DFS Alerts
Cecil Shorts already ruled out for Week 8
Considering this news is coming so early in the week, Shorts may end up missing time beyond the team’s Week 9 bye. Nate Washington is coming off of a huge Week 7 performance (9-127-2) and becomes a viable punt play in DFS at $5,400 on FanDuel and $3,600 on DraftKings. He may even be an option in cash games with the Titans likely to throw extra coverage towards DeAndre Hopkins.
As reported by: Drew Dougherty on Twitter
Play the fade on Lamar Miller?
After two big weeks of fantasy production, those in Thursday contests may end up targeting Lamar Miller too heavily. He’s coming off back-to-back plus match-ups against Tennessee and Houston, both of whom rank in the top 10 of fantasy points allowed to RBs. The Patriots are a much different story; not only do they cruise out to leads that usually prevent their opponent from sticking with a balanced approach offensively, they’ve also allowed an average of just 87 yards on the ground, the 11th lowest total in the league. Given that Miller’s price has risen across the industry (outside of DraftKings), he’s a solid tournament fade in Thursday contests. He’ll likely end up as one of the most highly owned RBs in Thursday tournaments.
Dion Lewis will play on Thursday
Lewis sat out last week against the Jets but appears to be a go tonight against Miami. He’s no longer a value play as his price has spiked across the industry over the last few weeks, and he’s probably best left alone for DFS purposes this week. With the volatility that comes with the New England backfield, he could be a decent contrarian GPP option. He’s best used on sites that award a full-point for receptions. Lewis hasn’t had more than 14 touches in any of his last four games.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Austin Seferian-Jenkins returns to practice
ASJ returned to practice for the first time since injuring his shoulder back in Week 2. With both Vincent Jackson and Louis Murphy out of action, Seferian-Jenkins could slide right into a big role if he’s able to suit up in Week 8. ASJ totaled 7-139-2 through the first two games of the year, and would be in line for at least 6-7 targets against Atlanta if he takes the field. Given the fact that the Bucs are expected to be trailing later in the game, the Bucs will likely be forced to turn to a pass-happy approach.
As reported by: Roy Cummings on Twitter Antonio Gates' Week 8 status looking murky
Initially it looked like Gates wouldn’t miss more than the Charger’s Week 7 contest, but his outlook has not improved with extra rest. It’s looking unlikely that Gates will be able to suit up against the Ravens, which will leave the starting TE duties to Ladarius Green. Green saw a season-high 9 targets this past weekend, and finished with a 4-45-1 line against a Raiders defense that has been an absolute sieve to TEs this season. While Baltimore is much more stout against the position, expect a similar stat line for Green in Week 8. He’s a very solid DFS punt play in cash games or tournaments.
As reported by: Tom Krasovic on Twitter Josh McCown expected to start in Week 8
He’s not going to practice Wednesday, but McCown is expected to draw the start on Sunday. His match-up with an Arizona defense that leads the NFL in interceptions is far from ideal, so we’re not expecting McCown to produce much. He may benefit from a big volume of pass attempts if the Browns fall behind big early, but he’s not worth targeting in DFS on Sunday. The Arizona D/ST unit is among the top plays at the position this weekend, and would benefit even further if it turns out McCown isn’t healthy enough to play.
As reported by: Adam Caplan on Twitter Big Ben cautious on how knee will react Sunday
While he’s currently on track to start Sunday against the Bengals, it’s clear that Roethlisberger won’t be operating at 100%. It’s going to be tough to gauge how much the injury will hamper him in-game, but his presence will increase the appeal of Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant regardless. We’re certainly not recommending Big Ben as anything more than a dart-throw GPP play, and it’s probably best to take a wait and see approach with Roethlisberger until we see how his knee reacts.
