After an injury filled/Derrick Henry busting week 2, I was able to bounce back and cash out with most of my lineups in week 3. Thanks in part to a few of my week 3 locks: Wilson, Lockett, and Metcalf. As well as the squeaky wheel getting the grease, Allen Robinson putting up 31.3 DK points (thanks “Big Dick” Nick!). While my wide receivers carried my lineups, my running backs were lackluster at best. Although Miles Sanders didn’t kill me with his 14.7 DK points, he didn’t blow up as I expected. And where the hell are you at Kenyan Drake!
QB’s I’m starting this week:
Russell Wilson ($7,800): With a whopping 14 TD’s and averaging 36.3 DK points in 3 weeks, everyone is smelling what the Russ is cookin! Next up on the Russell Wilson for MVP tour is a trip to South Beach, where he should have no problems carving up a Dolphins secondary that is giving up the 4th most fantasy points to QB’s. $7,800 for a QB is a lot this week, but you should at least get some exposure to Wilson in your lineups.
Deshaun Watson ($6,600): Coming into week 4, Watson is averaging just 18.5 DK points a game. After a brutal opening schedule against KC, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, Watson draws a juicy home matchup against the “not so purple people eaters” from Minnesota. The Vikings are giving up 292 passing yards a game and will also be without corner Mike Hughes in this one. With an o/u of 53.5 as of writing, this will be one of my favorite games to stack on the slate.
Matthew Stafford ($5,900): Coming off back-to-back two TD performances, the “staph infection” faces a Marshon Lattimore/Janoris Jenkins-less Saints secondary. This game currently has an o/u of 54.5, and while I would prefer Michael Thomas to be playing this week to hit the over, this game still has shootout potential.
Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,400): With a price of $5,400, Fitzmagic is a free square this week. This game has shootout potential with a 53.5 o/u and the Seahawks already burnable secondary will be without Jamal Adams. Game script should also be a factor for Fitzmagic, as nobody is projecting the Fish to have a big lead in this one.
RB’s I’m starting this week:
Alvin Kamara ($8,000): If Kamara is not the first person you put into your lineup this week, you should probably give up DFS. With Drew Bree’s unable to throw the ball further than 15 yards and checking down more than Kirk Cousins and Carson Wentz combined, Alvin Kamara is a lock for 10 receptions this week. Without Michael Thomas and a banged up Saints secondary, the Saints could very well find themselves playing from behind once again. So yea, Kamara will once again be busy through the air.
Dalvin Cook ($7,600): The Vikings finally featured Cook last week, leading to 22 rushing attempts for 181 yards and 1 TD. The Texans have been vulnerable on the ground this season, and just gave up 109 yards and a TD to a less talented James Conner. So I expect Cook to be cooking once again this week, in what should be one of the highest point totals on the week.
James Robinson ($6,500): I will admit that I was one of the people doubting James Robinson following the trade of Leonard Fournette. What has Robinson done in the first 3 weeks? He’s reached double digit points in every game and has put up 250 scrimmage yards and 3 TD’s over the past two weeks. This week Robinson faces a Bengals defense that is allowing 181 rushing yards per game and will once again be without Geno Atkins.
Kenyan Drake ($6,000): Going back to the well one more time! Yes, Drake was a massive let down last week. But if Drake doesn’t break out against a horrendous Panthers run D, he never will. The Arizona WR core is also very banged up and could be without Nuk Hopkins this week. So I expect the Cardinals to be more run heavy than previous weeks.
Darrell Henderson ($5,800): With preseason favorite Cam Akers out again this week, Henderson should once again receive a bulk of the load in a very favorable matchup against the New York Football Giants. Henderson has topped 120 yards and a TD in back-to-back games and should see plenty of touches as the Rams should have a commanding lead this week. The only thing preventing Henderson from having a top 5 week is Sean McVay giving redzone touches to Malcolm Brown.
Ronald Jones ($4,700): If you’re looking to spend up elsewhere, RJ is a great play this week under 5K. With Leonard Fournette out this week, RJ should get 15-20 touches and will have a great opportunity to hit the 100 yard bonus. Always a threat to fall into the end zone with Tom Brady under center, I like RJ’s chances to score 15-20 DK points.
