DFS NFL FanDuel Week 4: Mini Slate Lineup Advice
Welcome to the Week 4 NFL FanDuel Mini article. In this article we will be taking a look at a relatively new slate that was introduced about half-way through the MLB season this year. Unlike a traditional FanDuel NFL lineup, you only have to roster five players (QB, RB, RB, WR, WR) in the FanDuel Mini format. One other slight difference is that all tight ends also appear as wide receivers, so you do have the option of using a tight end if you choose to do so. The total salary cap ($60,000) is the exact same as a traditional NFL FanDuel lineup, but they do scale the salaries up a little bit to accommodate for the smaller roster size. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite options for the FanDuel Mini slate in Week 4.
Quarterback
Dak Prescott DAL: $11,000 vs. LAR
Despite throwing for only 183 yards on Monday night against the Cardinals, Dak Prescott had a very solid game since he threw two touchdowns and ran one in as well. This week he has a decent matchup against the Chargers, who just allowed Brian Hoyer to throw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns last Thursday night.
DeShone Kizer CLE: $8,500 vs. CIN
I actually don’t think it  is a terrible strategy if  you decide to go all the way down to DeShone Kizer at $8,500. Kizer has not been efficient in his first three starts, throwing the most interceptions in the NFL. However, his willingness to run and throw deep down the field more than makes up for his interceptions.
Running Back
Le’Veon Bell PIT: $12,500 @ BAL
Le’Veon Bell is off to a pretty slow start to the season, but he definitely showed some signs of busting out last Sunday afternoon against the Bears. Bell had 98 yards on 15 rushing attempts and six receptions with a touchdown. This week he has a decent matchup against  the Ravens, who have only looked like an average team against the run through three weeks of the 2017 season.
Todd Gurley LAR: $13,000 @ DAL
Todd Gurley had a monster game last Thursday night against the 49ers, scoring three touchdowns in the first half and finishing the game with 149 yards on 28 carries and five receptions. With Jared Goff making significant improvements in his sophomore season, opposing defenses can no longer stack the box to completely take Gurley out of the game. Gurley is primed to have a monster season, and he should have another solid against in a decent matchup against the Cowboys.
Bilal Powell NYJ: $11,500 vs. JAC
If you do not spend up at both running back spots this week, consider going the value route with Bilal Powell. Matt Forte has been ruled out this week against the Jaguars, which means that Powell will likely get majority of the touches out of the backfield. On top of that, we may finally see Powell become active in the passing game like he was significantly in 2016 when Forte missed some time.
Wide Receiver
A.J. Green CIN: $12,000 @ CLE
I knew that the Bengals’ offense was not nearly as bad as what they showed in each of the first two weeks of the season and they nearly pulled off a huge upset over the Packers in an overtime loss. Green had an excellent game with a touchdown and 111 yards on 13 targets and 10 receptions. Green only played in one of the games against the Browns in 2016, but it was a huge game for 169 yards and a touchdown.
DeAndre Hopkins HOU: $11,500 vs. TEN
DeAndre Hopkins and the Texans surprised me this past week putting up some very nice offensive numbers in a difficult environment at Foxboro. Will Fuller should return for the Texans to make his season debut, but Hopkins will continue to the be the focal point of the Texans’ passing game. This week he has a decent matchup against the Titans, who have really struggled in the secondary through the first three weeks of the season.
Larry Fitzgerald ARI: $9,000 vs. SFO
If you want to go the value route at wide receiver this week, consider dropping down to  Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald finally came alive in a big way on Monday night against the Cowboys with a touchdown and 149 yards on 13 receptions and 15 targets. I believe the Cardinals’ offense might have finally figured out how to operate with the absence of David Johnson, so look for Fitzgerald to continue to put up solid numbers this week against a beatable 49ers’ secondary.
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
The GoingFor2 Live Podcast
