DFS Alerts
T.Y. Hilton, Austin Seferian-Jenkins likely to sit on Sunday
This is another warning to get Hilton and Seferian-Jenkins out of your DFS lineups. Donte Moncrief and Andre Johnson both get a bump in tournament value with Hilton out, while there isn’t any clear beneficiary as a result of ASJ’s injury.
Rueben Randle will play on Sunday
Despite dealing with a hamstring injury, Rueben Randle will play Sunday against Tampa. He’s not really a DFS option unless the Giants passing game is in a top tier match-up, which this is not given that the Giants won’t need to roll out a high-volume passing attack in a game that should stay competitive throughout. You can do worse than Randle if you are throwing darts at potential punt plays at WR, but he’s not going to be someone you want much exposure to.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Marquess Wilson offers nice MNF upside with Royal out
Marquess Wilson has put up some very attractive stat lines in games where Eddie Royal or Alshon Jeffrey has sat out, and with Royal on the shelf against the Chargers on Monday night, Wilson is in line to see an increased snap count. Things have slowed down for Wilson over the last two weeks (with Jeffrey and Royal both healthy), but he had back-to-back games of six receptions and 80+ yards previously. Another similar stat line is very much in play on Monday, especially with Jason Verrett (one of the league’s best cover corners) likely to shadow Alshon Jeffrey. Matt Forte’s absence also may slightly aide Wilson’s value, as Jeremy Langford won’t be able to entirely fill Forte’s shoes, especially in the passing game.
DeSean Jackson expected to play vs. Patriots
This has been the prevailing thought all week. Jackson will return this afternoon against the Patriots and will give Kirk Cousins another weapon to try to keep up with the high-powered New England offense. Washington should be doing plenty of throwing during this one as they are expected to be trailing throughout, which does give Jackson some sneaky GPP value. His ceiling is somewhat capped by the Redskins unwillingness to throw the ball down the field with any consistency. Jackson’s return does eat into the value of Jordan Reed and Pierre Garcon, making them both GPP-only targets in Week 9.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Brandon Marshall to suit up Sunday
No real surprise here, but we now have confirmation that he’ll take the field today. Marshall played through the injury last week and finished with nine catches for 108 yards, and will have a good opportunity to post a similar stat line against a shaky Jacksonville secondary. Marshall does hold some risk given injuries to not only himself, but also his quarterback (Ryan Fitzpatrick is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing hand), making him a GPP-only option for Week 9. Marshall is a safe bet for 10+ targets.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Sammy Watkins will play vs. Miami
Watkins is all set to play this afternoon against the Dolphins, but it does appear that he may be on a snap count. He would’ve already been a very risky DFS target, but an expected snap count makes him an obvious player to avoid in a middling match-up. Watkins does possess plenty of big play ability and it wouldn’t be earth-shattering to see him break a long one, but there are much better options in his price range this weekend. Michael Crabtree is comparably priced on both major sites and makes for a much better DFS target.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter T.Y. Hilton a 'longshot' to play against Denver
Hilton is still officially a game-time decision, but we’d be surprised if he were able to suit up. This will leave the Colts with Donte Moncrief and Andre Johnson at WR, with Griff Whalen offering depth behind them. Moncrief is an intriguing contrarian tournament play as a guy who could potentially see 10+ targets given that the Colts should be throwing plenty. Andre Johnson is also a GPP candidate, but his ceiling isn’t nearly as high as Moncrief’s.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Austin Seferian-Jenkins unlikely to play vs. Giants
It looks like we’ll have to wait at least another week for ASJ’s return. He practiced fully on Friday but apparently is not healthy enough to suit up, leaving Mike Evans as the only playable option in the Tampa Bay passing game. While Evans will see a heavy volume of looks, he’s not necessarily a preferred cash game option given the Bucs propensity to go run-heavy and the defense’s ability to hone in on keeping him in check. If you are looking for pivots off of Seferian-Jenkins, Delanie Walker and Martellus Bennett are sound options in the mid $5K range on FanDuel, while Heath Miller offers the best value on DraftKings ($2,700).
