Julio Jones and Brandin Cooks are two of the most dangerous wide receivers in the NFL, so it came as little surprise that they were popular stack options with Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, respectively, in a high-scoring shootout this past Monday in New Orleans. Of course, the fact that they combined for three receptions and 29 yards came as a major surprise, and it highlighted the inherent danger in stacking players from the same team.
The goal of this weekly column is to help find the most profitable stacks, while avoiding the duds. Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is a perfect way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments. Let's look at some of the top stacks for Week Four, sorted loosely by salary.
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High Priced Week 4 DFS Stacks
New Orleans QB Drew Brees and WR Brandin Cooks at San Diego
Brees is a fantasy stud. This is hardly breaking news, but it warrants repeating, given his impressive start to the 2016 season. The 37-year-old has thrown for at least 375 yards and three touchdowns in two of his three games so far, and could make it three out of four this Sunday against the Chargers.
Cooks was stunningly quiet Monday night against Atlanta (two receptions, 13 yards), but don't expect a repeat of that. He's simply too talented and explosive, and Brees will look his way early and often.
Carolina QB Cam Newton and TE Greg Olsen at Atlanta
Newton and Olsen are viable plays virtually every week because of their high floors. Both are dependable and rarely post fantasy duds, but given Atlanta's struggles against opposing tight ends this season, they form an elite stack this weekend.
The Falcons surrendered 64 yards and two touchdowns to Tampa Bay tight ends in Week 1, 74 yards and a touchdown to Oakland tight ends in Week 2, and 109 yards and a touchdown to New Orleans' Coby Fleener on Monday night. Look for Olsen to keep that success going.
Detroit QB Matthew Stafford and WR Marvin Jones at Chicago
This connection is the real deal, folks. Jones' receiving yards have increased each week so far this season, from 85 in Week 1 to 118 in Week 2 to a whopping 205 in Week 3. Don't expect 200 yards from Jones again this week -- that was due to the Lions trailing by a wide margin against Green Bay.
But Jones should be heavily involved against a below-average Chicago defense, and that could certainly translate into another touchdown or two. Stafford and Jones will likely be popular, but you should still try to get some exposure to them.
Moderately Priced Week 4 DFS Stacks
San Diego QB Philip Rivers and WR Travis Benjamin vs. New Orleans
The Saints' defense is bad. Like, really bad. If you're a Saints fan, we offer our condolences. In fantasy football, however, there's no mercy -- target this defense! It's a shame Rivers won't have his full arsenal of weapons at his disposal, because with Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead and a healthy Antonio Gates, 400-plus yards and three touchdowns would be possible.
Rivers is still a strong play, but the hard part will be identifying the right receiver to pair with him. Benjamin, Tyrell Williams, and even rookie tight end Hunter Henry are all viable options.
Washington QB Kirk Cousins and TE Jordan Reed vs. Cleveland
It's been a strange season so far for Cousins, who ranks second in the NFL in passing yards (989), but has just three passing touchdowns (tied for 19th). The touchdowns will eventually come, and a home matchup against the struggling Browns might be the ideal situation.
Likewise, Reed has been solid this season but has yet to find the end zone. The Browns' defense was gashed by Baltimore's Dennis Pitta two weeks ago (nine receptions, 102 yards), so Reed should follow suit.
Baltimore QB Joe Flacco and TE Dennis Pitta vs. Oakland
Speaking of Pitta, he makes for a solid stack with Flacco against the Raiders' last-place pass defense. Despite a solid effort against Tennessee this past weekend, Oakland is still allowing 340 passing yards per game, which is ranked 32nd in the NFL.
Pitta has re-established himself as a primary option for Flacco, having drawn 20 targets over the Ravens' last two games. The Raiders' defense has struggled against tight ends in particular, so this looks like a strong spot for Pitta.
Bargin Week 4 DFS Stacks
Dallas QB Dak Prescott and TE Jason Witten at San Francisco
Another tight end stack? You bet. The matchups just seem to be jumping off the screen this week. San Francisco's season-opening shutout of Los Angeles seems like a long, long time ago, as the 49ers have been routed in their last two games by Carolina and Seattle.
Greg Olsen and Jimmy Graham both had monster outings against the 49ers' subpar defense, so the wily veteran Witten could certainly do the same. Top wide receiver Dez Bryant is unlikely to suit up, which further boosts Witten's value. Slot receiver Cole Beasley is also a nice option to pair with Prescott.
Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor and WR Robert Woods at New England
This is, admittedly, strictly a punt play for large GPP tournaments. Taylor's ceiling, due to his running ability and penchant for big plays, is always high. But his floor has been lower than expected this season. Taylor looked great in Week 2, when he threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns.
The other two games have been disappointing, with his 76 yards and touchdown on the ground salvaging last week's performance. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is again uncertain for Sunday's matchup, so if he can't go, Woods is the best stacking option. Approach with caution, but there's potential upside here.