Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.

Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 4.

• Fantasy Football Trade Tools
• Waiver Wire Advice
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice

Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 4

Anthony Richardson (QB — IND) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Fantasy players knew Richardson would be one of the biggest boom-or-bust quarterbacks this season. He was outstanding in Week 1, totaling 26.1 fantasy points on nine pass completions and six rushing attempts. Unfortunately, the former Florida star has been awful the past two weeks, completing 50% of his pass attempts for 185.5 yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 7.5 fantasy points per game. Richardson has five interceptions in the past two games against two elite defenses, averaging fewer fantasy points per dropback (0.34) than Deshaun Watson (0.4) and Will Levis (0.38).

While the second-year quarterback is a buy-low trade target, fantasy players should avoid starting him this week. After facing two elite defenses over the past two weeks, Richardson takes on the Steelers in Week 4. Pittsburgh has surrendered only 8.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the fewest in the NFL this season. They have allowed quarterbacks to total more than 155 passing yards in only one contest. Furthermore, Richardson likely won’t have much running success against the Steelers, as they have held quarterbacks to the fifth-fewest rushing yards this year.

James Cook (RB — BUF) vs. Baltimore Ravens

Cook has been outstanding over the past two weeks. The star running back is the RB5 for the season, averaging 18.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He has scored 16.7 or more in back-to-back contests. However, Cook’s fantasy production severely relies on him finding the end zone. The former Georgia star had 11.8 fantasy points in Week 1 without a touchdown despite an appealing matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. By comparison, Cook has had four touchdowns over the past two weeks, scoring at least once in both contests.

Meanwhile, the third-year player has averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt in 2024. However, he had a 3.7 or lower average in two games. More importantly, Cook has scored 42.5% of his fantasy points for the season on touchdowns, including 53.7% over the past two weeks. The former Georgia star faces an outstanding Ravens run defense this week. The Ravens have held running backs to the fewest rushing yards (39) and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game (15) in the NFL. Temper your expectations for Cook Sunday night.

J.K. Dobbins (RB — LAC) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

I had Dobbins listed in the Week 3 Lineup Landmines article because of his matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Ohio State star was the RB4, averaging 133 rushing and 20.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the first two weeks, posting a 9.9 yards per attempt average. Unfortunately, Dobbins was the RB39, totaling 44 rushing yards, 6.9 fantasy points, and 2.9 yards per attempt in Week 3. The veteran running back remains the lead back in Los Angeles, out-rushing Gus Edwards 42-32 for the season.

However, Dobbins is more of a matchup-based RB2 than a plug-and-play RB1, as everyone thought after the first two weeks. Unfortunately, he has another awful fantasy football matchup in Week 4. Kansas City has held running backs to the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game (14.3). They have surrendered less than 66 rushing yards in every game this year, including holding Bijan Robinson to 31 yards on 16 attempts last week. Furthermore, Dobbins might see a stacked box on every snap if Justin Herbert can’t play against the Chiefs.

Tyreek Hill (WR — MIA) vs. Tennessee Titans

Hill also made the Week 3 Lineup Landmines article because of his matchup against the Seattle Seahawks and the loss of Tua Tagovailoa. The superstar was the WR58 last week, totaling 40 receiving yards and 5.5 half-point PPR fantasy points. Unfortunately, he is in the same boat this week, facing a talented pass defense without his franchise quarterback. Furthermore, Tim Boyle or Tyler Huntley might start this week for Miami, making Hill a must-sit receiver. Yet, the superstar’s start percentage on ESPN is still at 90.4%.

The Titans made several significant additions on defense in the offseason. However, the biggest move was trading for L’Jarius Sneed. According to PFF, the superstar cornerback has allowed only 21.7 receiving yards per game. More importantly, Tennessee has held D.J. Moore, Garrett Wilson, and Christian Watson to an average of 3.7 receptions on 5.3 targets for 53.3 receiving yards and 7.8 fantasy points per game, surrendering 8.2 or less to all three receivers. Fantasy players can’t trust Hill in their lineups until Tagovailoa is back under center.

Garrett Wilson (WR — NYJ) vs. Denver Broncos

Fantasy players must be frustrated that Allen Lazard has averaged more half-point PPR fantasy points per game (12.8 vs. 9.7) despite seeing 10 fewer targets (26 vs. 16) than Wilson over the first three weeks. Lazard’s three receiving touchdowns lead the team, accounting for half of Aaron Rodgers’ total for the year. Meanwhile, Garrett Wilson has only one receiving touchdown as opposing defenses do everything possible to shut him down. Unfortunately, he has faced multiple elite cornerbacks this year, including Christian Gonzalez last week.

However, the superstar receiver is an excellent buy-low candidate with better matchups on the horizon. Yet, fantasy players need to glue him to the bench in Week 4. The Broncos have held wide receivers to the second-fewest receiving yards (83.3) and fantasy points per game (14.7) this season. Furthermore, Patrick Surtain II and the secondary held D.K. Metcalf, George Pickens, and Mike Evans to a combined 2.3 receptions on 3.7 targets for 25 receiving yards and 3.7 fantasy points per game, surrendering 4.4 or fewer in every contest.

Jameson Williams (WR — DET) vs. Seattle Seahawks

Williams looked like a breakout star over the first two weeks. He was the WR6, averaging five receptions on 10 targets for 100 receiving yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 16.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, the former Alabama star struggled last week, totaling only one reception on three targets for nine receiving yards and 0.7 fantasy points. More importantly, his target per route run rate (32%, 23%, 13%) and fantasy points per route run rate (0.78, 0.25, 0.03) have significantly declined every week (per Fantasy Points Data).

Unfortunately, Williams couldn’t have a worse fantasy matchup on Monday night. The Seahawks have held wide receiver to the fewest receiving yards (79) and fantasy points per game (14.6) this season. They haven’t given up more than 96 receiving yards and 13.6 fantasy points since Week 1. Seattle has an outstanding set of cornerbacks, as Riq Woolen has PFF’s 12th-highest coverage grade (80.8) over the first three weeks. Williams is a risky boom-or-bust flex option that belongs on the bench this week, especially if Sam LaPorta is active.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn