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Fantasy Football Week 4 Takeaways: Travis Kelce is a must-watch again, Kyle Pitts is a historic bust, and more

The big story in Week 4 was the potentially devastating knee injury Rashee Ricewho was injured when his quarterback dove into a huddle to make a tackle after a terrible interception. The reports after the game seemed very ominous, but we hope for the best.

This injury opened the door for Travis Kelce (fell badly during the interception that led to Rice's injury). He came through with a big game, but the circumstances were volatile. Even without Rice, Kelce seems to be a must again.

Kareem Hunt was the man in the running, so all that Carson Steele Bids were wasted. This is probably the 15th to 20th offense without Rice. That shocked me JuJu Smith-Schuster didn't hit a single target. I'm sure I saw him out there.

Justin Herbert it's just not healthy. But Ladd McConkey impressed, and he may be available to you via the waiver (about 50% listed on Yahoo).

The Jets offense was a disgrace, especially the offensive line. Breece Hall failed to get a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line twice, and his days as a short-yardage player and goal-line player may be over. The Jets win the game as a rookie Braelon Allen is back there. Honestly, I've seen all the Jets play, God help me, and I don't remember Hall breaking a tackle yet, although I'm sure he has.

Garrett Wilson was disappointing. Not everyone is a shutdown corner. Make some plays.

Javonte Williams has taken control of the running game in Denver, but seemingly everyone gets a drive to start the game and then it's the hot hand. What a nightmare.

Courtland Sutton only had 60 receiving yards, but that was 100% of Denver's total. He will be a top 30 WR. (He also had the game's only TD.)

Brandon Aiyuk got his money, but the reticence seems to have harmed him. Jauan Jennings crushes him. Jennings is a must because he has been so efficient and is on the field in three WR sets, even if the 49ers have fewer of those than almost anyone else.

George Kittle had the kind of TD catch you used to have when you overwhelmed your little brothers with the Nerf football. It was one against three and one won.

Kyle “is just that” Pitts – we have to face it, he is a complete failure in reality and fantasy. One of the worst picks in NFL history. The Falcons took Pitts over Ja'Marr Chase – so, so disgusting. I always say that drafting a TE with a premium pick in real life (not our game) is as much a bet on the coaches as it is on the player, because no team has an offensive playbook that makes the TE a primary weapon. So everything has to be torn apart and rethought.

Neither the Falcons nor the Saints were able to make a big breakthrough in their game. There were three all day. The Falcons went 2-1 and won the game. That's football in 2024 so far. Enroll if you're lucky.

Another hallmark of the season is that the guys on our bench are scoring points. D'Andre Swift? I apologized for this guy. Well, actually, I admitted while I blame the Bears for betting on the guy from the start – that's their job. But he manages a total of 165 yards, seven catches and a touchdown. Roshon Johnsonwhich we all wanted/started played less of a role than it did in Week 3. Apparently the Bears coaches aren't following our LOL Swift gifs.

Tutu Atwell And Jordan Whittington are the receivers on the Rams' roster. Not Demarcus Robinson. I've said that Atwell is the poor man's DeVonta Smith – same body type and downfield skills. Whittington was always on the field.

Oh, “punt returner” Kyren Williams has six TDs and has now found paydirt in seven straight games. He is now one of the top 5 RBs and will probably stay there. Blake Corum is a zero, which isn't shocking considering he was selected late in the third round. Why would you bet that Sean McVay would suddenly become a committee coach? Never bet against the base price!

Sam Darnolds The rating was at least 109 in every game. This is not indexed. It actually is. He has a TD pass every three incompletions – a stat I just made up (you're welcome). And he does Aaron Jones (139 yards, four catches) and Jordan Addison (two TDs) also very useful.

I would be very happy with how Jordan love would have faced a difficult start if I had included him in the squad. The Vikings have a good defense. It was a pretty pointless time, but Love threw the ball very well.

Jayden Reed doesn't need every snapshot. He is so efficient. And he is your designer when it comes to details. We hope Christian Watson (Ankle) is fine, but a narrower passing tree will help make the non-reed WRs playable.

Anthony Richardson may look like Cam Newton, but he survives contact like he's Mr. Glass. And he has to run to be effective. Upgrade all Colts WRs if he's out for a while, which I think he will be. The most important among them will be Michael Pittman Jr.with whom Joe Flacco had instant chemistry. The problem with running QBs is that they usually only help the person who drafted the running QB.

The Colts are a terrible defense, but I have to take my hat off to them Justin Fieldswhich was much better than any of his victories. Najee Harris Nothing worked all day.

I will be kind and give Jalen hurts a pass considering he had dropped back in his starting WRs.

Mike Evans“Managers needed that.” He is doing well for 2024. However, given his age, this is his last chance for romance.

Cade Otton had 11.2 PPR points that we would take. And nine targets with a market share of almost 20% are also quite acceptable.

I don't know what to make of the Bucs backfield, but I'd rather be that Bucky Irving Manager for the future.

Chase Brown Managers are having their moment, though Zack Moss Managers are okay (17.8 points). I previously said Moss was around RB20 and Brown was around RB40, and now I would bump Brown up to RB30-35.

Chuba Hubbard is good enough to be safe, but it has an expiration date Jonathan Brooks come back.

Andy Dalton can support two receivers most weeks and Xavier Legette Managers must be satisfied with the 10 goals. Anyone invested in the Panthers needs Carolina wins or they'll go back to Bryce Young.

Brian Thomas Jr. checks all the boxes – eye test, target percentage, air halos, red zone. But that Trevor LawrenceThe Jaguars' guided passing game hasn't been productive enough so far. Lawrence has a 1-8 record and a YPA of just over 6.0 in his last nine starts.

CJ Stroud needed a big game and gave us one by taking it Nico Collins (151 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets) with him.

Jayden Daniels is incredibly efficient. The Commanders have punted in their last three games. That's overall, not average.

Brian Robinson Jr. won't be a bell cow, but he will be a winning player at his ADP. I wish I had used it everywhere. Nobody saw it Jeremy McNichols comes. I liked McNichols as a rookie, but then he was cut and I decided never to draft a fifth-round rookie again (in prime ball season).

This was one of Kyler Murray worst games. And it came against a poor Washington defense. Sometimes I feel alone because I can't see everything for Murray. After the hiccups last week, James Conner was great again, but his managers need at least an average Murray.

Amari Cooper Managers lost an 82-yard TD on a phantom holding call. Excuse me. Watson's choice was Cooper's fault.

The less said about Browns-Raiders, the better. Brock Bowers only had three goals – he accomplished virtually nothing in the last two weeks after seemingly knocking on TE1's door. Newbies?! Yes, but more importantly, rookie TEs!

(Top photo by Travis Kelce: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)