Week 4 Preseason-
Week 4 is one of the most difficult weeks to evaluate the running back and wide receiver positions as there are so many unknowns on how the playing time will shake out. Be careful with this slate, it will be played more than normal as there is a Red Zone channel for it tonight, but do not go crazy with entering a significant part of your bankroll.
Quarterback-
Kevin Hogan- Alex Smith won’t play and it’s likely that the Redskins have seen enough of Colt McCoy not to run him out there for an extended period of time and McCoy is dealing with a thumb injury. Hogan has a nice combination of running and passing ability and has experience as a starting quarterback in the NFL so going against the defenses of the fourth preseason game should be no issue for him in this one.
Tyler Bray- Late add to the article, Bray will play the entire four quarters and is a solid play in this game.
C.J. Beathard- Jimmy Garoppolo is not going to play in this game, which means that it should largely be Beathard in this one. Beathard has looked good this preseason completing 60% of his passes and should play a large majority of this game.
Tim Boyle- With the Packers trading Brett Hundley, and with Mike McCarthy coming out and saying that Boyle will have the most snaps of any quarterback, he is intriguing in this game as he had looked very strong in week one and the Packers know what they have with Kizer.
Running Back-
John Kelly- Kelly has been the highlight of the preseason as he has ran for 77 yards, 56 yards and a touchdown, and 64 yards and two touchdowns in his first three preseason games. The Rams are going to rest their starters in this one, and Kelly should get significant playing time in this game.
Chris Warren- This is Chris Warren’s last look at making the Raiders roster and with Doug Martin and Marshawn Lynch unlikely to play in this game, we could see a repeat of really the entire preseason as Warren has been fantastic. He’s had 86 yards, 110 yards and a touchdown, and 54 yards and a touchdown in his three preseason games. The only risk might be that the Raiders have seen enough from him that they try out other guys, but if he gets the carries that we believe he is capable of he could have a big game.
Kerryon Johnson- Likely will be one of the most popular players on this slate as the Lions know what they have in their other running backs and may look to give Kerryon extended volume in this game. Johnson has yet to have consistent touches this preseason as he had seven, four, and four carries but expect him to have a much larger role in this game.
Wide Receiver
Rashard Higgins- This is a bit of a GPP play and a huge narrative play as we have no idea how the Browns are going to play, but there were some off the field issues with Higgins over the weekend. In week one, we saw Antonio Callaway be forced to play every snap as a punishment, if Higgins is active, he could be forced to similar treatment.
Cam Sims- Sims has been a bright spot for the Redskins this preseason as he had five catches for 131 yards in weeks one and two. He missed the week three game, but came out publically and said he wants to have his best game yet.
J’Mon Moore- Coach Mike McCarthy came out and said that J’Mon Moore will play a significant amount. Moore, has struggled this preseason as a fourth-round rookie has yet to get going, but the team is going to rely on the rookie for consistency throughout the season and will likely look to build up his confidence heading into the regular season.
Other wide receivers to consider:
Kasen Williams, Antonio Callaway, Kevin White, Geremy Davis, Brandon Powell
Tight End-
Rico Gathers- This is Gathers last chance to show what he can do to potentially make the team. Gathers showed flashes in week two with 2 receptions for 32 yards, but will likely need a big performance and a good showing to solidify his spot on this team this week.
Devon Cajuste- Will be very popular due to Hard Knocks, but if Seth DeValve misses yet another game, Cajuste should play nearly the entire game this week and will be fighting for the last spot on the Browns this week.
