Week 4 winners and losers: CeeDee Lamb, Kyren Williams dominate; D’Andre Swift struggles

Week 4 of the 2026 fantasy football season featured massive games by CeeDee Lamb, Kyren Williams and Javonte Williams. On the flip side, D’Andre Swift and Trevor Lawrence had disappointing outings.

Who were the big winners and losers around the league during the fourth week of the fantasy football season?

Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft offer their analysis.

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Ranking winners | Ranking losers
Biggest injuries and what’s next

Ranking fantasy winners of Week 4

What a day by the star wide receiver and — in fact — a career-best day in terms of targets (21), catches (17) and fantasy points (41.3). The Texans’ defense, which relies on zone coverage more than any team in the league, had no answers to Lamb’s elite ability as he managed 14 catches for 161 yards in zone coverage alone and had the game-winning, 14-yard touchdown with 43 seconds remaining. He should continue to serve as a locked-in fantasy WR1 against the Buccaneers next week. — Cockcroft

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Williams scored a season-high 36.7 points in Sunday’s win over the Rams, rushing for 80 yards and two scores on 16 carries, plus he had 10 receptions for 67 yards. Sure, game flow contributed to Williams’ usage as a receiver, but he’s now scored at least 21 points in two straight games. With a positive matchup versus the Bills up next, Williams should be played as a RB1. — Bowen

3. Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Williams dropped a season-high 31.3 points on the Texans defense in Week 4, rushing for three touchdowns (on goal-to-goal carries), while producing 83 total yards on 24 touches. Williams now has at least 18 points — and a rushing score — in three of four games played this season. With his steady low red zone usage (11 goal-to-go carries on the season) in a high scoring Dallas offense, Williams fit as a lower-tier RB1 for the Week 5 game versus Tampa Bay. — Bowen

Collins, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, scored a season high 30.8 points in the loss to Dallas, catching seven of a team-high eight targets for 110 yards and two touchdowns. The difference maker for the Texans’ pass game, Collins caught both of his touchdowns on end zone throws from quarterback C.J. Stroud. Collins is a WR1 for the Week 5 matchup at Tennessee. — Bowen

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Flowers scored a season-high 25.8 points in the Week 4 win over the Titans, catching eight of 10 targets for 118 yards and a score. However, where do we see Flowers for the Week 5 matchup versus the Falcons if Lamar Jackson (ankle) can’t play? If Tyler Huntley gets the start, look for more play-action throws, which will create schemed targets for Flowers. He’ll stay in the WR2 range. — Bowen

The Bears’ rushing standout of Week 4, Monangai handled seven goal-to-go carries and converted two for touchdowns, and effectively took over the backfield during the second half on his way to a career-best 28.0 fantasy point total. Whether D’Andre Swift’s goal-line struggles or third-quarter fumble influenced the shift (more on that below) or whether the thumb injury Monangai apparently suffered during the game will be a lingering issue, will have plenty to say on how touches are doled out by coach Ben Johnson moving forward. Assuming full health for both players for Week 5, Swift and Monangai both warrant RB2/flex consideration against a Packers defense that has been getting clobbered by running backs thus far (29.0 FPPG). — Cockcroft

There’s the fantasy WR1-caliber performance we’ve all been hoping for from Nabers, which seemed more of a distant hope after Jameis Winston took over at quarterback from the injured Jaxson Dart. Nabers had a 24% target share and 23.2 fantasy points here, which come at a good time considering he has another favorable, high-end WR2-caliber matchup in Week 5 against the Commanders. — Cockcroft

The duo showed good chemistry for the first time this year, as Maye scored 26.16 fantasy points and Doubs scored 23.8, which for each was more than he totaled from Weeks 1-3 combined (Maye 21.60, Doubs 20.5). Though Maye did commit another interception — he’s now one (7) away from his entire 2025 total (8) — he was much improved on deeper throws, going 10-for-17 for 174 yards and two touchdowns when throwing at least 10 yards downfield, per Next Gen Stats. It’s a good sign for both, considering they’ll face the Raiders and Jets — two teams that have overperformed against wide receivers thus far — in Weeks 5 and 6. Maye is a borderline standard league starter and Doubs is a WR3/flex for those games. — Cockcroft

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Thrust into the spotlight after Ja’Marr Chase‘s (concussion) early exit, Higgins dominated targets with 16 of the team’s 53 and finished his day with 26.7 fantasy points. Higgins would elevate to Joe Burrow‘s No. 1 receiving target against the Dolphins next week, should Chase either not clear the league protocol or be held out to give rest through the team’s Week 6 bye. — Cockcroft

In the Thursday night game, Judkins had a season-high 21.6 points in the win over the Steelers. Judkins saw 17 carries, rushing for 53 yards and a score. Plus, he posted a season-best six receptions for 43 yards. With the downhill run game volume in the Browns’ system and a boost in receiving usage, Judkins can be played as a solid RB2 in a positive Week 5 matchup versus the Jets defense. — Bowen

Ranking fantasy losers of Week 4

1. D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears

He failed to convert on three goal-to-go carries early in Week 4, then fumbled early in the third quarter and didn’t see the field again. Swift finished with 7.4 fantasy points, meaning he has now scored fewer points in his past three games (31.1) than he did in Week 1 alone (32.4). Backfield partner Kyle Monangai suffered an apparent thumb injury in what was a breakout game, however, so we’ll see whether Swift is needed to handle the lion’s share of the rushing work in a favorable Week 5 matchup against the Packers. — Cockcroft

