DraftKings NFL: Week 4 Lineup
By Joe Romano
Wide Receivers
Mike Thomas, New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants $9100
The best receiver in the NFL this season has been Michael Thomas. New Orleans top target looks unstoppable against every team he’s played. This week they travel to New Jersey to play the Giants. New York is a solid pass defense, ranking in the middle of the pack in almost every metric. New Orleans struggles outside on the road so that should lower expectations. That being said, there is not much that can slow Thomas down.
Odell Beckham, New York Giants vs New Orleans Saints $8700
Thomas will look across the field and see another elite receiver, Odell Beckham. Last week was not Beckham’s coming out party that I expected but he was solid. This may be the week we see a monster game from the Giants top option. There has to be a week that he puts up a big performance and the Saints are the worst fantasy defense against wide receivers thus far this season. Beckham may see Marshon Lattimore shadowing him which is the only reason he will be quiet this weekend. He needs a big game because right now he is outside of the top 30 scoring fantasy receivers this year.
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts $8400
The Houston Texans offense just can not find a rhythym this season. A lot if being pinned on the offensive line but Deshaun Watson does not look right either. Both factors are hurting DeAndre Hopkins early in the season. He is not the highest scoring receiver on his team so far through three weeks. Hopkins will look to rebound against a Colts secondary that has been the second toughest against opposing receivers this year. You will have to trust Watson and the Texans offense if you put Hopkins into a lineup this weekend.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs San Francisco 49ers $8300
Another receiver who has been off to a slow start is the Chargers’ Keenan Allen. He’s outside of the top 35 for scoring this year through three weeks. With the 49ers coming to town, that could change. The Chargers are spreading the ball around more than ever before which is limiting Allen, but the plays will come. Allen is super talented and should avoid Richard Sherman with his frequent travels inside to the slot.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons vs Cincinnati Bengals $8200
The biggest Twitter joke on Sunday was the the Falcons finally found a number two wide receiver and it’s Julio Jones. His teammate, rookie Calvin Ridley scored three times in Atlanta’s offensive explosion a week ago. Jones caught five balls for 96 yards but against failed to find the end zone. It’s got to be frustrating to watch these monster yardage totals go unaccompanied by a touchdown. Until he finds the end zone it will be hard to trust Jones as a focal point of any lineup. Cincinnati is a tough defense and can slow Jones down with the underrated William Jackson at corner.
Value Wide Receivers
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles @ Tennessee Titans $5700
The return of Carson Wentz was not as big of a boost for Nelson Agholor as many expected. He did see a season high in snaps but only five targets in the win over Indianapolis. Some of that could be rust from Wentz and the game flow. Now with the Eagles traveling to Tennessee, Agholor and Wentz can return to their connection from a year ago. Tennessee is 13th in points allowed to receivers but some of that is due to the lackluster game they played against Jacksonville a week ago. Agholor is the 19th priced receiver but can outscore that ranking with one big play.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants vs New Orleans Saints $4900
The best options in fantasy for wide receivers is undervalued secondary options. That is the case in New York with Sterling Shepard. He is actually outscoring heralded teammate Odell Beckham so far this season. That can continue with New Orleans coming to play. Marshon Lattimore will likely shadow Beckham leaving Shepard to battle a secondary that just lost their second best corner. Shepard’s targets will continue to increase if tight end Evan Engram misses another game.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers vs San Francisco 49ers $4500
Another secondary option to a top five priced receiver is the Chargers’ former top ten pick Mike Williams. After an injury riddled rookie season, Williams is showing all the skills that made him a high draft pick. He is the perfect compliment to Keenan Allen and is priced crazy low given his production the last few weeks. The 49ers pass defense was torched by Patrick Mahomes and the Chargers will look to repeat that success with Williams being a red zone target for Philip Rivers.