Squirrel Patrol's Week 3 NFL DFS Picks & Cheat Sheet (DraftKings & FanDuel)

Sep 25, 2026
Squirrel Patrol's Week 3 NFL DFS Picks & Cheat Sheet (DraftKings & FanDuel)

Short on time setting your DFS lineups? These quick positional rankings cover the top skill players on both FanDuel and DraftKings for the week. I'll publish the first look each Friday morning, then update by Sunday morning to reflect injury news from Friday practices and Saturday travel reports. Think of these rankings as a snapshot of how I see the slate shaping up, along with the players I expect to have exposure to in my own lineups.

FanDuel DFS Positional Picks

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Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson - The Ravens are 3.5-point favorites over Dallas in Rio de Janeiro in the highest-total game on the slate (53.5) with a 28.5 implied team total, second only to Buffalo. His 39.5 rushing yards prop is the highest at the position; the Cowboys have already ruled out a cornerback and two safeties, and the 24-17 loss in New Orleans (235 passing yards) should keep his ownership around 8%.

Josh Allen - Allen is our highest-projected player at any position after throwing for 334 and 248 yards with five touchdown passes and four rushing scores in two games. The Bills are 7.0-point home favorites against the Chargers with a slate-high 28.75 implied total, and he is the most popular quarterback on the site at 17%; I'm fine paying it at $9,100.

Dak Prescott - Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns against Washington, and his 266.5 passing yards prop is the highest of any main-slate quarterback. Dallas is the designated home team in Rio with a 25.0 implied total, and with BAL/DAL in the 4:25 window, he and Jackson can be swapped for each other at the late lock. He is $8,300 at 6% ownership.

Patrick Mahomes - Mahomes completed 32 of 47 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns in the overtime win over Indianapolis, and the Chiefs are 10.5-point favorites in Miami with a 28.0 implied total. The Dolphins have allowed 27 and 35 points in their two games, and he is $8,100 at 9% ownership.

Tyler Shough - Shough threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns in the overtime loss in Detroit, then completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and added a rushing touchdown in the win over Baltimore. The Saints are 3.0-point home favorites against Las Vegas in the 4:25 window; his 253.5 passing yards prop is tied for the third-highest on the slate, and at $7,500 and 6% ownership, he is the cheapest quarterback in our top eight, with Chris Olave (23 targets in two games) as the stacking partner.

Running Backs

Jahmyr Gibbs - Gibbs is our top-projected non-quarterback on the slate after 29 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 and six catches for 61 yards and a score against Buffalo. His 87.5 rushing yards prop is the second-highest on the slate, his -330 anytime touchdown odds are the shortest of any player on it, and the Lions are 6.5-point home favorites against the Jets with a 27.5 implied total. He is $9,200 at 35% ownership, and he is the back I'll have the most of.

Kenneth Walker III - Walker has 290 rushing yards through two games plus 10 targets last week, and the Chiefs are 10.5-point favorites in Miami with a 28.0 implied total. His anytime touchdown odds sit at -215, and he is $8,300 at 26% ownership, the salary-saving alternative to Gibbs.

Jaylen Warren - Assuming Rico Dowdle (toe) is out after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Warren has the Pittsburgh backfield to himself after leading it with 21 carries for 89 yards and seven catches for 61 yards through two games. He was limited both days with a shoulder issue, so check the Friday report, but the options behind him are practice-squad backs and a rookie without a role. He is $6,300 at 13% ownership, and the salary is what lets a lineup fit Gibbs or Walker with the expensive receivers.

Chuba Hubbard - With Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve after core muscle surgery, Hubbard has the Carolina backfield to himself after handling 27 touches to Brooks' 11 and 68% of the snaps through two weeks. He has scored three touchdowns in two games, the Panthers are 2.5-point favorites in Cleveland, and his 74.5 rushing yards prop is the sixth-highest on the slate. He is $6,700 at 12% ownership.

James Cook - Cook ran 21 times for 135 yards and a touchdown against Detroit, and the Bills carry the highest implied team total on the slate (28.75) as 7.0-point home favorites. His 78.5 rushing yards prop is tied for the fourth-highest at the position, and he is $8,100 at 11% ownership.

Javonte Williams - Williams scored twice in Week 1 (one rushing, one receiving) before a quieter 12-carry, three-catch afternoon in the 37-20 win over Washington. The Cowboys carry a 25.0 implied total in the highest-total game of the week, and at $7,300 and 6% ownership, he is the lowest-owned way into that game.

Omarion Hampton - Hampton ran 23 times for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders after scoring in Week 1, and the Chargers play in the second-highest total on the slate (50.5) against a Bills defense that has allowed 31 points in each of its two games. He is $7,200 at 6% ownership, a lower-owned pivot off Ashton Jeanty at a similar price.

Derrick Henry - Henry ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 and 68 yards and a score in New Orleans, and his 88.5 rushing yards prop is the highest on the slate. The Ravens carry a 28.5 implied total against a Dallas defense missing two safeties, and he is $9,000 at 14% ownership.

Jonathan Taylor - Taylor has four rushing touchdowns in two games, including 24 carries for 92 yards and two scores plus four catches for 40 yards against Kansas City. The Colts are 1.5-point home underdogs to Houston with a 20.5 implied total; his 78.5 rushing yards prop is tied for the fourth-highest on the slate, and he is $8,500 at 13% ownership.

Chase Brown - Brown ran 20 times for 80 yards in the win over Houston after a 16-carry, five-catch Week 1 with a touchdown, and the Bengals are 3.5-point favorites in Pittsburgh with a 23.0 implied total. He is $7,500 at 8% ownership and the run-game piece for Burrow and Chase lineups.

Aaron Jones Sr. - Jones ran 23 times for 105 yards in Minnesota's 9-3 win over Chicago, and the Vikings are 1.5-point favorites in Tampa with Kyler Murray back under center. He is $6,200 at 16% ownership, the most popular back on the site outside of Gibbs and Walker, and the salary is why.

Christian McCaffrey - McCaffrey has 10 carries in each of his two games, with Kaelon Black handling 14 and seven, and last week's two rushing touchdowns plus four catches for 43 yards came on that limited workload. The 49ers are 8.5-point favorites with a 28.5 implied total, which is why he is projected for 15% ownership at $8,900, and I'll be under the field on him.

Wide Receivers

Parker Washington - Washington has 18 targets through two games, catching five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland and seven for 98 yards on 12 targets in Denver. The Jaguars are 3.0-point home favorites against New England with a 24.25 implied total, and at $7,100 he is the most popular receiver on the site at 18%; the price is why, and I'm paying it.

Rashod Bateman - Assuming Zay Flowers is out again, Bateman played 93% of the snaps and caught seven of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in New Orleans, and the Ravens carry a 28.5 implied total against a Dallas secondary missing a cornerback and two safeties. He is $5,600 at 12% ownership, the cheapest way to add a second piece to a Jackson and Andrews stack.

Amon-Ra St. Brown - St. Brown is my top spend-up at the position. He has 27 targets in two games and caught nine passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo; his 79.5 receiving yards prop is the third-highest on the slate, and the Lions carry a 27.5 implied total as 6.5-point home favorites. He is $9,000 at 16% ownership.

Ja'Marr Chase - Chase is our fourth-highest projected receiver on the slate at just 7% ownership, well below the three receivers above him. He caught seven of nine targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns against Houston; his 76.5 receiving yards prop is the fifth-highest on the slate, and he is $8,900 with Burrow at 2% as the stacking partner.

CeeDee Lamb - Lamb caught eight of nine targets for 153 yards and two touchdowns against Washington; his 82.5 receiving yards prop is the second-highest on the slate, and he plays in the highest-total game of the week. He is $8,600 at 15% ownership, and I'm fine paying it for the top receiver in the top game.

Justin Jefferson - With Kyler Murray cleared to start, Jefferson gets his quarterback back after catching eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns with Carson Wentz in Week 1. His 68.5 receiving yards prop is tied for the sixth-highest on the slate; the Buccaneers allowed 238 passing yards and two touchdowns to Deshaun Watson last week, and he is $8,400 at 8% ownership in a 4:05 game.

Mike Evans - Evans caught six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and three for 54 yards against Miami, and the 49ers are 8.5-point home favorites with a 28.5 implied total against a Cardinals defense that just allowed 155 yards and three touchdowns to Smith-Njigba. He is $7,800 at 5% ownership, a lower-owned pivot off George Pickens, and he sat out Wednesday's practice with a hip issue the team framed as workload management.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Smith-Njigba has 11 targets in each of his two games, catching eight for 122 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and nine for 155 yards and three scores against Arizona. His 91.5 receiving yards prop is the highest on the slate. Sam Darnold is expected back, and the Seahawks are 7.5-point favorites in Washington at $9,200 and 17% ownership.

Chris Olave - Olave has 23 targets in two games, with 10 catches for 182 yards in Week 1 and eight for 86 yards and a touchdown in the win over Baltimore. The Saints are 3.0-point home favorites against Las Vegas in the 4:25 window; his 77.5 receiving yards prop is the fourth-highest on the slate, and he is $8,100 at 10% ownership with Shough as the stacking partner.

Garrett Wilson - Wilson caught six passes for 79 yards in Week 1 and five for 57 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, and the Jets are 6.5-point underdogs in Detroit against a Lions defense that has allowed 410 passing yards to Tyler Shough and 248 yards and three touchdowns to Josh Allen. His 68.5 receiving yards prop is tied for the sixth-highest on the slate, and he is $7,300 at 9% ownership.

Jalen Coker - Coker has nine targets in each of his two games, with an 8-138-2 line against Chicago and eight catches for 66 yards against Atlanta, and the Panthers are 2.5-point favorites in Cleveland. He is $6,200 at 11% ownership, and he was limited on Wednesday with an ankle issue, so check his Friday status.

Josh Downs - With Alec Pierce on injured reserve, Downs led the Colts with nine targets against Kansas City, catching seven for 72 yards. He is $6,100 at 7% ownership with Indianapolis a 1.5-point home underdog to Houston.

Tight Ends

Mark Andrews - Assuming Zay Flowers is out again, Andrews leads the Ravens with 13 targets through two games, catching 10 of them for 98 yards, and he plays for an offense with a 28.5 implied total in the highest-total game on the slate. He has yet to find the end zone, which is the upside half-point PPR scoring pays for, and he is worth the 15% ownership at $5,300.

Travis Kelce - Kelce caught nine of 11 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown against Indianapolis, and the Chiefs are 10.5-point favorites in Miami with a 28.0 implied total against a defense that just allowed George Kittle four catches for 80 yards and a score. He is the best point-per-dollar tight end on the site in our projections at $5,500 and 11% ownership.

Dalton Kincaid - Kincaid has 130 and 95 receiving yards in his two games with a touchdown against Detroit; his 56.5 receiving yards prop is the second-highest at the position, and he plays for the offense with the highest implied total on the slate. He is $5,700 at 11% ownership.

Trey McBride - McBride is our top-projected tight end on both sites by a wide margin with 23 targets in two games, and his 68.5 receiving yards prop is the highest at the position. Arizona is an 8.5-point underdog in San Francisco against a 49ers defense that has allowed 20 points in two games, and he is $7,300 at 8% ownership in a 4:05 game.

George Kittle - Kittle caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against Miami, and the 49ers carry a 28.5 implied total as 8.5-point favorites. He is $6,100 at 5% ownership, a lower-owned pivot off Kincaid and Kelce at a similar price.

Dalton Schultz - Assuming Nico Collins is out again, Schultz is coming off 12 catches for 140 yards on 14 targets against Cincinnati, and the Texans are 1.5-point favorites in Indianapolis. He is $5,800 at 7% ownership.

