In fantasy football circles, and otherwise, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff will forever be disregarded. Despite offering nothing as runner, Goff is one of just three quarterbacks to finish as a top-10 fantasy signal caller in each of the four years before this one.
Of course getting to that top-10 finish has tended to be a roller coaster, but when Goff is drafted as a fantasy manager's QB2 it becomes an accepted risk.
Through Week 3 this season, Goff is again a top-10 fantasy signal caller. A Lions' defense that is struggling to keep opposing offenses at bay for all four quarters promises to keep him throwing the ball plenty on a weekly basis.
Week 4 brings a very favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who will be notably depleted in the secondary. If not for facing the Atlanta Falcons and Cooper Rush/Jack Strand in Week 2, they'd be bottom-five in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks so far this season.
As noted by Jared Smola of Draft Sharks, Lions-Panthers is also the fasted-paced matchup of offenses on the Week 4 slate. Faster pace=more plays=fantasy goodness for many involved.
Week 4 Pace Matchups
— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) September 30, 2026
🐇 Lions at Panthers
🐇 Cowboys at Texans
🐢 Jaguars at Bengals pic.twitter.com/1vXlm2IU0J
Jared Goff is set to keep delivery gold to his fantasy managers
Heading into Week 4, ESPN's Matt Bowen has highlighted eight players on the upswing in fantasy; six to trade for, and two to add.
Goff is among Bowen's six to trade for.
"Goff is scoring 21.2 fantasy PPG despite very limited rushing totals (15 yards) because he's one of the league's best pocket throwers. Goff has completed 70.6% of passes this season, and he has at least two touchdown throws in all three games. He's a rhythm passer in an offense scoring 31.0 PPG (third most), and that Detroit defense is really struggling to find an identity (allowing a league-worst 31.7 PPG), which can lead to more shootouts for Goff."
The exact fantasy points per game average for Goff varies a bit based on scoring system, of course, but Bowen's point holds. The Lions' signal caller is getting it done.
"Now, can you get Goff in a trade? The arrow is pointing up, but let's look for managers in 10- or 12-team leagues who drafted Goff as their QB2. Make a move now because Goff can be used as a matchup-based starter, and his upcoming schedule (@CAR, @ARI, BYE, GB) looks really good. He's going to get you 16 to 18 points a week, and we can win with that."
READ MORE: Lions will get first look at Monroe Freeling since (rightfully) drafting Blake Miller
Goff's upcoming schedule does look nice.
The Arizona Cardinals may look better after facing the New York Giants in Week 4, but they enter the week allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks (Yahoo! scoring). The Green Bay Packers may look like a tougher matchup in Week 7, but based on the quarterbacks they're in line to face the next two weeks their fantasy standing will continue to look flimsy.
It feels like Goff can always be a buy-low in fantasy, however it's appropriate: on draft day, to trade for during the season, etc. As good as he's been through three weeks, he has also surely been below the radar of fantasy managers who aren't rostering him.
Quarterback-needy fantasy managers should be aware of that Week 6 bye, and determine if it matters to them. Otherwise Goff is a very solid trade target, since his current manager might be forever hunting for someone they think is better. Getting his bye week out of the way early can also be considered a good thing in terms of making a trade offer.
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