Fantasy Football Fades: James Cook won't be allowed to cook in Week 4…

Another week, another round of extremely important starting/seating decisions. To help you make it, here's a look at six players with bust potential in Week 4.

Something to keep in mind as you read: A “fade” or “bust” designation does not automatically mean you should cut a player, depending on the depth of the rest of your roster or the available options on your waiver wire.

QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Jared Goff had a disappointing start this season but couldn't do anything better than a QB18 finish. His touchdown rate so far of 2.8% represents the second-lowest of his career, while his interception rate of 3.8% represents a career-high through the first three weeks of the season. His slow start was particularly surprising considering his opening schedule, which calls for 10 indoor games in the first 12 weeks of the season.

This week the Lions host the Seattle Seahawks, whose Mike Macdonald defense has shined in the first three weeks. To be fair, it was against some less worthy opponents (Broncos, Patriots and Dolphins without Tua Tagovailoa). Yet this Seahawks defense leads the league with 71 pressures created per PFF, while also giving up the lowest in the league at 4.68 yards per pass attempt and the third-lowest pass TD rate at a measly 1.0%.

Heat check 🔥 Fantasy managers in single-quarterback leagues can probably leave Goff on the bench this week and instead turn to some more favorable matchups, such as Caleb Williams facing a Los Angeles Rams defense that is currently in three weeks of play ranks second in touchdown percentage allowed this season.

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RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills

There's an unfortunate situation in Buffalo right now – at least as far as fantasy football managers are concerned. That “situation” is the fact that the Bills’ offense is so efficient that there was no need to use their starters for an entire game. Luckily that shouldn't be the case in Week 4, but it's still a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens' rushing defense, which is one of the best in the league.

Through three weeks this season, the Ravens are setting league lows in yards per carry (2.8), explosive run rate (3.7%) and rushing yards after contact per attempt (1.9). Against this physical Ravens defense, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound RB could struggle with efficiency, making him more reliant on pass volume or goal-line work.

Heat check 🔥 Under no circumstances do you bench James Cook; You simply can't in good faith take over as the starting running back of a team that leads the league in EPA per game (.251). However, you can temper your expectations.

RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns

In the absence of Nick Chubb, who is still recovering from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2023 season, I was pretty optimistic about Jerome Ford at his preseason ADP in the 10th round or later. However, he will face the Las Vegas Raiders this week after missing Wednesday's practice with a knee injury – a new addition to the injury report.

The problem with a matchup against the Raiders is certainly not the script of the game. There should be plenty of time to play this team, assuming it will be a relatively low-scoring matchup with the over/under currently sitting at 37.5 points. The problem is the lack of passing threat the Browns bring to the table on every down base with Deshaun Watson under center, allowing opponents to interfere on the run. That's particularly ominous considering Ford is already dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of practice on Wednesday. If it reaches less than 100%, its lack of upside potential becomes even more concerning than usual.

Heat check 🔥 While I've been a serviceable flex player so far this season, I try to keep Ford out of action as much as possible in most situations (barring desperation). Since he has scored more than 13 points in just four of his 15 career starts (regular and postseason), his relatively low ceiling isn't enough to keep him in my lineup.

WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

I'm sorry to any Jaguars fans reading this article. This Jacksonville squad may be the worst in the NFL. The offense appears to be absolutely broken and things aren't going to get any easier this week as they travel to Houston to face a showdown with the Texans' defense. Although they were destroyed by Kevin O'Connell and the surprisingly competent Sam Darnold, Houston's defense should be able to stop the offense of these stymied Jaguars.

QB Trevor Lawrence has struggled so far this season, posting the seventh-highest uncatchable, inaccurate pass rate in the league at 24.7%. Combine that with the fact that there are currently five different players with 12+ targets from Lawrence this season, and both the volume and efficiency seem to be concerning.

Heat check 🔥 Given that you probably picked Thomas Jr., you're probably in a position where he's not a “must-have” due to a lack of other options. Given the recent struggles on offense, consider using him for more exciting matchups in Week 4; I will be sure of that.

WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

The emergence of third-year wide receiver Jameson Williams has been one of the more pleasant surprises of this season, as he is just 145 receiving yards shy of his previous career-high of 353… in just three games played. He currently leads the team in receiving yards (209), yards per reception (19), yards per route run (1.95) and yards after the catch per reception (1.95), although this season he has only Achieved 50% of its goals.

I've already discussed the merits of the Seahawks' defense at length, but there are certain elements of their game that could point to Jamo being the Lions' biggest fantasy debacle this week. So far this season, the Seahawks have allowed the second-fewest explosive pass plays per PFF – a Williams special – and he's well behind star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown in his route run target rate at 20.6% 28.8%, which lowers Williams' floor for those who need a safe play.

Heat check 🔥 Fantasy football managers looking for the fences might view Williams as a shoot-for-the-moon play given his upside. However, if you need a stable base of points, this is the week to sit Williams out.

TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Last week, the New Orleans Saints allowed Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert a whopping 10 catches for 170 receiving yards, which could potentially make fantasy managers excited about Kyle Pitts' prospects in Week 4. However, the Atlanta Falcons offense looked more capable the week before -week, with Kirk Cousins ​​seemingly healthier after his Achilles tendon injury, this matchup still has me thinking about this being the ultimate breakthrough for Pitts.

Goedert's monster performance in Week 3 has one big asterisk that's worth noting. Due to multiple injuries at wide receiver (AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Britain Covey), he played a larger portion of his snaps straight out of the slot and split wide than in previous weeks. Pitts, on the other hand, has played more of a traditional TE role with the Falcons this season, playing 41.9% of his snaps as an inline tight end, compared to his previous career high of 25.6%. Pitts will likely face a slew of All-Pros Tyrann Mathieu and Demario Davis in the middle – bad news for even the most talented receivers.

Heat check 🔥 As is often the case with some top tight ends, Pitts should be a difficult option in most leagues given his overall upside. I'll start it in week 4; My expectations for a big day just won't be very high.