DFS Alerts
West and Ware to split the workload this week
The Chiefs offensive coordinator, Doug Pederson, said today that the team has a running back by committee with West and Ware. Those are words that no DFS player ever wants to hear and it greatly diminishes the value of both players. They are unusable in cash games and marginal at best in GPP’s. Ware seems to be a better threat to score a TD, so the lean would probably go towards him on TD dependent sites while West would be the play on PPR sites.
As reported by: Herbie Teope on Twitter Other tagged players: Spencer Ware
Leonard Hankerson unlikely to play Sunday
The Falcons WR is not practicing again today and Head Coach Dan Quinn stated that “it’s tough to get ready for Sunday after missing two practices” which leads us to believe that he is unlikely to play this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Julio Jones is obviously the preferred target for the Falcons against a Bucs defense that is #21 in WR DvP. It’s hard to trust the other options, Roddy White and Justin Hardy, but there might be some value for Jacob Tamme who has had some decent games in the past when Hankerson didn’t play.
As reported by: Atlanta Falcons official Twitter feed Tyler Eifert still not practicing Thursday
Eifert is looking doubtful to play on Sunday against the Browns. His absence could lead to a bigger workload for A.J. Green and Marvin Jones, with Ryan Hewitt likely to start at TE and see a handful of targets come his way. Eifert exploded for three touchdowns last time these teams met, but this could be a better spot for the Bengals to get their ground game going. Jeremy Hill lit the Browns up in the second meeting between these teams last season, and he may have another chance to do the same with game flow expected to work in his favor. Hill is a very sneaky GPP target that will be overlooked in Week 13.
As reported by: Paul Dehner Jr. on Twitter
Calvin Johnson expected to play Thursday
Johnson is listed as questionable but his status was never truly in doubt. He’s coming off of a monster performance on Thanksgiving, but is in a much tougher match-up this Thursday against Green Bay. While the Eagles boast one of the worst CB units in the league, the Packers have three corners (Shields, Heyward and Randall) who have graded out very well in coverage (per PFF), and this unit gave Megatron some trouble back when these teams played earlier this year (he was held to 6-81-0). Johnson’s ownership level in Thursday GPPs should be high, especially considering what the public saw him do on Thanksgiving, so he’s an interesting fade in favor of other options in his price range that take the field on Sunday or Monday.
As reported by: Albert Breer Ryan Mathews still not practicing
Head Coach Chip Kelly stated he does not know where Ryan Matthews is in regards to the leagues concussion protocol and added that all he does know is that he hasn’t been cleared yet. Not a good sign that he will take the field this weekend against the Patriots. DeMarco Murray will continue to get the lions share of the work and is in play in GPP’s as he takes on a Patriots defense that is 20th in RB DvP.
As reported by: Josh Paunil on Twitter Darrelle Revis not expected to play vs. Giants
This is certainly good news for the value of Odell Beckham, who would have very likely been shadowed by Revis. While he hasn’t been at his best this season, Revis is still one of the league’s best cover corners and his expected absence is a big blow to the Jets secondary. Expect Beckham to see plenty of Antonio Cromartie on Sunday; while he does possess some name recognition, Cromartie has not played well this season and grades out as one of the league’s worst corners according to PFF metrics. Fire up ODB confidently in any format in Week 13. Julio Jones is probably the only WR with a better outlook heading into the weekend.
As reported by: ESPN Allen Hurns not expected to play vs. Titans
Hurns left Week 12 with a scary injury but was fortunate that it wasn’t more serious. The fact that he had a chance to play heading into this week is a good sign for his availability down the road, but for this week it looks like Blake Bortles will be down to Allen Robinson, Bryan Walters and Marquis Lee at WR. Robinson has had a breakout sophomore season and remains an elite play this week against a shaky Titans secondary. He’ll likely see added defensive attention, but still figures to see upwards of 10 targets with Hurns out of action. Walters becomes a sneaky GPP target with Marquis Lee expected to also see his snap count rise.
