Sterling Shepard start or sit: Week 4 fantasy football advice

Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season is upon us and the action will continue on Sunday with a battle of 3-0 squads in the NFC as the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

The Cardiac Bucs once again won a tight ballgame in the closing seconds last Sunday, as a Chase McLaughlin field goal lifted them over the Jets in a 29-27 victory. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard was very productive in the win and he be looking at a bigger role in the offense in the coming weeks.

Below, we’ll go over Shepard’s outlook in fantasy football for Week 4.

Shepard reeled in four of five targets for 80 yards against the Jets last Sunday, totaling 12 fantasy points in PPR leagues for the week. It was his highest receiving output since Week 1 of the 2022 season with the New York Giants, where he had two receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.

The veteran has been a consistent presence within the Bucs’ aerial attack this season and Baker Mayfield plans to continue to lean on his old college teammate from Oklahoma. Shepard will really be called on to step up next to rookie Emeka Egbuka over the next few weeks with Mike Evans on the shelf with a hamstring injury. Even with Chris Godwin potentially returning to the lineup, expect to see plenty of Shepard in the month of October.

Start. On top of Shepard’s increased fantasy value with Evans out, he could have a favorable matchup to exploit against the Eagles this Sunday. Philly cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is dealing with a groin injury and even if he’s able to go on Sunday, Mayfield and the Tampa offense will be ready to test him as Pro Football Focus currently has him graded as the 145th cornerback out of 158 in the entire league. This could be a big day for Shepard and if I had him on my roster, I’d give him the Flex nod for the week.

Start.