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Fantasy Football 2020: Week 4 FAAB Guide

By Peter Chung
Brandon Aiyuk Week 2 NFL DFS Picks

Welcome to the Fantrax Week 4 FAAB Guide! In the aftermath of Week 2’s “Bloody Sunday,” we saw some fresh faces and familiar folks rise to the occasion and seize their opportunity. These players led the league in Week 3 fantasy production, and are now perched on top of the fantasy throne. But which one(s) should you grab? Are they starters that you can rely on for the rest of season (ROS), or just another batch of one-hit wonders? This weekly Fantrax FAAB Guide will help you with these decisions and serves as a resource on how to manage your FAAB, i.e. Free Agent Acquisition Budget.

Each week, I’ll outline available players (with <70% Fantrax availability) that should be picked up and my recommendations on how much of your FAAB should be used on your bids for them. If your league utilizes standard waiver claims instead of the FAAB system, then you can still use these recommendations to prioritize your waiver claims. Also, make sure to catch our weekly Waiver Wire report as well.

Since each Fantasy Football league’s format is different, I will suggest bid amounts by percentage rather than dollar amount. Also, since each league is different, use this guide as general advice but apply it with your knowledge of your own league-mates. For example, if you want to bid on Carlos Hyde but your league is full of Seahawks fans, then you should probably bid higher than suggested below.

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Week 4 FAAB Guide

QUARTERBACKS

Nick Foles, Chicago Bears (29% in Fantrax Leagues)
Bears fans across the nation rejoiced last Sunday after hearing those four magical words they’ve been waiting for since 2017: “Trubisky benched. Foles in.” And though it was shaky, Foles commanded an improbable comeback against the calamitous Falcons, capped off with a beautiful TD pass to WR Anthony Miller:

In less than two quarters of play, Foles threw 16 passes for 188 yards, three TDs, and one INT. He finished as the QB15, sandwiched between studs Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson. But again, he did this with less than half the time to work with. What’s even more impressive is that he had a TD that was dropped, and another that was called back. Head coach Matt Nagy has already announced Foles as the starter going forward. The opening slate of favorable matchups is unfortunately over, but their late schedule is juicy. Foles is a risky investment that should only be considered in deeper leagues, but should be rostered in 2QB or superflex (SF) leagues.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 5% in redraft leagues, 20-25% in 2QB or SF leagues.

 

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (57%)
Herbert displayed flashes of brilliance along with boneheaded mistakes during a loss against the Carolina Panthers. He managed his second consecutive game with over 300 passing yards and is the QB13 over the past two weeks. With Tyrod Taylor still expected out, Herbert will likely remain “the man” against the tough Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. But his schedule afterward? The Saints, Jets, Dolphins, and Jaguars. There’s no guarantee he’ll remain the starter once Taylor is healthy, but it’s obvious to viewers that Herbert deserves the reins. If you agree, then it’s worth making an affordable bid on him.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 3% in regular leagues, 20% in 2QB or SF leagues.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (56%)
Perennial journeyman RB Carlos Hyde only had four rushes for 12 yards plus one catch for 11 yards in a barn burner win against the Dallas Cowboys. He hasn’t had a season where he averaged over 10 fantasy points per game (FPPG) since 2017. So why is he mentioned? Because lead RB Chris Carson may be out next week after suffering an egregious knee injury from Cowboys DT Trysten Hills:

Fortunately, Carson “only” has a knee sprain and will possibly play this Sunday against the Dolphins. However, my bet is he’ll be inactive. If Carson is out, that leaves Hyde with the comeback opportunity of a lifetime. The Seahawks offense is ON FIRE right now thanks to MasterChef QB Russell Wilson. The lead back under Wilson’s red-hot offense is almost a near guarantee for a TD or three. Hyde should be picked up in most leagues, especially if you need immediate RB help after the latest onslaught of injuries.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 10% (20% if Carson is confirmed OUT).

 

Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49ers (50%)
While most (myself included) targeted Jerick McKinnon last week after Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman were injured, turns out Jeff Wilson was the sneaky play. McKinnon did out-touch Wilson in a landslide win against the New York Giants but was outperformed by the third year rusher thanks to Wilson’s goal-line carries. He ran 14 times for 18 yards and a TD, plus three receptions for 54 yards and another score. His 20.4 fantasy points means he was an RB1 for the week, pushing McKinnon out into RB2 status. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is an offensive mastermind — especially in the run game. The de facto goal-line back for his offense is a near-lock for a TD. But like Hyde, Wilson’s allure is tied to Mostert’s status. If Mostert is indeed inactive again, then Wilson becomes another risky floor play with high scoring upside.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 5% (15% if Mostert is confirmed OUT).

