Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em: 49ers' Jauan Jennings primed for another strong outing in Week 4

While it's only Week 4, the 2024 fantasy football season is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

There has been no shortage of noteworthy injuries and unexpected breakout performances over the first three weeks of the season, which makes setting starting lineups all the more challenging. Whether injuries have decimated your roster or you're desperate for a spark, here's what to do about several flex options, streaming candidates and other players you could be on the fence about starting in Week 4.

Quarterbacks

Start: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans 

Jaguars at Texans / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year became the latest quarterback to struggle against Vikings DC Brian Flores' imposing unit, throwing for 215 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Houston's 34-7 Week 3 loss.

Stroud hasn't lived up to the fifth-round price tag fantasy managers spent on him in drafts, but he should get on track against the spiraling Jaguars. Not only has Jacksonville allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (21.8), but it has also given up 790 yards through the air, the fourth-most among teams. If the Jaguars can manage to turn their divisional matchup with Houston into a shootout, Stroud could ultimately finish as the QB1 overall on the week. 

Other starts: Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers; Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Sit: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks 

Seahawks at Lions / 8:15 p.m. ET Monday 

Seattle has kicked off the Mike Macdonald era on a strong note, winning its first three games of the season. Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, has delivered competent quarterback play, but he was underwhelming in last week's win over Miami, posting 11.36 points in four-point passing touchdown leagues.

Even though new Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb's pass-first scheme helped Smith finish as a top-seven quarterback in each of his first two games this season, the veteran signal-caller faces a tough test against the Lions. Last week, Detroit's defense held a red-hot Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to a pedestrian 14,78 points, raising doubts about Smith's Week 4 outlook, especially since he offers minimal rushing upside. 

Other sits: Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts; Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets 

Running backs

Start: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals 

Commanders at Cardinals / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday

The RB18 overall, Conner scored a measly 3.4 PPR points last week after averaging 19.35 points per game over his first two contests, On the surface, the performance may seem concerning, but Conner's lackluster outing mainly stems from facing a formidable Lions run defense, which has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards this season (230).

Expect Conner, who still holds a bell-cow role, to bounce back with another strong showing in Week 4 against a Commanders team that allows the 14th-most points per game to opposing running backs (918.2). 

Other starts: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans; Devin Singletary, New York Giants

Sit: J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers 

Chiefs at Chargers / 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday

Dobbins, the NFL's leading rusher through the first two weeks of the season, saw his snap share increase in Week 3 but was kept in check by the Steelers defense, rushing for 44 yards on 15 carries.

Although the expanded workload is encouraging for Dobbins' season-long outlook, the 25-year-old is a risky starting option in Week 4. Kansas City has already excelled at shutting down opposing running backs to start the season, allowing the sixth-fewest points per game to the position (12.8), but its run defense should have even more success against the Chargers. After all, QB Justin Herbert is questionable with an ankle injury, and Los Angeles will likely be without starting OTs Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (knee). 

Other sits: Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys; Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots 

Wide Receivers

Start: Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers 

Patriots at 49ers / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday

With RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle all sidelined by injuries last week, Jennings broke out against the Rams, to say the least. The former seventh-round pick hauled in 11 of his 12 targets for 175 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with 46.5 PPR points, the most by any player this season.

It'd be surprising to see Jennings come anywhere close to matching last week's output, especially if Kittle returns from his hamstring injury. However, since wideout Brandon Aiyuk will likely be shadowed by Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez (26.3 yards per game allowed in coverage), Jennings is well-positioned to be San Francisco's leading receiver once again.

Other starts: George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers; Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills 

Sit: Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts 

Steelers at Colts / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

One of the biggest draft busts at the wide receiver position so far this season, Pittman has caught just 11 passes for 88 yards across his first three games. Pittman's lack of fantasy production has primarily been due to the erratic play of QB Anthony Richardson, who has completed just 49.3% of his passes for 583 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. It'd be best to leave Pittman on the bench until Richardson proves he can be a more reliable fantasy and real-life quarterback. 

Other sits: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos; Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs 

Tight Ends

Start: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears 

Rams at Bears / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

While Kmet won't replicate last week's stellar performance (10 receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown), given how the tight end position is back to being a fantasy wasteland, he's worth taking a chance on.

The return of WR Keenan Allen (heel) will cost Kmet a few targets, though the 2020 second-round pick should still serve as rookie QB Caleb Williams' security blanket. Additionally, the Rams have had trouble defending tight ends to begin the season, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game (29.3) and fourth-most receiving yards (173) to the position. 

Other starts: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens; Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders 

Sit: Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals 

Bengals at Panthers  / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Gesicki failed to make much of an impact for most of Cincinnati's Week 3 loss to Washington, but three fourth-quarter catches helped him turn in a decent fantasy showing and finish with 8.7 PPR points. Even so, considering Tee Higgins has returned from his hamstring injury, coupled with Andrei Iosivas' recent emergence, it wouldn't be surprising if Gesicki continues to see his target share diminish against Carolina. 

Other sits: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints; Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams