Daily Fantasy Football 2023 Week 4: Best Plays And Bargains On FanDuel and DraftKings
The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Here, you'll find the best plays and top bargains at each position on FanDuel and DraftKings. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here are Fanduel’s and DraftKings’ scoring systems.
For each position I’ll provide the best big name, the best mid range value, and the best low-price bargain. At the end, I’ll also list a big name to avoid at each position.
Quarterback
Best Big Name
Justin Herbert, Chargers ($8,600/$7,800): Herbert has been phenomenal this season under Kellen Moore, going back to his roots and gaining huge chunks of yardage at a time on high volume. He’s gone for 305 and 405 yards in his last two games, and now gets to unleash on a Raiders defense that is abysmal vs. the pass, and has the offensive weaponry to maintain a game script which will keep Herbert throwing. He’s a slam dunk this week, although this is the rare slate where some lower priced QBs have major upside, along with risk.
Mid Range Value
Justin Fields, Bears ($7,200/$6,600): I’m aware that everyone hates Justin Fields now, and there’s no doubt he’s looked like a player who can’t run an NFL offense. But this is fantasy. Fields has two things going for him that make him a very interesting play in Week 4. First, he is probably the most dangerous rushing QB in the league, averaging eight rushing attempts per game, and he hasn’t exploded on the ground yet. His passing has been atrocious, but it always has been! You’ve never been interested in Fields for his throwing, so why would you eliminate him from consideration based on it? Second, the Broncos are ranked dead last in Pass DVOA, and 30th vs. the run. If Fields is ever going to have a big day, it’s this week and when he goes nuclear, you cash.
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Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders ($6,900/$5,300): Garoppolo has long been a fun guy to play in plus matchups, and the Chargers certainly qualify for that. Jimmy G hung 324 yards and two touchdowns on the Steelers in primetime, so assuming he clears concussion protocol by Sunday, I’m inclined to believe he will be helpful on the cheap.
Running Back
Best Big Name
Derrick Henry, Titans ($8,000/$7,00): It’s been tough sledding for Henry, a longtime fantasy stalwart who could potentially be hitting the age-30 wall. We’ll learn a lot from this matchup, because the Bengals are one of the weaker run defenses in the NFL. Henry’s price is down a bit from its usual place due to an 11-carry, 20-yard debacle vs. the Browns in which he was out-snapped by Tyjae Spears. Cleveland’s got the best run defense going though, so it may have simply been a game script anomaly. Henry should still see a ton of volume and all goal line work, so in this plus matchup a low-end RB1 performance should be the floor. If he stinks again, time to start worrying.
Mid Range Value
Najee Harris, Steelers ($6,300/$5,500): Harris may not always pass the eye test, but he’s averaging four yards per carry, and while his involvement in the passing game has been scarily non-existent, he gets a very, very friendly Texans run D to beat up on. Kenny Pickett is hardly a prolific passer, so when the Steelers can lean on the run game, they will. This is one of those times, so expect solid yardage and at least one TD for this bruiser.
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Khalil Herbert, Bears ($5,800/$4,700): Anyone catch the Dolphins RBs making mincemeat out of the Broncos? Herbert isn’t a track star like Raheem Mostert or De’Von Achane, but he is a super talented rusher of the football, and he’s been starving for a breakout opportunity. This will be it, as Chicago absolutely has to lean heavily on the ground attack with how badly Fields is struggling as a passer. If Herbert can’t get on track in this cake matchup, then he may not be usable rest of season.
Wide Receivers
Best Big Name
D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks ($7,600/$6,800): Metcalf has delivered the goods in each of his first three games this season, but hasn’t had any true monster outings. That is likely to change on Monday night, because the Giants and their raw, inexperienced DBs are struggling and are about to face the best duo they’ve seen in 2023. Metcalf’s been kept out of the end zone for two straight games; that’s going to change.
Mid Range Value
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks ($6,900/$6,000): Lockett’s production has been more fickle, but he still has shown that even at age 30, his blowup potential is massive. He spiked in Week 2 for eight catches, 59 yards and two scores vs. the Lions, and now he gets the Giants, who rank dead last in DVOA vs. No. 2 receivers. You might have to make a choice between Metcalf and Lockett, but I truly believe that playing both of them will result in production.
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Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants ($5,000/$3,000): Robinson is back, and about as pure a slot receiver as you’ll find. He was on the field for just 22% of snaps in his return to the field, but still drew five targets. The Giants are making it a point to feature him when he’s out there, and the Seahawks are currently surrendering over 100 yards per game to the slot position. The Giants do have a number of players who can operate out of the slot, but when Robinson is on the field I expect him to be peppered with targets in a very plus matchup. He’ll help you afford the bigger names on this list.
Tight End
Best Big Name
Darren Waller, Giants ($6,200/$5,500): Last one from this game, I promise! Talk about due…Waller has been a huge bummer in two of his first three games with Big Blue, but I can cut him some slack. The duds came vs. the Cowboys and 49ers, while he put up six receptions and 76 yards against the Cardinals. The matchups were far more to blame than Waller was, and Seattle is friendly for opposing TEs. I like him a lot here.
Mid Range Value
Evan Engram, Jaguars ($5,600/$4,700): Engram has been a steady Eddie through three games, and will get a middle of the pack matchup in Atlanta. He’s caught five or more passes in every game this year, and totaled 49 yards or more in all of their games. Teams are averaging close to eight passes per game to their TEs vs. the Falcons, and Engram’s about due to find the end zone. It’s not the sexiest pick, but his production has been just as good as the expensive TEs in 2023, and his price hasn’t moved. Why pay the premium, right?
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Luke Musgrave, Packers ($5,100/$3,300): Feeling froggy? Musgrave hasn’t delivered for fantasy managers or DFS players yet, but it isn’t entirely on him. He’s on the field a ton, and is often streaking wide open but being missed by Jordan Love. This week, he gets the Lions, who are leading the league in passes to the TE against their defense (12) and yards allowed to TEs (87.7). The average depth of target for Musgrave, 11.5, his healthy, and this is a smash matchup. The risk is high of course, but this is rare upside for a $5,100 TE.
Quarterback to Avoid: Lamar Jackson, Ravens ($8,200/$7,700)
Running Back to Avoid: Joe Mixon, Bengals ($7,400/$6,400)
Wide Receiver to Avoid: Mike Evans, Buccaneers ($8,000/$7,000)
Tight End to Avoid: Mark Andrews, Ravens ($6,700/$5,400)