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Welcome to the bye weeks. The bye weeks are a time when your year-long fantasy football team can go to die. Injuries and improper drafting can make your starting lineup look like the Bad News Bears. Not so in daily fantasy football though. In daily fantasy football, the bye weeks are when money is made. With some fantasy superstars out for the week, other superstars’ value is inflated meaning you have less money to spend in other areas. This is when finding sleepers and value plays is more important than ever. Let the suckers you’re playing against overpay for Jimmy Graham because he’s the only guy they know this week, you’re saving money. You’re finding value and you’re winning money. Let’s get into it.
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4: QUARTERBACKS
DRAFT
Phillip Rivers: He’s been very solid so far this season, averaging over 19 points, and this week he faces the Jacksonville defense that just gave up 36 points to Andrew Luck. At home. Yes, please.
Nick Foles: In week 1 the 49ers defense had 3 INTs, 3 sacks and a fumble. In the two weeks since they’ve had 0 INT, 1 sack and 1 fumble. I don’t think the 49ers D is what it used to be and I think Foles and the Eagles will exploit that this week.
(I also like Colin Kaepernick in this game for much of the same reasons.)
Mike Glennon: Definitely a deep sleeper here, but if he starts he might be worth a look. Last season he averaged over 16 points a game and threw for two touchdowns in 7 of his 12 games. He faces a middle of the pack Steelers defense who just gave up over 300 yards passing to Cam Newton. Definitely not my top choice, but my sleeper of the week who might help in a two QB league.
DON’T DRAFT
Kirk Cousins: He’s overpriced after last week’s monster game and he faces a Giants defense that has looked to have a strong pass rush thus far this season.
Cam Newton/Joe Flacco: This game will be about defense.
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4: RUNNING BACKS
DRAFT
Le’Veon Bell: I’m finding it hard to imagine a world where Bell isn’t the #1 running back this week. He just ran for 147 yards against the tough Carolina defense and could have run for more, but the game was in hand. This week he gets a Tampa Bay defense that just gave up 56 points. This won’t be pretty, but I could see a 150+ yard performance from Bell here. Maybe in the first half.
Khiry Robinson: A repeat from last week and a guy I still like. Last week he only put up 6.9 points, but he did have 18 carries to lead his team. That game was against the sneaky-good Vikings defense. This week he gets the terribly bad Dallas D. Yes, please.
Donald Brown: A beneficiary of injury in a major way. Ryan Matthews is out and Danny Woodhead, the team’s passing down back, is out for the season too. What does this mean? MORE DONALD BROWN. Last week he posted 13.9 points in that role and this week he gets the Jaguars at home in a game is favored by 13 points. If it’s anything close to that spread, he’ll get a lot of work.
DON’T DRAFT
Arian Foster: There is a question if he plays and even if he does he faces a tough Buffalo defense that is only allowing 83 yards a game to opposing running backs. He could go off, but there is just too much risk involved at his price.
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4: WIDE RECEIVER
DRAFT
Mike Wallace: Another repeat from last week. Wallace leads his team in all major receiving categories, but hasn’t had a 100-yard game yet. I think this is the week.
Brandin Cooks: A fantasy stud in the making. Averaging over 15 points a game so far and that’s without a crazy Drew Brees game. This week the Saints get the Cowboys who have one of the worst defenses in the league. They should have no trouble scoring points and Cooks should continue to gain trust from Drew Brees. Love this guy this week and going forward.
Kendall Wright: He’s solid for 5-6 catches and 40+ yards every week. That’s decent low-end starter material, but this week I see him finding the end zone and tacking a few extra yards on against the Colts defense. Plus, this is a game neither team can afford to lose. There will be passing.
DON’T DRAFT
Julio Jones: Just a gut call here, but I think his value is inflated from last week’s monster game. Plus, the Vikings are sneaky good on defense and are desperate for a win at home.
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4: TIGHT END
DRAFT
Rob Gronkowski: I think this is the first week where his price matches his performance more than his reputation. There is always a chance that the Monster Gronk from season’s past may return so he’s definitely worth a flier.
Zach Ertz: Another repeat from last week, I still believe in Zach Ertz. His price is outside of the top ten despite his performance being inside the top ten. He’s had 12+ points in two out of three games. Let’s not last week ruin this week.
DON’T DRAFT
Jimmy Graham: With other elite tight ends on a bye, Graham’s value is through the roof. He might still perform, but his price is so high that anything less than a great game could cost you.
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 4: DEFENSE
DRAFT
New York Giants: An 11 point performance last week. This week they get a young quarterback who likes to make big throws. It could go horribly wrong, but there is upside here.
Kansas City Chiefs: The Patriots offense is ranked 26th on the season while the Chiefs D has 9 sacks in three games.
DON’T DRAFT
Atlanta Falcons: Take away last week’s monster game and the Atlanta D has three points this season. Total. Don’t pay this week for last week’s performance. The Vikings are at home and they really need a win.
