Look for Allen Robinson to have his best game of the season against the Bucs. Photo via: Chicago Bears/Facebook
We're closing in on Week 4 and I have more sleeper plays for you. Let’s take a peek at how I did last week, and then look ahead to this week’s slate of games. My criteria for a good game is around 100 total yards and/or a TD, and this is for PPR scoring. Of course, the bar is a little lower for TEs.
RB
Jordan Howard (CHI): Right, and he finally scored.
James Conner (PIT): Right, almost 100 total yards and 5 catches.
Latavius Murray (MIN):Wrong, game got out of control fast in an upset win for Buffalo.
Matt Breida (SF): Right, over 100 total yards and 3 catches.
WR
Keelan Cole (JAX): Wrong, ugly game all around.
Chris Godwin and DeSean Jackson (TB): Split, DeSean not so much, but Godwin was great again.
Will Fuller (HOU): Really Right, damn he's looking good.
Nelson Agholor (PHI): Wrong, only 5 targets was disappointing.
TE
Eric Ebron (IND): Wrong, but he did drop 2 TDs.
Jesse James (PIT): Wrong, they went with Vance McDonald out of nowhere and he had a huge game.
George Kittle (SF): Right, 5 catches for almost 80 yards is great for a TE not named Gronk, Ertz, or Kelce.
OJ Howard (TB): Right, 72 yards and 6 catches.
QB
Jimmy Garoppolo (SF): Right, he played well and had multiple scores before the injury.
Matt Ryan (ATL): Right Wow, he was amazing again.
Now that's what I'm talking about. 9-6 in Week 3 with some HUGE performances from Matt Ryan and Will Fuller. I'll try and do it again this week.
Week 4
RB
Chris Carson (SEA): Cardinals have already given up 6 TDs to the RB position and average allowing almost 37 FPTS/G to RBs. The Seahawks should be able to control this game as they face rookie QB Josh Rosen in his first career start in the NFL.
Gio Bernard (CIN): Bernard looks to have another great opportunity if Joe Mixon is out another week with a knee injury. Atlanta is giving up the 3rd most points to RBs at just under 35FPTS/G. Get Gio in your lineup before Mixon returns to the starting role. If Mixon is back this week and it doesn’t appear his touches will be limited, start him with confidence.
Jordan Howard (CHI): I placed him in this article last week and he came through. Don’t be afraid to start him again against the Bucs, as they’re giving up over 31 FPTS/G to running backs.
WR
Sterling Sheppard (NYG): The Saints are giving up the most points to WRs this year and it’s not even that close. How about over 62FPTS/G to WRs? Is that good? We all got a good look at what Calvin Ridley did to them last week, and with Evan Engram out, I like Sterling Sheppard to have another big game.
Allen Robinson (CHI): Robinson has a great matchup against the Bucs who are giving up almost 49FPTS/G to WRs. Robinson is yet to have a big game with his new team, and I think this is the week he breaks out. So far, his best performance was in Week 2 against the Seahawks where he was able to catch 10 balls for 83 yards. I think he gets in the end zone this week.
Emmanuel Sanders (DEN): Sanders is coming off a disappointing game, but that shouldn’t keep you from rolling with him this week. The Chiefs are Top 7 matchup against WRs and Denver should be playing from behind. Fire him up.
Will Fuller (HOU): I was all over Fuller last week making him my Start of the Week and he came though big time. He had over 100 yards receiving with a TD and almost had two scores. I’m to the point where I would start him every week until he gives you a reason not to.
Mike Williams (LAC): The 49ers are giving up over 42FPTS/G to receivers and Richard Sherman is out. Williams has over 80 receiving yards in 2 of his first 3 games this year, so he’s coming on for sure. There is some downside if the Chargers get a big lead and don’t have to throw much in the second half, but Keenan Allen missed practice on Wednesday and might be limited this week.
TE
Eric Ebron (IND): His performance last week was not what you hope for, but he has a great matchup against the Texans this week, and they always have trouble defending TEs. Give him another shot.
Trey Burton (CHI): He hasn’t been great this year, but his best game was last week, so maybe he’s starting to get things going. The Bucs are awful against TEs, just look at what Vance McDonald did to them on Monday Night Football (112-yards, TD). Tampa is giving up over 21FPTS/G to the TE position this year which is the best possible matchup.
Austin Hooper (ATL): I thought he might come through last week, but Calvin Ridley got all the fantasy goodness. The Bengals give up over 19FPTS/G to the position, so he’s worth a shot if you’re weak at the position.
QB
Andy Dalton (CIN): Dalton has a great matchup this week and has thrown for multiple TDs in every game this season. Keep an eye on A.J. Green’s status this week. He suffered a groin injury on Sunday, but plans to play against the Falcons this week.
Matt Ryan (ATL): My radio partner Jerry Bo and I talk about this all the time. If you like a QB in a certain matchup, you should probably like the opposing QB to put points up as well. Ryan has been on fire, so keep using him.
That’s all I have for this week. For more fantasy info, make sure you check out my show Moneyline on ESPN 97.5 every Sunday from 10-noon. Jerry Bo and I will get you ready for kickoff and answer any questions you may have. Also, follow us on Twitter. Good luck in Week 4!
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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