first two games, when he recorded a 64-yard reception against Washington and followed it with 74 yards against Tennessee. Over his last two appearances, Wicks has managed only five receptions for 50 yards without a touchdown. His Week 4 performance was particularly disappointing, as he caught three of five targets for just 18 yards against the Rams despite DeVonta Smith being sidelined. According to PFF, Wicks owns a 67.1 receiving grade, ranking 49th among qualified receivers, while his 13.2-yard average depth of target demonstrates that Philadelphia is still giving him opportunities downfield.
Jacksonville has allowed 38.7 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, making this a matchup that initially looks appealing. However, the Jaguars have surrendered only one receiving touchdown to the position through four games, and Wicks hasn’t demonstrated enough consistency to make me confident he’ll capitalize on the available opportunities. DeVonta Smith’s hamstring injury and Hollywood Brown’s ankle injury could increase Wicks’ involvement, but that’s exactly what makes his three-catch, 18-yard performance against Los Angeles concerning. Philadelphia was already missing both receivers, yet Wicks still failed to generate meaningful production. The Eagles also managed just 172 total yards in that game, raising additional concerns about the offense’s ability to support multiple fantasy-relevant receiving options. Wicks has enough downfield ability to break off a substantial gain, but I’m not willing to rely on an explosive play when he’s averaged just 25 receiving yards over his last two games. Even with the favorable matchup, I’m leaving him on the bench in Week 5.
Malik Washington MIA
Malik Washington has received enough opportunities to remain on the fantasy radar, but the production hasn’t consistently justified a starting spot. Through four games, Washington has averaged seven targets, 4.3 receptions, and 54.8 receiving yards per contest without scoring a touchdown. That puts him at approximately 219 receiving yards on 17 catches, despite playing nearly 86% of Miami’s offensive snaps. His involvement is encouraging, particularly because he’s regularly on the field and receiving opportunities within the passing game. However, the lack of touchdowns has limited his weekly fantasy ceiling, and his average of 9.8 PPR fantasy points per game makes him difficult to trust outside deeper formats. Miami has also struggled to consistently generate productive passing performances, leaving Washington dependent on volume rather than an especially efficient offensive environment.
Cincinnati isn’t necessarily an overwhelming matchup, but the Bengals have done a respectable job limiting fantasy production from opposing wide receivers. They’ve allowed approximately 29.1 fantasy points per game to the position, placing them near the middle of the league rather than among the defenses I’d actively target. That’s an important distinction because Washington’s fantasy value depends on converting consistent targets into receptions and yardage rather than generating explosive plays or touchdowns. He’s averaging just 54.8 receiving yards per game and hasn’t found the end zone, meaning another four- or five-catch performance could easily leave fantasy managers disappointed. The snap share and target volume are encouraging for his long-term role, but I’m not comfortable relying on him as a Week 5 starter when more explosive receiving options are available.
