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Week 3 of the NFL season is in the books, and what a week it was. We saw the Chargers take down the Chiefs in Arrowhead, showing the Chargers are ready to battle for the AFC West crown. The Rams hosted Tom Brady and the Bucs and dominating, making Matt Stafford one of the early MVP front runners. There was a lot of great football last week and a lot more to come this week.
For Week 4, we will stick with the usual cash gameplan of looking for a solid floor and going from there, especially when it comes to value plays. Most of the value I will target in cash this week will be at WR, but for the most part, I will have a somewhat balanced approach. Derrick Henry will be a great play when paying up as Julio Jones, and AJ Brown are both out on Sunday. At the QB position, we have Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, and many other solid options, but paying up won't be a must. The best way to save will be at defense and TE this week while playing more mid-priced WR. In the end, when it comes to cash, follow the chalk, and good things will happen.
This article will take a look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, when you look at value plays for GPP, you are somewhat swinging for the fences. Here I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, be that pass attempts, targets, or carries. So, let's look at the cash value plays for Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season.
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Week 4 Quarterback Cash Game Value Plays
Taylor Heinicke, WAS at ATL | DK: $5,900, FD: $7,400
Most likely, you will be paying up a bit more for your QB this week, but if you are looking for value, Heinicke makes for a great option. A QB that can run always gets a bump, especially in cash. In Heinicke's two starts this year, he has thrown for two touchdowns in each game while also running in a touchdown. He has scored over 20 fantasy points in each start and now gets a great matchup on the road versus the Falcons.
A Falcons D allows nearly three touchdowns per game to opposing quarterbacks and well over 20 fantasy points. WFT is a 1.5 point road favorite with a 24.5 point implied team total, meaning Heinicke should be in command and scoring some sweet fantasy points. He is not a must but brings an excellent floor to your cash lineups this Sunday.
Sam Darnold, CAR at DAL | DK: $6,000, FD: $7,200
It's truly amazing how much better a player can be when they distance themselves from Adam Gase. Darnold has only played three games for the Panthers, but he looks outstanding. He has put up 20+ fantasy points in each game with 300+ yards in the last two games and five total touchdowns.
This week he heads into a tough matchup versus the Cowboys in Arlington. It's a tough matchup because the Cowboys can score with the best, but not because of the matchup versus the defense. The Cowboys' defense has been horrible this season versus the pass. They allow nearly 350 passing yards per game with over two passing touchdowns and over 20 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
The Panthers are 4.5 point underdogs with an implied team total of 24. With no Christian McCaffrey, Darnold should be throwing early and often to keep the Panthers in the game, and that will result in a lot of fantasy goodness.
Week 4 Running Back Cash Game Value Plays
Chris Carson, SEA at SF | DK: $6,300, FD: $7,300
Carson has been a steady Eddy this season and still hasn't had one of his monster games. He has 13 or more touches in every game this season, with three total touchdowns and double-digit fantasy production in each game. In a world with so many committees, Carson is the man in Seattle with 65% of the carries (Russell Wilson is second with 17%), and 87% of the red zone carries. However, when it comes to the passing game, Carson is not a major weapon and has shared those duties with Travis Homer.
Carson will be facing a Niners' defense that allows nearly 88 yards per game on the ground and almost eight receptions per game. Carson could be in for a massive game with opposing running backs scoring over 25 fantasy points per game. At worse, he should have a safe floor that makes him a significant cash value. There are a lot of running backs in play this week but do not overlook Carson in a game where the Seahawks are three-point underdogs with a 24.5 point implied team total.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC at PHI | DK: $5,400 FD: $6,700
Last week was "CEH is too cheap week," and CEH smashed in that spot. CEH ran for 100 yards and made a couple of catches while adding a receiving touchdown. He scored 20 fantasy points and could be in line for another strong week. The Chiefs will head to Philadelphia as seven-point favorites and an implied team total of 31. The Chiefs love to throw nearly all the time but could see a lot of running if they pull ahead early. Heck, they were trailing all of last week, and CEH still had 17 carries.
The Eagles' defense is struggling this season versus opposing backs, allowing over 120 yards per game with nearly seven receptions and over 20 fantasy points. As a result, CEH received a minor price bump this week, but his role should be similar to last week, if not more involved, and that should result in another strong fantasy week.
Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL vs. WAS | DK: $4,900, FD: $6,000
This pains me so much as I am a massive Mike Davis truther, but Patterson has established himself as a fantasy asset, and his price tag makes him an excellent fantasy value this week. Patterson has received seven rushes in each game this season and has received seven targets over the last two games. Over the previous two games, Patterson has scored over 15 fantasy points in each game.
