Week 4 DraftKings.com DFS NFL Tight End & Defense Picks for Cash and GPP Lineups
Week 4 NFL is upon us and everyone is looking to cash in on the big money at DraftKings. Every week, we’ll bring you our top DFS NFL picks at each position, separating them into Cash Game and GPP plays. And to keep up with all things PlayPicks, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than they are in real life due to matchup, price, game flow, etc. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for new ways to play DFS, be sure and give BOOM Fantasy and DRAFT a try!
In DFS NFL, predicting game flow can be vital towards success. Teams that are heavily favored and come through with a comfortable win will be far more likely to lean on their running game, while two teams with poor defenses and high-powered offenses could pay off by getting into a shootout. Later in the season, especially, weather will play a key factor in NFL games, so make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday.
In general, GPP plays are high-risk, high-reward prospects that can fizzle out and leave you empty handed. That said, if you want to win the big money, you have to take big chances and sometimes that means fading a safer choice for a risky play with more upside.
Week 4 DFS NFL Tight Ends for Cash Games
Charles Clay @ ATL ($3.7k DraftKings)
The Bills TE does not have the most favorable matchup this week, but the Falcons success against tight ends this year doesn’t seem sustainable, as they were one of the worst against the position last year. Meanwhile, Clay is tied for second in red zone targets among tight ends with four, having converted three of those targets. Tyrod Taylor isn’t afraid to look for him (averaging six receptions per game), and with more than 20% of his targets coming in the red zone, a score seems probably this weekend. Look for the Falcons to put up points and force Buffalo to throw. They’ll be too busy trying to stop LeSean McCoy to worry too much about Clay.
Jared Cook @ DEN ($3.4k DraftKings)
The Raiders looked very flat in week three against a rejuvenated Washington team, but TE Cook still got his. The veteran pass-catcher heads into a week four matchup against a strong Broncos defense, but it’s also the defense allowing the fifth most points to the TE position. With 5-7 targets a near lock, against a defense that should limit the Raiders other offensive weapons, Cook is a safe play for your lineup with an average DK score of 10.5 ppg. In all honestly, he’s probably the only Raider I’m really looking to get exposure to this week.
Cameron Brate vs. NYG ($3.6k DraftKings)
The Bucs looked dreadful last week against a Minnesota team that was not messing around, but Brate still managed a double-digit fantasy outing. Notice a trend here? Like Cook, Brate is competing for catches with a solid receiving corp. But when things go south for the Tampa offense and Winston can’t connect with Mike Evans, the targets begin heading Brate’s way. Facing a bottom three defense against tight ends based on DK scoring, Brate should be able to turn roughly a half dozen targets into a solid day, especially considering Winston will look to avoid Janoris Jenkins.
Week 4 DFS NFL Tight Ends for GPPs
Jesse James @ BAL ($3.0k DraftKings)
The Ravens just allowed Marcedes Lewis to catch three touchdowns last week, effectively increasing his career touchdowns by more than 10% in one game (he’s played in over 150 games). To say that’s an outlier is an understatement, but it happened. And Jesse James gets the Baltimore defense this week. Now, the Ravens looked very good through two weeks, and their defense is far more competent than last weekend would suggest. For one, their top five in the league in terms of DK ppg allowed to wide receivers. And they’re middle of the pack against running backs. Against TEs, however, Baltimore is dead last, having allowed four TD passes to tight ends, compared to a combined two to RBs and WRs. The defensive gameplan will focus on stopping Antonio Brown and/or LeVeon Bell, making James a strong play as a redzone touchdown hawk in week four.
Ed Dickson @ NE ($2.8k DraftKings)
Dickson’s week three performance—the first since Greg Olsen went down with a major injury—was extremely underwhelming. Let’s take that as a blessing in disguise, as his ownership should be low this week, even though he faces a New England team that has allowed double digit fantasy efforts to Ryan Griffin and Coby Fleener. Sure they shut down Travis Kelce, but Dickson won’t get the Kelce treatment. Instead, expect the Panthers to find a way to get Dickson the ball as the Pats focus on playmakers like Christian McCaffrey and Kelvin Benjamin. Allowing the second most fantasy points per game to TEs, the Patriots defense has struggled, and their gameplan will almost certainly not heavily involve stopping Dickson. Look for the Panthers default starting TE to break out with a solid performance.
Rob Gronkowski vs. HOU ($6.6k DraftKings)
Gronk nearly made the cash plays, but the Panthers are fourth best against the TE based on DK scoring (and he’s still expensive), so he lands in the tournament list instead. After a pedestrian week one, Gronkowski has exploded for back-to-back 20+ point outings against the Saints and Houston. And that should have plenty of people on him, as well as his slightly lower price tag of $6,600.
However, the fact that Carolina has allowed just 74 yards to opposing tight ends in three weeks should have enough players electing to fade the dynamic Pats star. With ownership likely coming in lower than usual and his ridiculously high ceiling, Gronkowski should keep his impressive 2017 campaign going. Throw in that he’s tied for second in the entire league in red zone targets, and you’ll likely agree that $6,600 for a player with the ceiling of an elite wideout is worthy of your tournament lineup.
Week 4 DFS NFL Top Defense Plays
NE vs. CAR ($3.4k DraftKings)
New England’s defense has not been good through three weeks, averaging 3.0 DK ppg and never topping six points in a single game thus far. Good time to face Carolina and a struggling Cam Newton coming off a three interception game against the Saints. The Patriots should put the Panthers behind on the scoreboard early and force Newton to throw. With a hobbled Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen heading to the IR, there’s not much help in the receiving corp. Look for the Pats to roll over Newton and an overmatched Carolina offense.
PIT @ BAL ($3.5k DraftKings)
Averaging 10.7 DK ppg so far this season, the Steelers D/ST is a very safe option even before considering they’re playing a Baltimore Ravens team that just got blown out by the Jaguars by 37 points. The Ravens probably aren’t as bad as they showed themselves to be last week, but it’s hard to imagine they can fix enough in a week to challenge the Steelers. What’s more, Pittsburgh is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bears. Expect Mike Tomlin to have his defense motivated for a divisional matchup.
JAX @ NYJ ($3.6k DraftKings)
The Jags, for all their struggles in recent years, have built quite a strong defense. This week they get the New York Jets after just decimating the Baltimore Ravens. Even with the blowout loss, the Ravens have scored 51 points on the season. The Jets have scored 52 and are probably a less competent offense than Baltimore’s. Jacksonville has a high ceiling this week, and look for them to deliver on it.
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