The past two weeks, my DFS lineups have been demolished by big-name NFL news. First Andre Ellington (injury) and then Adrian Peterson (suspension). It almost felt like not a single published lineup would see action on Sunday!
Editors note: download the computer picks here - free for a limited time only. Calvin Johnson is in there, check his game time status or avoid him all together.
As such, this week I waited until all of the available practice reports had been published. Unfortunately, we still have no concrete news on Jamaal Charles (as of Friday night). Since he plays in a Monday game, his official injury designation won’t arrive until Monday. I may still try to fit him into a fourth lineup, but as of now, let’s see what we are rolling with for week 4.
As always, all prices indicated are FanDuel.
Lineup 1
- Jay Cutler ($8100)
- DeMarco Murray ($9000)
- Donald Brown ($6300)
- Jordy Nelson ($8300)
- Mike Wallace ($6500)
- Brandin Cooks ($6200)
- Martellus Bennett ($6000)
- Shaun Suisham ($4900)
- Det. Lions ($4700)
Bennett and the Lions find their way into two of my three lineups this week. This first group is an excellent example of four recurring trends that you will find in my lineups this week: first, I’m using a lot of players in the Bears-Packers matchup. Second, I’m using a lot of players in the Saints-Cowboys game. I like both to be high scoring and want to get as many fantasy commodities from all four rosters into my DFS leagues this week. Third, this week I am actually spending dollars at the quarterback position. I usually like my signal-callers to come on the cheap. Fourth, no studs-and duds! For the most part this week, I’m avoiding the super-cheap or the super-expensive. I suppose Murray could be considered the outlier here, or Jeremy Kerley (later).
I am taking a risk here in Wallace; Oakland has been rather stingy in fantasy points allowed to opposing wideouts, but their opponents have been the Jets, Houston, and New England, and the Patriots played it safe and ran out a lead to cruise to an easy victory. Wallace remains the number one receiving option in Miami and he definitely has a high ceiling this week.
Lineup 2
- Ben Roethlisberger ($7700)
- Lamar Miller ($6900)
- Ahmad Bradshaw ($6100)
- Antonio Brown ($8400)
- Alshon Jeffery ($7600)
- Marques Colston ($5500)
- Jimmy Graham ($8200)
- Robbie Gould ($4600)
- Det. Lions ($4700)
As I said above, love my Bears and Saints. I think Jeffery is a steal at $7600. With Brandon Marshall still hobbled, he should see the bulk of the targets and I think has an excellent chance to finally find the endzone this week. I really like to spend my cash at wide receiver and this lineup is no different. I’m hoping for value in Colston in a game I’m projecting to be a shootout. I’m also hoping for more gravy from the Big Ben to Antonio Brown train.
While Oakland is “strong” against the pass (again, I’d argue matchup and lack of opposing teams’ need to throw), they are also terrible against the run, giving up over 20 fantasy points per-game in NON-ppr formats (remember, FanDuel is ½-pt. per reception). I think Miller is a solid play at decent cost.
Lineup 3
- Philip Rivers ($8400)
- Eddie Lacy ($8000)
- Pierre Thomas ($6900)
- Dez Bryant ($8900)
- Kelvin Benjamin ($6700)
- Steve Smith Sr. ($6100)
- Martellus Bennett ($6000)
- Shaun Suisham ($4900)
- NY. Jets ($4600)
Rivers is my most expensive signal caller for the week but after what Andrew Luck did to the Jaguars in week three, I like him a lot. Lacy’s price has come down to the point where I think he’s a good play against a still-bad Bears run defense Again, more Saints, Bears, Packers, and Cowboys. I like Smith’s value- he has been getting consistent looks week in and week out. On the other side of the ball (in the Ravens-Panthers matchup), Kelvin Benjamin has really emerged. I talked about him leading into the season on our Knuckleheads podcast and my opinion hasn’t changed. He’s good. Really good.
Best of luck in week four. As always you can tweet me: @pkaragianis