Brock Bowers - Bowers is expected to make his season debut after a preseason meniscus trim, coming off 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games last season. Assuming he is active, he is $6,500 at 6% ownership with the Raiders 3.0-point underdogs in New Orleans in the 4:25 window.

DraftKings DFS Positional Picks

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson - The Ravens are 3.5-point favorites over Dallas in Rio de Janeiro in the highest-total game on the slate (53.5) with a 28.5 implied team total, second only to Buffalo. His 39.5 rushing yards prop is the highest at the position; the Cowboys have already ruled out a cornerback and two safeties, and the 24-17 loss in New Orleans (235 passing yards) should keep his ownership around 6% at $7,500.

Josh Allen - Allen is our highest-projected player at any position after throwing for 334 and 248 yards with five touchdown passes and four rushing scores in two games. The Bills are 7.0-point home favorites against the Chargers with a slate-high 28.75 implied total, and at $8,000 he is projected for 9% ownership, second to Mahomes on the site.

Dak Prescott - Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns against Washington, and his 266.5 passing yards prop is the highest of any main-slate quarterback. Dallas is the designated home team in Rio with a 25.0 implied total, and with BAL/DAL in the 4:25 window, he and Jackson can be swapped for each other at the late lock. He is $6,700 at 5% ownership.

Tyler Shough - Shough threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns in the overtime loss in Detroit, then completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and added a rushing touchdown in the win over Baltimore. The Saints are 3.0-point home favorites against Las Vegas in the 4:25 window; his 253.5 passing yards prop is tied for the third-highest on the slate, and at $5,400 he is the cheapest quarterback in our top eight, which is why he is projected for 9% ownership. Chris Olave (23 targets in two games) is the stacking partner.

Geno Smith - Smith completed 27 of 41 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown in the overtime loss to Green Bay, and the Jets are 6.5-point underdogs in Detroit in a 48.5-total game against a Lions defense that has allowed 410 passing yards to Shough and 248 yards and three touchdowns to Allen. At $4,900 and 2% ownership, he is the cheapest way into that game, with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell (12 targets last week) as the stacking partners.

Running Backs

Jahmyr Gibbs - Gibbs is our top-projected non-quarterback on the slate after 29 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 and six catches for 61 yards and a score against Buffalo. His 87.5 rushing yards prop is the second-highest on the slate, his -330 anytime touchdown odds are the shortest of any player on it, and the Lions are 6.5-point home favorites against the Jets with a 27.5 implied total. He is $8,800 at 30% ownership, and he is the back I'll have the most of.

Kenneth Walker III - Walker has 290 rushing yards through two games plus 10 targets last week, and the Chiefs are 10.5-point favorites in Miami with a 28.0 implied total. His anytime touchdown odds sit at -215, and he is $7,400 at 28% ownership, the salary-saving alternative to Gibbs.

Jaylen Warren - Assuming Rico Dowdle (toe) is out after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Warren has the Pittsburgh backfield to himself after leading it with 21 carries for 89 yards and seven catches for 61 yards through two games. He was limited both days with a shoulder issue, so check the Friday report, but the options behind him are practice-squad backs and a rookie without a role. He is $5,700 at 15% ownership, and his receiving work plays up in full-point PPR scoring.

Chuba Hubbard - With Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve after core muscle surgery, Hubbard has the Carolina backfield to himself after handling 27 touches to Brooks' 11 and 68% of the snaps through two weeks. He has scored three touchdowns in two games, the Panthers are 2.5-point favorites in Cleveland, and his 74.5 rushing yards prop is the sixth-highest on the slate. He is $6,100 at just 8% ownership.

James Cook - Cook ran 21 times for 135 yards and a touchdown against Detroit, and the Bills carry the highest implied team total on the slate (28.75) as 7.0-point home favorites. His 78.5 rushing yards prop is tied for the fourth-highest at the position, and he is $6,900 at 11% ownership.

