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NFL Fantasy Football DFS Picks for Week 4
Quarterback Value Picks
Philip Rivers ($8,400)
By this point in the season, we all know how terrible the Jacksonville defense is. This week’s beneficiaries are the Chargers, who get to face a Jags team that travels across the country and is allowing 306 passing yards and 160 rushing yards per game, both good for dead last in the league. Rivers has certainly been comfortable this year, with 778 yards and six touchdowns through three games. Another positive for the Chargers is that Blake Bortles is starting, and he may be able to provide some points for the opposition, which means Rivers and company should be in the game into the fourth quarter.
Teddy Bridgewater ($5,900)
The punt play of the week is going to be Teddy Bridgewater, getting his first career start for the Vikings. He will face a Falcons defense that is giving up 263 passing yards a game and watched Brees and Dalton light up their secondary. Bridgewater is certainly not at the level of those QBs, but he did have a solid 8 fantasy points in relief duty last week in a loud Superdome in New Orleans. Considering Adrian Peterson is still out, the Vikings will not have much choice but to throw. Don’t be surprised if Teddy puts up 225 passing yards, 40 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Running Back DFS Value Picks
Donald Brown ($6,300)
Yes, we're going back to well with the Brown pick against the Jags. In cash games, he is a near must-own, as things could not line up any better. Top backs Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead are both out with injuries, and not to beat a dead horse or anything, but Jacksonville is awful defensively. Last week, Brown had a staggering 31 carries, so San Diego clearly has confidence. If you want to be contrarian, you could fade him in a GPP, but be aware that for this price you will not find a better play on the board.
DeAngelo Williams ($5,700)
Last week, Williams was out while Stewart and Tolbert were in. This week the exact opposite looks to be the case, as Stewart and Tolbert look doubtful with injuries while Williams is back at practice and on track to play. The matchup with Baltimore isn't great, at they are eighth in the NFL in rush defense, but the Browns had 85 rushing yards and two touchdowns from their running backs last week. If Williams can duplicate those numbers, he'll be well worth this price tag.
Wide Receiver DFS Value Picks
Steve Smith ($6,100)
In the same game as Williams, Steve Smith gets to take on his former team in his new home. Smith has been outstanding for the Ravens this year, leading the team in receptions, targets and yards. He has 10 more targets than the number two option (injured Dennis Pitta), and six receptions of over 20 yards in just three games. Expect the former Panther to show his old team what they're missing out on this year.
Greg Jennings ($5,400)
As mentioned above, Bridgewater is getting his first start this weekend, and he'll be without his top safety blanket in Kyle Rudolph. Jennings will likely fill that role, as Patterson and Wright are deep threat options and Jennings takes care of much of the short work. He has been reliable this year, notching 12 receptions, 132 yards and a touchdown in three games. The Falcons have been vulnerable to the pass-- they've given up big games to #2 receivers Sanu and Brandon Cooks already this year.
Kenny Stills ($4,600)
Stills is certainly more of a GPP punt option this week, but he will face a Cowboys defense that isn't great. Stills missed the first game of the year, but he has seven receptions and 63 yards on nine targets over his last two outings. He also could expose newly minted nickel corner Morris Claiborne, who stormed out of practice after he was told he will no longer be starting. Brees does as well as anyone spreading the ball around, and Stills has a good chance for a huge game on a near-minimum salary.
Tight End DFS Value Picks
Jace Amaro ($4,500): Anyone who played daily CFB last year certainly knows Amaro’s name, as he was a beast for Texas Tech last season. He posted a ridiculous 106 receptions, 1,352 yards and seven touchdowns for the high-flying Red Raiders. While the Jets offense isn’t that prolific, Amaro has started to see his targets pick up. Last week, he caught three balls on four targets, and he should also benefit from a less-than-100% Eric Decker. Amaro was drafted in the second round to be a dynamic playmaker, and he should quickly start to overtake Cumberland as the top TE for the Jets.
Defense DFS Value Picks
DEF: Detroit ($4,700): Although I like Amaro, I think the Lions are a steal at $4,700 this week. They have eight sacks through three games this year, and have only allowed an average of 15 points per game. Detroit’s front seven took a hit with the loss of Tulloch, but Suh, Fairley and Ansah should be able to tee off on Geno Smith, who seems like a near lock to turn the ball over at least once.
