Week 4 winners and losers: CeeDee Lamb, Kyren Williams dominate; Jaxon Smith-Njigba struggles

Week 4 of the 2026 fantasy football season featured massive games by CeeDee Lamb, Kyren Williams and Javonte Williams. On the flip side, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 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

1. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

What a day by the star wide receiver and -- in fact -- a career-best performance 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 for Lamb's elite ability as he managed 14 catches for 161 yards in zone coverage 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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2. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

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 has scored at least 21 points in two straight games. With a positive matchup versus the Bills up next, Williams should be played as an 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 has at least 18 points, and a rushing score, in three of four games 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

4. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Walker continues to post elite RB1 numbers in Andy Reid's offense. Walker scored 30.9 points in Sunday's win over the Chiefs, rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, while adding one reception for two yards. Walker is now scoring 27.5 PPG, and he has at least one touchdown in every game played. Walker should be viewed as a top-3 running back when the Chiefs return from the bye in Week 6 versus the Chargers. -- Bowen

5. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

Collins, who missed the past two games because of 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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6. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

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 in the Week 5 matchup versus the Falcons if Lamar Jackson (ankle) can't play? If Tyler Huntley starts, look for more play-action throws, which will create schemed targets for Flowers. He'll stay in the WR2 range. -- Bowen

7. Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears

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. 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

8. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

There's the fantasy WR1-caliber performance we've all been hoping for from Nabers, a performance that seemed more of a distant hope after Jameis Winston took over at quarterback for 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

9. Drake Maye, QB, and Romeo Doubs, WR, New England Patriots

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 threw another interception -- he is one (7) away from his 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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10. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Thrust into the spotlight after Ja'Marr Chase's (concussion) early exit, Higgins dominated targets with 16 of the team's 53 and finished 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

11. Emanuel Wilson, RB, Seattle Seahawks

With Jadarian Price (chest) on injured reserve, Wilson capitalized by playing 59% of the offensive snaps, handling 21-of-33 rushing attempts and totaling 27.0 fantasy points. That Wilson had three catches for 33 yards and a score while running only one fewer route (8) than did George Holani (9) also speaks well for his newfound status as the team's No. 1 back. He's unlikely to be a league-winner, especially not with tricky matchups ahead (SF, @DEN, KC), but the usage signals fantasy RB2/flex utility. -- Cockcroft

12. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Hockenson scored a season-high 24.9 points in Sunday's win over the Dolphins, catching all 13 of his targets for 119 yards. If Justin Jefferson (ankle) is still down next week, Hockenson should be started in a prime matchup versus a Saints' defense that has struggled against opposing tight ends. -- Bowen

13. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

In the Thursday night game, Judkins had a season-high 21.6 points in the win over the Steelers. Judkins had 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 play again. Swift finished with 7.4 fantasy points, meaning he has scored fewer points in his past three games (31.1) than he did in Week 1 (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

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Perhaps we're spoiled when a wide receiver can score 12.6 fantasy points for us and still be termed a disappointment, but here we are. Smith-Njigba saw only six targets, but the Seahawks also didn't need to lean heavily upon him with a big lead for most of the day -- Sam Darnold attempted only 22 passes total. Even with the so-so score, Smith-Njigba has 116.66 fantasy points through four games, a total exceeded by only 15 other players (at any position) this century and 19 since the merger. He's off to one heck of a start and will be a critical part of the game plan against the 49ers next week. -- Cockcroft

3. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

His modest usage finally came back to haunt him, as after he turned five or fewer targets into at least 10 fantasy points in two of his first three games (with the other an 11-target, 25.1 point Week 2), Kelce saw only four passes and scored 3.5 points on Sunday. At this stage of his career, he's more apt to be a hit-or-miss type than the top-shelf option he was during his prime. Kelce and the Chiefs have their bye in Week 5. -- Cockcroft

4. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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 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

5. Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

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 avoided, considering WR1s have averaged only 8.0 fantasy points against the Bengals thus far. -- Cockcroft

6. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

Kincaid was a nonfactor in the loss to the Patriots. Kincaid had two targets, catching one for 7 yards (1.7 points), and he has caught just three of five for 45 yards in his past 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 past two games), so he'll look to get back on track in Week 5 versus the Rams. ---Bowen

7. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

McBride had heavy usage (12 targets) in Sunday's game, and he caught seven passes. However, McBride totaled only 31 yards receiving (10.1 points). I'm not concerned about McBride though, as he has had double-digit targets in all four games this season. And the Lions' defense is up next in Week 5. -- Bowen

8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals

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 minus-8 yards. And Tyler Allgeier got 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

9. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

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 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 the Jets get the Browns in Week 5. A WR1-caliber rebound should be expected. -- Cockcroft

10. Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Adams had 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

Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

What we know: After dealing with a foot injury during the practice week, McConkey suffered a setback and was ruled out for the day early in the third quarter.

What's next: Marquez Valdes-Scantling saw an uptick in work following McConkey's absence, but Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris would be the top two receivers if McConkey needs to miss Week 5. It's a subpar matchup against the Broncos -- though their cornerbacks did suffer injuries of their own -- for that game and the struggling Broncos passing game should be avoided. -- Cockcroft

Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

What we know: After catching a pass in the first quarter, Rice suffered a hamstring injury, and he did not return to the game.

What's next: The Chiefs head into the bye next week, so we'll wait for updates on Rice ahead of the Week 6 matchup versus the Chargers. With Tyquan Thornton also going down with a severe ankle injury, the Chiefs are thin at wide receiver. As of now, Xavier Worthy will move into an elevated role, and we could see more volume for Jalen Royals. Stay tuned. -- Bowen

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. Barkley had just three touches, 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 because of a lower-body injury. Let's keep an eye on updates this week for 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 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 return 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 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 because of 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 didn't 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 iffy, and bear in mind that the Bengals could 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 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 while 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 get 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 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 reinjured 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 multiweek 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 skill players should be avoided if Daniels and Mariota are absent. -- Cockcroft