Underdog Battle Royale Rankings Week 4

Quarterbacks:

1. Jalen Hurts
2. Kyler Murray
3. C.J. Stroud
4. Jayden Daniels
5. Joe Burrow
6. Patrick Mahomes

Sleepers: Brock Purdy (if healthy), Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Andy Dalton, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins

This week I would look to try to ensure I’m landing one of the top 6 QBs, particularly the top 4. Hurts is obviously in the mix for QB1 any week, and after a bit of a down week last week, I could see a strong performance in a potential shootout vs the Buccaneers. Murray and Daniels both have rushing upside and face one of the weaker passing defenses in the league in another game that has some shootout potential. I do think Murray has an edge here, because we’ve seen QBs without any rushing benefit finish as a top QB vs the Washington defense. Add in anything he gets on the ground and he has a great chance to be the top QB. Stroud figures to bounce back in a much easier match-up vs a bad Jaguars defense.

Burrow and Mahomes are strong plays as well, as both should need to throw a fair bit if they are to get the win, and I expect them to put up decent numbers. Burrow especially has looked better every week, and its an absolute must-win game for Cincinnati.

Beyond the top 6 it does thin out, especially if Purdy doesn’t play due to injury. You can make some cases for Mayfield in a shootout, or Dalton in another higher scoring game, but those don’t feel great. The issue is most of these guys feel capped at low-20 point range, which makes it tough to get there unless most of the top 6 fail.

Running backs:

1. Breece Hall
2. Saquon Barkley
3. Alvin Kamara
4. Bijan Robinson
5. Kyren Williams
6. James Conner
7. Josh Jacobs
8. Brian Robinson Jr.
9. Jonathan Taylor
10. Jordan Mason
11. Travis Etienne Jr.
12. Chuba Hubbard

Sleepers: Zack Moss, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon, J.K. Dobbins, Rhamondre Stevenson, Najee Harris, Jerome Ford

Very strong week at RB again, and you should absolutely be loading up with a RB in the Flex. Honestly, any of the top 4 RBs look like a fantastic anchor to have, and ordering them feels more like semantics. Williams, Conner, and Jacobs aren’t far behind though the match-up for Jacobs is a bit concerning. Conner on the flip side has a fantastic match-up, and could be inline for a huge game.

After the top 7, Brian Robinson Jr. could be in line for a bigger workload if Austin Ekeler isn’t healthy for this game. Taylor and Mason don’t offer a lot in the passing game, but they have 100+ yards and 2 TD equity. Hubbard though remains one of my favorite targets. He finally had life last week with Dalton at QB, and he faces a Bengals front that is extremely banged up.

Among the sleepers, I will be watching for Mixon and Harris’ health (also Harris gets a boost if Warren misses the game). Moss though is probably the most intriguing of this group, as Carolina’s defense remains one of the weakest in the league.

Wide Receivers:

1. Ja’Marr Chase
2. Marvin Harrison
3. Nico Collins
4. Justin Jefferson
5. Mike Evans
6. Rashee Rice
7. Chris Godwin
8. Stefon Diggs
9. Chris Olave
10. Drake London
11. A.J. Brown/Devonta Smith (check health)
12. D.J. Moore
13. Brandon Aiyuk
14. Garrett Wilson
15. Jauan Jennings
16. Diontae Johnson
17. George Pickens
18. Terry McLaurin

Sleepers: Tee Higgins, Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, Rome Odunze, Xavier Worthy, Jayden Reed, Rashid Shaheed, Michael Wilson, Tank Dell, Brian Thomas, Christian Kirk, Darnell Mooney, Demarcus Robinson, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston

If you can land a top 4 WR it is very interesting, as Chase, Harrison and Collins have three of the easiest match-ups in the league, and should see plenty of volume. Jefferson’s match-up is tougher, but he’s also match-up proof at this point. I don’t like having to take him as the first receiver, but other than that you can’t argue his potential.

While I like the Tampa receivers, and Rice as strong plays as well, I do think they are a step below the top 4. Diggs, and Olave/London are good options as well, especially Diggs in an elite match-up. The health of the Philly receivers is going to be something to monitor. If either one plays they should definitely be taken higher. If they both end up playing they will probably be in this range. The 49ers receivers do have their value tied to both Purdy’s health and George Kittle. If Purdy plays and Kittle doesn’t I think both should go a bit higher.

Overall though I don’t mind waiting for a 2nd receiver with either the bottom of the tier (Johnson, Pickens and McLaurin) or taking a shot at an upside play among the sleepers. Johnson should see plenty of volume again, and likely is in a negative game script. I worry about total number of targets for Pickens and McLaurin, but the match-ups are great. Among the sleepers, Higgins, Adams, and Odunze are my favorite options to look at. I also don’t mind going back to the Shaheed play as well.

Tight Ends:

1. Dallas Goedert
2. Trey McBride (if healthy)
3. Brock Bowers
4. Travis Kelce
5. Kyle Pitts
6. Tyler Conklin

Sleepers: George Kittle (if healthy), Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki, Cole Kmet, Hunter Henry, Colby Parkinson, Pat Freiermuth

So this group is going to be very determined by the health of either the TEs themselves or some of the players around them. Goedert should be TE 1 if both Brown and Smith miss, and still should be in that mix if at least one miss the game. If both were to play, I do think he is bumped down a few spots.

McBride is in concussion protocol, but if he passes his match-up is as good as it gets. Kittle’s health is the first factor, but also the health of Purdy needs to be considered. If Kittle is fully healthy and Purdy plays, he should move up a few spots.

Bowers, Kelce and Pitts we all know have the talent and upside to be TE1, but volume and inconsistency have plagued them to start the season. While it’s been a slow start for Kelce, his upside is unquestionable. He is being drafted a bit too high, but if he slides a bit, he’s a worthwhile target.

When it comes to the sleepers, inconsistency is very much the concern. Ertz, Gesicki and Freiermuth all have great match-ups. Friermuth has at least had a floor of 4 targets a game, but even in a great match-up I’m not sure if a ceiling emerges. He might only get there if all the top TEs have average or below-average games.