This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.
The final week of the preseason is upon us and the NFL gives us a full 16-game slate on Thursday night. Like the previous three weeks, all pricing on DraftKings is the same with everyone priced $5,500. Starters are typically absent in Week 4 of the preseason, giving way to roster battles to be decided. That said, these picks are solely based off of roster battles and playing time.
Quarterback
Colt McCoy, Washington: According to some Washington news outlets McCoy is in line to play the entire game Thursday against the Jaguars. The Redskins shocked some this week by naming Kirk Cousins the starter as the RG3 era in Washington looks to be officially over. Getting a full game from your quarterback is top value in preseason fantasy, though expect his start percentage to be high.
Matt Simms, Buffalo: With Rex Ryan naming Tyrod Taylor the starter, it appears the quarterback battle in Buffalo is also officially over. Rex Ryan mentioned at the end of the Bills' Week 3 game that Simms would get the full work load in Week 4 against the Lions.
Brett Hundley, Green Bay: With Aaron Rodgers tuned up for the regular season and backup Scott Tolzien playing it safe from a concussion, Hundley got the start in the Packers third preseason game. Hundley completed 22-of-31 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Hundley played three full quarters, though he saw most of his success against the Eagles second- and third-string defensive units. The Packers have no reason to play Rodgers or Tolzien and cut fourth-string Matt Blanchard this week, so Hundley should be in line for a full contest.
Tom Savage, Houston: Third-stringer Tom Savage will start for the Texans on Thursday night. So far this preseason Savage has completed 28-of-45 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Add him to the list of players playing the whole game.
Running back
Zach Zenner, Detroit: Zenneer is gathering a decent amount of buzz this preseason. Zenner had eight carries for 85 yards and a touchdown last Friday against Jacksonville. He has found the end zone twice the preseason while leading the Lions in rushing three times. With Bell, Abdullah and Riddick the Lions backfield is a bit crowded, so expect one last audition for Zenner on Thursday night.
Zac Stacy, New York Jets: Stacy had an impressive Week 3 that may have earned him a roster spot. He finished with 60 yards on 13 rushes. With Ivory, Powell and Ridley likely to sit out Thursday, Stacy should again get a large workload.
Chris Polk, Houston:Alfred Blue is slated to start the season opener for the Texans, so this preseason game may be a final battle between Polk and Jonathon Grimes for the backup running back spot. Grimes has an edge on Polk, but Polk's abilities in the passing game could boost him to the backup spot.
Charcandrick West, Kansas City: I had Charcandrick West written up and ready to go until he was diagnosed with a concussion, leaving his status up in the air. West had an edge for the third spot in Kansas City (and probably still does) before the concussion and was in line for a heavy work load on Thursday. This is a situation to monitor, as if he plays he is one of my favorite running back plays this week.
Jay Ajayi, Miami: The fifth-round rookie finally made his preseason debut last week, rushing for 25 yards on seven carries. LaMichael James left last week's game with a chest injury, possibly pushing him back on the depth chart to the three spot. Damien Williams now seems to be the favorite to back up Lamar Miller to start the season. Ajayi has more long-term upside in Miami than either, so he should see plenty of action in Thursday's finale.
Terron Ward, Atlanta: With Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman both recovering from hamstring injuries, the Falcons will more likely play it safe with both entering the final preseason game. Neither Freeman or Coleman showed anything to win the battle out of camp, but Freeman likely will open as the starter by default. If the Falcons choose to sit both then Ward would be one of the only options at running back.
Wide receiver
Geremy Davis, New York Giants: Davis is another guy on the fringe of making the NFL roster. The sixth-round pick out of UConn is in a camp battle with James Jones, Corey Washington and Dwayne Harris. Davis led the Giants in offensive snaps in Week 3 with 41.
Justin Hardy, Atlanta:Leonard Hankerson has solidified the slot receiver role in Atlanta, leaving Hardy with what seems to be lesser of a role in the 2015 season. The rookie out of Eastern Carolina has looked strong in the preseason, however, and certainly will factor into the Falcons plans. Julio Jones and Roddy White won't touch the field Thursday, leaving Hardy to show what he's got one more time.
Mario Alford, Cincinnati: The former West Virginia standout has had a relatively quiet preseason so far catching only two balls for 20 yards. However, Alford has gotten consistent reps on special teams, including kick and punt returns. Coach Marvin Lewis said he will use the teams final preseason game as an event to see individual players on the roster bubble. With A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Brandon Tate locks to make the roster, Alford and fellow rookie Jake Kumerow should see plenty of on field time. Alford has the edge to make the roster of Kumerow.
Fred Williams, Kansas City: Williams has had a strong preseason collecting 13 catches for 159 yards and three touchdowns. It's not yet known if Williams has any real shot making the Chiefs final 53-man roster, but the numbers are hard to ignore.
Jeff Janis, Green Bay: A familiar name in these writeups, Janis has one more week to show that he can be a mainstay in Green Bay's offense. Ty Montgomery appears to have a leg up on the No. 3 wide receiver spot in Green Bay, but Janis has challenged him with two touchdowns this preseason to go with more than 100 yards. Janis figures to open as the Packers number four wide receiver.
Rashad Ross, Washington: Ross was a long shot at the beginning of training camp to make the Redskins roster but has turned in one of the more impressive preseason's in the NFL this year. Ross, through three games, has caught 15 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns. Colt McCoy will play the whole game Thursday, so Ross will have a decent quarterback at the helm to work with.
Tight end
Chris Gragg, Buffalo: Gragg corralled four passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 against the Steelers. He is in a position battle with MarQueis Gray, Matt Mulligan and Nick O'Leary for the No. 2 and 3 spots on the depth chart. Coaching has spoken highly of Gragg, which leads me to believe he is pulling away as the favorite to back up Charles Clay.
E.J. Bibbs, Cleveland: On the flip-side of O'Leary, the rookie Bibbs has been one of the more highly touted tight ends this preseason. The coaching staff has spoken highly about Bibbs and is pushing Jim Dray for the final tight-end spot.
Kennard Backman, Green Bay:Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers will open the season as the two tight ends. The sixth-round rookie out of UAB is battling to secure the third spot. He helped his cause by catching a touchdown last week. Tight end is bare bones this Thursday so taking a flier on a touchdown might not be the worst decision.
