We flip the page over to Week 4 as we come off a Week 3 in which, once again, not too many backs were overly impressive for DFS purposes and a lot of the elite backs had bad-to-average games. For the second consecutive week, the best strategy would have been to get those mid-tier scores from cheap priced backs and spend-up in other places. We can’t expect that to continue to be the case on a weekly basis though. This week I really love a lot of the mid-tier and high-priced backs, especially if Jamaal Williams officially draws the start. Why do I like him and who else do I like this week? Let’s dive into the top plays, values and fades for NFL DFS Week 4!

Be sure to check out the rest of the NFL DFS Coaches and DFS Watch List throughout the week!

| DFS Playbook | QB Coach (Tue) | RB Coach (Wed) | WR Coach (Wed) | TE Coach (Thu) | D/ST Coach (Thu) | Value Plays |

 

NFL DFS RB Top Plays

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Taylor hasn’t done much of anything over the past two weeks, but he is in a pretty good spot against the Titans this week. The Titans have looked like a pretty bad team to this point and Taylor is still getting a ton of volume (21 carries and five targets last week). Paying up for backs has not worked out well at all so far this season, but it’s hard to envision that being the case all season. This could be one of those weeks where we see Taylor explode for 150 yards and a pair of scores and breaks the slate. 

 

Saquon Barkley, Giants

Barkley has looked like the potential overall RB1 to this point as he has scored 36.4, 11.8, and 22..6+ dk points through the first three games. He is averaging 6.0 yards per carry and has caught 13 of 15 targets to this point while getting at least 4 targets in every game. The Bears have been hurt by backs both through the air and on the ground over the past two weeks, so Barkley should be able to keep that going as he is strong in both areas. He provides a big time ceiling with a very rock solid floor and isn’t even priced in the top-three of backs. 

 

NFL DFS RB Mid-Tier Plays

James Robinson, Jaguars

Jrob, as you can see above, has come back from injury with vengeance and played extremely well. Over 60 yards rushing in all three games while handling big workloads on the ground. The Eagles rank as a plus matchup for running backs to this point in the season and the Jags have shown every intention to feed Jrob the ball. The only concern is that he has needed the TDs to this point to really be effective and the probability of scoring a TD in every game (like he has so far) is zero. 

 

Jamaal Williams, Lions

Williams is an elite play this week if Swift sits out of the action, which appears very likely in at this moment, but even if Swift plays, it’s likely he would be limited and Williams would be a rock solid play anyways. Williams has played well to this point with four touchdowns already and two DK games of north of 16 points. Swift being out would mean action in the passing game for Williams and that would be a huge boost since that’s the one thing lacking in his game so far this season. The Seahawks rank as one of the best matchups in the league for backs this season. 

 

NFL DFS RB Value Plays

Dameon Pierce, Texans

Last week in the RB Coach I said “it is officially ‘Pierce SZN’ now.” He came through for us, rushing 20 times for 80 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for an additional 21 yards to finish with 18.1 dk points. The Jaguars pair of backs found a lot of success against the Chargers last week, both on the ground and through the air, totaling nearly 200 yards (as you can see below). He should continue to operate as the Texans lead back and could once again be worth his cheap price tag. 

 

Breece Hall, Jets

Hall has seen his carry total raise each week as he got six in Week 1, seven in Week 2, and eight in Week 3. He also saw an insane amount of targets in the passing game this past week with 11 and he now has two games with at least nine targets through the first three games of action. His scoring totals have also gone up each week, scoring 11.1, 13.0, and 15.2 dk points. His usage and snap totals are increading but his DFS salary hasn’t really changed yet and we could be in for a breakout game in a good matchup against the Steelers. 

 

NFL DFS RB Fades

Najee Harris, Steelers

Harris has simply looked… awful. His yards per carry averages through the first three games are 2.3, 3.3, and 3.7. He is just a big plodder right now and opponents have zero respect for the Steelers passing game. On top of all that, Harris’ usage in the passing game has seen a steep decline from last season and that was basically the only thing that made him good for fantasy last season, so without that… it’s not looking pretty. His ceiling just seems very low right now and he is not worth his price tag. 

 

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