Fantasy managers are in for some brutal lineup decisions in Week 4, and if you’re stuck between San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, your weekly matchup could hinge entirely on this call. One guy is finally heating up at the perfect time, while the other’s supposed breakout year has gone completely off the rails.
Deebo Samuel Is Surging at the Perfect Time
Deebo Samuel has quietly put together some seriously promising production over the last three weeks, especially considering where he’s at in his career and what we all thought his initial outlook was when he signed with the 49ers. He’s stacked up nine receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns already! But the real kicker? His snap share has been on a rocket ride every single week: 42% in Week 1, 60% in Week 2, and a whopping 76% in Week 3. What happens if 49ers receiver Mike Evans, who’s a game-time decision for Week 4, doesn’t suit up? Samuel’s snap share is practically guaranteed to shoot up even further against the Denver Broncos. And even if Evans plays, Samuel’s got a killer matchup. The Broncos have been a sieve against the pass, giving up the eighth-most passing yards per game in the NFL at 237.0. Their last two opponents’ WR1s? They torched Denver for 98 and 137 receiving yards. That’s a green light, folks.
Emeka Egbuka’s Nightmare Start Gets Worse With a QB Change
Remember all the hype around Emeka Egbuka’s second season? Yeah, it’s not happening. Not even close. He got bumped up to the Buccaneers’ WR1 spot with Evans heading to the 49ers, and everyone thought he was destined for fantasy stardom. Through three games, he’s got just 13 receptions for 141 yards and a single touchdown. Oof. And while it’s easy to blame Egbuka, the truth is it’s not solely his fault. The entire Bucs passing game has been awful, averaging the sixth-fewest passing yards per game at a dismal 185.0. Now, they’re trying to light a fire under that offense by rolling out a new quarterback, Jalon Daniels, in Week 4, with Baker Mayfield sidelined by a thumb injury. But they’re running straight into a solid Green Bay Packers passing defense. The Packers are only giving up the 10th-fewest passing yards per game in the NFL, at 202.0. Sure, the past two WR1s they faced, Garrett Wilson for the Jets (5 rec, 57 yds, 1 TD) and Drake London for the Falcons (9 rec, 194 yds), had decent outings. But with a struggling passing attack and a new QB, Egbuka’s outlook is grim.
When the dust settles on Week 4 fantasy decisions, the call between Samuel and Egbuka is crystal clear. Samuel’s got the momentum, the increasing workload, and the soft matchup to have a huge day, even if Evans plays. Egbuka, on the other hand, is staring down a bad offense, a new QB, and a tough defense. Your fantasy championship dreams might just start with this Week 4 choice: you’re starting Deebo, and Emeka Egbuka is riding the pine.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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