As reported by: Mark Long Danny Amendola gets in limited practice, expected to play Sunday
Amendola came close to playing this past Sunday night against Denver, but ultimately did not make the trip and was able to take the time to rest up and get healthy. He’s not expected to be limited at all and with Rob Gronkowski likely to be out for at least Week 13, Amendola should see plenty of targets head his way against the Eagles. Amendola is priced below $5K on DraftKings, making him an elite target in any format. His $6,700 price tag on FanDuel is also appealing, although it’s not quite as tasty as his DK price. Fire him up confidently in any format assuming he’s given the green light to play.
As reported by: Phil Perry Ryan Mathews still not practicing
Mathews hasn’t practiced since suffering a concussion in Week 10, and it’s looking like he’s going to end up missing another game on Sunday. With Mathews likely out, DeMarco Murray should continue to head the backfield with Darren Sproles spelling him on occasion. It’s not a good spot for either Eagles RB, as the Birds are big underdogs and are expected to be needing to throw a ton in order to attempt to keep up with New England. Both of the Birds backs are involved in the passing game which gives them some contrarian value, but Murray isn’t a core play even with Mathews expected to sit.
As reported by: Jeff McLane Martellus Bennett practices fully on Wednesday, expected to play vs. SF
Martellus Bennett went through a full practice on Wednesday and barring a setback is expected to play against the 49ers. He missed the Thanksgiving night game with the Packers, but Bennett has had a long week to recover and appears to be fully healthy heading into Sunday. Zach Miller’s value is crushed with Bennett in the lineup, and Bennett himself is a potential GPP target that be available at a low ownership percentage. Bennett hasn’t exceeded 60 yards receiving since Week 4, and has scored just one touchdown since then.
As reported by: Jeff Dickerson on Twitter Tyler Eifert does not practice Wednesday
Eifert left last week’s game with a stinger and his status for this Sunday is very much up in the air. He takes on a Cleveland defense that he torched for 5-53-3 just a few weeks ago, so he’d be in a good spot on Sunday if he’s healthy enough to play. In the event that he sits out, A.J. Green’s value would spike, and Ryan Hewitt (who wouldn’t be a recommended DFS option) would likely start in his place. We’ll update Eifert’s status as the week progresses.
As reported by: Paul Dehner Jr. on Twitter Charcandrick West practices in full on Wednesday
It’s a great sign for his status leading up to Week 13. He’s tentatively expected to play and would almost definitely regain his role as the starting RB in front of Spencer Ware, who has performed well in his absence over the last two weeks. The Chiefs running game seems to be strong regardless of which back gets the starting nod, so assuming West is back, he’s a very viable DFS target at a mid-range price tag across the industry. He’s still sitting below $7,000 on FanDuel, which should not be the case for a starting RB on a run-heavy offense.
As reported by: Terez Paylor Devonta Freeman cleared to play
Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn stated that Devonta Freeman has been fully cleared to play this weekend. He’ll practice today but will take limited contact. While Freeman has been an elite DFS option this season, this weekends match up is a tough one as he takes on a Tampa Bay defense that is 5th in RB DvP. At his expensive price tag, he’s primarily only a GPP play and there are better match ups out there to take advantage of. Tevin Coleman is not a potential DFS option with Freeman healthy.
As reported by: Vaughn McClure on Twitter Ben Roethlisberger to practice today
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stated that his star QB has cleared concussion protocol and will practice today. Everything points to Big Ben suiting up in a very plus match up against the Colts on Sunday night. He may have to deal with Antonio Brown being shadowed by Vontae Davis, but Roethlisberger has enough weapons at his disposal that he won’t suffer much even if Brown is slowed down. We still aren’t particularly worried about Brown’s outlook even if Davis follows him around due to his quick hitting routes and ability to find space. Martavis Bryant would stand to benefit if Brown is shadowed by Davis, with last week’s breakout Markus Wheaton also an option, albeit one better left for large-field tournaments. Due to his performance last week, he may be worth fading due to a higher than usual ownership percentage.
As reported by: Bob Kravitz on Twitter Austin Davis to start over Johnny Manziel this weekend
The Browns continue their “grounding” of Manziel as they have named Austin Davis as the starter for this weekends game against the Bengals. It’s a terrible match up for Davis who isn’t even in play as a GPP dart throw. Also downgrade Travis Benjamin and Gary Barnidge but Barnidge probably still in play as he’s proven himself to be dependable regardless of who is under center.
As reported by: Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter