If you’ve never played weekly salary-cap fantasy games, you’re missing out on what’s quickly becoming the hottest new trend in fantasy football and a great way to make some quick cash. No longer are you locked into a team for an entire season (or longer) and subject to the pain of injuries and poor performance. Instead, each week you pick a new set of players to fill your lineup. This is an exciting format that takes away a lot of the stress that goes with season-long fantasy leagues.
For those not familiar with DraftKings’ format, you are awarded a total budget of $50,000 to fill a roster of nine players (QB, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, TE, FLEX (RB/WR/TE), K and DST). You must pick players from at least two different NFL teams that represent two different games that week. The scoring rules are similar to most PPR scoring leagues, but you can check out the details over at DraftKings for more information there.
Now that we’ve gotten the introductory information out of the way, here’s the most valuable DraftKings lineup for Week 4.
Quarterback
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys ($7,800)
I’m never the biggest advocate for spending a boatload of money on your quarterback position in weekly leagues, as that money can generally be spent to bolster other positions. Terrelle Pryor would be the perfect choice here, going against the Washington Redskins’ last-ranked defense. But with Pryor doubtful to play in Sunday’s game, we have to turn our attention elsewhere.
While it’d be nice to only spend $5,000 on someone like Pryor, Romo is still a great value at $7,800, which makes him the 10th most expensive quarterback this week. Romo and the Cowboys are lucky enough to take on the San Diego Chargers this weekend, a team that has the 30th ranked overall defense with a -25.4 grade and the second-worst pass coverage unit in the league, with a -21.7 grade. They’re also allowing 340.7 passing yards-per-game this season, which is the most in the league. All of this points to Romo having a huge day — which matches our projection of 19.5 fantasy points.
Running Back
Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders ($6,000)
I already touched on the fact that Washington has the last-ranked defense in the league with a terrible -52.3 grade, but they also have the worst run defense in the league as well, with a -24.2 grade. So far this season, McFadden has proven why the Raiders haven’t given up on his potential yet, as he’s putting up 11.57 points per game and his 34.7 total points is currently ranked 13th among all running backs. With Pryor likely out, the Raiders and Matt Flynn will likely lean on McFadden to carry the offense on Sunday.
Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons ($4,700)
If you caught the article yesterday, you may have noticed that I had Ahmad Bradshaw here. With news that he will be out for this week’s game, Snelling is the perfect replacement. Filling in for an injured Steven Jackson last week, Snelling had 53 yards on 11 carries, as well as 4 receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown, finishing with 17.1 points in standard leagues and 21.1 in PPR leagues, good for seventh and eighth best, respectively.
This week Snelling goes up against the New England Patriots, who have the 17th ranked run defense with a 4.2 grade and are giving up 120.7 rushing yards per game, which is ninth worst in the league. He’s set to have a big day and saves you $500 to spend elsewhere.
Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys ($7,800)
If you’re going to start Romo, you might as well start his favorite, and the most talented target, on the team. Bryant will obviously benefit from Romo’s big day, finishing as one of the top receivers for the week.
Pierre Garçon, Washington Redskins ($6,400)
While a lot of time is spent talking about how bad the Redskins’ defense is, the Raiders’ isn’t too much better. They have the 25th ranked overall defense with a -13.9 grade and the 24th ranked pass-coverage unit with a -9.1 grade.
Robert Griffin III and the Redskins will be looking to air things out, especially if they get down and have to play catch up, which means Garçon is in line for the bulk of those targets.
Tight End
Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos ($5,300)
The Broncos and Peyton Manning are lucky enough to face the Philadelphia Eagles and their 29th ranked overall defense in Week 4. The Eagles’ 29th ranked pass rush and 28th ranked pass-coverage until are giving up 323 yards through the air per game, which is the fourth most in the league.
Thomas is a big, fast, strong and physical receiver that has a huge advantage in his mismatch against the Eagles’ linebackers and safeties. It’s no secret that Peyton loves having a dependable tight end, and Thomas has proven his worth through the first-three weeks of the NFL season. There’s no question that Thomas will finish in the top five among tight ends, with at least 13 fantasy points.
Flex
Joique Bell, Detroit Lions ($4,900)
The Chicago Bears’ defense has gotten by on it’s reputation for most of, if not all of, my lifetime. But the fact of the matter is that Chicago’s defensive unit this season is ranked 24th with a -10.6 grade. They’re also ranked 25th in run defense with a -10.6 grade.
Bell has shown that he is a dependable fantasy ‘back, even with Reggie Bush in the lineup. Through the first-three weeks, Bell is the fifth best running back with 47.6 total points. Look for Detroit to utilize Bell early and often as they look to take advantage of the Bears’ weak defense.
Kicker
Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts ($3,400)
The Colts play the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars this week. With the offense on a tear as of late, Vinatieri will get plenty of opportunity to rack up fantasy points.
Defense and Special Teams
Dallas Cowboys ($3,700)
Dallas has the third-overall defense so far this season, with a 29.1 grade. They’re also fourth in run defense with a 12.8 and pass coverage with a 4.9. The Cowboys’ defense is going to have a field day against the San Diego Chargers and are a must start.
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