The pool of players is significantly smaller this Sunday of week 4 as we search through the players playing today for last minute fantasy football value. There are six teams on a by this week many of which are well-stocked with usual fantasy options. Whether you’re playing a one-week salary style game or are in a season long league, knowing the right matchups that present value can help you finalize your lineup.
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In any salary-based league, it’s important to get some players who are inexpensive but still produce points at a high level. These players are in matchups to attack and should be able to produce given opportunity, form, and opponent.
If you own them in season-long formats, they make nice starts for the week and their value is higher than it usually is.
I try to select players from different tiers that I think will outperform those who are grouped at around the same price in salary leagues. For each position, you can find a non-elite who I think will be elite, a non-starter who I think will put up starter numbers, and at the bottom of each page a player that is a flier at an extremely discounted price.
For our complete coverage of week 4 visit any of the posts in the inset box or click here for our full fantasy football page. You can also ask any questions you have and find the latest information by following @FansidedFantasy on twitter.
Check out the following slides for my value plays at each position and a look at how my picks fared for last week as well.
Quarterback
Philip Rivers-San Diego Chargers: No one in the NFL gives up as many points to opposing QB’s in the Jaguars who Rivers gets to face on Sunday. Add to that the injuries in the Chargers backfield and a pass-heavy scheme, and Rivers quickly becomes an elite option for this week.
Ben Roethlisberger-Pittsburgh Steelers: The question about Big Ben this week is how much he’ll have to throw the ball to beat the Bucs in the Steel City. Tampa’s defense won’t be able to stop the Steelers, but game situation may lend itself to more running than Big Ben slinging it all over the field. That being said, The Bucs have been bad against every QB they’ve faced including Austin Davis of the Rams and even Derek Anderson who beat them in week one. As long as Ben gets his shots, he should have starter numbers this week almost certainly.
Ryan Tannehill-Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are ready to give the young WR-turned-QB another week after meeting and discussing his status as starter after last week’s loss to the Chiefs. He takes the field in London this Sunday against Oakland in a favorable enough matchup that I think he could have a bounceback game and turn in solid QB2 numbers.
Teddy Bridgewater: The Falcons defense is a solid one, but playing at home should help Bridgwater turn in a better week than fellow-rookie and first-time starter Blake Bortles. Bridgewater shoed his running abilities last week as well and will try to step into a system put in place by Norv Turner who has had success with young QB’s in the past. Bridgwater is a decent gamble if you have to throw a “hail mary” on your QB for the week.
Last week: Jay Cutler, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill, E.J. Manuel, Ryan Fitzpatrick
Running Back
Donald Brown-San Diego Chargers: Two weeks ago Brown was a change-of-pace seldom used third option in the San Diego backfield. In the last two weeks, Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead have gone down with serious injuries leaving Brown as the primary back for the Bolts. The timing couldn’t be better for Brown who faces the Jaguars this week who allow the most points in the league to opposing running backs. Brown has had plenty of success against Jacksonville from his Colts days, so expect a big game out of him on Sunday even though I don’t think he’s a great long-term solution in the San Diego backfield.
Lamar Miller-Miami Dolphins: Miller rushed for 108 yards on 15 carries last week while catching four of his five targets for 24 more yards in week 3. Now he’ll take on the Raiders in London where he’ll look to have another successful game replacing Knowshon Moreno as the Dolphins lead back. Oakland is the seventh-worst team in the league against opposing fantasy RB and is the second-worst run-defense in terms of yards per game. The Dolphins went too pass-heavy last week, but they’ll look to correct that this week meaning a nice heavy workload for Miller.
Khiry Robinson-New Orleans Saints: Robinson is expected to get the main non-passing down work this Sunday night against the Cowboys. He’ll still share time with Pierre Thomas, but his 18 caries last week indicate that the Saints aren’t afraid to make him their primary workhorse in the running game while Mark Ingram is sidelined. The Cowboys allowed the most fantasy points to opposing RB’s last year, and Robinson will look to exploit that weakness on Sunday Night Football.
Matt Asiata-Minnesota Vikings: Asiata will be the Vikings lead back again this week as they take on the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed the third-most fantasy points in the league to opposing RB’s, and Asiata may get even more touches than usual since the coaches will be trying to keep the heat off their franchise QB, Teddy Bridgewater. Asiata is a great value as your RB2 this week.
LeGarrette Blount-Pittsburgh Steelers: Blount had monster numbers last week finishing with 118 yards and a touchdown on ten carries against the Panthers usually stout run defense. Most of those carries came late in “garbage time” but they still count just as much. If the Steelers are able to pull away from the Bucs as expected, there could be more opportunities for Blount to bruise his way to another profitable fantasy week.
Kyle Juszczyk-Baltimore Ravens: Juszczyk is an H-back from Harvard who could see increasing work at the TE spot with Dennis Pitta’s injury. Last week, he found the end zone as part of three catches for 54 yards, and he could grow into a fantasy relevant option. He’s a super-high risk pickup for this week, but someone to watch going forward given his RB eligibility in many formats.
Last week: Zac Stacy, C.J. Spiller, Lamar Miller, Ahmad Bradshaw, Khiry Robinson, Jerick McKinnon
Wide Receiver
Michael Crabtree-San Francisco 49ers: Crabtree has found the end zone in each of the last two weeks with over 80 yards in each game. He and the Niners host the high-flying Eagles this week who were absolutely destroyed by the Redskins receivers last weekend. Look for Crabtree to get plenty of passes thrown his way, and a monster game is definitely within the realm of possibility.
Steve Smith Sr.-Baltimore Ravens: Aside from the blood, guts, and goggles storylines, Smith continues to draw so many targets in the Baltimore passing attack that he’s a good fantasy play every week. The fact that he’ll be extra amped up for this week’s matchup against his former team should fuel a big game for the veteran slot option. There is a possibility that the Panthers just throw everyone at him to make sure he doesn’t beat them, but I think he’ll find a way to beat them.
Kelvin Benjamin-Carolina Panthers: Benjamin continues to pile up big numbers in his rookie year after another 100 yards with a touchdown last week against the Steelers. The Ravens are beatable deep which is where KB has been thriving this season, so look for another nice game from Benjamin.
Cecil Shorts III: Shorts was targeted often by new QB Blake Bortles and caught the rookie’s second TD pass of the day. Shorts appeared to be healthy and should be the lead receiver on this team which continually is playing from behind. If he can stay on the field this Sunday, he should be able to be a WR4 consideration or a cheap option in salary leagues.
Jeremy Kerley-New York Jets: Kerley is taking over the top WR spot from the injured Eric Decker and developing a nice connection with Geno Smith. This week New York will take on the Lions and may have to throw more since Detroit has been so effective stopping the run. Kerley is a nice value option if you’re pressed for a starter this week.
Terrance Williams-Dallas Cowboys: Williams is a boom-or-bust commodity based on if he and Tony Romo can connect on his deep routes. This Sunday night against a suspect Saints’ secondary, I think Williams could be one or the best low-salary gambles this week.
Last week: Percy Harvin, Keenan Allen, Kelvin Genjamin, Steve Smith Sr., Brian Quick, Andrew Hawkins
Tight End
Delanie Walker-Tennessee Titans: The Titans TE leads his team in receiving after three weeks and will be looking to create space this Sunday against a Colts defense that has been beaten by TE this season. Even with Jake Locker sidelined, Walker remains a solid start since he’ll most likely be the favorite target of Charlie Whitehurst as well.
Owen Daniels-Baltimore Ravens: The veteran takes over for the injured Dennis Pitta in an offensive system run by Gary Kubiak that favors the tight end. Daniels has already been a red zone factor this season and makes a nice sleeper pick this week against the Panthers and going forward the rest of the way.
Levin Toilolo-Atlanta Falcons: As a total flier, Toilolo could pay off against a Vikings team that has allowed the third-most points to opposing TD this season. He hasn’t been a huge part of the Atlanta offense, but he could be more involved as the season progresses. He’s a desperation play this week, but he’s one that could pay off.
Last week: Niles Paul, Larry Donnell, Derek Carrier, Jared Cook
Team Defense
San Diego Chargers: The Bolts’ D takes on the Jags in San Diego in an ultra-favorable matchup. While San Diego has yet to grab an interception, they’ve played well against the Bills and Seahawks the last two weeks. Jacksonville has allowed the most points to opposing D/ST in the NFL, so expect the Chargers to have a strong week taking on Blake Bortles in his first NFL start.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons also face a QB making his first NFL start as they travel to Minnesota to take on Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings. When last seen, Atlanta’s defense was crushing the Bucs on Thursday Night Football and they make a good pick to replicate that effort against the Vikings.
Detroit Lions: The Lions defense has some deficiencies in the secondary, but they’ve been excellent against the run. Their strengths make them a good matchup this Sunday as they take on the Jets who are a run-heavy team. Jets QB, Geno Smith is also turnover prone and coming in on a short week making Detroit a nice value option on defense as well.
Last week: Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins,