Week 4 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Jordan Addison Steps Up for Justin Jefferson
CBSSports.com · October 2, 2026
Key takeaways
- Justin Jefferson (ankle) is out Week 4 vs. Miami, making Jordan Addison a must-start in most fantasy formats.
- Addison averaged 14.7 PPR points per game in 2023 during a 7-game stretch without Jefferson, and showed similar flashes in Week 3.
- Sam Darnold and Seattle's passing game are heating up, offering additional sleeper value alongside names like C.J. Stroud and Jameson Williams.
Jefferson's Injury Opens the Door for Addison
Justin Jefferson is sitting out Week 4 against Miami with an ankle injury, and that's huge news for anyone with Jordan Addison on their fantasy roster. Addison already showed what he can do without Jefferson on the field — five catches, 90 yards, and a touchdown on nine targets back in Week 3 at Tampa Bay. Now he gets a full week to prepare as Minnesota's clear No. 1 option.
If you're in a two-receiver league, Addison is worth starting. In three-receiver formats, he's a must-start. That's a big jump in confidence for a guy who was previously more of a flex-level play.
Why This Matchup Works in Addison's Favor
History backs this up too. Back in 2023, Addison played seven games without Jefferson and averaged 14.7 PPR points per game over that stretch. The Vikings' offense has evolved since then, but the blueprint is the same: when Jefferson's out, targets funnel to Addison.
The Dolphins defense isn't a pushover — they've allowed just one touchdown to a wide receiver all season, and only Rashee Rice has cracked 12 PPR points against them in 2025. But Addison stepping into a true alpha role changes the math. Volume wins in fantasy, and he's about to see plenty of it.
Other Names on the Radar
Eisenberg's sleeper list doesn't stop with Addison. Sam Darnold is heating up at quarterback after a 379-yard, four-touchdown performance in Week 3 against Washington. Seattle's passing attack has now produced seven touchdowns across the last two weeks between Darnold and backup Drew Lock, suggesting the Seahawks may be leaning on the air raid more than expected this season.
Players like C.J. Stroud, Jameson Williams, and Darren Waller also round out this week's sleeper picks, each offering their own path to upside based on matchup and opportunity.
What This Means for Your Lineup
Week 4 is shaping up to be a week where injuries create opportunity. Addison is the headline name, but if you're scanning the waiver wire or setting your DFS lineup, pay close attention to target share shifts across the league — that's often where the real fantasy value hides.
The lesson from Addison's situation is a classic fantasy football truth: when a true WR1 goes down, the next man up in a good offense almost always deserves a second look, even against a stingy secondary.
Why it matters
Fantasy football managers need to react fast to injury news, and Jefferson's absence creates a clear, data-backed opportunity at wide receiver. Knowing who steps up in these situations can be the difference between a winning and losing lineup this week.
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