Javonte Williams - Williams scored twice in Week 1 (one rushing, one receiving) before a quieter 12-carry, three-catch afternoon in the 37-20 win over Washington. The Cowboys carry a 25.0 implied total in the highest-total game of the week, and at $6,700 and 6% ownership, he is the lowest-owned way into that game.

Omarion Hampton - Hampton ran 23 times for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders after scoring in Week 1, and the Chargers play in the second-highest total on the slate (50.5) against a Bills defense that has allowed 31 points in each of its two games. He is $6,800 at 4% ownership, a lower-owned pivot off Ashton Jeanty at a similar price.

Derrick Henry - Henry ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 and 68 yards and a score in New Orleans, and his 88.5 rushing yards prop is the highest on the slate. The Ravens carry a 28.5 implied total against a Dallas defense missing two safeties, and he is $7,700 at 14% ownership.

Jonathan Taylor - Taylor has four rushing touchdowns in two games, including 24 carries for 92 yards and two scores plus four catches for 40 yards against Kansas City. The Colts are 1.5-point home underdogs to Houston with a 20.5 implied total; his 78.5 rushing yards prop is tied for the fourth-highest on the slate, and he is $7,600 at 13% ownership.

Chase Brown - Brown ran 20 times for 80 yards in the win over Houston after a 16-carry, five-catch Week 1 with a touchdown, and the Bengals are 3.5-point favorites in Pittsburgh with a 23.0 implied total. He is $6,600 at 9% ownership and the run-game piece for Burrow and Chase lineups.

De'Von Achane - Achane ran 20 times for 74 yards and saw six targets against San Francisco, and the Dolphins are 10.5-point home underdogs to Kansas City with a 17.5 implied total, a script that pushes work to the passing-down back. He is $6,500 at 12% ownership, where his receiving work plays up in full-point PPR scoring.

Christian McCaffrey - McCaffrey has 10 carries in each of his two games, with Kaelon Black handling 14 and seven, and last week's two rushing touchdowns plus four catches for 43 yards came on that limited workload. The 49ers are 8.5-point favorites with a 28.5 implied total, which is why he is projected for 16% ownership at $8,300, and I'll be under the field on him.

Wide Receivers

Parker Washington - Washington has 18 targets through two games, catching five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland and seven for 98 yards on 12 targets in Denver. The Jaguars are 3.0-point home favorites against New England with a 24.25 implied total, and at $6,000 he is projected for 18% ownership, second only to St. Brown on the site; the price is why, and I'm paying it.

Rashod Bateman - Assuming Zay Flowers is out again, Bateman played 93% of the snaps and caught seven of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in New Orleans, and the Ravens carry a 28.5 implied total against a Dallas secondary missing a cornerback and two safeties. He is $4,700 at 9% ownership, the cheapest way to add a second piece to a Jackson and Andrews stack.

Amon-Ra St. Brown - St. Brown is my top spend-up at the position. He has 27 targets in two games and caught nine passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo; his 79.5 receiving yards prop is the third-highest on the slate, and the Lions carry a 27.5 implied total as 6.5-point home favorites. He is the most popular receiver on the site at 20% for $7,900, and I'm paying it.

Ja'Marr Chase - Chase is our fourth-highest projected receiver on the slate at just 8% ownership, well below the three receivers above him. He caught seven of nine targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns against Houston; his 76.5 receiving yards prop is the fifth-highest on the slate, and he is $8,100 with Burrow at 2% as the stacking partner.

CeeDee Lamb - Lamb caught eight of nine targets for 153 yards and two touchdowns against Washington; his 82.5 receiving yards prop is the second-highest on the slate, and he plays in the highest-total game of the week. He is $7,800 at 14% ownership, and I'm fine paying it for the top receiver in the top game.

Justin Jefferson - With Kyler Murray cleared to start, Jefferson gets his quarterback back after catching eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns with Carson Wentz in Week 1. His 68.5 receiving yards prop is tied for the sixth-highest on the slate; the Buccaneers allowed 238 passing yards and two touchdowns to Deshaun Watson last week, and he is $7,500 at 10% ownership in a 4:05 game.