WR’s I’m starting this week:
Tyler Lockett ($7,000) and D.K. Metcalf ($6,800): With Hopkins and Thomas banged up, and the KC game being postponed, Lockett and Metcalf look to be the highest priced WR’s on this slate. Both WR’s are averaging over 20 DK points a game and are seeing consistent target shares in weekly shootouts. If I could choose only one this week, I would roll with Lockett.
Amari Cooper ($6,700): I probably won’t have many shares of Cooper this week, but after going 3 weeks without scoring a TD, Cooper is DUE this week. The Browns secondary is all kinds of banged up, and Cooper usually performs best at Jerry’s world.
Adam Thielen ($6,600) and Justin Jefferson ($5,200): Adam Thielen was over-shadowed last week by Justin Jefferson’s coming out party 7/175/1. While Jefferson is the value play, I do like Thielen to bounce back in one of week 4’s highest scoring games. I also expect Thielen to be lower owned this week due to recency bias.
Mike Evans ($6,400): The Buccaneers will once again be without Chris Godwin in their lineup this week. In week 2, Mike Evans was targeted 10 times and was able to put up 7/104/1 with Godwin on the sidelines. Although the Chargers secondary is one of the stingiest secondary’s in the league (6.6 yards per attempt), Evans should once again see tons of volume and is always a threat to score.
Kenny Golladay ($6,000) and Marvin Jones ($4,900): One of my favorite stacks of the week is Stafford, Golladay, and “Starvin’ Marvin” Jones. With one of the highest o/u on the week, along with a very banged up Saints secondary that will be missing Lattimore and Jenkins, the Saints will have no answer for the Lions aerial attack. Jones has been quiet for 3 weeks, so it just feels like one of those Marvin Jones games.
Will Fuller ($5,900) and Brandin Cooks ($4,500): While it wasn’t the best way to get here, happy Will Fuller week everyone! Fuller provided us with a midweek hamstring scare (seriously has the worst hamstrings in the history of sports), but all signs point to him being good to go Sunday against an atrocious Vikings secondary. I am going to live and die with ol’ Willie this week as this could be one of those massive blow up weeks we’ve been waiting for. On a cheaper side, Cooks also has a great matchup in a game I fully expect to hit its 53.5 o/u.
DeVante Parker ($5,700): Averaging 12.3 DK points and should be in play throughout the game as the Fins should be chasing points. I like Parkers chances to hit the 100 yard bonus with 1 TD as the Seahawks have given up a ton to WR’s through 3 weeks.
Jarvis Landry ($5,100): The Juice has not been loose to start the season as Landry has just combined for 12/143 through 3 weeks. Landry is my “squeaky wheel getting the grease” play of week 4 as he has a great matchup against a Cowboys secondary that has been getting shredded by #2/slot WR’s (Ridley 7/109/2 & Lockett 9/100/3). The Browns should also be more pass heavy this week as they are 4.5 underdogs with a 55.5 o/u.
TE’s I’m starting this week: Only starting two!
Mike Gesicki ($5,100): Averaging 14.8 DK points the first 3 weeks, Gesicki is in a prime smash spot against a soft Seattle secondary that will be without Jamal Adams. Gesicki also lines up in the slot most of the time, where the Seahawks have been abused (Gage 12/114, Edelman 8/179, Lamb 5/65). I have zero fears this regarding Gesicki’s week 3 usage (1/15/1) as the Fish should be playing catchup this week.
Rob Gronkowski ($3,600): If I’m not spending up for Gesicki this week, I’m spending down on GRONK! Finally showing signs of life, Gronk played 90% of the snaps in week 3, accounting for 6/48 and just missed a TD after Tom Brady overthrew him in the end zone. With Chris Godwin out and Scotty Miller banged up, I expect the Bucs passing game to funnel through Evans and Gronk this week. We will have our first Gronk Spike of the season this week!
Defenses I’m starting this week:
Rams ($3,900): Play the Giants, nuff said!
Buccaneers ($3,400): Have enough playmakers on defense to confuse Justin Herbert.
Texans ($2,500): Kirky has been turning the ball over as much as Jameis Winston did last season. A JJ Watt strip sack on Cousins just seems like a future highlight on SNF.
Hot Karl’s Locks of the Week: Deshaun Watson, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Tyler Lockett, Kenny Golladay, Will Fuller, Mike Gesicki, Rams D.
The Fantasy Football Schmucks! 