Welcome to Week 4 IDP Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em. Here. This column is written by Aaron St. Denis, FSAN’s IDP Expert and perennial Top 5 ranker in the Fantasy Pros Accuracy Competition. Aaron was ranked 32nd overall in 2023 and 3rd overall in 2024. Rostership numbers will be from Sleeper Fantasy IDP leagues.
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the DL1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column. The number in brackets after the player’s name is the rating of how well that defense does against that particular position. A positive number means that they allow more points than average, while a negative number means they allow fewer points than average.
Week 4 Start ‘Em- Defensive Linemen
Start of the Week
Danielle Hunter, Texans vs. TEN (+46%)
Hunter has been his normal, consistent self through three weeks. He has recorded 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery to this point and has been exactly what IDP managers have come to expect.
In week 4, Hunter faces off with the Tennessee Titans, who are the second-best matchup for opposing linemen. Tennessee is allowing 46% more fantasy points to the position than the league-average and is a prime spot for IDP production. Hunter will benefit from a rookie quarterback and a struggling offense and is a must-start this week.
Start ‘Em
Derrick Brown, Panthers vs. NE (+62%)
Brown has recorded 1 more tackle than Hunter, with 9, but has failed to add any big plays, which has limited his ceiling. He hasn’t recorded a sack or turnover this season and has been more of a flex-play through three weeks.
This week, he goes up against the New England Patriots, who have been the best matchup for opposing linemen and are allowing a whopping 62% more fantasy points than the league average. Drake Maye doesn’t turn the ball over at an alarming rate, and he isn’t the easiest quarterback to sack, which will once again leave Brown struggling to produce a big play. However, his consistent tackle production will allow him to once again be a solid flex option.
Other DL Starts: Alex Highsmith, Steelers vs. MIN (+43%)
Week 4 Sit ‘Em- Defensive Linemen
Sit of the Week
Will McDonald, Jets vs. MIA (-26%)
McDonald has been unproductive through 3 weeks this season, totaling only 3 tackles and 2 sacks to this point in the season. The Jets have been an inconsistent defensive squad overall, and it’s tough to trust anyone on the defense in your IDP lineup.
This week, McDonald will go up against the Miami Dolphins, who are the third-worst matchup for opposing linemen. Miami is limiting opposing linemen to 26% fewer fantasy points than league-average. These are two of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL and are capable of anything in a given week. McDonald can’t be trusted in this matchup in Week 4 and is best left on your bench if possible.
Sit ‘Em
Jared Verse, Rams vs. IND (-33%)
Verse has 11 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble to date. The problem is that the majority of his production came in Week 3. He was massively disappointing in the first two games of the season and is becoming a boom-or-bust option.
In week 4, he faces the Indianapolis Colts, who are the worst matchup for linemen and are likely to produce a bust week for the young, star lineman. The Colts are allowing 33% fewer fantasy points per game to linemen than the league average, and it will be a tough spot for him to produce.
Other DL Sits: Trey Hendrickson, Bengals vs. DEN (-27%); Deforest Buckner, Colts vs. LAR (-22%)
Week 4 Start ‘Em- Defensive Backs
Start of the Week
Xavier McKinney, Packers vs. DAL (+37%)
McKinney was solid in Weeks 1 and 2 before exploding for 17 fantasy points in Week 3. He has 14 tackles on the year as well as one interception, but hasn’t recorded a sack on a loaded Green Bay defense. He is as consistent as they come; the only question is whether the Packers’ defense is so good that it will totally shut down opponents.
In Week 4, he faces off against the Dallas Cowboys, who have been awful all-around through three games. The Cowboys rank as the best matchup for opposing defensive backs and are allowing 37% fewer fantasy points per game to the position. To make this matchup even more enticing, the Cowboys are likely to be without star receiver CeeDee Lamb for this contest. Load up on McKinney and the Green Bay defense, who will be going up against an offense teetering on ruin.
Start ‘Em
Brandon Jones, Broncos vs. CIN (+25%)
Jones has kicked off his 2025 season in style as far as fantasy points are concerned. He has totaled 12, 13, and 26 points in his first three games. He has a whopping 25 tackles on the year and has also recorded a fumble recovery and an interception.
In Week 4, he goes up against the Cincinnati Bengals and backup quarterback Jake Browning, who looked awful last week. The Bengals are currently the second-best matchup for defensive backs and are allowing 25% more than the league average to the position. Fire up Jones and look for him to continue his roll.
