For the third straight week to begin the 2022 season, my cash-game lineup was able to ensure I made a profit in NFL DFS. Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts were both the highest-rostered quarterbacks in Week 3 over on DraftKings as both of them scored 30+ points.
It was a disappointing week for the high-owned running backs in Week 3 as David Montgomery and Leonard Fournette combined for just 13.10 points. Montgomery left with an injury, but having him in cash games shouldn’t have hurt anyone too much due to him being rostered at such a high percentage on DraftKings.
Following another successful week of cash games, let’s dive into who I’m liking at each position for cash games in Week 4 over on DraftKings.
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen @ BAL ($8,400)
The strong-armed quarterback for the Bills was among the highest-rostered quarterbacks in Week 3 and he delivered with 30.7 points. Allen should be popular again in Week 4 due to the Bills facing a defense of the Ravens that continues to falter against the pass.
Baltimore’s defense has allowed the most completions (95) and passing yards (1,097) to quarterbacks while they’ve surrendered seven passing touchdowns, which is the second-most in the NFL. Allen has yet to score fewer than 30 points in any week this season and I don’t believe he’ll start in Week 4.
Jalen Hurts vs. JAC ($8,200)
Another quarterback that continues to dominate fantasy football this season is Hurts. The former second-round pick has gotten off to a hot start this season with 11.6 non-passing fantasy points per game (2nd among QBs), meaning that he gives us double-digit points before he even attempts a pass.
The defense of the Jaguars has certainly looked much-improved to begin the season, but Hurts is among the few quarterbacks that appear to be matchup-proof. With Hurts playing at home in a game the Eagles are favored in, I expect him to be a popular cash-game quarterback.
Related: Roast & Ghost: Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 4
Marcus Mariota vs. CLE ($5,600)
For those that want to spend down at the quarterback position, look no further than Mariota. The dual-threat quarterback doesn’t possess a massive ceiling, however, he’s averaged a solid 18.3 points per game this season for the Falcons.
Mariota has carried the ball 25 times for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground as he’s tied with Allen for the fourth-most non-passing fantasy points per game at 5.1. Running quarterbacks are valuable to have in cash games and we would only need 15-20 points from the veteran signal-caller for him to return value at his salary.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey vs. ARI ($8,700)
When picking running backs in cash games, we want guys that are going to have a clear path to a heavy workload. McCaffrey fits the description for a cash-game running back on DraftKings as he’s seen the majority of the touches out of the backfield for the Panthers.
McCaffrey leads all running backs in opportunity share at 88.9%, which means that he’s commanding nearly all of the carries and targets for Carolina’s running backs. With the Panthers favored at home over the Cardinals, the dynamic running back should be a viable option in cash games.
Saquon Barkley vs. CHI ($8,000)
The running back right behind McCaffrey in opportunity share percentage is none other than Barkley. The stud running back for the Giants has received 88.3% of New York’s backfield attempts and targets, and he could see an expanded role in the passing game with Sterling Shepard out for the season.
Barkley has looked like he’s back in RB1 form this season and Chicago’s defense has given up the seventh-most rushing yards to running backs this season.
Jamaal Williams vs. SEA ($6,100)
At the time this article is being written, it doesn’t appear likely that D’Andre Swift will suit up for the Lions in Week 4. Swift is dealing with a shoulder injury and Dan Campbell has stated that he may benefit from some time off, so Williams could have a massive workload this week.
Williams has proven that he can handle a starter workload and he’s averaging 15.9 points per game this season despite sharing touches with Swift. The No. 2 running back for the Lions is also set to face a defense of the Seahawks that has allowed the second-most rushing yards to running backs.
*Pay close attention to the status of Montgomery ($6,200) as Khalil Herbert ($5,700) would become a nice salary-relief option if Montgomery is ruled out.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs @ BAL ($8,400)
The passing attack of the Bills is going to be a popular one to target in Week 4 vs the Ravens. And the No. 1 option for Allen to target through the air is Diggs, who is averaging a whopping 30.5 points per game to begin the season on a
As for the matchup, the Ravens have given up 175 more receiving yards to wide receivers than the team with the second-most receiving yards allowed to the position.
Diontae Johnson vs. NYJ ($6,000)
It’s nice to have a safe floor in cash games and not many wide receivers give us a consistent floor more than Johnson. Johnson continues to dominate targets for the Steelers despite Mitch Trubisky throwing him passes as he’s garnered the fourth-highest target share (32%) in the NFL to begin the season.
The Pro Bowl wideout should give us a solid floor in cash games in a home matchup with the Jets in Week 4.
Richie James Jr. vs. CHI ($4,000)
As mentioned above, Shepard is out for the season for the Giants, which means that more targets will go to the other skill players. James has been one of the most consistent wide receivers on the Giants this season due to injuries to Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson, along with Kenny Golladay struggling to adjust to a new scheme.
The veteran wideout has seen five or more targets in each game this season and he’s run the most routes out of the slot for New York. While it’s tough to expect him to take on Shepard’s role in the offense, he can still return fantastic value at $4,000.
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews vs. BUF ($7,100)
Paying up for a tight end is not a popular ploy in cash games, but if you can afford him, Andrews is worth paying up for. The Pro Bowl tight end is leading all tight ends with a massive 35.2% target share and he’s scored 28-plus points in back-to-back weeks.
Besides his insane usage at the tight end position, the Bills are without Micah Hyde for the rest of the season and Jordan Poyer is questionable to suit up for the second straight week.
Dallas Goedert vs. JAC ($4,500)
We haven’t gotten a ceiling game from Goedert yet, but he’s gotten 11+ points in back-to-back weeks. The starting tight end for the Eagles has received four targets in two of the first three games of the season, so he’s far from a lock in cash games.
If I’m using $5,000 or lower of my salary, I’d likely prefer to spend down even further in cash games on DraftKings than use Goedert at $4,500.
David Njoku @ ATL ($3,700)
Can we finally get a consistent role for Njoku on the Browns? The athletic tight end caught 9 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown on a season-high 10 targets in Week 3 versus the Steelers.
The 26-year-old tight end has not gotten five or more targets in the previous two weeks and he has a matchup with the Falcons, who have given up the fourth-most receptions (19) and the fifth-most receiving yards (221) to tight ends this season.
D/ST
Dallas Cowboys vs. WAS ($3,500)
I usually always spend down at tight end and defense in cash games, however, if you’re able to fit in the defense of the Cowboys, do it. Dallas faces the Commanders at home and their offensive line just allowed nine sacks on Carson Wentz while the Cowboys have logged five-plus sacks in consecutive weeks.
New England Patriots @ GB ($2,300)
If you’re going to spend down for a defense, there are a few options you have. The Patriots stand out despite facing the Packers on the road as Bill Belichick tends to have solid game plans in place against premier quarterbacks. New England has three-plus sacks in each game this season and it’s not like Green Bay’s offense has been lighting it up to begin the season.