DFS: Pigskin Panel - The 3 Biggest Questions of Week 4
Each week, theScore's DFS experts tackle the biggest questions of the week. Here are three of the most significant issues of Week 3:
Who will be Andy Dalton's target of choice this week?
Jason Wilson: A.J. Green is the most talented player on the Bengals. Since Cincinnati is also facing a Kansas City Chiefs team that has given up the most fantasy points to receivers through three weeks, he is almost a certain lock in both cash game and GPP formats. He'll show DFS players that Week 3 was not an aberration.
Josh Ghatak: Since the end of Week 1, it has been regression for Tyler Eifert and progression for Green. Because of this and the rapport between Dalton and Green, I feel more comfortable selecting Green for Week 4. Dalton and Green have worked together for years; don't expect a receiver of Green's quality to be out-touched by what is still a relatively unproven tight end.
Ken Conrad: There's no sense in overthinking: the answer is Green. Here's a summary of how top receivers have performed against Kansas City so far this season: 9-98-2 on 13 targets (DeAndre Hopkins), 8-116 on 14 targets (Demaryius Thomas), 8-87-2 on 14 targets (Emmanuel Sanders) and 7-91-3 on 12 targets (Randall Cobb).
David Chernish: Green is always Dalton's preferred target. Green has been on the field for a whopping 90 per cent of the Bengals' snaps on the season; he can bulldoze opponents en route to the end zone, he's a dangerous red zone threat and will be Dalton's first look inside the 20. Expect another big game from Green this week.
How will Victor Cruz's (eventual) return impact the Giants' DFS fortunes?
Jason Wilson: He'll give Eli Manning a decoy option to help him reach Odell Beckham Jr., and not much else ... at first. Coming off knee surgery, Cruz should be avoided in DFS until he's had a few games to loosen up and test what he can do. Manning's numbers should get better by virtue of having another legitimate target.
Josh Ghatak: Cruz’s return should have little to no effect on the Giants’ DFS production. Cruz will draw attention based on his career’s body of work but don't expect much production from him; players coming off a torn patella hardly ever return to form. That said, opposing defenses likely won't be able to focus solely on Beckham Jr. with Cruz and Rueben Randle available.
Ken Conrad: Other than Beckham and, in PPR formats, Shane Vereen, the Giants aren't exactly rife with useful DFS performers. Cruz has averaged just over five catches per game for his career, and if healthy, he'll become a viable PPR option while helping open things up downfield for Beckham. Trusting Manning is still a risky proposition, with better alternatives at similar prices.
David Chernish: Cruz will invigorate the Giants' pass game in Week 4 versus the Buffalo Bills - should he return by then. With Cruz back and 100 per cent, fellow wideout Beckham is going to be even tougher to keep tabs on moving forward. Defenses will attempt to shut down one of those two receivers, leaving the other to dominate.
Which struggling rookie will break out in Week 4?
Jason Wilson: Based on need after Jerricho Cotchery went down, combined with a matchup against Tampa Bay, Carolina's Devin Funchess is in a great position to perform. Greg Olsen will remain Cam Newton's number one target, but competition at WR is pretty thin, which gives Funchess an edge despite his paltry 38 yards receiving to date.
Josh Ghatak: Melvin Gordon should put up the best rookie performance. Gordon has had three modest performances to start his career, but has two things working in his favor: he's the clear RB1 in San Diego, and has an ideal Week 4 matchup against a porous Browns run defense that surrendered 139 rushing yards and a touchdown to Oakland's Latavius Murray last week.
Ken Conrad: Gordon is the pick here, given that Cleveland has allowed at least 154 yards rushing in each game this season. San Diego's recent injuries on the offensive line are a worry, but Gordon has had at least 14 carries in each of his first three games, and the Chargers likely won't have to abandon the run in the second half like they had to against Minnesota.
David Chernish: Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman had his breakout party this past week; division rival Funchess is an intriguing play this week versus the Buccaneers' lackluster pass defense. With Cotchery sitting out Week 4 with a sore ankle, Funchess should be locked into the WR3 role behind Ted Ginn and Corey Brown.