Lawrence (13.08 points) was efficient throwing the ball in the Week 4 win over the Bengals (18 of 23, 227 yards), but he finished with only one touchdown pass, and he didn’t record a single rushing yard on three carries. The rushing totals have been down for Lawrence this season (8.5 yards per game), which is a concern after he averaged 21.1 yards per game in 2025. Lawrence and the Jags get the Eagles defense in Week 5. —Bowen

He was the 15th most-started wide receiver in ESPN leagues (76.7%), but Washington was held to a perplexing three targets and 2.0 points by the Bengals. Credit the Bengals’ secondary, which is better than you think thanks to the play of CBs DJ Turner II and Dax Hill. Washington should rebound with WR2/3 fantasy numbers against the Eagles in Week 5, though the Dolphins’ wideouts should be universally avoided, considering WR1s have averaged only 8.0 fantasy points against the Bengals thus far. — Cockcroft

Kincaid was a non-factor in the loss to the Patriots. Kincaid saw two targets, catching one for seven yards (1.7 points), and he’s now caught just three of five for 45 yards in his last two games. Big drop-off here for Kincaid, who scored 20.3 PPG in his first two games of the season. Kincaid is still seeing usage in the route tree (18.5 routes run over the last two games), so he’ll look to get back on track in Week 5 versus the Rams. —Bowen

McBride saw heavy usage (12 targets) in today’s game and he caught seven passes. However, McBride totaled only 31 yards receiving (10.1 points). I don’t have any concern here on McBride though, as he has seen double-digit targets in all four games played this season. And the Lions defense is up next in Week 5. — Bowen

Love scored 6.5 points in the Week 4 loss to the Giants, rushing for 63 yards on 14 carries, while catching one pass for -8 yards. And Tyler Allgeier saw some more work, too (49 total yards, 10 touches, one touchdown). It was a rough day for the rookie, a week after posting a season-high 21.9 points on the 49ers defense. Love will look to rebound in a positive matchup next week versus the Lions. — Bowen

A top-25 started player overall in ESPN leagues (92.9%), Wilson was practically invisible against the Bears, running 18 routes but finishing with only four targets and 5.7 fantasy points. The Jets’ paltry 17:15 time of possession — that’s the least by any team so far in 2026 — had a lot to do with it, but the team also entered the week with two of the three largest numbers in the category this season, and they do get the Browns in Week 5. A WR1-caliber rebound should be expected. — Cockcroft

Adams did see nine targets in the win over the Eagles; however, he caught four passes for only 32 yards (7.2 points). With Nacua back from injury (12 targets), Adams is set to stay as a lower-tier WR2/Flex for the Week 5 matchup versus the Bills. — Bowen

Injury impact

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

What we know: Barkley suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter versus the Rams, and he did not return to the game. Barkley saw just three touches on the day, finishing with 10 total yards (2.0 points).

What’s next: Eagles No.2 Tank Bigsby replaced Barkley, rushing for 55 yards on 14 carries. However, Bigsby left the game in the fourth quarter with a lower body injury. Let’s keep an eye on updates this week for both Barkley and Bigsby as the Eagles prep for their Week 5 matchup at Jacksonville. –Bowen

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

What we know: Jackson injured his ankle late in the second quarter on a sack versus the Titans, and he did not return. Jackson scored 18.8 points in only one half of play on Sunday, throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 20 yards. Tyler Huntley replaced Jackson to start the second half.

What’s next: If Jackson can’t make it back for the Week 5 game at Atlanta, Huntley will get the start. Huntley made two starts in 2025, scoring 14 or more points in each, and I do believe Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will set up his quarterback on play-action concepts early. Still, we should expect a run-heavy approach, which keeps Derrick Henry in the RB1 mix, while managers can play Zay Flowers as a WR2. — Bowen

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

What we know: Chase left in the second quarter with a concussion, suffered when Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones committed a facemask penalty and LB Ventrell Miller immediately afterward delivered a hard hit to the star wide receiver. Chase was unable to return to the game.

What’s next: It’s never easy for players to swiftly clear the NFL’s concussion protocol, so Chase’s status for Week 5 is certainly iffy, and bear in mind the Bengals could choose to rest him regardless knowing he’d get an extra week’s rest with the Week 6 bye. Tee Higgins would elevate to No. 1 receiver status if Chase sits, and Dohnte Meyers, who played 90% of snaps, ran 54 routes and had 15.2 fantasy points on Sunday, could be a one-week sleeper if pressed into starting duty. — Cockcroft

D.J. Moore, WR, Buffalo Bills

What we know: Moore injured his shoulder diving for a catch in the first half versus the Patriots, and he did not return to the game.

What’s next: If Moore is out for the Week 5 matchup at the Rams, Khalil Shakir will see more steady volume as a catch and run target for Josh Allen, while Keon Coleman provides big play ability. Shakir caught seven of eight targets for 82 yards on Sunday (13.2 points). Coleman scored 23.6 points, catching six of seven targets for 119 yards and a score. — Bowen

Marcus Mariota, QB, Washington Commanders

What we know: Mariota re-injured the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, an injury he initially suffered during the Commanders’ preseason opener, after Colts DE Laiatu Latu landed on the quarterback’s lower leg on a first-quarter sack. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said coming out of halftime that Mariota was done for the day, a signal that this might be a multi-week injury.

What’s next: With Jayden Daniels also sidelined, the Commanders turned to rookie seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis, who went 15-for-33 passing for 186 yards, one touchdown, one interception and 11.04 fantasy points. Daniels (elbow dislocation) resumed practicing this week and has a chance to return for Week 5, but the Commanders will be in rough shape offensively otherwise. Even with a decent matchup against the Giants, Commanders skills players should be avoided if both Daniels and Mariota are absent. — Cockcroft