It's still early in the 2023 NFL season, meaning fantasy managers are still tasked with making tough lineup decisions based on limited data. Jerome Ford, Amari Cooper, and Jakobi Meyers are all hot names ahead of Sunday's games.
Ford has been elevated to the Browns' RB1 role after the season-ending injury of Nick Chubb, Cooper has had a hot start despite being banged up, and Meyers faces quarterback uncertainty in Week 4.
Should you start Ford, Cooper, or Meyers in Week 4? Let's dive in.
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Should I Start Jerome Ford for Fantasy Football?
In the first start of his career, Ford scored a rushing and receiving touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee's elite run defense held him to a putrid 10 carries for 18 yards, but his role in the red zone makes him valuable.
His Week 4 matchup, the Baltimore Ravens, has been a middle-of-the-pack unit against fantasy RBs through three weeks. Baltimore shut down Dameon Pierce and Joe Mixon, but those two backs have well below-average offensive lines.
Last week, Zack Moss posted 145 total yards and a score against Baltimore, proving running backs can find room against its stop unit.
Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is not expected to play in Week 4, though, so the Browns' offense could take a hit overall. That said, it could mean Ford will see extra touches as they lean on him with rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center.
He is the RB19 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start Amari Cooper for Fantasy Football?
Cooper has been battling a groin injury, but it hasn't stopped him from posting 17 receptions for 243 yards and one touchdown. Baltimore's secondary has a ton of injuries and has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wideouts.
Watson is not playing, but Thompson-Robinson should rely on the veteran pass-catcher in his first NFL start.
He was the WR19 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings before the news of Watson being not expected to play came out. Now, he should still see a ton of targets, but his floor could be very low with a rookie quarterback. All other Browns' wideouts should probably be benched, but Cooper still has a chance to boom in Week 4.
Should I Start Jakobi Meyers for Fantasy Football?
With Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) out of action in Week 4, Meyers is a risky play. Rookie fourth-rounder Aidan O'Connell is expected to start for the Silver and Black. Given the uncertainty, all Raiders' pass-catchers expect Davante Adams should likely be benched.
Although he was the WR26 in our rankings early in the week, his floor and ceiling outcomes could take a big hit in the absence of Garoppolo.
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