Three games into the 2021 NFL season and there have been some surprising stars, as well as a few disappointing ones so far. Through all of these diverse performances, where can value be found amongst some of the lesser, sought-after fantasy football players? Here’s a rundown of the key players in the top three skill positions that will play above their value in fantasy football in Week 4.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Value Players to Consider
Quarterback: Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team
Since Taylor Heinicke took over the Washington Football Teams starting quarterback job due to a Week 1 injury to Ryan Fitzpatrick, he has been a solid under-the-radar QB2, currently coming in as QB20 on the season. While this may not jump off the screen as value at first glance, there’s a lot to be said for Heinicke’s consistency from a fantasy perspective and upside going into this week’s matchup against a middle-of-the-road Atlanta Falcons defense.
With a seemingly average stat line of 670 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions through a little over two and a half games thus far this season, Heinicke has yet to stand out as a great value through the air. However, tied for the seventh most rushing attempts amongst quarterbacks in 2021 with 17, along with adding on a rushing touchdown just last week, Heinicke’s rushing potential could separate him out from a crowd as he has still been efficient with few passing attempts in each game. Plus, he gets Curtis Samuel off injured reserve this week to strengthen his pass-catching core. Registering at only a few points lower on the season than the likes of Dak Prescott and Trevor Lawrence, while coming in a few points higher than Ryan Tannehill and Aaron Rodgers so far, Heinicke is a great fill-in this week for any underwhelming, start-to-the-season quarterback play.
The legend of Taylor Heinicke grows pic.twitter.com/FXUjGPwfx9
— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) September 26, 2021
Other Value Quarterbacks for Week 4: Jacoby Brissett; Matt Ryan; Justin Fields
Running Back: Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
At the most volatile position in the game, fantasy managers everywhere are constantly looking for running back consistency in a league where star rushers drop seemingly every week. While never featured as a primary back in the Indianapolis Colts backfield, Nyheim Hines hasn’t missed a game as he begins his fourth season in the league. Hines’s obvious value, though, has consistently come in the passing game throughout his career. Through Week 3 he has logged a total of 182 catches.
With Jonathan Taylor breaking onto the scene at the end of his 2020 rookie season, he was the clear-cut workhorse rusher going into this season. Yet, even while tied for the lead-league in goal-line attempts, he is still trailing Hines in fantasy points by ranking as the RB29 (in half PPR) to Hines’s RB24 spot, respectively. Not only that, but with a knee injury slowing Taylor down in practice this week, and trade talks of fellow running back Marlon Mack swirling, Hines could be in for an even bigger workload this week. The Colts are facing a Miami Dolphins team in Week 4 who are sixth-worst in rushing yards allowed per game. Regularly a safe FLEX bet, even if Taylor is cleared for Sunday, look for Hines to be a vital part of Indianapolis’s run and pass game in a contest that both teams direly need to win. Lock him in as a high upside RB2/FLEX play this week.
Update: Nyheim Hines is fast ✌️
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/drUn4di1aX
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 26, 2021
Other Value Running Backs for Week 4: Cordarrelle Patterson; Peyton Barber; Kareem Hunt
Wide Receiver: Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
When it comes to undervalued consistency among wide receivers, check out Tim Patrick’s fantasy line over the first three weeks of 2021: 9.9, 9.7, and 9.8 points. The Denver Broncos wideout has established himself in this offense, dating all the way back to last year where he finished as the WR41 with 51 catches for 742 yards and six scores. In an incredibly talented pass-catcher room, Patrick continues to be a go-to for whatever quarterback is in play. When injuries cut Courtland Sutton’s season short in 2020, and now with Jerry Jeudy sidelined for a chunk of the season, Patrick has been the breath of fresh air for signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater. Even though the former two will be favored most weeks as their upside is much higher, currently Patrick sits at WR27 (in half PPR) on the season and has more fantasy points than any Broncos pass-catcher thus far.
Against a Baltimore Ravens passing defense who hasn’t looked incredibly strong over three games (ranked fourth-worst in passing yards allowed), Patrick’s efficiency could jump a level in what looks to be a positive game script for the passing attack of the Broncos. Plug him in as a great WR2/FLEX play as a guy who makes the most of every target thrown his way.
Tim Patrick has not dropped a pass since Week 13 of 2019 😳 pic.twitter.com/7mEE1tHDuS
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 30, 2021
Other Value Wide Receivers for Week 4: Jaylen Waddle; Terrace Marshall Jr.; A.J. Green
Main Photo:
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