 

Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (58%)
I know, “why bother, he’s on the Dolphins?” But the overnight success of UDFA Jaguars’ RB James Robinson should be a reminder to us all that the lead back in any offense is worth investing in. In a surprise TNF win over the Jaguars, Gaskin planted his foot as Miami’s lead back with a whopping 27 total touches. The downside is he was only able to create 66 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards from these touches. Nevertheless, he is getting workhorse opportunities and has a high-scoring matchup with the Seahawks on deck. Reach for him if you need a flex play.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 10%

 

Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons (26%)
RB Brian Hill is making the most of his growing opportunities as the clear relief/backup for struggling star Todd Gurley II. He ran nine times for 58 yards and a TD, plus one catch from three targets for 22 yards. However, his promising performance has been shadowed by their heartbreaking loss against the Bears. Let me be clear, I am certainly NOT advocating for any injuries. But Hill will not be playable in fantasy unless something happens to Gurley. Yet Week 2’s bloodbath demonstrates how quickly things can change — especially for an injury-prone rusher with arthritic knees. If you have the bench space, grab Hill now as a lottery ticket on a prolific offense.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 5%

 

Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots (19%)
My goodness, eight-year veteran Rex Burkhead had himself a DAY in a win against the Las Vegas Raiders. He rushed six times for 49 yards and a crazy two TDs. He caught seven of a whopping 10 targets for 49 yards and another score. He finished as the overall RB2 with his 31.3 half PPR points. But buyer beware! Not all is as it seems. In the weeks before, Burkhead had paltry finishes as the RB59 and RB40. He’s still in a volatile committee with Sony Michel, James White, J.J. Taylor. Worst of all, he plays under TD-vulture Cam Newton. There’s also Damien Harris waiting in the wings. And he has an extensive injury history. His Week 3 numbers may allure you, but they could be attributed to Las Vegas’ generosity towards RBs. The Raiders’ previous opponents both coincidentally finished as the overall RB2 in their respective weeks. But to be fair, they were standouts Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara. Don’t fall for the trap; let your league-mates waste their FAAB on Burkhead while you bid on someone who will provide long-lasting value on your roster. But if you truly believe he’ll make an impact on your roster, then, by all means, go for it.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 1%

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (68%)
With lead receivers Deebo Samuel and George Kittle inactive, rookie Brandon Aiyuk had the spotlight to himself. He caught five of eight passes for 70 yards, plus three carries for 31 yards and a score:

That made Aiyuk the WR12 for Week 3 with 18.6 points. However, once Samuel and Kittle come back, Aiyuk’s value plummets. That’s the bad news. The good news is that he’s an explosive playmaker who only needs one big play to make a huge difference. If you believe in the 49ers’ offense, then make your move for Aiyuk.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 7-10%

 

KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos (47%)
I mentioned KJ Hamler in last week’s article, but he regrettably did not meet expectations. He only caught three of five passes for 30 yards, plus a rush that went back two yards. The good thing is that it’s clear the Broncos want to make him a key part of the offense. Backup QB Jeff Driskel made things harder for Hamler with his shaky QB play, but if starting QB Drew Lock comes back soon, he could un-“lock” Hamler’s potential for fantasy relevance. His upcoming matchup against the Jets’ soft defense should provide Hamler ample opportunities to score.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 5%

 

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (53%)
Rookie WR Tee Higgins absolutely erupted last Sunday, catching five of nine targets for 40 yards and two TDs. His 18.5 points made him the overall RB12. However, he obviously has risk tied to him. His upcoming matchup against the Jaguars is a great one, but it’s hard to feel confident when QB Joe Burrow has so many weapons at his disposal. For now, temper your expectations and I’d suggest bidding a small amount as Higgins may be another flash in the pan.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 3-5%

 

TIGHT ENDS

Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears (34%)
Former TE superstar Jimmy Graham is finding a second wind in the Windy City. In a victory over the Falcons, Graham caught six of 10 targets for 60 yards and two TDs. This translated to 21 fantasy points, or the overall TE1. He caught TDs from both Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles, reassuring managers that he’s safe regardless of who’s at the helm. During Graham’s tenure with Drew Brees and the Saints, Graham was a scoring machine. There’s a chance he could replicate that success in Chicago, though he has tough matchups on the horizon. Still, a good fantasy TE is hard to find, so it’s worth taking a shot at Graham in case he pays off.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 7-10%

 

Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (56%)
Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz is primed for success under QB Dak Prescott’s high octane offense. In a close loss against the Seahawks, Schultz received six targets for four catches and 48 yards. Like I mentioned last week, Safety Jamal Adams was ready for him. Meanwhile, Prescott was able to score deep to Michael Gallup as well. If you already bid for him, then congratulations! He faces the Cleveland Browns’ defense, who’ve given up the most points to the TE position. There are plenty of mouths to feed in Dallas. But Schultz should have just enough baseline targets to provide a stable floor for fantasy GMs.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 5-7%

 

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (52%)
Washington TE Logan Thomas had four catches from seven targets for 31 yards in a loss to the Cleveland Browns. While not ideal, he is still a focal part of the offense and played 85% of the offensive snaps. The targets are there, which are vital to a pass-catcher’s fantasy success. He has a safe but boring floor and has TD upside if he can find the end zone. His next matchup against the Ravens isn’t great, but it’s slim pickings on the waiver wire for TEs, so Thomas is likely the best bet to ensure your lineup has points. But again, it’s not ideal, so don’t overpay for him.

Recommended Week 4 FAAB Bids: 5%

 

Check back all week for more of our NFL Week 4 Fantasy Analysis!

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2 Comments
  1. ScottS says

    Nothing on WR Jefferson, Min, or am I blind?

    Reply
    1. Peter Chung says

      He would certainly be my #1 WR pick, but he has 80% ownership on Fantrax. My article only lists players with <70% Fantrax availability.

      Reply
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