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Darren McFadden priced far too low for Week 9
DMC has looked like the McFadden of old in recent weeks, finishing with no fewer than 26 touches in back-to-back contests. Over that span, he totaled 216 yards on the ground and 59 through the air on eight catches. Philadelphia’s run defense is stout, but the Cowboys won’t have enough success through the air to the point where they can’t feed McFadden consistently. Last week’s match-up was also scary, and while McFadden wasn’t terribly efficient on the ground, he finished with 26 total touches and crossed the century mark in all-purpose yards. His $4,300 price tag on DraftKings is particularly appealing given the full-point PPR scoring and the ability to roster three RBs.
Dolphins activate Jay Ajayi
The Dolphins have activated Jay Ajayi off IR-designated to return heading into Week 9. Ajayi likely won’t see double-digit touches with Lamar Miller cementing himself as the clear top option in the Dolphins backfield, but he has a good shot to unseat Damien Williams and Jonas Gray for work behind Miller. Ajayi isn’t a DFS option with Miller healthy. Miller himself should be avoided against a very stingy Buffalo defense that has stifled opposing RBs this season.
As reported by: Rotoworld 20 touches "reasonable" for DeAngelo Williams
This is right in line with what we expect him to see on Sunday against Oakland. While filling in for Le’Veon Bell in the first two weeks, Williams saw an average of 23 touches per game (22 in Week 1, 24 in Week 2) and totaled over 100 yards per game in those contests. Oakland is in the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to RBs, but it’s worth noting that they’ve allowed the 4th fewest rushing yards per game to the position. Williams is still a nice target in any format this week given his price.
As reported by: ESPN Austin-Seferian Jenkins practiced in full Friday
Austin Seferian-Jenkins practiced in full on Friday and is listed as questionable to play on Sunday. The fact that he practiced fully is a good indication that he’ll be able to return against the Giants, and Jameis Winston will need him with Vincent Jackson out of action for another week. ASJ’s price is very attractive across the industry and he’s a really nice tournament target if he suits up. His ownership levels should be low in his first game back from an injury.
As reported by: Greg Auman on Twitter Vincent Jackson out vs. Giants
Vincent Jackson will not play Sunday against the Giants. He’ll miss his second straight game after suffering a knee injury in Week 7, which sets up Donteea Dye to draw another start opposite Mike Evans. Dye reeled in just one catch last week and isn’t a recommended DFS play against the Giants, especially with Austin-Seferian Jenkins likely to return. Mike Evans is a very good bet for 10+ targets and can be used confidently against a Giants secondary that just gave up a massive performance to Drew Brees.
As reported by: Greg Auman on Twitter Garrett Celek's status still up in the air
Garrett Celek (concussion) is questionable for Sunday’s game. He’s going to take over the TE duties with Vernon Davis shipped off to Denver, and would actually be the most intriguing skill-position player on the 49ers this week. With that said, it’s best to completely avoid the 49ers this week with the weak (and inaccurate) armed Blaine Gabbert starting at QB. Celek may end up leading the team in targets if he’s healthy enough to play.
As reported by: Matt Barrows on Twitter Chris Thompson probable for Sunday
If you are looking for a very deep sleeper heading into Week 9, Chris Thompson may be your guy. He’s going to take back the passing down duties from Matt Jones (who is no longer playable in DFS in this matchup), and with the Redskins likely playing from behind all afternoon, Thompson may end up leading the RB trio in snaps. Alfred Morris has been dreadful this year and will not be able to get much (if anything) going against New England, and Matt Jones hasn’t been receiving enough work to make him a potential value target with Thompson now healthy. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-8 targets for Thompson is certainly not out of the question.
As reported by: Emmanual Benton on Twitter