DFS Alerts
Kelvin Benjamin is a sneaky option with a nice matchup in Week 10
Sure, Benjamin hasn’t had a 100-yard game since Week 2, and he hasn’t scored since Week 4, but his Week 10 matchup with the Chiefs sets him up for a big game. While he’s been a little quiet recently, he’s had at least 70 yards in each of his last four games. That includes two tough individual matchups with the Arizona and Los Angeles secondaries, both of whom rank in the top ten in WR1 DVOA. The Chiefs, on the other hand, rank 21st, and they’re allowing 9.1 passes and 74.7 yards per game to the position, according to Football Outsiders. Of course, Benjamin is always competing with tight end Greg Olsen for targets, but Kansas City has been very effective against Olsen’s position. In terms of PPR fantasy points, they’re allowing the third-most to receivers (40.7 per game), and the fifth-fewest to tight ends (8.0 per game), per Pro Football Focus’ Scott Barrett. Even better, Benjamin will line up across from Phillip Gaines for most of the day. Gaines has earned a poor 40.8 PFF grade this season, which givens Benjamin (who has an 81.5) a 40.7 point advantage, the second highest WR-CB differential of the week. We’re projecting his ownership to be around 9.0% across the industry. If you’re looking for a pivot off of the suddenly chalky Alshon Jeffery, Benjamin is a solid option in a similar price range.
As reported by: Scott Barrett
Doug Martin will be active Sunday
Martin (hamstring) hasn’t played since Week 2. He managed to have a good week of practice, and he’ll be active for Tampa Bay’s Week 10 game with the Bears. It’s a backfield to avoid in fantasy. Martin will likely be limited, and his presence takes away any value Peyton Barber may have had. If Martin doesn’t suffer any setbacks in the game on Sunday, he could be Tampa Bay’s workhorse next week. It’s a wait-and-see approach for now.
As reported by: Tampa Bay Times Victor Cruz questionable for Monday night
Cruz hasn’t been able to practice all week, which means he’s unlikely to play the Bengals on Monday, despite being listed as questionable. He won’t be a strong fantasy option if he plays, he’s averaged 5.25 targets per game this season, and he’s only exceeded 70 yards once. If he can’t go, his targets would be distributed to Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. Beckham said he always tends to play better this time of year, and he backed that up with a two-touchdown game last week against the Eagles. He’ll face off with Bengals’ corner Adam Jones the most in Week 10. It’s a nice matchup for him as Jones has earned a poor 48.6 PFF grade this season. OBJ is already an excellent fantasy option, and Cruz’s absence would be a boost.
As reported by: Mike Garafolo Other tagged players: Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard Vikings CB Captain Munnerlyn out for Sunday
Things keep looking better for Washington’s slot receiver Jamison Crowder. Munnerlyn (ankle), a slot corner who has a strong 78.2 PFF grade, has been ruled out for Week 10. DeSean Jackson will also sit this one out, which paves the way for Crowder to pick up a bunch of targets against Minnesota. He should be able to be more effective with his opportunities without Munnerlyn defending him. Crowder is currently leading the Redskins in receiving yards (498) and touchdowns (4). He’s relatively cheap across the industry, and we’re projecting his ownership to be around 3-4%. Crowder is a very interesting contrarian option this weekend.
As reported by: Adam Caplan Jordan Howard's time as Bears' workhorse may be ending soon
Howard has led the Bears running backs in touches five of the past six games, peaking last week with 30 against Minnesota. Jeremy Langford was back for the first time since Week 3, but he only had one reception for 11 yards. Ka’Deem Carey had just two rushing attempts for three yards. However, Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said that he wants to use all three backs in a committee, and that the carries could end up “balancing out.” Chicago originally planned on using Langford as their workhorse this season, but that changed when he was injured in their game against Dallas. Howard stepped up in a big way, averaging 147.5 total yards per game in his first two starts. He cooled off a bit the following two weeks, when he failed to exceed 36 yards in either game, and was even out-touched by Carey in Week 7 11-7. In Week 8, he bounced back against a tough Vikings defense, going off for 202 total yards and a touchdown. He might not reach that touch total again this season as Langford nears full health. Chicago plans to actively try to get all three backs involved, and will sometimes go with the hot hand. Howard will still be the lead back this week, but he’ll get a tough Tampa Bay rush defense. If he struggles at all, he’s at risk of losing snaps. As Loggains puts it, each back has the “opportunity to control how many carries [they] get with [their] play.” Keep in mind, without his long run of 69 yards against the Vikings, he would have averaged 3.36 ypc. Howard might not be a safe bet for cash games this week. It’ll be a situation worth monitoring going forward.
As reported by: WGN Other tagged players: Ka'Deem Carey, Jeremy Langford Ladarius Green officially activated from PUP list
His Week 10 playing status is still to be determined, but if he plays he won’t be a viable fantasy option. It will be an interesting situation to monitor over the next couple of weeks as he could become a really nice target at tight end. His price should remain low, which would make him a nice value option if he’s expected to get a full complement of snaps in Weeks 11 or 12.
As reported by: Jeremy Fowler Allen Hurns expected to be a game-time decision Sunday
Hurns (concussion) is officially listed as questionable. He’s been cleared to practice since Thursday, which is a good sign. If he can get through warmups on Sunday without any symptoms, he should be cleared to play. It would seem that he should be able to suit up, but if you’re rostering Hurns, have a contingency plan. Even though Houston has a tough pass defense, Marqise Lee would become an interesting value option without Hurns in the lineup. He’s had at least four receptions in six of eight games, and would see a target bump in that scenario.
