Join the Footballguys Daily Update
Start your morning with our roundup of the most important stories in football - with the fantasy insight you need to make league-winning decisions. Delivered straight to your inbox, 100% free.
In Week 3 we continued our trek toward 60% with a solid week highlighted by Austin Davis' top five performance. Matt Cassel was the real stinker of the week, but we're never going to accurately predict injuries. In Week 4 things get much more interesting with six teams on a bye. The requirements change for a true bargain play with less options available on the board, but the theme remains the same; find cheap players with good production to help you maximize your roster. The Value Play at each position is based off of the projections of David Dodds, while the Bargain Buy is my personal recommendation. You don't want a roster full of these guys, but using 1-2 of them could help you win your GPP.
Quarterback
Value Play
Teddy Bridgewater ($5700) vs. Atlanta- We like Bridgewater so much this week that we made him our value play on both DraftKings and FanDuel. As a rookie quarterback in his first start there's definitely some risk here, but his upside is ridiculous chasing the scoreboard against Atlanta. At his low price he doesn't need much to meet value and he could soar past it in garbage time if he's everything we think he is.
Bargain Buy
Derek Carr ($5200) vs. Miami- Carr's stats haven't illustrated his development very well to this point in this season. But as someone that's watched every game, he's definitely improving. The injury to Rod Streater will mean more playing time for Andre Holmes which should mean more throws down the field. It's time for this rookie quarterback to break out against a defense that gave up three passing touchdowns to Alex Smith in Week 3.
Running Back
Value Play
Fred Jackson ($4900) vs. Houston- Jackson isn't a sexy pick unless you like selecting the RB11 to this point in the season for a fraction of what he should cost. Jackson has been consistently overlooked throughout his career, but we're giving him some love this week. The Bills are using him perfectly, and Jackson's fresh legs make him look like a beast on nearly every carry.
Bargain Buy
Donald Brown ($5400) vs. Jacksonville- The Jaguars have given up more rushing yards (480) than any team in the NFL. Donald Brown is the only healthy running back in San Diego. Look past his efficiency last week and look at the volume. Against this defense that volume translates to a monster afternoon. This game may be over by halftime, which will provide an excellent opportunity for the Chargers to run the clock out with Brown as the beneficiary.
Wide Receiver
Value Play
Justin Hunter ($3800) vs. Indianapolis- Just as everyone is giving up on Justin Hunter you have the perfect opportunity to benefit from his breakout game against the Colts. His big plays may come in garbage time, but that isn't going to get you any less points. In this game the Titans won't be able to rely on short passes to get things done as they'll be trying to keep up with Andrew Luck. Expect multiple looks downfield to Hunter with a big payout on the other side.
Bargain Buy
Davante Adams ($3000) vs. Chicago- I'm assuming that Jarrett Boykin will not be able to play this week with this selection. If not, Adams becomes the de facto WR3 in the Packers offense, and it's not a role that I expect him to give up again this year. Adams is a better receiver than Boykin and the Bears secondary is badly beat up. With their attention on Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, Adams should face the worst of a thin secondary.
Tight End
Value Play
Dwayne Allen ($3500) vs. Tennessee- Allen is the best tight end in Indianapolis, regardless of Coby Fleener's friendship with Andrew Luck. Even the Colts have realized this by now and Allen should be a big part of the offense moving forward. This price is exceptionally low considering where Allen ranks in the pecking order and how many points we expect the Colts to score on Tennessee.
Bargain Buy
Travis Kelce ($3700) vs. New England- What better time for a coming out party for Travis Kelce than Monday Night Football against his idol, Rob Gronkowski. Despite their efforts to minimize Kelce's importance early in the year, the Chiefs have realized his potential and their need for a playmaker in the passing game. Kelce is the best playmaker they have right now, including Dwayne Bowe, and should announce his arrival in front of a National audience.
Defense
Buffalo Bills ($2800) vs. Houston- The Bills pass rush should have no trouble getting to Ryan Fitzpatrick and we all know what types of decisions he's prone to make. While I do think it's possible the Texans put up points in this one, the reward of a pick six or two is just two great with this matchup. If you don't have enough money left to play the Chargers this week, the Bills make a nice Plan B.
