Start Jordan Love vs. Geno Smith vs. Anthony Richardson vs. Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields vs. Jared Goff vs. Dak Prescott | Fantasy Football Week 4 QB Start Decision
Quarterback play through the first three weeks of the NFL regular season has been inconsistent, so it’s no surprise there’s so many trending decisions at the position in FantasySP’s “Who Should I Start? tool.
Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love and Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff are both in trending decisions and part of the Thursday game, so we’ll discuss those two guys, and then Seattle Seahawks’ Geno Smith, Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson, Denver Broncos’ Russell Wilson, Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields and Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott.
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Why You Should Start Jordan Love
Love has guided the Packers to a 2-1 record so far, but has not put up really great numbers. He’s completed 51-of-96 passes for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s only been intercepted once and has not lost a fumble.
Love has also shown off his athleticism and rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He’s been sacked just three times.
The Packers’ injury report is loaded with offensive players, but the good news for Love is that running back Aaron Jones and wide receiver Christian Watson should be back.
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Love is the 16th-ranked quarterback in our week 4 projections. He’ll be going up against a Lions’ defense that’s allowed an average of 16 fantasy points a game.
Why You Should Start Geno Smith
Smith has guided the Seahawks to a 2-1 start. He’s completed 71-of-103 passes for 736 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been picked off once.
Smith is not much of a rushing threat, with just 22 yards on eight carries across three weeks.
Seattle has remained fairly healthy to kick off the season, so Smith should have his full complement of skill players around him when the Seahawks take on the New York Giants. New York is allowing an average of 17 fantasy a game to quarterbacks so far.
Smith is the 17th-ranked quarterback in our week 4 rankings.
Why You Should Start Anthony Richardson
Richardson is still working his way back from a concussion, but did practice on Wednesday, so that’s a step in the right direction.
For the sake of this article, let’s say Richardson is cleared and plays this weekend against the Los Angeles Rams. That game is part of the first slate of action on Sunday, so just keep an eye on Richardson as the week progresses.
Richardson looked solid in week 1, completing 24-of-37 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted once. Richardson ran for 40 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
The rookie was looking good in week 2 before suffering a concussion. He had rushed for 35 yards and two touchdowns on three carries, while passing for 56 yards on 6-of-10 passing.
The Colts take on a Rams’ defense this weekend that’s surrendered just 11 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks through three weeks. Richardson is the 21st-ranked QB in our week 4 projections.
Why You Should Start Russell Wilson
The Broncos have not looked good to start the season, but it hasn't been because of Wilson. The veteran has completed 68 of his 104 passes for 791 yards and six touchdowns. He’s been intercepted twice.
Wilson hasn’t done a lot of running so far, with just 57 yards and seven scrambles. He hasn’t scored on the ground.
The Broncos are pretty healthy overall, but one thing to keep an eye on is the status of top receiver Jerry Jeudy. He was limited in Wednesday’s practice.
Wilson and the Broncos will face the Bears in a battle of winless teams. The Bears have been carved up by opposing quarterbacks, with an average of 21 fantasy points against them.
Wilson is the 13th-ranked quarterback in our week 4 projections.
Why You Should Start Justin Fields
Fields will be guiding the Bears in the other half of the Broncos, Bears matchup. He’s struggled mightily across the first three weeks.
Fields has completed 51-of-88 passes for 526 yards. He has more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3). Fields hasn’t gotten going on the ground yet, with just 109 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
Fields has been sacked 13 times already. He’s also lost a fumble.
Denver has struggled slowing opposing quarterbacks, giving up an average of 22 fantasy points a game. Fields is ranked 12th in our projections as a result.
Why You Should Start Jared Goff
Goff is off to a strong start to his 2023 season. He’s completed 72 of his 103 passes for 819 yards and five touchdowns. He’s been intercepted twice, but has not lost a fumble.
Like many of the quarterbacks in this discussion, Goff isn’t much of a running threat. He has 2 yards on 10 attempts, but has scored a touchdown.
Detroit will be missing a few players for Thursday’s game, but is expected to get a little help back.
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Goff will be taking on a Packers’ defense that’s allowed 17 fantasy points a game through three weeks. Goff is the 19th-ranked quarterback in our projections.
Why You Should Start Dak Prescott
The Cowboys are off to a 2-1 start, but Prescott hasn’t been all that good. He’s thrown for 647 yards and three touchdowns, while tossing one interception. He’s completed 69-of-102 passes.
Prescott has added 44 rushing yards on 10 carries so far. He has not scored.
Prescott should have all of his skill players around him, but might be down a couple members of the offensive line. If two or more are out, that could make things tough for Prescott when he and the Cowboys take on the New England Patriots.
New England has been strong against opposing quarterbacks, allowing just 10 fantasy points on average. Prescott is ranked 18th in our projections.
Final Numbers and the Recommended Start
For the first time, there is not a consensus view on a quarterback being started over anyone else. Goff, Fields and Smith are the favorites, but none are the preferred starter against every other guy.
Fields and Wilson have the best matchups on paper, and I think the top-scoring quarterback from this discussion comes from that game. I like what Wilson has done a lot more than Fields so far, so I’d give him the edge and take him as the best quarterback of this bunch.
I’m between Fields and Smith for the No. 2 spot. Again, I’d shy away from Fields simply because he hasn’t looked good so far. Smith is taking on an average defense, so I’d take him over Fields and just behind Wilson.
I’d go with Goff as my fifth option. The Lions might run a touch more if Montgomery plays, but I still think Goff outscores Love and Prescott. I’d take Love over Prescott simply because of the defense they are each going up against.
I like Richardson a lot and believe he’ll one day be one of the top quarterbacks in the league, but coming off a concussion and facing a top defense, I’d avoid starting him this week.
