DFS Roundtable: Injury and New Player Landscape

Heading into Week 4 there are numerous new players to consider. Who are you buying and selling for lineups?

PHIL ALEXANDER

• Kyle Allen isn't in nearly as good a position as last week, but he has dangerous playmakers at his disposal in Greg Olsen, D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey. He's worth low exposure in your tournament allocation on the chance Carolina at Houston becomes a high-scoring game.
• Saquon Barkley adds value to the New York Giants running back position. Wayne Gallman does not. He has some low-end PPR appeal at $4,600 (DraftKings) but lacks an appreciable ceiling. Hard pass.
• The Kansas City running back situation should get clearer as the week progresses. If Damien Williams and McCoy are both ruled out, Darrel Williams, who ran well ahead of Darwin Thompson last week, will (correctly) be the most-owned player in cash games and GPPs.
• The lightning in a bottle we saw last week was much closer to Daniel Jones' ceiling than his baseline, but he's still cheap and Washington has allowed three passing touchdowns to every quarterback they've faced this season, including Mitchell Trubisky. It appears safe to chase the rookie's impressive debut.

JASON WOOD

Kyle Allen played well and now has two decent performances under his young belt. I'm not sure it makes sense to play him against the Texans, though. Houston's defense hasn't lived up to its billing yet, but there's still talent there. And if there is a way to exploit the Texans, it's on the ground. They're giving up 5.4 yards per rush (31st in the league) which sets the table for a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey.

Saquon Barkley is a rare talent who managed to transcend a terrible situation. Few running backs could've been a top fantasy asset playing in that system, with that offensive line. Barkley isn't replaceable. Particularly by Wayne Gallman. I know everyone is fired up by Daniel Jones' debut against the Buccaneers, but that could well be his best game of the season. We just don't know. Gallman is a plodder and was pushed hard in the preseason for the No. 2 role. I suspect he'll struggle mightily even as opposing defenses focus a bit more on the pass. I don't see the Giants bringing in another back yet, but if Gallman struggles as I suspect, they may take a flier on a veteran.

Volatility is a boon in GPPs, but a curse in cash games. In cash, you can't touch any of the Chiefs running backs right now. In GPPs, it might make sense to throw a few lineups out there with the likes of Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson. But only if you play a lot (25+) of lineups per tournament.

Daniel Jones passed his first test, but he's not in my Top 5 in GPP or cash on either DK or FD. To your point, the opponent looks enticing. Washington is giving up scoring drives 50% of the time, which is 31st (only the lowly Dolphins are more feeble). And with Barkley hurt, Jones is going to have to throw the ball plenty. But I still don't think the Giants are a very good team, particularly with Barkley hurt. So I'll let discretion be the better part of valor and let others roll the dice on Jones' second career start.

JAMES BRIMACOMBE

Kyle Allen – I am neutral on this one as I don’t feel it is the right decision to chase the production from Week 3 for Allen. I don’t think he is a bad play if you are wanting to game stack with his receivers but other than that I think he is an avoid.

WILL GRANT

Arizona is a great defense to target when looking to stack player from the teams they are facing. Allen had great success last week against a weak Cardinal defense. This week against Houston will be a completely different story, and the Panthers are looking at just over 20 expected points this week when looking at the Vegas Line. His price makes him a value play, but I wouldn't risk mortgage money on him - he could very easily have down week and take your lineups down with him.

I think you have to fade the Kansas City backfield this week. McCoy or Darrell Williams might be 'what the heck' type plays but both could just as easily turn in less than 10 fantasy points or score multiple touchdowns depending on how things go. Given the low floor, they are strict 'dart' type picks.

Daniel Jones I actually like this week - at least in a couple GPP lineups. His price is low enough to where any success gives him a high chance to reach value, and the Washington defense has been very suspect so far this season. They are playing on the road after an embarrassing loss at home on Monday night to Chicago and the Washington offense has struggled all season. Jones should have plenty of opportunity in front of the home crowd against a team they would love to beat and firmly plan Washington in last place for the division.

JUSTIN HOWE

Kyle Allen didn’t exactly come out of nowhere last week. He was also effective in last year’s Week 17 start against the Saints, racking up 8.4 yards per attempt and generating 3 touchdowns. The matchup isn’t as tasty, but Allen’s mobility boosts his upside projection a whole tier. At his salary, a ho-hum day of 225 yards and 1 touchdown becomes a week-winner when he runs for 40 more and another score.