**Editor’s Note: Kevin Dudzinki is ranked in the top 5% of all DFS players, according to Rotogrinders.com, and has made a killing on fantasy since he started in 2013. Learn more about Kev HERE and follow him on Twitter HERE.***
Welcome to Week 4, ladies and gents!
After a pretty high scoring week last week, it looks like we could be headed that way again, with some really intriguing games on the schedule.
Let’s take a look at a few of the best plays at each position.QUARTERBACK
Matt Ryan ATL $6100
We listed him last week as a top play and he delivered with 5 touchdowns against the Saints. And there’s no reason to avoid him this week either. The Falcons have been ravaged by injuries on defense, and are looking to be one of the league’s worst pass defenses. With a struggling defense, Ryan is going to be forced to keep up with opposing offenses, and this week should be no different against the Bengals. The over under has jumped up 5 points to 53 in this matchup, so it looks like this should be a shootout, and provide plenty of fantasy goodness all around.
Eli Manning NYG $5600
In cash games I am a big fan of trying to find cheap Quarterback’s with good opportunity. The over under in the Giants-Saints game is at 50 so there should be plenty of points scored. Historically, Quarterbacks who are home underdogs score well for fantasy purposes. And facing a Saints defense that has looked putrid, Manning should have a safe floor for cash games like double ups and 50/50’s, allowing us to spend up at other positions.
RUNNING BACK
Sony Michel NE $4500
Rex Burkhead has been placed on the IR, so it is Michel’s time to shine. The Patriot’s have proven time and time again, that they are not going to give many opportunities to James White to run the ball between the tackles. With Burkhead out, the running game should fall squarely on Michel’s shoulders. The Dolphins defense has played well to start the season, with Xavien Howard their corner, locking down opposing #1 wide receivers. I expect the Patriot’s to come out motivated against the first place Dolphins, and I expect a heavy dose of Michel. He’s one of the top values on the board.
Gio Bernard Cin $6300
For the last 3 seasons, Atlanta has given up the most catches in the league to running backs. This week they have already given up 15 catches to Christian McCaffery and 14 to Alvin Kamara. I expect more of the same this week. Giovanni Bernard should get another start for the injured Joe Mixon. The Bengals showed their lack of trust in other running backs, with Bernard handling all but one carry last week. In a game that should have a lot of points, Bernard should be heavily involved.
WIDE RECEIVER
Sterling Shepard NYG $4900
As mentioned before, the Giants Saints game should have a lot of points. With Evan Engram going down for the Giants, there are a few extra targets to go around this week. Enter Shepard. With an average of over 6 targets a week, we can expect to see Shepard garner closer to 8 this week. With Marcus Lattimore, the Saints top corner back likely shadowing Odell Beckham, Shepard should feast from the slot. The Saints also had their slot cornerback go down with an injury last week, even further boosting Shepard’s matchup. I like him in both cash and tournaments this week.
Quincy Enunwa NYJ $4300
It’s not often we say to target a wide receiver against the Jaguars, but hear me out. Enunwa is playing a good amount of his snaps from the slot, so he has the opportunity to avoid the vaunted duo of Jaylen Ramsey and AJ Bouye. Enunwa is seeing close to double digit targets per game, and with rookie QB Sam Darnold playing the role of game manager, you can expect a lot of safe, short passes to head Enunwa’s way. He provides a good floor for cash games as well.
TIGHT END/DEFENSE
With a lot of value in under 5k at wide receiver, this could be a week to spend up on tight end. Rob Gronkowski has done well versus the Dolphins in the past, including 2 touchdowns vs them in a game last year. He’s definitely in play this week. On the cheap side at tight end, I again like Eric Ebron if Jack Doyle is ruled out. Although he didn’t have the great week we were expecting last week, the numbers can be deceiving. He still received 11 targets, and dropped a potential touchdown in the end zone. If Doyle is out, I’m rolling with Ebron again.
Defensively, there are a few options to look at. The Jaguars are very expensive, but get a rookie quarterback on a very conservative offense. They could have a field day. On the cheap side, the Bears also get to face a rookie QB in Josh Rosen, and are only $2600. Their pass rush should give us a good solid floor with a couple sacks, and hopefully a few opportunities at turnovers. An off the radar play to look at are the Colts. Only $2200, the Colts are in the upper echelon of the league so far in sacks, and the Texans offensive line is not playing well. They could provide some points on the cheap.
Good luck this week!
Follow me on twitter @kevdudz and let’s talk some football.