Mike Evans - Evans caught six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and three for 54 yards against Miami, and the 49ers are 8.5-point home favorites with a 28.5 implied total against a Cardinals defense that just allowed 155 yards and three touchdowns to Smith-Njigba. He is $6,800 at 4% ownership, a lower-owned pivot off George Pickens, and he sat out Wednesday's practice with a hip issue the team framed as workload management.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Smith-Njigba has 11 targets in each of his two games, catching eight for 122 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and nine for 155 yards and three scores against Arizona. His 91.5 receiving yards prop is the highest on the slate. Sam Darnold is expected back, and the Seahawks are 7.5-point favorites in Washington at $8,600 and 14% ownership.

Chris Olave - Olave has 23 targets in two games, with 10 catches for 182 yards in Week 1 and eight for 86 yards and a touchdown in the win over Baltimore. The Saints are 3.0-point home favorites against Las Vegas in the 4:25 window; his 77.5 receiving yards prop is the fourth-highest on the slate, and he is $7,200 at 14% ownership with Shough at $5,400 as the stacking partner.

Garrett Wilson - Wilson caught six passes for 79 yards in Week 1 and five for 57 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, and the Jets are 6.5-point underdogs in Detroit against a Lions defense that has allowed 410 passing yards to Shough and 248 yards and three touchdowns to Allen. His 68.5 receiving yards prop is tied for the sixth-highest on the slate, and he is $6,300 at 11% ownership, the top piece of a Geno Smith stack.

Jalen Coker - Coker has nine targets in each of his two games, with an 8-138-2 line against Chicago and eight catches for 66 yards against Atlanta, and the Panthers are 2.5-point favorites in Cleveland. He is $5,500 at 10% ownership, and he was limited on Wednesday with an ankle issue, so check his Friday status.

Devaughn Vele - Vele caught seven passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and five for 64 yards against Baltimore, and the Saints carry a 23.25 implied total as 3.0-point home favorites. He is $4,400 at 8% ownership, the cheapest way to pair a second Saint with Shough and Olave.

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz - Assuming Nico Collins is out again, Schultz is coming off 12 catches for 140 yards on 14 targets against Cincinnati, and that reception volume plays up in full-point PPR scoring. The Texans are 1.5-point favorites in Indianapolis, the Colts just allowed Travis Kelce nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, and at $4,200 he and Kelce are the two best point-per-dollar tight ends on the site in our projections. He is worth the 11% ownership for the salary he saves.

Travis Kelce - Kelce caught nine of 11 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown against Indianapolis, and the Chiefs are 10.5-point favorites in Miami with a 28.0 implied total against a defense that just allowed George Kittle four catches for 80 yards and a score. He is $4,500 at 9% ownership.

Dalton Kincaid - Kincaid has 130 and 95 receiving yards in his two games with a touchdown against Detroit; his 56.5 receiving yards prop is the second-highest at the position, and he plays for the offense with the highest implied total on the slate. He is $5,500 at just 4% ownership, a lower-owned pivot off Mark Andrews at a similar price.

Trey McBride - McBride is our top-projected tight end on both sites by a wide margin with 23 targets in two games, and his 68.5 receiving yards prop is the highest at the position. Arizona is an 8.5-point underdog in San Francisco against a 49ers defense that has allowed 20 points in two games, and he is $6,700 at 7% ownership in a 4:05 game.

George Kittle - Kittle caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against Miami, and the 49ers carry a 28.5 implied total as 8.5-point favorites. He is $4,800 at 5% ownership, the San Francisco pairing for Mike Evans lineups.

Brock Bowers - Bowers is expected to make his season debut after a preseason meniscus trim, coming off 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games last season. Assuming he is active, he is $6,600 at 3% ownership with the Raiders 3.0-point underdogs in New Orleans in the 4:25 window.

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