As reported by: Jacksonville Jaguars Other tagged players: Marqise Lee Christine Michael listed as questionable
Michael (hamstring) was limited in practice Friday, and subsequently added to the injury report. It appears that he’ll be a game time decision Sunday against the Patriots. Coach Pete Carroll already said that backup running back, C.J. Prosise, would get “a lot” of work this weekend, and if Michael sits his expected volume would receive another boost. Either way, he’s worth tournament consideration on full PPR sites as he’ll pick up plenty of passing down snaps. If Michael is out, he would become a nice value option across the industry.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: C.J. Prosise Chris Hogan misses practice Friday, questionable for Sunday
Hogan (back) wasn’t able to practice Friday, which means he’s legitimately questionable for the Patriots’ Week 10 game with Seattle. With Brady at quarterback, he’s averaged 2.75 receptions, 67.25 yards, and 0.25 touchdowns per game. He’s going to see a lot of Richard Sherman this week, and won’t be a great fantasy option. If he can’t go, it’s a bump to Edelman.
As reported by: Ryan Hannable Julian Edelman and Martellus Bennett both expected to play through questionable tags
They would both be listed as probable if the designation still existed. Since Brady’s return Edelman has averaged 5.5 receptions, 40.5 yards, and 0.25 touchdowns. Chris Hogan is currently (actually) questionable, and if Hogan can’t go, Edelman should pick up some extra targets. The Patriots have a tough matchup with the Seahawks, but Edelman will go against their weakest cornerback, Jeremy Lane, who has a 65.1 PFF grade this season. Edelman is definitely worth consideration as a contrarian tournament option. Bennett has been quiet since his three-touchdown game against the Browns in Week 5. He isn’t really a reliable fantasy option with Rob Gronkowski playing so well.
As reported by: Ryan Hannable Other tagged players: Martellus Bennett Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills both expected to play Sunday
Both receivers are listed as questionable, but they should be able to suit up for their game against San Diego. Stills shouldn’t be considered more than a tournament option. He’s fourth in the NFL in yards per catch (19.3), and he’s scored three touchdowns, but he’s very inconsistent. He’s had two games with five receptions, and he’s caught two passes or less in the other six. Landry always has appeal, especially in full PPR formats. However, he hasn’t been his usual target-monster self. He hasn’t had double-digit targets since Week 4. He’s a bit banged up and will face Brandon Flowers in the slot, who has a 78.5 PFF grade, but Tannehill should still throw to him quite a bit. Landry is probably better for tournaments than cash in Week 10.
As reported by: Armando Salguero Other tagged players: Kenny Stills DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry removed from injury report
Murray (toe) will be the workhorse for Tennessee while Henry (calf) may be limited despite being removed from the injury report. Murray’s volume could be higher than normal if Henry isn’t at full health. Green Bay has had one of the best rushing defenses in the league, allowing just 3.3 yards per attempt. This will scare people off Murray; we’re projecting his ownership to be 4.0% on FanDuel and DraftKings. However, DeMarco Murray is an elite running back, and he should be able to eat. The last time the Packers faced a top-notch back, Ezekiel Elliot rushed for 157 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. More recently Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman combined for 17 carries and 81 yards, which comes out to 4.8 ypc. They haven’t faced many other great running backs this season, which is skewing their data a bit; Green Bay can be beaten on the ground. Given Murray’s expected ownership, he’s an excellent contrarian option this weekend.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt Other tagged players: Derrick Henry James Starks questionable for Sunday, Jared Cook is doubtful
Starks (knee) looks like he’ll play on a snap count on Sunday. He won’t have fantasy value since he’ll be pretty limited. Cook isn’t expected to play, which leaves Richard Rodgers as the leading tight end. Rodgers had a season-high ten targets last week against the Colts. He converted those opportunities into six receptions and 64 yards. It was his only game with more than two receptions though, so it’s hard to imagine he has a repeat performance this week against the Titans. Randall Cobb will see a full complement of snaps, and he should take some targets back from Rodgers. Jordy Nelson is in the best spot of them all as he’ll go against Perrish Cox on about half of his snaps. Cox has earned a poor 43.2 PFF grade this season, and he’s given up 0.36 fantasy points per route defended, which is 11th among starting cornerbacks.
As reported by: Wes Hodkiewicz Other tagged players: Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, Jordy Nelson J.J. Nelson is Arizona's number two receiver
Coach Bruce Arians now considers Nelson the number two behind Larry Fitzgerald. He’s coming off a huge 8/79/2 line against the Panthers, and he’s definitely an exciting tournament option this week. However, game flow may not be in his favor this time around. Arizona was playing from behind against Carolina, which forced Carson Palmer to throw the ball 46 times. They enter Week 10 as 14-point favorites against a San Francisco team that can’t stop rushing attacks. Of course, Arizona has David Johnson, who is possibly the best running back in the NFL. Still, Nelson will be the second option in the passing game, and is relatively cheap across the industry. He’ll line up across from Keith Reaser, who has a 47.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, on roughly 42% of his snaps. He should get enough volume to pay off his salary and has big-play upside. While he may not be a safe bet for cash given the spread, his ceiling makes him worthy of tournament consideration, especially at his current price.
As reported by: Darren Urban Will Fuller is questionable for Sunday, Jaelen Strong is out
Fuller (leg) has failed to exceed 31 yards in four of his last five games. He’s only managed to score once in that stretch. In part, that’s due to quarterback Brock Osweiler’s poor performance this season. The Texans travel to Jacksonville this weekend, and Osweiler is even worse on the road. Fuller will be shadowed by Prince Amukamara, who has earned an 81.8 grade from Pro Football Focus. It’s not a great week to target the rookie receiver, but his big play ability always makes him worth a look in tournaments. This week, he’s best as a GPP flier. We’re currently projecting his ownership at less than 1% on both FanDuel and DraftKings.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Jaelen Strong