Slate Overview- Week 4 Thoughts
There seems to be a trend so far to 2024. Through three weeks, the key to building lineups has been to spend up at one running back, down at the other running back, and then taking a bunch of middle-of-the-road wide receivers. Over the first couple of weeks, we've seen top-end wide receivers and tight ends go undervalued and for the most part, they haven't had that slate-breaking game. However, that doesn't mean that it is not coming for players such as Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, the top-end tight ends, etc.
This week, there are several different options that you could go to based on the injuries that exist. It seems that people are not taking into account injuries enough as they should be this week. Players in Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Pittsburgh are all going to be rostered lower than they should be as the crowds are all funneling towards certain types of builds with Jordan Mason, Diontae Johnson, one high-end running back in Breece Hall, or Saquon Barkley, and high-end quarterbacks such as Jayden Daniels or Kyler Murray. It should be very easy to build a unique lineup this week by avoiding some of these highly rostered players and taking a similar-priced player who may have similar upside.
Key Injuries for Week 4
- Jordan Love seems likely to play this week. With Love, it’s extremely risky this week, but you could take a chance on a player like Jayden Reed who should receive an upgrade with Love in the lineup.
- Davante Adams is out this week. This is a tricky one, as both Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers should get an upgrade against Cleveland. Tre Tucker had a great week last week and could once again have a big opportunity as a GPP play at just $3,600. The path for the Raiders to be competitive this week is through the air as Zamir White and this rushing attack have done nothing this season. Expect Bowers to be one of the highest rostered players on this slate, while Meyers is a good play although not a must one as he comes with his own risks regarding a low floor, but did have 7 receptions last week.
- Justin Herbert is looking like he will be out this week. With no Herbert, the Chiefs offense gets a downgrade in what should be a less competitive game despite Taylor Heinicke looking like he will get the start.
- Both Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce look more doubtful than questionable this week, although Mixon did return to practice on Friday. Cam Akers is more expensive than we’d like him to be at $5,300 given his struggles last week, but if you need a cheap running back he could be someone to look at this week.
- Jaylen Warren is out this week. This should be a perfect matchup for Najee Harris going up against a bad run defense in Indianapolis.
- A.J. Brown might return this week. It seems unlikely, but he did practice on Friday. DeVonta Smith is also out for the Eagles. If Brown is unable to go, it could just be a must-play for Saquon Barkley, as the Eagles do not have a great receiving option amongst Jahan Dotson, Johnnie Wilson, and Parris Campbell. If one of them was cheaper, it could be tempting, but as of now, it’s Barkley or Dallas Goedert this week.
- Chris Olave is questionable this week, but he did travel with the team on Saturday. With him traveling within 24 hours of the game, it would seem reasonable that he is going to play this week.
- Evan Engram is out this week. Brenton Strange will get the start at tight end. Strange is an athletic tight end who has 11 targets over the last two games.
- Trey McBride is out this week. Elijah Higgins is another cheap tight end who is going to start this week. Higgins is another athletic tight end who has not had much of a role this season, but at 6’3’’ 235 pounds is a player who could cause mismatches for the struggling Commanders' defense this week.
Stacks
Top Stack
C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Brian Thomas Jr..
The Texans have been unable to get much going offensively all season. C.J. Stroud is averaging just 237 passing yards per game and 1.3 touchdowns per game. For a quarterback who doesn’t run, this is an issue as he’s well below his pace of 274 and 1.5 touchdowns from last season. The one bright spot for the passing game has been Nico Collins who has at least 85 yards in all three games including topping 100 yards twice this season. The matchup could not be better this week for Houston as they’re at home and facing a Jaguars secondary that has allowed the third-most DraftKings points to opponents this season.
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