This week he takes on a WFT defense that has been disappointing coming off a strong 2020 season that left many with high expectations this season. They have been better against the rush than the pass this season, but the beauty of Patterson is he does both. Patterson should once again be in line for 10-15 touches this week, and if he finds the end zone, he could shatter his price tag. Some may say he's too risky for cash, but he brings significant savings and a consistent floor. Sign me up.
Week 4 Wide Receiver Cash Game Value Plays
DJ Moore, CAR at DAL | DK: $6,600, FD: $7,300
Some may say Moore is too expensive to be a value, but I say he's a value as he is not priced high enough. Moore is the clear alpha receiver in the Panther's passing game. Moore receives nearly 31% of the Panthers' targets, 40% of the air yards, and is in on 81% of the snaps. Far and away the alpha.
Moore has been targeted eight, 11, and 12 times while racking up 22 total catches to start the season. Moore has also racked up 15 or more fantasy points in each game with 20+ in each of the last two games. This Sunday should be a shootout versus the Cowboys' defense that ranks 28th versus opposing WR this season. They have allowed at least one Top 24 fantasy wide receiver in each game this season, and there is no reason Moore can't make it four. Roster Moore with all the confidence this week as he should easily have another massive Sunday.
Diontae Johnson, PIT at GB | DK: $6,200, FD: $7,000
After a week off with an injury, we get our cash game cow back. Johnson was a target monster last season and picked up where he left off with ten or more targets in each of the first two games. Jonhson has put up nearly 15+ fantasy points in each of his first two games and now faces the Packers in a game that the Steelers should be throwing early and often.
The Packers' defense has played well versus opposing receivers this year. Let's be honest, though. The Lions and Niners were not using their receivers as much as tight ends and running backs. The Steelers will still go to Najee Harris, but Johnson will get plenty of love. The Steelers are also seven-point road dogs, meaning throwing will be early and often. Last week Ben Roethlisberger threw over 50 passes, and I would expect at least another 40+ passes will be needed this way. Johnson should be on his way to another double-digit target game, meaning a phenomenal cash game floor.
A.J. Green, AZ at LAR | DK: $4,500, FD: $5,600
No, no, no. I have not gone crazy. Green brings a solid floor to your cash game lineup this week. Green has been targeted six times in each of Arizona's first three games. That's good for an 18% target share tied to the team lead with DeAndre Hopkins. Green is also second on the Cardinals in snap% and air yards. It gets even better as Green leads all Arizona receivers with a 25% red zone target share. Green has even put up double-digit fantasy points in each of his last two games.
Kyler Murray is using Green as his Larry Fitzgerald this season. Green's role shouldn't change this week in another pass-happy game versus the Rams. The Cardinals are 4.5 point underdogs with an implied team total of 2So So Green, and the Cardinals should be throwing early and often. DeAndre Hopkins is also banged up, which could lead to even more love for Green.
There are a few other super values this week due to injuries, so keep a close eye on the latest reports as more value will open up for your cash games.
Week 4 Tight End Cash Game Value Plays
Pat Freiermuth, PIT at GB | DK: $3,100, FD: $5,000
The Steelers' rookie tight end has turned into quite the valuable target for Big Ben of late. Freiermuth has seen four and five targets in the last two games while also finding the end zone last week. Freiermuth is also second on the Steelers over the previous two weeks with two red-zone targets, trailing only Najee Harris.
The biggest reason Freiermuth is a value is the fact he is facing the Packers' defense. A defense that ranks 30th on the season versus the TE has allowed a TE1 performance in each game. Opposing tight ends are averaging seven receptions with a touchdown and nearly 20 fantasy points per week. This week, Freiermuth will be a great safety valve for Ben and should see a solid tight end floor.
Evan Engram, NYG at NO | DK: $3,000, FD: $5,100
In reality, you are likely paying up a bit more at the tight end, but if you aren't, Engram is another punt option. Engram made his 2021-22 debut last week and received six targets. He only caught two, which is less than ideal, but he still got the targets, and that's what we want. Last week, Engram was third on the Giants with a 17% target share, trailing only Saquon Barkley and Collin Johnson (could be another sneaky cash WR value).
With Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton out this week, Engram should feast yet again. The Saints have been good versus the tight end this season, but matchups may not have been like this one. A matchup that has minimal WR options, meaning Daniel Jones will be looking to throw to Engram. The Giants are 7.5 point dogs and will often be throwing. Engram makes for a great value this week, especially when wanting to punt.
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