Yahoo DFS Football: Week 4 Picks

Yahoo DFS Football: Week 4 Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.

TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)

QB: Cam Newton (CAR, $25)

Yes, Newton's been terrible this year, but it's not like Deshaun Watson was lighting the world on fire before throwing for over 300 yards against the Pats last week. The defending Super Bowl champs have allowed over 300 passing yards in each game to start the season, and if this defense won't help Newton break out of his slump in a big way, nothing will.

RB: C.J. Anderson (DEN, $23)

In Week 3, Anderson disappointed fantasy owners by getting just eight carries for 36 yards, but his snap count remained high, so his opportunities were more a function of game script than anything else. He should see plenty of work against a Raiders defense that gave up 91 combined yards to Matt Forte and 188 yards and a TD to Chris Thompson. Whether he gets it done as a runner or receiver, Anderson is in a potential blow-up spot.

WR: Devin Funchess (CAR, $15)

If you're going to take the plunge and go with Newton, Funchess makes great sense as a stack partner, especially since the Panthers will be without Greg Olsen while Kelvin Benjamin may miss this game or be at far less than 100 percent due to a knee injury. With the Pats having allowed over 300 passing yards in each game this year, Funchess could have a huge day.

Other Against-the-Grainers

QB: Marcus Mariota (TEN, $26), Russell Wilson (SEA, $34)
RB: Dalvin Cook (MIN, $24), Chris Carson (SEA, $18), Wendell Smallwood (PHI, $13)
WR: Dez Bryant (DAL, $27), Rishard Matthews (TEN, $16), Bruce Ellington (HOU, $10)
TE: Cameron Brate (TB, $14), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ, $12)
DST: Jacksonville Jaguars ($18), Atlanta Falcons ($13)

CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)

Quarterback

Andy Dalton (CIN, $27)

Sure, Dalton's yet to throw for over 224 yards in a game while not throwing his first TDs (two) of the year until last week, so he's not exactly the poster child for cash-game usage. That said, in his first game with Bill Lazor as the offensive coordinator, the offense looked alive, and now Dalton will be able to build on last week's effort against a Browns defense has allowed seven TDs to the trio of Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, and Ben Roethlisberger. So yes, Dalton is a recommended cash play at a reasonable price.

Running Back

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL, $36)

The film is certainly tough to watch, especially after Elliott's averaged 64 rushing yards a game, but in his defense he's had a rough schedule to start the year. Things will be much better this week against a Rams defense that allowed over 200, yes 200, yards to the Redskins' trio of RBs while also giving up five rushing TDs to start the year. This should be the breakout game that fantasy owners were waiting for, as he has multi-TD and 150-yard upside.

Todd Gurley (LAR, $34)

Some analysts will nitpick about the way Gurley has piled up his early-season production, but his usage as a runner and receiver can't be questioned. He's the clear centerpiece of the Rams' offense, and he'll have a premium matchup against the Cowboys, who were carved up by C.J. Anderson in Week 2 to the tune of 154 total yards and two TDs.

Wide Receiver

Chris Hogan (NE, $15)

Getting six touches per game typically isn't enough for a cash-game option, but Hogan's a special case. He's been getting high-leverage targets from Tom Brady, and he's scored three TDs on 10 receptions while posting at least 68 yards in each of the last two games. Although he'll face a Panthers secondary that has been solid, Hogan gets schemed open, so he's pretty much matchup proof. Also, his cheap price tag helps make him a great play.

Golden Tate ($20)

It's tough to question volume, and Tate has had two games in which he's been targeted at least 11 times. In this matchup with the Vikings, it's tough to imagine the Lions having sustained success running the football, so the short-passing attack should ensure that Tate has another productive week. Also, with much of his work coming from the slot, he's sure to avoid CB Xavier Rhodes, which is a huge benefit.

A.J. Green ($35)

After the Bengals installed Lazor as the new offensive coordinator last week, Green immediately paid dividends by catching 10 passes for 111 yards and a TD. This week, he'll take aim at a Cleveland secondary that's been torched for at least 153 yards by Antonio Brown and T.Y. Hilton, and they've had very little answer as to how to slow opposing passing attacks. Green should have another huge week as a safe cash-game option.

Tight End

Charles Clay (BUF, $15)

Saving money at tight end is a wise move if a reliable option reveals itself, and that option is Clay. He's been targeted at least six times in two games, and is averaging 38 yards a game while scoring twice this year. He'll face the Falcons, who haven't played a high-end TE this year, but they've still allowed at least 31 yards to a TE each week. This is a solid spot for the Bills' TE.

Defense/Special Teams

Seattle Seahawks ($20)

After being pushed around by the Titans last week, this proud unit will be at home and angry. As much as those factors will help, nothing helps more than facing the Colts, who have a terrible offensive line and an inexperienced QB in Jacoby Brissett. This defense should feast this week.

Honorable Mentions

QB: Philip Rivers ($31), DeShone Kizer (CLE, $20)
RB: Kareem Hunt (KC, $40), Leonard Fournette (JAC, $36)
WR: Antonio Brown (PIT, $34), Alshon Jeffery (PHI, $22)
TE: Travis Kelce (KC, $27), Kyle Rudolph (MIN, $16)
DST: Denver Broncos ($15)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jim Coventry plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mvp1986, DraftKings: mvp1986.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Coventry
Coventry was a finalist for the FSWA football writer of the year in 2022. He started playing fantasy football in 1994 and won a national contest in 1996. He also nabbed five top-50 finishes in national contests from 2008 to 2012 before turning his attention to DFS. He's been an industry analyst since 2007, though he joined RotoWire in 2016. A published author, Coventry wrote a book about relationships, "The Secret of Life", in 2013.
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