Week 4 has a lot of value options at RB where there are about 5-6 strong options that you can roster for under $7,000. Beyond my top options listed below, other possibilities include Bilal Powell, Joe Mixon and even Wendell Smallwood. Other positions don’t offer as much value so using a couple cheap RBs and paying up at other positions could be a viable roster construction this week, especially in GPPs.
The intent is not to play this exact lineup as it will come in well below the Salary Cap but to use the players as a baseline of value options which can then be upgraded to a better player with a higher salary at a few of the positions.
So, onto the value plays for Week 4…
The LootCrate FanDuel Value Plays for Week 4
Quarterbacks
Eli Manning (NYG) @ TB $7,000
Manning and the Giants finally showed some life in the 4th quarter last week only to come up short against the Eagles. Now at 0-3, Eli and company are in a must-win situation when they travel to Tampa Bay this week. The Buccaneers’ pass defense was just torched by none other than Case Keenum last week for 369 yards and three touchdowns. With a non-existent running game, the Giants will have to air it out against the Bucs which should lead to some big numbers for Manning.
Running Backs
Chris Carson (SEA) vs IND $6,600
Seahawks’ rookie RB Chris Carson has received the most carries every week this season as is averaging a solid 4.5 YPC. He should get a lot of volume this week with the Seahawks almost a two-touchdown home favorite over the Colts who have allowed a league-high 5.84 YPC to opposing RBs. Carson could also gain some targets in the passing game with C.J. Prosise out. Carson makes a great Sunday night hammer in what could be a breakout performance in primetime.
Christian McCaffrey (CAR) @ NE $6,400
McCaffrey was on my list last week and came through with nine receptions for 101 yards and chipped in 16 yards on the ground against the Saints. Despite all of his production, McCaffrey has somehow seen his salary decrease by $400 this week in another favorable matchup for a pass-catching RB. He should have a positive game script with the Panthers trying to keep pace with the Patriots who have allowed an average of 5.7 receptions for 84.3 yards and 0.7 touchdowns to opposing RBs this season.
Wide Receivers
Demaryius Thomas (DEN) vs OAK $6,900
Thomas continues to post consistent numbers for the Broncos’ offense but his salary sits under $7,000 due to his lack of touchdowns so far this season. Thomas has been targeted at least eight times in every game while averaging 78.7 yards per game. Look for Thomas to find pay dirt this week against a Raiders’ secondary that has allowed some big plays to big WRs over the last two weeks with Josh Doctson and Jermaine Kearse scoring a total of three touchdowns.
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) vs SF $6,700
Fitzgerald is coming off a big game Monday night against the Cowboys reeling in 13 passes for 149 yards and a score. He has been targeted 34 times through the first three games and remains the focal point of the Cardinals offense with David Johnson out. He will face a 49ers defense that allowed two 100-yard receivers last week against the Rams and has given up four touchdowns to opposing WRs this season.
Rishard Matthews (TEN) @ HOU $6,000
Matthews is my favorite cheap WR this week. He received 10 targets last week with Corey Davis out and should see similar volume this week with Davis already ruled out. He lit up the Texans in Week 16 last season with nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. The Texans have given up some long pass plays this season allowing 15.9 YPC to opposing WRs which ranks 30th and the Titans may be forced to pass more often than normal against a solid Texans’ run defense.
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry (LAC) vs PHI $5,600
Anybody that rostered Henry in Week 1 or 3 are probably rolling their eyes right now saying “no way!”. However, I have a gut feeling that Henry will get involved in the offense this week. It is not like avoiding targeting Henry has helped the Chargers win as they are 0-3. So look for Philip Rivers to get the athletic TE involved this week against the Eagles who have allowed 10.2 receptions for 61.3 yards to opposing TEs this season. I also expect the Chargers to focus on the passing game more this week with Melvin Gordon not 100% going against a solid Eagles’ run defense.
Kicker
Phil Dawson (ARI) vs SF $4,500
Dawson and the Cardinals have attempted 2.7 field goals per game this season which ranks 4th, meanwhile, the 49ers have allowed 2.3 attempts per game. With the Cardinals as a home favorite, there should plenty of scoring chances for the minimum priced Dawson.
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Defense
Vikings (MIN) vs DET $4,500
I prefer the Bengals and Cardinals’ defenses for just $100 more but I will stick to my $4,500 or under rule for this article and go with the Vikings’ defense playing at home against the Lions. The Lions are a pass-heavy offense which opens up more opportunities for the Vikings to register sacks, turnovers and potentially a touchdown.
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