Looking for an edge in your week 4 NFL DFS contests? You may want to consider using some players that the field isn’t overly high on.
That didn’t work out last week for this post, as the chalk was pretty good across the board. Still, it’s important to always look for ways to leverage the field, whether you are eating the chalk or not.
We’ve got you covered from both sides, though. Be sure to check out this week’s best cash game plays, and read on for my favorite NFL DFS GPP pivots.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens ($7.5k)
Unowned Lamar Jackson with the second best projection among all quarterbacks? Sign me up for THAT. I do think there are better values, and of course Josh Allen at just $200 more with a superior projection is worth mentioning.
But Jackson is presently projecting for under 5% ownership and he’s in a game with the Kansas City Chiefs that very well may end up being a shootout. He’s also the leader of the league’s #1 scoring offense and he’s been on fire to start the year (26+ fps in every game).
Oh, and by the way, Baltimore is facing a 1-3 start with a loss on Sunday. Expect Jackson to show up and reward you in the process.
Jaxon Dart, QB, Giants ($4.5k)
There are a lot of quality quarterbacks worth paying up for and it’s not a slate where a ton of the stud RBs and WRs feel like major necessities. Naturally, that may have a cheap Jaxson Dart going overlooked in his pro debut.
Dart was a great option for us during the NFL Preseason, and we know he has a built in rushing floor. I will admit a date with a solid Chargers defense is less than optimal, but the game script likely benefits him and he definitely has weapons to go to war with.
If Dart ends up being chalky, I’m probably out. And I’d limit my exposure due to the obvious risk. But if you want to load up on studs, he’s your ticket to doing so.
James Cook, RB, Bills ($7.1k)
The Buffalo Bills project for over 30 points in what should be a blowout win against the New Orleans Saints. Despite the high total, the field is turning away from them – meaning we can get some (basically) guaranteed production at low ownership.
Which Bills actually wreck is anyone’s guess, but Cook definitely stands out for a couple of reasons. First, if Buffalo does blow New Orleans out like they’re supposed to, he might have something to do with it – and even if he doesn’t initially, the Bills may end up running a lot in the second half.
Cook has certainly been a part of Buffalo’s success through the first three weeks. Just look at his fantasy production so far:
- Week 1: 21.2 fantasy points
- Week 2: 29.5 fantasy points
- Week 3: 23.8 fantasy points
If he comes anywhere close to that again, he is discounted and his ownership will be borderline inexcusable. I am with you on fearing then blowout and/or this turning into a “Josh Allen game”, but his ownership and salary demand our attention.
Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens ($7.2k)
I will start this one off by saying that I am not even that high on Henry. This is a salary+ownership+narrative play.
Just like with Lamar, we know the Ravens are (probably) going to show up in what some could say is a must-win game for them. Plus there are negative optics surrounding Henry, who has fumbled in every game so far in 2025.
While true, Henry has reminded us of his massive ceiling (33.2 fantasy points in week one) and his track record suggests three straight games under 12 fantasy points isn’t a great bet.
That, and KC’s run defense has been a pretty middling unit so far.
Week four in general feels like a “bet on variance being your friend”, but in reverse. A lot of really good players have had slow starts or bad outings, and I think that will largely correct itself.
But in Henry’s case, you’re getting a guy with 30+ point upside at low ownership and he costs $1.3k less than the most expensive RB on the slate.
Malik Nabers, WR, Giants ($7k)
Nabers is an easy stack with Dart if you go the cheap route at quarterback. Even if you don’t, Nabers showed his ceiling in week two (40.7 fantasy points) and I’m not sure we should turn our nose up at that.
I see the Puka Nacua love, but there’s a real argument to be made for hammering a seemingly unowned Nabers and saving $900. Or you could just play them both. Either way, Nabers has the type of upside that not many options on this slate offer, and he might not even be 10% owned.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers ($6.5k)
Drake London and BTJ are two other guys I think get it going this week, but they’re cheaper and chalkier than someone like Ladd. I know the Bolts have been relying on Keenan Allen and QJ – and they’re still good values – but I feel like this is finally the week we see McConkey go off.
He is way too good to be quiet for much longer, so why not confide in him in the face of one of the best possible matchups he could hope for? The New York Giants are entering a transition period on offense, but on defense we know they’re struggling – 2nd worst against WRs.
Ladd’s price has also dropped to $6.5k. If not now, when?
Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders ($5.8k)
Tight end remains a bad postion. There’s good value, but nobody is actually safe, and even if you like the value associated with some of these plays, the floors are remarkably low for just about all of them.
Even Brock Bowers hasn’t been immune to the struggles for the position, but he does have a knee injury to blame. The good news? He is still involved in the offense, his knee should be getting better week by week, and he has an amazing matchup this week.
Chicago just gave up an absurd 14 catches to Jake Ferguson, which contributes to a defense that has had issues against TEs (24th) all year.
Bowers also offers the highest ceiling of any tight end and he’s severely discounted. It’s time to pull the trigger.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Browns ($3.7k)
David Njoku is shaping up as chalk at tight end. There’s also Tyler Warren, who should garner ownership. Needless to say, nobody is going to be on Fannin, who smashed in week one and has been relatively quiet ever since.
This could be a good spot for him to wake up, seeing as the Browns are a reasonable bet to have to take it to the air a lot. Oh, and Detroit (28th) isn’t very good at staying in front of tight ends.
If you’re not into paying for Bowers, you’re in (somewhat) good hands. Njoku, Fannin, and Warren help you save and give you reasonably high floors.
Want more help for week four? Check out Taylor’s favorite NFL DFS stacks for the week.
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