Fantasy: Week 4's top daily fantasy football value plays

Every Friday for the balance of the NFL season, theScore managing editor James Bisson takes a comprehensive look at the best daily fantasy value plays. Values are based on DraftKings' DFS offering, in which players are given a $50,000 budget with which to build a nine-player team (1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB/WR FLEX, 1 DST).

Quarterback

Drew Brees, NO (@ DAL, $9,300)

Brees carries the highest price tag of any player this week, and there's a very good reason for that. The Saints gunslinger faces a Dallas Cowboys defense that hasn't been as terrible as preseason pundits expected, but remains one of the worst units in the league. Dallas allowed St. Louis Rams quarterback Austin Davis to rack up 327 yards and three touchdowns last week, and will struggle mightily to contain a motivated Brees.

Others to consider: Philip Rivers, SD (vs. JAC, $7,700), Tony Romo, DAL (vs. NO, $6,700), Teddy Bridgewater, MIN (vs. ATL, $5,700)

Running Back

Donald Brown, SD (vs. JAC, $5,400)

Brown had one of the busiest weeks of any running back in the NFL this season - compiling 36 total touches - and should be in for a similarly absurd workload this week against the lowly Jaguars. With Ryan Mathews still on the shelf and the Chargers expected to pile up the points on the visitors, Brown should see a healthy number of carries before giving way to backup Branden Oliver. Expect 25 touches and a score at minimum.

Others to consider: Lamar Miller, MIA (@ OAK, $6,200), Eddie Lacy, GB (@ CHI, $5,600), Chris Ivory, NYJ (vs. DET, $5,300), Shane Vereen, NE (@ KC, $5,000)

Wide Receiver

DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (vs. BUF, $4,900)

Hopkins has emerged as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's co-No. 1 option alongside veteran Andre Johnson, and represents terrific value Sunday for a Texans team that may need to throw a lot. The Bills have allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards through three games, and Houston star Arian Foster is considered a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury. Buffalo also ranks 26th in passing yards allowed, which bodes well for Hopkins.

Others to consider: Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN (vs. ATL, $5,600), Keenan Allen, SD (vs. JAC, $5,300), Brandin Cooks, NO (@ DAL, $5,300), Allen Robinson, JAC (@ SD, $4,400), Denarius Moore, OAK (vs. MIA, $3,700)

Tight End

Owen Daniels, BAL (vs. CAR, $4,100)

A season-ending hip injury to Dennis Pitta has opened the door for Daniels, who knows Baltimore offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak well from their time together with the Texans. It didn't take long for Daniels to show the Ravens what he's capable of doing, hauling in a pair of touchdown passes last week. Given Kubiak's affinity for involving the tight end in the offense, Daniels should represent a strong play - especially at this price.

Others to consider: Rob Gronkowski, NE (@ KC, $5,700), Zach Ertz, PHI (@ SF, $4,000), Andrew Quarless, GB (@ CHI, $3,200)

RB/WR Flex

Michael Crabtree, SF (vs. PHI, $6,400)

Crabtree has put together back-to-back solid performances, racking up 162 combined yards and two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals - teams that rank 16th and 19th, respectively, against the pass. Now he'll have a chance to feast on a visiting Eagles secondary that has allowed the third-most yards in the league entering Week 4. Philadelphia has also been torched for eight touchdowns.

Others to consider: Antonio Brown, PIT (vs. TB, $7,800), LeSean McCoy, PHI (@ SF, $7,000), Julian Edelman, NE (@KC, $6,500), Ahmad Bradshaw, IND (vs. TEN, $5,800), Kyle Juszczyk, BAL (vs. CAR, $3,000)

D/ST

San Diego Chargers (vs. JAC, $3,100)

Picking on the Jacksonville Jaguars isn't fun, but it does seem to be the path to daily fantasy glory. The Chargers are this week's benefactor, hosting a Jaguars team that has managed just 604 yards of total offense through three weeks and will be starting rookie Blake Bortles this Sunday. While he represents an upgrade over Chad Henne - who wouldn't? - he will likely find himself running for cover against an underrated Chargers defensive line. 

Others to consider: Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN, $3,100), Detroit Lions (@ NYJ, $3,000), Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. TB, $2,900)

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