Fansided

DFS advice: Week 4 fantasy football start or sit

By Matthew Catalano

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after a 30-22 loss against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Divisional Round at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS via Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after a 30-22 loss against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Divisional Round at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 10
Next
HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 15: Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars scrambles out of the pocket during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 15: Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars scrambles out of the pocket during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

DFS Advice: Quarterbacks to Sit

Gardner Minshew (JAX) @ DEN

Minshew is an interesting candidate for people this week. While some may feel that the Broncos’ defense isn’t what it once was, the Jaguar’s slinger will still struggle. In fact, Denver is one of the more stout defenses towards signal callers this season, surrendering the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game (11.2).

While Minshew also has the extra threat of being able to punish defenses with his impressive running capabilities, the Broncos are also solid in that department as well surrendering a grand total of nine rushing yards to quarterbacks this season. Considering that the Jaguars will be playing in a higher altitude outside of their usual elements, I’d stray away from Minshew and his stash this week.

Baker Mayfield (CLE) @ BAL

I feel like this is becoming a recurring theme with Baker Mayfield during this first month of NFL action in 2019. All the hype and expectations we had for this young man and the entire Cleveland offense have left us feeling pretty disappointed up to this point. Mayfield’s fantasy production has been below average expectations as he currently ranks 29th in fantasy points scored per game (11.4). He also is twelfth in total passing yards (268.3/gm) and has thrown the ball into dangerous places nine times which is the fifth-most among active quarterbacks in the league.

While Mayfield is primarily to blame for his early-season struggles, he’s also not getting much help from his teammates as well. After upon closer examination, the Browns’ offensive line is 31st in their protection rate for Mayfield (74.4%). Furthermore, the supporting cast efficiency from his receivers is ranked 25th in the NFL which is surprising considering that Cleveland is loaded with so much offensive talent like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Nick Chubb. While Mayfield will be playing against a Baltimore secondary currently allowing the fifth-most passing yards to quarterbacks, it’s best to play it safe and keep him on the bench until he can find his groove.

Jameis Winston (TB) @ LAR

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. I’ve seen this act before and I will not be bamboozled by this once again. All throughout 2018, we would see Winston put up a monster performance one week and then the following week he would lay an egg. He’s too inconsistent and too volatile for me to have to start with confidence. Yes, I realize he threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in Tampa’s loss to the Giants this past Sunday, but I’m not buying it. We all know about Winston’s turnover troubles and it’s still happening this year. He has already thrown four of them and he ranks third in interceptable passes thrown this season (7).

The Rams have also improved on their secondary as they are fifth for the least number of passing yards given up to passers this year. Quarterbacks also have not had much success scoring against the Rams in 2019 as they are in the top-three in preventing signal-callers from scoring many fantasy points. Search for safer options rather than take a huge risk with Winston.

Home/Fantasy Football