Wk4 sleeper starters
Been so busy with the other jobs that I haven't had much time to devote to fantasy football this week, but if you're in a bind (and with the first bye week and all the injuries out there right now, who isn't?) here are your last-minute sleeper starters for Week 4 (and remember: I only tell you about players who are available in more than 50 percent of CBS Sportsline leagues):
QB: (42 points, 14 ppg) Steve McNair. His injuries have dropped him below the 50 percent ownership threshold (42 percent), and this week he's probable against a Cleveland defense that's given up 11 touchdown passes in three weeks. If your guy is out, grab him. OUTCOME: 307 yards passing, one Pa TD, one INT, two yards rushing, 16 fantasy points. We'll call that a HIT, as it was better than five of the starters in my random CBS Sportsline league.
RB (13 points, 4.33 ppg): Leon Washington. There isn't a good RB option available on the waiver wire this week, so you'd have to be pretty desperate (say, you have Steven Jackson and Ahman Green as your starters) to go this route. Here's the argument: For a non-starter, Washington (44 percent ownership) has value because he a factor in three phases of the game: running, passing and returning; he's a gamebreaker who at least has an opportunity to pick up long yards if he slips the first tackler; he's a threat to score every time he's on the field. But I feel really bad for you if you're down to this. OUTCOME: 24 rushing yards, 38 passing yards, one touchdown, 11 fantasy points. That's better than 16 of the 24 RB starters in my benchmark league, so mark that a HIT.
WR (12 points, 4 ppg): Brandon Stokely. He's always been a good little receiver, but injuries have dogged him. This week he's back healthy against his old team and should get more playing time with No. 1 WR Javon Walker hobbled by knee issues. OUTCOME: Two receptions, 20 yards, 1 fantasy point. MISS.
TE (8 points, 2.67 ppg): Greg Olsen. He's in a tight-end committee, which is hard to get excited about, but in his first NFL action last week the Bears' rookie looked really good. I think the Bears will wind up having to throw more than they'd like to this week, and Olsen (44 percent) is a good threat to score even though he's not the starter. Besides, the obvious choices are owned right now, and the Lions are a good matchup for receivers. OUTCOME: I only saw him line up on a couple of series and Griese never looked his way once. Desmond Clark, meanwhile, hauled in seven for 44 and a score. MISS.
PK (21 points, 7 ppg): Kris Brown. The Houston kicker isn't exactly tearing up the pea patch, but Brown's (14 percent ownership) 24 points in three games is significantly better than "studs" like Nate Kaeding or Robbie Gould. He's indoors at Atlanta, where the Falcons aren't giving up huge points. Still and all, this could be one of those kicker duels, so I like his chances here. OUTCOME: 10 points. HIT.
DST (45 points, 15 ppg): 49ers. You can pick up the San Francisco defense in 52 percent of leagues, and if you're stuck with a team like Chicago this week, it's time to consider making a switch. I know the Seahawks scored big last week, but I suspect the first team to 17 points wins this matchup by the Bay, and the 49ers are a greatly improved unit. OUTCOME: Six fantasy points. Losing Alex Smith in the first quarter killed this pick. MISS.
Good luck this week!
Editor's note: I'll add the percentages and history later.
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