Fantasy Football: Week 4 Daily Picks

By Clayton Martino | Sep 30, 2015

Jeff Glauser: FanDuel

Season:
Spent: $5
Won: $0

Last Week:
Entry: $2
Place: 34,367 out of 57,471
Winnings: $0

Technically, I’m progressing, as my fantasy football team scored more than the week prior, but not in the money yet. This time around, I pretty much got what I paid for. My five cheapest plays (all $5600 and under) scored a total of 28.4, while the remaining four (all $8400 and up) scored 91.5. In other words: An average of 5.7 and 22.9, respectively.

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What I’ve learned is that it seems that at least one sleeper has to hit in order for you to have a chance at that money. And as my old friend Joe once said, “Knowing is half the battle.” He really is a great American hero.

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Best Pick – WR Julio Jones
What Jones has done thus far this season is simply preposterous. In just three weeks, he’s put up numbers (34 receptions/440 yards/4 TDs) that would be considered a decent season for many receivers in the league. Don’t even try projecting those numbers out for a full 16 games because your head will explode.

Worst Pick – TE Zach Ertz
I could have gone with Jonas Gray, who scored slightly less, but I knew I was swinging for the fences on him. Meanwhile, Ertz continues to disappoint, especially in a game where Sam Bradford repeatedly checked down. The double whammy is that I drafted him high on my keeper league team. So far, that pick really “Ertz” me.

Week 4: $60K NFL Squib $1 Entry
QB Andy Dalton (vs. Kansas City) $7600

RB Lance Dunbar (@ New Orleans) $5600

RB Karlos Williams (vs. NY Giants) $6300

WR A.J. Green (vs. Kansas City) $8400

WR Julio Jones (vs. Houston) $9400

WR Larry Fitzgerald (vs. St. Louis) $7400

TE Greg Olsen(@ Tampa Bay) $6300

K Robbie Gould (vs. Oakland) $4600

D Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jacksonville) $4400

Three weeks in and Dalton is no longer the red-headed stepchild of fantasy quarterbacks. Not only is he showing more poise in the pocket, but his peripheral stats have all dramatically improved, with an outstanding 8-1 TD-INT ratio for good measure.

Dunbar and Williams form my “Next Man Up” backfield. The former was Brandon Weedon’s favorite target last week and should see his touches stay high against a porous Saints defense.

Meanwhile, LeSean McCoy’s status is questionable to play against the Giants, but even when in, the rookie Williams saw his time on the field increase and seems to have a knack for the big play. He’s also scored in each game so far.

Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) catches a pass for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals defeated Baltimore Ravens 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Green could have won some fantasy leagues singlehandedly last week with the game of his life. Hoping to have double the pleasure and fun this week by paring him with his partner in crime Dalton.

I’ve decided no salary amount can stop me from selecting Jones on my team. He was the first person I went to and, even though he’s probably disappointed that he won’t be terrorizing another NFC East squad next game, I think he’ll be just fine once again.

Apparently, Fitzgerald discovered the fountain of youth this season. With 23 receptions and 5 touchdowns already, he now has a favorable matchup against the Rams.

Like Fitz, Olsen is having a resurgence of his own and his salary seems like a steal. After a slow start, he’s picked it up as of late and seems well on his way to replicating last year’s career season, especially against the middling Buccaneers.

The Bears can’t get shut out again, can they? I’m betting they’ll at least put some points on the board, including a couple field goals, while going up against the Raiders. Hence, Gould.

“Whoever faces the Jags” always seems like a safe play when choosing a fantasy defense – even more so when the season is on the line for the flailing Colts. That should be motivation enough for Indy to wreak some havoc at home.

Clayton Martino: DraftKings

Season:
Spent: $26
Won: $55

Last Week:
Entry: $3
Place: 77,560 out of 383,333
Winnings: $5

After a disappointing result in Week 2 I’m back in the green this week, albeit only barely.

Best Pick: WR Larry Fitzgerald (37.4 points)

Easy choice. I went for the Palmer/Fitzgerald combo, and boy did those two deliver, as Arizona took San Francisco to the woodshed. I also figured Le’Veon Bell would return with a big game, and he did, but Fitzgerald was far and away the best player on my team.

Worst Pick: RB Danny Woodhead (7.3 points)

Woodhead received a season low eight touches against the Vikings on Sunday and it really cost me. While he was still able to turn these touches into positive points, he was far and away my worst performer.

Week 4: NFL $1.5M Play-Action $3 Entry

QB Aaron Rodgers (at San Francisco) $7,900

RB Frank Gore (vs Jacksonville) $4,700

RB Thomas Rawls (vs Detroit) $3,000

WR Julio Jones (vs Houston) $9,300

WR James Jones (at San Francisco) $5,300

WR Donte Moncrief (vs Jacksonville) $5,000

TE Greg Olsen (at Tampa Bay) $5,400

FLEX Jimmy Graham (vs Detroit) $6,000

DST Packers (at San Francisco) $2,700

I nearly entered this team into the $20 contest because I am very confident with it, but I’m going to wait one more week before I venture into those waters once again. Aaron Rodgers is on another planet right now, and it’s about time I jumped on-board his fantasy train. After watching Palmer and Fitzgerald abuse the 49ers defense, I’m thinking Rodgers and Jones will be able to do the exact same thing.

Sep 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass while being chased by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 38-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

I also like the Colts to beat up on the lowly Jaguars, and I think they discovered the secret to success last week against Tennessee – pound Frank Gore. Gore had his best game of the season by far last week, and after seeing LeGarrette Blount rush for three touchdowns in only one half, I expect Gore to have a big game.

The biggest risk here is running back Thomas Rawls. Rawls rushed for over 100 yards on just 16 carries last week and faces a Lions’ defense that has been gashed by the run this season. But – Marshawn Lynch remains a game time decision. If he plays, this pick could really come back and bite me. If he doesn’t, it might be the steal of the weekend. I guess that’s why they call it gambling.

Hopefully these picks helped you out in your quest to make some money on Daily Fantasy. Be sure to check back next week as we review our picks and give you even more picks!

Next: Who should you pick against the spread?

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