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Fantasy Franchise Tag Lineup: Week 4
My nickname around the NFL Media office is "Franchise" and every week I deliver my "Fantasy Franchise Tag" lineup to help give you that boost of confidence you need to start some players on your fantasy roster. Last week, I nailed Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Jimmy Graham and Randall Cobb. I also missed on Matt Jones (it was rough for me as well) Carlos Hyde and David Johnson, but I'm only human, so cut me some slack. Keep in mind that I'm starting a majority of these players in my slew of fantasy leagues too, so we're in this together. Be sure to check out my full positional player rankings, and if you're all up on the Twitter, be sure to send me some feedback @MattFranchise with #FantasyFranchiseTag and get this thing trending!
![This week, Dalton faces a Kansas City defense that just got shredded by Aaron Rodgers for five touchdown passes and is on a short week coming off a MNF game. The Chiefs have allowed the most FPPG to opposing quarterbacks this season (25.04) and more FPPG than any other team to opposing wide receivers as well with an astronomical average of 44.07. And you thought the Bears were bad. I expect Dalton's torrid start to the season to keep rolling at home on Sunday.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/entboys1bcetcq1ktr1v.jpg)
This week, Dalton faces a Kansas City defense that just got shredded by Aaron Rodgers for five touchdown passes and is on a short week coming off a MNF game. The Chiefs have allowed the most FPPG to opposing quarterbacks this season (25.04) and more FPPG than any other team to opposing wide receivers as well with an astronomical average of 44.07. And you thought the Bears were bad. I expect Dalton's torrid start to the season to keep rolling at home on Sunday.
![Ingram has yet top 55 rushing yards in a game this season, but he's made up for it with his gains in the passing game (152 total receiving yards). He's also scored a rushing touchdown in two straight games and now faces a Dallas defense that welcomed Devonta Freeman thrice into the paint a week ago. Drew Brees or not, Ingram will come through for your fantasy team in a Week 4 primetime matchup.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/bn9yuyvs0xlevcyiftgk.jpg)
Ingram has yet top 55 rushing yards in a game this season, but he's made up for it with his gains in the passing game (152 total receiving yards). He's also scored a rushing touchdown in two straight games and now faces a Dallas defense that welcomed Devonta Freeman thrice into the paint a week ago. Drew Brees or not, Ingram will come through for your fantasy team in a Week 4 primetime matchup.
![Buffalo's backfield has been a tale of two runners all season long, with LeSean McCoy dominating carries over rookie Karlos Williams by a count of 42 to 24. But Shady is looking like a no-go this week as he rests a lingering hamstring injury, leaving the door open for (another) big day from Williams. Even with McCoy playing, Williams has been the more productive fantasy option averaging an incredible 7.8 YPC. He has had a trip to the end zone in all three games so far (the only rookie RB to do so, which has helped him among the top 10 fantasy RBs through three games). He'll be featured in a high-scoring (33.3 PPG), NFL rushing yard leading (142.7 rush YPG) Bills offense going against a Giants run defense that's given up 21.20 FPPG to opposing running backs this season. At home, Williams has RB1 potential this week.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/i9u06q0i29efq50k5a6r.jpg)
Buffalo's backfield has been a tale of two runners all season long, with LeSean McCoy dominating carries over rookie Karlos Williams by a count of 42 to 24. But Shady is looking like a no-go this week as he rests a lingering hamstring injury, leaving the door open for (another) big day from Williams. Even with McCoy playing, Williams has been the more productive fantasy option averaging an incredible 7.8 YPC. He has had a trip to the end zone in all three games so far (the only rookie RB to do so, which has helped him among the top 10 fantasy RBs through three games). He'll be featured in a high-scoring (33.3 PPG), NFL rushing yard leading (142.7 rush YPG) Bills offense going against a Giants run defense that's given up 21.20 FPPG to opposing running backs this season. At home, Williams has RB1 potential this week.
