Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Week 4 (Fri)

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Brennan Armstrong, NC State (@ Virginia)

Armstrong has not regained his 2021 passing form, but he has been a big time producer with his legs. Through his first three games, Armstrong is averaging 54 yards on the ground and a rushing TD per game giving him a solid double digit rushing baseline so any added passing yards is a big bonus. Add in Virginia as an opponent and this has all the makings of a career day for Armstrong. Virginia is Armstrong's former team so he will be looking to put on a show in his return to his old home and he should be able to do anything he wants against a terrible Virginia defense. Virginia is 0-3 and have allowed at least 36 points in every game with the Wolfpack having no true lead backs, a lot of that production and scoring will go through Armstrong. The matchup and the storyline are in place for Armstrong to put up a crazy number. 

Taylen Green, Boise State & Jalen Mayden, SDSU

Both of these guys play each other and neither have a great matchup. They are safer plays because they provide a nice rushing baseline, but do not expect them to put up absurd passing lines with both SDSU and Boise State having respectable secondaries. Taylen Green debuted in this matchup a year ago and was electric, breaking two long runs rushing for 105 and 2 TDs showing the kind of upside these guys' rushing provides. 

Chevan Cordeiro, SJSU (vs Air Force)

Cordeiro is the steal of this slate. He is a competent passer and can also add a couple points to his score with his rushing ability. Air Force does look like a scary matchup on paper especially after destroying Cooper Legas last week, but keep in mind USU's backup came in and scored 20+ FD points in a little over 2 quarters. Cordeiro is far and away the best QB AF has faced this year so he should find some success especially since AF is good against the run forcing SJSU to air it out. At $6,800, it is almost guaranteed that Cordeiro returns value at that price. 

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (@ SDSU)

In this matchup a year ago, three different Broncos rushed for over 80 yards and combined for 5 rushing TDs. Greg Holani is banged up and will likely miss this game, Taylen Green has been limiting his rushing this year to keep him healthy; leaving Jeanty to feature on the ground against an SDSU team that is tough but Boise State always seems to have their number. Jeanty is not only a producer on the ground either as he has been one of the team's leading receivers too, recording at least 4 catches in every game while averaging 79 yards receiving. Jeanty is the guy on this offense so if the Boise State offense is productive, you need him in your lineup.

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin (@ Purdue)

Allen is without a doubt the top player on this slate, so his talent alone should have you locking him into your lineup. Allen racked up 152 total yards on just 17 touches against Purdue last year. Chez Mellusi does cut into Allen's upside a bit which is why he was not featured as the Play of the Day; but do not overthink it, Allen is just too good to not be productive with his 15+ opportunities. Allen will score at least once and has a usage that results in a yardage total that should hit triple digits. Get him into your lineups.

Emmanuel Michel & Owen Burk, Air Force (@ SJSU)

This is all about the matchup. Against the three FBS teams that SJSU has played this year, each of the three lead backs they faced averaged 8+ yards per carry, yes 8+. Now I do not expect the AF RBs to be quite as successful given the scheme they run, but there are plenty of yards to be had against this team on the ground. The issue with this play comes when trying to predict which of these two will be the most productive. Through their first two games it was all Burk with the fullback finishing with 12 more carries, but in Week 3 Michel took over the lead role finishing with 28 carries compared to 15 for Burk. Burk was the more productive back finishing with more yards on fewer carries but it was Michel who got all the valuable work finishing the day with 3 scores. One or both of these backs will be productive, but it is a gamble sticking these guys in your lineup over proven assets like Allen and Jeanty.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Deion Burks, Purdue (vs Wisconsin)

Burks is a big play threat and that is just what you want against this Wisconsin defense. Wisconsin has a tough run defense, but they have looked susceptible through the air. It has been the big play that has really killed this defense as they allow multiple 40+ yard completions per game. Burks is in a role in this Purdue offense that should perfectly exploit that weakness as he is not only a top target for the Boilermakers, but a lot of his targets are down the field. I like the chances that Burks connects on a long ball so pairing that production with a 4 catch baseline should make Burks well worth his price. I also like Max Klare at $5,800, he is becoming a nice safety blanket for Hudson Card.

Nick Nash, SJSU (vs Air Force)

I like everything about Nash except his price. He is the clear WR1 in this offense, he is locked into 8+ targets which leads to a baseline of about 5 catches. While SJSU has not been throwing the ball the field much lately, he does have the ability to run any route and catch the ball close to the line of scrimmage as well as down the field so he can have diverse production leading to a high floor and high ceiling. For as good of a player that Nash is, $8,600 is a little rich for me. Nash has not displayed the reliability or explosiveness to warrant being the 3rd highest priced WR on this slate, but he will still put up a good stat line if you are able to find the budget to fit him into your lineup.

Malik Washington & Malachi Fields, Virginia (vs NC State)

With how bad this Virginia defense is, the offense has had to do a lot of passing. Washington and Fields have been maximizing the extra opportunity with the vast majority of the passes going to one of the two. Washington is the one you want if you are going for the big play as he gets most of the downfield targets allowing him to post good yardage totals with the ability of adding in a long score. Fields is the guy you want if you want a solid floor as he gets the most targets for this team, but a lot of those come close to the line of scrimmage so he does not post that high of yardage but he is a lock for 6+ receptions. Both these guys are good plays, but they play different functions in your lineup. I like pairing Washington with the guaranteed usage of Nick Nash and pairing Fields with the boom potential of Deion Burks both lead to solid lineup builds.

Keyon Lesane, NC State (@ Virginia)

Kevin Concepcion has been the top target through the first couple games, but the team has shown they want to get Lesane involved. Lesane has one or two special plays drawn up a game resulting in him getting a couple rushes and screens called for him to get the ball in space. Against a porous defense like Virginia, a gadget player like Lesane should be able to find a seam and find the endzone for a big play if given enough opportunities. The juicy Virginia matchup makes both Lesane and Concepcion solid plays at very affordable prices.

Dream Team

QB: Brennan Armstrong, NC State (@ Virginia)

RB1: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (@ SDSU)

RB2: Braelon Allen, Wisconsin (@ Purdue)

WR1: Deion Burks, Purdue (vs Wisconsin)

WR2: Malachi Fields, Virginia (vs NC State)

WR3: Keyon Lesane, NC State (@ Virginia)

Flex: Chevan Cordeiro, SJSU (vs Air Force)

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