NFL Week 4 DFS Bargain Picks: Making a Dart Throw at Running Back

Nobody else is going to play Cam Akers in his first game with the Vikings, so why not take a chance on him?

O.K., so you’ve spent up for Josh Allen, Keenan Allen and Travis Kelce in your Week 4 DFS lineup. Now you need some salary relief.

You’ve come to the right place!

I’ve got some lower-priced players that will return value and won’t break the bank.

Buckle up.  This could get ugly.

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• SEE ALSO: Week 4 DFS Main Slate

Quarterbacks

C.J. Stroud, Texans

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Stroud’s 906 passing yards rank fifth in the league, and he’s had 121 passing attempts without an interception. We had Stroud on this list last week and we are playing him again vs. a Steelers defense that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards this season.

Matthew Stafford, Rams

Stafford’s 910 yards rank fourth in the league, though he only has two passing touchdowns and he’s thrown four picks. I’m willing to roll with him in a big contest where I need to be contrarian, though, as the Colts have allowed the fourth-most DFS points to opposing quarterbacks this season. With Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Kyren Williams coming into their own, this Rams offense should find success on Sunday.

Running Backs

Cam Akers, Vikings

Admittedly this is a bit of a dart throw, but that’s what this article is all about! We know Mattison has had ball security issues, and now Minnesota has a shiny new toy. Akers should be able to slot right back in to the Kevin O’Connell offense he learned in L.A. The Panthers have allowed the third-most DFS points to opposing running backs this year.

Roschon Johnson/Khalil Herbert, Bears

The Bears and the Broncos have been very generous to opponents, and we are going to assume that continues on Sunday. No team has allowed more rushing yards (497) or more rushing touchdowns (7) than the Broncos. In addition, Denver has allowed three receiving touchdowns to the positions and a league-worst 204 receiving yards. I like both Herbert and Johnson this week, and they are so well-priced it’s hard not to use one. The two backs are currently in a nearly 50/50 split.

Samaje Perine, Broncos

This situation is a good one as the Bears have allowed an average of 32 DFS points per game to opposing runners. Yes, Williams will lead this backfield, but I can see Perine playing spoiler with a receiving touchdown.

Wide Receivers

Marvin Mims, Broncos

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

You’re probably noticing a theme here: I like the salaries for many Bears and Broncos this weekend! After Week 3, the rookie leads the Broncos in receiving yards (195) despite having only seven catches on nine targets. Mims is playing about 25% of the team’s snaps, but something has to change for Sean Payton’s team to win. Maybe using more of the rookie receiver, who is averaging 7.29 yards with a 78% catch rate this season, should be part of that plan moving forward. Wilson was singing his praises earlier this week, so we’ll take a shot on Mims at this juicy salary.

Joshua Palmer/Quentin Johnstson, Chargers

Mike Williams is done for the season, and that means either Johnston or Palmer will need to step up. Johnston profiles more like WIlliams and is an athletic freak who should see more opportunity, but Palmer played 11 of 13 snaps, including every passing play, after Williams left the game last Sunday. We saw Palmer step up last season when Allen or Williams was out, and this Kellen Moore offense will continue to be pass-heavy.

Tank Dell, Houston

What else can we say? We are going to play Dell until the DFS sites get wise and raise his salary. He makes our list for a third week in a row after he finished as the WR6 last weekend.

Tight Ends

Logan Thomas, Commanders

Thomas is still in concussion protocol, but he is trending toward playing on Sunday. If he goes, I love the salary for this converted quarterback who has averaged five targets per game for 32 yards and also scored a touchdown. The matchup is excellent vs. an Eagles team that has allowed the most points to the tight end position, including an 81.8% catch rate.

Donald Parham, Chargers

The Raiders have allowed the fifth-most points to the tight end position this season, and Parham’s three touchdowns lead the team. In fact his three touchdowns lead the league at the position. He has more than Travis Kelce (2), Mark Andrews (1) and T.J. Hockenson (2). With WIlliams out, Parham could be in store for even more red-zone targets.