Digging In The Crates Daily 2018 week 4 DraftKings

Week 4 Main slate (12 Games)

Quarterbacks

Eli Manning vs. New Orleans ($5,600)
In 2017 Eli Manning tied for the worst touchdown rate as a starting NFL quarterback but it was in large part to the injuries and lack of weaponry surrounding him. The beauty of DFS is that we are only married to a player one week at a time. His weaponry is back in 2018 and he has an absolute machine named Saquon Barkley to provide balance. Manning was very efficient week 3 on the road at Houston completing 25-of-29 attempts, for 297 yards and Two touchdowns. Week 4 he’ll get the 30th ranked New Orleans Saints pass defense in a game with one of the highest point totals of the week. The Saints are allowing 336 yards per game through the air. An Eli Manning/Odell Beckham/Saquon Barkley stack is firmly in play. On the other side Drew Brees/Michael Thomas/Alvin Kamara make an interesting stack.

Ryan Tannehill @ New England ($5,500)
Ryan Tannehill is back after a year lost to an ACL tear. He leads in a 3-0 Dolphins team in New England touting a 121.8 passer rating and sporting 7 touchdown passes with only two interceptions. It figures to be a game where Tannehill will be playing from behind in a desperation contest for the Patriots. The Patriots rank 28th in pass defense and are allowing 263 yards through the air per game. He’s ranked fourth in overall QB rating and led the Dolphins to a comeback win week 3 against the Raiders. I think the Dolphins have found their QB of the future and he makes for a safe cash game play against the Patriots. A Ryan Tannehill/Kenny Stills stack could be real contrarian.

Bonus: Andy Dalton @ Atlanta ($5,400)

Running backs

Chris Carson @ Arizona ($4,600)
Chris Carson had 34 touches week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys going over 100 yards. The good news is that Carson will face an Arizona Cardinals run defense week 4 that is allowing 131 yards on the ground per game. The bad news is that Carson has a hip issue and has been limited in practice. Carson SHOULD be chalk given his price, volume and matchup but his inconsistencies and injury could have people off him. He’s a plug and play for me this week. His hip is an obvious concern and should be monitored through the weekend. Outside of Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett the Seahawks yearn for an offensive spark.

Sony Michel vs. Dolphins ($4,500)
It was a big surprise when Sony Michel was taken by the Patriots in the first round of the 2018 draft. Out goes Dion Lewis and hopefully they have found his replacement. With Rex Burkhead and Jeremy Hill on injured reserve the Patriots are thin at running back. Similar to Chris Carson, Michel is another example of paying next to nothing for his volume in a game where the Patriots should have the lead. There is no question he has looked lost his first two games on the field but he’s a rookie and development takes time. Expect a heavy work load from Michel against a so far stingy Dolphins defensive front. Michel makes a great tournament play at home.

Bonus: Kerryon Johnson @ Dallas ($4,400)

Wide receiver

Calvin Ridley vs. Bengals ($4,900)
If you took Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley and you put them beside each other they are a mirror image. Except Ridley has mass appeal week 4 against a Bengals secondary that ranks 24th in pass defense. PFF ranks Ridley as its top rated rookie wide receiver ahead of DJ Moore and Christian Kirk. Week 3 Ridley caught 7-of-8 targets for 146 yards and three touchdowns. His ceiling evidently is massive and having Julio Jones lined up opposite will keep defenses somewhat honest in coverage. Initially volume was a concern with the Falcons having an array of weaponry but with Devonta Freeman injured things have been a bit different. Ridley can be owned in tournaments and cash games. He’ll be a tough fade.

Tyler Boyd @ Atlanta ($4,600)
Tyler Boyd was a Crate favorite last week at his sub 4k price tag and went off against the Panthers hauling in 6-of-7 targets for 132 yards and a touchdown. With all the shine on second year burner John Ross, Boyd has come into his own with Andy Dalton. Boyd has scored in back to back games and has had 20+ DraftKings points in that two game span. Boyd would be the center piece of the Bengals offense if A.J. Green were unable to go. The Falcons/Bengals game is going to be a good one to stack up on and between Ridley and Boyd we are able to spend up elsewhere.

Bonus: Jordy Nelson vs. Browns ($4,700)

Tight End

Tyler Eifert @ Atlanta ($3,800)
It’s not often Tyler Eifert is healthy so when he is we have to capitalize from a fantasy perspective. Eifert caught 6-of-8 targets for 74 yards week 3 against the Panthers. I have mentioned that the Falcons/Bengals game will be a good one to stack and there are ways to diversify. The mullet has the Bengals off to their best start since 2015. Eifert has only played 39 of a possible 80 games but has scored 15 touchdowns between 2015 and 2016. (Missed almost all of 2017). Eifert will be a low owned tournament play with upside.

O.J. Howard @ Bears ($3,500)
It’s O.J. Howard time in Tampa Bay and we all have front row seats. There are weapons galore but he fits right in and should be involved in every game plan going forwarded lining up all over the field. He is a matchup nightmare. Howard caught 6-of-8 targets for 72 yards week 3 against the Steelers. Howard can be used in cash games or in tournaments.

Bonus: Eric Ebron vs. Houston ($3,600)

Defenses/Special Teams

Bears vs. Buccaneers ($2,600)
The Bears are loaded on defense and the sacks and interceptions keep coming. The Bears are averaging a shade under 15 DraftKings points a game. Regardless of the tough matchup against the Buccaneers the price is too good at home.