Welcome to Week 4 of the 2026 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Large League Super Subs
- For Real, Fool's Gold -- Rookie Edition
- Reserve RBs Worth Adding
- Backfields in Flux
Let's roll...
Matt Waldman: Pick one potential option as a plug-and-play for your lineup in Week 4
- WR Konata Mumpfield, LA
- WR Jordan Watkins, SF
- WR Ted Hurst III, TB
(Editor's Note: Puka Nacua was likely sitting out Week 4 at the time of the discussion)
Phil Alexander: Yikes. This is like being asked to pick the summer school valedictorian.
Waldman: Parker Washington, Michael Wilson, and, a long time ago, Stefon Diggs want you to know that summer school made them the fantasy powerhouses they are today.
Alexander: Nonetheless, it ain't pretty.
Ted Hurst III is the best prospect of the three, but for this week, his wagon is hitched to an undrafted rookie free agent making his first NFL start. No thank you.
Watkins is intriguing. He has the run-after-catch ability you like to see in a Shanahan scheme. Unfortunately, the 49ers play Denver this week, and the Broncos have allowed the fourth-fewest normalized fantasy points to wide receivers. We also don't know how much field time we can safely project for Watkins with Dante Pettis and Brandin Cooks as potential veteran call-ups from the practice squad.
Mumpfield is the boring choice, but probably the correct one. Assuming Puka Nacua remains sidelined, we can at least count on him to play around 70 percent of the offensive snaps against Philadelphia. The Eagles' secondary has underperformed relative to its competition this season, and elite cornerback Quinyon Mitchell should have his hands full with Davante Adams. Mumpfield is the only receiver on this list with any semblance of a safe floor.
Sean Settle: My pick is Ted Hurst III. He has been targeted 13 times across 3 games, including 7 in Week 2, and scored his first career touchdown in Week 3. What makes this more than a one-week flier is the situation behind him. Baker Mayfield's dislocated thumb is being described as a minimum 3-week absence, with Jalon Daniels now installed as the starter rather than a stopgap for one Sunday.
A rookie quarterback getting multiple weeks to build rhythm with his most targeted rookie receiver is a sturdier foundation for a plug-and-play than a receiver whose role could shrink the moment an injured starter returns. Ryan lands on Hurst for a similar reason, pointing out that Daniels has practiced with Hurst more than he has with the team's other established options, which only reinforces the case for continuity over the alternatives. Hurst will get the best opportunity in an offense that sorely needs someone to step up and get this season on track.
Andy Hicks: By process of elimination, I have to agree with those who chose Konata Mumpfield if Nacua doesn't play. Ted Hurst III has an undrafted rookie throwing the ball this week and would struggle to be the third expected target on most routes. Jordan Watkins is interesting, but with McCaffrey, Kittle, and Deebo Samuel Sr. around, Watkins relies on a big play for any fantasy impact against the Broncos.
I wouldn't place long-term value on Mumpfield, but this week against the Eagles, if Puka Nacua is actually out, he wins. I expect Davanta Adams to be the focus of any game plan the Eagles use to shut down the Rams.