Other DB Starts: Calen Bullock, Texans vs. TEN (+17%); Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers vs. NYJ (24%); Mike Sainristil, Commanders vs. ATL (-21%); Taron Johnson, Bills vs. NO (-17%)
Week 3 Sit ‘Em- Defensive Backs
Sit of the Week
Harrison Smith, Vikings vs. PIT (-32%)
Smith’s 2025 season hasn’t gotten off to the start he had hoped for. He has missed two out of the Vikings’ first three games and saw little production in the one game he did appear in. The Vikings’ defense looks solid and hasn’t missed a beat without him, so they may be easing him back into the swing of things to have him down the stretch.
In Week 4, the Vikings face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank as the worst matchup for opposing defensive backs and are allowing 32% fewer fantasy points per game to opposing defensive backs than the league average. It’s best to leave Smith on your bench until he is fully healthy.
Sit ‘Em
Jaden Hicks, Chiefs vs. BAL (-26%)
Hicks has recorded 7 tackles through three games, but has done little else as far as statistical production goes. He has a combined 12 fantasy points in three games in traditional scoring IDP leagues.
To make matters worse, he faces the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, who are the second-worst matchup for defensive backs and are allowing 26% fewer fantasy points to the position. Hicks has likely struggled his way onto your bench over the first three weeks of the season. He is dangerously close to struggling his way to the waiver wire on my squads.
Other DB Sits: Jalen Thompson, Cardinals vs. SEA (-24%), Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks vs. ARZ (-26%); Xavier Watts, Falcons vs. WSH (-18%)
Week 3 Start ‘Em- Linebackers
Start of the Week
Nik Bonitto, Broncos vs. CIN (+30%)
Bonitto has elevated himself into must-start territory and has been excellent so far this season. He has recorded 28 tackles through three games and has gone over 12 fantasy points in two out of three matchups.
This week, Bonitto plays the Cincinnati Bengals, whom I have mentioned multiple times for their ineptitude. The Bengals are the third-best matchup for opposing linebackers and are allowing 30% more fantasy points to the position than the league average. Bonitto should rarely leave your IDP lineup, and in this matchup, he is a must-start.
Start ‘Em
Jack Campbell, Lions vs. CLE (+38%)
Campbell and the Lions looked solid in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens and are running on a bend but not break defensive theory. They have played some good teams and allowed some points, but have managed to stay competitive. Campbell has scored 13 or more fantasy points in all three matchups and has recorded 25 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery so far.
In week 4, he faces the Cleveland Browns and veteran gunslinger Joe Flacco. Flacco was a statue during his prime and should be an easy sack target for Campbell. The Browns are the second-best matchup for opposing linebackers and are allowing 38% more fantasy points than the league average to the position. Look for Campbell to record a solid tackle total as well as the potential for multiple sacks and turnovers.
Other LB Starts: Christian Rozeboom, Panthers vs. NE (+22%); Nick Bolton, Chiefs vs. BAL (40%); T.J. Edwards, Bears vs. LV (19%)
Week 3 Sit ‘Em- Linebackers
Sit of the Week
Odafe Oweh, Ravens vs. KC (-25%)
Oweh has looked bad for Baltimore so far in 2025. He has recorded 2,3 and 7 fantasy points in his three matchups and has only 4 tackles on the season. While his Week 3 performance showed signs of life, there is still plenty of reason to be wary of putting him anywhere near your starting lineup.
This week, he goes up against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the worst matchup for opposing linebackers and are limiting the position to 25% fewer fantasy points than league average. The Chiefs can’t run the ball, and Patrick Mahomes is difficult to sack, which will make this week’s matchup one to avoid. Sit Oweh this week if you can afford to.
Sit ‘Em
Oren Burks, Bengals vs. DEN (-21%)
Burks hasn’t been as bad as Oweh has been through three games, but he’s been close. He has recorded 7 tackles and one forced fumble this season. The forced fumble is the only thing that is keeping him from Odafe Oweh territory at this point on a Bengals team that can’t seem to do anything right.
In Week 4, Burks faces the Denver Broncos, who are the second-worst matchup for linebackers and are holding the position to 21% below the league average. Burks is still worth rostering, but until he shows signs of consistency, he needs to stay on your bench. Especially in a matchup this bad.
Other LB Sits: Yaya Diaby, Buccaneers vs. PHI (-18%); Dee Winters, 49ers vs. JAC (-19%); Arden Key, Titans vs. HOU (-19%); Henry To’oTo’o, Texans vs. TEN (-18%)
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page.