Starting a fantasy football bust early in the season doesn't necessarily ruin your chances at the playoffs. However, The Sporting News' experts are spotting patterns in predicting the performance of the names on our Week 4 list.
Many Week 3 stars appear on this list, which should warn fantasy players not to lean too much into hype. Look at each individual week, and assess your options on hand who could be better than these headliners.
Keep reading to see our staff picks for Week 4 fantasy busts.
PLAY THESE GUYS INSTEAD: Week 4 sleepers
Biggest Week 4 fantasy busts
QB fantasy bust picks this week
Daniel Jones, Colts at Rams
Jones has compiled well over the first three games but the Rams' defense can cause some problems with its youthful energy on the road. The Rams are more vulnerable downfield vs. wide receivers and the running game won't roll as well with Jonathan Taylor to open up everything Jones needs to put the worthy passing numbers. - Vinnie Iyer
Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Packers
Green Bay has been one of the best defenses in the league, Micah Parsons will be on a revenge-game warpath, and CeeDee Lamb likely won't play due to his ankle injury. This could be a real letdown of a Sunday Night Football game for Dak managers. - Sloan Piva
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers vs. Vikings
Minnesota's defense is so unorthodox and always seems to cause problems for the opposing QBs. On top of this, overseas games are sloppy and usually not too high scoring. Rodgers is an easy sit this week in Dublin. - Griffin Missant
TOP FANTASY PICKUPS: Week 4 waiver wire
RB fantasy bust picks this week
Cam Skattebo, Giants vs. Chargers
Everyone is falling in love with the way Skattebo runs, and you can't blame them. However, I'm pumping the brakes in Week 4, as the Giants take on the Chargers D/ST. LAC is one of the toughest teams to run the ball against. - Griffin Missant
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders at Falcons
The Commanders backfield is developing a new situational crowed with Austin Ekeler down as Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are back involved with key touches. "Bill" seems to need a touchdown to pay off every week and there's no good feeling he will get it on the road vs. a tough Falcons run defense." - Vinnie Iyer
David Montgomery, Lions vs. Browns
Montgomery caught fire on Monday against the Ravens, but you simply can't trust him to do the same against a top-tier defense like Cleveland. The Browns made Chase Brown and Josh Jacobs look bad (1.97 combined yards per carry), and those guys are RB1s! The veteran has been getting just 11-12 carries per game behind Jahmyr Gibbs, and his opportunities probably won't increase against Myles Garrett and this vaunted front seven. - Sloan Piva
LAST WEEK’S RECAP: What happened in fantasy Week 3 | Week 3 Injuries
WR fantasy bust picks this week
Travis Hunter, Jaguars at 49ers
Look, we get it -- Hunter is a hell of a story and a hell of an athlete. However, he's just not getting enough volume to trust as a weekly WR2 or even WR3 right now. If your matchup is projected to be close, you might want to opt for a higher-floor receiver in his spot. - Sloan Piva
Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals vs. Seahawks
Until the Cardinals realize how to properly use MHJ, there's just no way you can feel comfortable playing him. The Cardinals have a short week as they play on TNF. On top of that, they face the Seahawks, who've allowed the second-lowest fantasy points per game to the WR position and 4th lowest receiving yards per game. - Griffin Missant
Drake London, Falcons vs. Commanders
London has gotten volume. He's supposed to have better chemstiry with Michael Penix Jr. than displayed. The whole Falcons' passing game is off and London's issues are part of the problem. Washington slowed down some top receivers on other teams so it's OK to sit London should have any reasonable options with favorable matchups. - Vinnie Iyer
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TE fantasy bust picks this week
Juwan Johnson, Saints at Bills
Johnson has been the go-to guy in the short compresssed passing offense with Spencer Rattler dinking and dunking. He is a tough cover with his wide receiver hybrid frame but the Bills have the mix of defenders to slience him in a rough day up front for Spencer Rattler. - Vinnie Iyer
T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Steelers
Hockenson caught 5-of-6 targets for 41 yards and a touchdown last weekend against Cincinnati, but the Bengals rolled over and played dead pretty early in that game. The veteran tight end has largely underwhelmed outside of Week 3 — he had four catches for 27 yards total in Weeks 1 and 2 — so it seems pretty risky to trust him in Dublin vs. the Steelers. - Sloan Piva
Zach Ertz, Commanders at Falcons
Mariota is expected to be the starter again in Week 4. Under Mariota, Ertz was targeted the least out of his first three games. The Falcons also allow the fewest points to the TE position at just 3.6 fantasy points per game. - Griffin Missant
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D/ST fantasy bust picks this week
Cleveland Browns at Lions
A lot of people will see what the Browns just did to the Packers and think they're a good start against Detroit. They're not. I know the Packers D/ST handled the Lions offense, but the Lions offense is still better than the Packers offense. - Griffin Missant
Baltimore Ravens at Chiefs
This group is giving up a ton to the better teams with the Bills and Lions stomping it with the Browns also actually putting up some numbers. The Cheifs will protect the ball and have Patrick Mahomes get the ball out quickly to avoid giving up any big plays to a banged up Baltimore visiting defense. - Vinnie Iyer
Philadelphia Eagles at Buccaneers
Take away the meaningless blocked kick for a touchdown last week against the Rams and Philly's D/ST has three straight single-digit fantasy performances. Now the reigning champs face Baker Mayfield's undefeated Bucs in Tampa, a familiar NFC foe. Todd Bowles' squad has amassed the fifth-most passing TDs while committing the fewest turnovers in the NFL. Consider a better option than the Eagles on the road. - Sloan Piva