![The second year wideout hasn't performed like the breakout candidate we all forecasted him to be in the preseason. Through three games John Brown has just 12 catches for 153 yards and a single touchdown. Clearly, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald have had quite a connection as the duo has hooked up for five TDs in the last two games. But a breakout for Brown is coming soon, and I feel that this is the week. In terms of FPPG against this season, the Rams are the third toughest defense when it comes to wide receivers but the team as faced Seattle (Jermaine Kearse was the top WR), Washington (Ryan Grant was the top WR) and Pittsburgh, who lost Ben Roethlisberger in the third quarter (Antonio Brown still had over 100 yards). Expect St. Louis to focus on stopping Fitzgerald which could leave Brown some big opportunities.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/qkttfhs42vhn2lqg85yn.jpg)
The second year wideout hasn't performed like the breakout candidate we all forecasted him to be in the preseason. Through three games John Brown has just 12 catches for 153 yards and a single touchdown. Clearly, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald have had quite a connection as the duo has hooked up for five TDs in the last two games. But a breakout for Brown is coming soon, and I feel that this is the week. In terms of FPPG against this season, the Rams are the third toughest defense when it comes to wide receivers but the team as faced Seattle (Jermaine Kearse was the top WR), Washington (Ryan Grant was the top WR) and Pittsburgh, who lost Ben Roethlisberger in the third quarter (Antonio Brown still had over 100 yards). Expect St. Louis to focus on stopping Fitzgerald which could leave Brown some big opportunities.
![I went against my own advice and benched Cooper in my League of Record last week in fear of Browns cornerback Joe Haden. That was a mistake I'll never make again. The rookie posted his second straight 100-plus yard game and is simply too much of a big-play threat to sit. The Raiders go up against a sad Bears "defense" that has surrendered 28.63 FPPG to opposing wideouts this season which includes seven touchdowns and 459 yards ... in three games. Look for another monstrous game from the AC/DC connection this week.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/xk1tupakowvvydcqcqyl.jpg)
I went against my own advice and benched Cooper in my League of Record last week in fear of Browns cornerback Joe Haden. That was a mistake I'll never make again. The rookie posted his second straight 100-plus yard game and is simply too much of a big-play threat to sit. The Raiders go up against a sad Bears "defense" that has surrendered 28.63 FPPG to opposing wideouts this season which includes seven touchdowns and 459 yards ... in three games. Look for another monstrous game from the AC/DC connection this week.
![Clay has quietly scored a touchdown in each of his last two games, although he only had 19 total yards in Week 2. Still, he's one of the more underrated fantasy tight ends to this point, and the Bills look like they may be without LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins this week against the Giants. Big Blue has given up an average of 14.03 FPPG to the tight end position this season, so I like Clay's chances of hitting pay dirt for the third straight week.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/htofcrjept5tkaqpanla.jpg)
Clay has quietly scored a touchdown in each of his last two games, although he only had 19 total yards in Week 2. Still, he's one of the more underrated fantasy tight ends to this point, and the Bills look like they may be without LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins this week against the Giants. Big Blue has given up an average of 14.03 FPPG to the tight end position this season, so I like Clay's chances of hitting pay dirt for the third straight week.
![Any kicker on a team that's averaging 42 points per game on offense will be a valuable asset on fantasy squads. Catanzaro just hasn't had as many opportunities for field goals because the Cardinals keep scoring touchdowns, dangit! Look for Catanzaro to put up double-digit fantasy points this week at home against the Rams.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/i8zqdep27wjwo2nap41f.jpg)
Any kicker on a team that's averaging 42 points per game on offense will be a valuable asset on fantasy squads. Catanzaro just hasn't had as many opportunities for field goals because the Cardinals keep scoring touchdowns, dangit! Look for Catanzaro to put up double-digit fantasy points this week at home against the Rams.
![Jimmy Clausen is likely to start again at quarterback for the Bears this week. Jimmy Clausen has averaged 141.3 passing yards per game as a starter. Jimmy Clausen's teams have averaged 11.3 points per game in his 11 NFL starts. Jimmy Clausen completed nine passes for 63 yards last week. Jimmy Clausen is likely to start at quarterback for the Bears this week.](https://res.cloudinary.com/nflleague/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/mlfyafhdfbij9jpcgjbd.jpg)
Jimmy Clausen is likely to start again at quarterback for the Bears this week. Jimmy Clausen has averaged 141.3 passing yards per game as a starter. Jimmy Clausen's teams have averaged 11.3 points per game in his 11 NFL starts. Jimmy Clausen completed nine passes for 63 yards last week. Jimmy Clausen is likely to start at quarterback for the Bears this week.