NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 – Wide Receivers

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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Although the Redskins and Panthers are both on a bye for Week 4, it doesn’t really have a significant impact in terms of viable wide receiver options in DFS as neither team’s wide receiver corps has been overly productive. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly avoid, as you create your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

A.J. Green vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $7,500

Green suffered groin and hip injuries that forced him to exit Sunday’s game against the Panthers. He was on pace for another big performance, hauling in five of eight targets for 58 yards in the first half. The good news is that Green was already listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice and is fine according to coach Marvin Lewis.

Despite only playing in the first half Sunday, Green has received at least eight targets in all three games this season. After scoring eight touchdowns total in 2017, he already has four this season. The poor play of quarterback Andy Dalton had a negative impact on Green’s numbers last year, but Dalton has turned things around, averaging 286.7 passing yards per game this year compared to 207.5 yards per game in 2017. The Falcons are tied for the seventh-most receiving yards allowed through three weeks, leaving Green with a high floor once again.

Keenan Allen vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $8,300

Allen had his worst game of the season in Week 3, catching only three of seven targets for 44 yards. He had caught at least 72.7% of his targets in both of the first two games and this was the first time he failed to top at least 50 receiving yards since Week 10 last year. Don’t read too much into this performance, though, as it came against a tough Rams secondary that has been one of the stingiest in the NFL.

While he had an extremely difficult matchup last week, things swing back in his favor against the 49ers. The 49ers have allowed the fifth-most receiving yards per game and are tied for the second-most passing touchdowns allowed. Allen did sit out Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury that flared up late in last week’s game, but his absence was likely just precautionary. He should be on the field Sunday, so don’t hesitate to add him to your lineup.

Davante Adams vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,800

Adams and the Packers have faced three tough defenses this year as the Bears, Vikings, and Redskins are all in the top half of the league in terms of fewest receiving yards allowed. Adams has yet to reach 100 yards in a game as a result, but he has been targeted at least eight times and hauled in a touchdown in all three contests.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still battling through a knee injury, but it really hasn’t resulted in a significant impact in Adams’ value. The Packers don’t run the ball much either as they have the third-fewest rushing attempts in the league. Adams is their clear top receiving option and should get all the targets he can handle Sunday. The Bills defense was excellent at home against the Vikings last week, but don’t expect them to have similar success at Lambeau Field

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

Jarvis Landry vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $7,400

Landry was a target monster for the Dolphins last year with his 161 targets tieing him for the third-most in the league. He did score nine touchdowns, but his 8.8 yards-per-reception resulted in him failing to reach 1,000 receiving yards despite his heavy involvement. Volume certainly hasn’t been a concern since joining the Browns as his 37 targets rank sixth in the league. He’s been able to convert it into more yardage, though, with an average of 13.9 yards-per-reception.

With Josh Gordon now in New England, Landry is the unquestioned top receiving option for the Browns. Their offense wasn’t exactly explosive over the first two weeks, but the switch to Baker Mayfield at quarterback showed some promise that they could be more productive moving forward. The Raiders have allowed the second-highest yards-per-reception (14.5) this year, giving Landry a high ceiling for your entry.

Sterling Shepard vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,900

The Giants offense finally came to life in Week 3, scoring 27 points against the Texans. They made a change at right tackle by benching Ereck Flowers for Chad Wheeler and while Wheeler had his problems, the offensive line seemed to play better, overall. Manning having added time to operate helped Shepard have his best game of the season, catching six of seven targets for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Another factor that helped Shepard be more productive was the loss of tight end Evan Engram to a knee injury. Engram has already been ruled out for Week 4 and is listed as week-to-week moving forward, which should result in a significant boost to Shepard’s value. The Saints have allowed the third-most receiving yards in the league this year and just lost cornerback Patrick Robinson for the season. The Giants may be forced to throw a lot to keep up with the Saints offense, giving Shepard plenty of upside with Engram sidelined.

Tyler Boyd vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,600

The Bengals have been searching for a receiver to take some pressure off of Green and may have found their man in Boyd. Boyd was limited to 10 games last year due to a knee injury and finished with just 22 receptions and 225 yards on 32 targets. The former second-round pick in the 2016 Draft got off to a quiet start Week 1 as well with three receptions on five targets for 26 yards. However, he’s been excellent the last two weeks, catching 12 of 16 total targets for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

Week 3 brought his best performance of the year with 132 yards, but some of that was due to the fact that Green didn’t play in the second half. That being said, Boyd still has a significant role in this offense. The Falcons defense is riddled with injuries, resulting in them allowing 28.3 points per game. They have a high powered offense as well, so there could be plenty of points put on the board by both teams. Even with Green likely back in the fold, Boyd has value at this price.

Kenny Golladay vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – AT&T Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,500

The Lions have one of the most talented wide receiver trios in the league in Golden Tate, Marvin Jones Jr., and Golladay. Although Golladay is listed third on their depth chart, he could be the most talented of the group. He’s certainly heavily involved in the offense, receiving at least seven targets in all three contests this year. He’s made the most of his opportunities, too, with 19 receptions, 256 yards, and two touchdowns.

The Lions can support three fantasy-relevant receivers because they have a pass-heavy offense and a lack of quality receiving options at tight end. Eric Ebron received 86 targets as a member of the Lions last year, but since he departed for the Colts, Luke Wilson now leads the team’s tight end group with five targets through three contests. Golladay is a better bargain on FanDuel than he is DraftKings, but he still has plenty of upside on both sites.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Doug Baldwin vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $5,500

Baldwin suffered a knee injury Week 1 and has not played since. The Seahawks desperately need him to return and have to be encouraged that he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. When he first suffered the injury, his original timeline for a return was two to four weeks. When healthy, Baldwin has shown he can put up impressive numbers. He’s clearly their top receiving option, but even if he does return Sunday, it might be best to wait at least another week before using him in DFS to make sure he’s completely healthy.

Marquise Goodwin vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,800

I was as high as anyone on Goodwin heading into this season, but his outlook isn’t nearly as bright now that the 49ers lost Jimmy Garoppolo to a torn ACL. C.J. Beathard will take over at quarterback, which will be his second starting stint with the team. In seven games last year, Beathard averaged 204.3 passing yards and threw just four touchdowns compared to six interceptions. Expect their offense to take a significant step backward with him at the helm.