As reported by: Gerry Dulac on Twitter Vincent Jackson expected to sit in Week 8
Not only did the Bucs lose Louis Murphy last week, but now it’s confirmed that Jackson’s in-game injury on Sunday will cause him to miss at least a game. That leaves Mike Evans as the unquestioned top target, and the lack of depth behind him is scary. Donteea Dye will likely end up playing opposite Evans, but we’d expect the Bucs to sign a WR in the next day or two. Evans should be a target monster on Sunday against a beatable Falcons secondary. The big question mark here is whether or not Evans will find himself shadowed by Desmond Trufant, who typically stays on one side of the field throughout the game. With Evans obviously being the Bucs top target in the passing game, the Falcons may shift coverage to allow Trufant to follow him around.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Jeremy Maclin practicing in full
After missing last Sunday’s game with a concussion, Maclin appears to be good to go this week in London. The Chiefs were able to get modest production out of their WRs and established the ground game for the first time since Jamaal Charles’ injury, but they’ll need Maclin healthy if they’re going to move the ball through the air with consistency. Maclin is a prime candidate for 8+ targets against a Detroit defense that has given up big stat lines to Stefon Diggs and Alshon Jeffrey in the past two weeks.
As reported by: Adam Teicher on Twitter Arian Foster officially placed on IR
What a tough blow for Foster and the Texans. Without him in the fold, the Texans will turn to a committee led by Alfred Blue and Chris Polk, with Jonathan Grimes also lurking behind them for work. Blue will see the majority of the carries, but Chris Polk should handle most of the passing down work and will also benefit when the Texans are playing catch-up (which should be happening often). Against a Tennessee defense that is very beatable on the ground, Blue is an intriguing punt play at $6,500 on FanDuel. The Texans will be able to hang with the equally inept Titans, which should allow the Texans the chance to roll out a balanced approach.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Christine Michael's Breakout Delayed?
Cowboys OC Scott Linehan said he isn’t anticipating any big changes to the Cowboys rushing attack, although he did note that Michael would see more touches this week. That isn’t exactly saying much considering Michael has just two touches all season. We’re still expecting Joseph Randle to lead the backfield with Darren McFadden handling passing down work, but expect Michael to spell Randle more frequently this week and moving forward.
As reported by: Brandon George on Twitter Antonio Gates Misses Thursday's Practice
We’re not worried about Gates’ Week 7 status at this point. He’s exploded in his first two games of 2015, averaging 9 catches on 13.5 targets, and has also seen an absurd 3.5 red-zone looks per game over that span. Oakland’s TE defense has been far and away the worst in the league. They’ve surrendered the most receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns per game to the position through six weeks. You’ll want to continue targeting the Raiders with opposing TEs throughout the season.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken on Twitter Stefon Diggs Expected to Start on Sunday
Even with Charles Johnson returning from an injury, Diggs is expected to remain a starter alongside Mike Wallace. Diggs’ price on DFS sites has still not caught up to his current role and production. He’s seen a combined 19 targets over his last two games, which he’s turned into 13 catches for 216 yards, and we can safely expect him to see at least 6-7 targets this Sunday even with Charles Johnson back in the fold. Johnson shouldn’t be much of a threat to Diggs’ playing time this week. Diggs isn’t a cash game staple, but he’s a solid GPP target if you need to go cheap at WR.
As reported by: St. Paul Pioneer Press Mariota very doubtful for Week 7
Marcus Mariota is dealing with a sprained MCL, and Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole is saying this could end up being a multi-week injury. Zach Mettenberger is the next man up in Tennessee and will almost certainly be under center this weekend against Atlanta. The match-up is solid, but Mettenberger still isn’t an attractive fantasy option despite being at or near minimum price across the industry. He may be a suitable cash game punt play at QB if the price is right, but he’s not viable beyond that. If you’re deciding between Mettenberger and Landry Jones, roll with the Steelers signal caller in a match-up with a porous Chiefs secondary.
As reported by: Bleacher Report Christine Michael Seeing Majority of 1st Team Reps?
According to Bryan Broaddus, Christine Michael saw the majority of the work with the 1st unit in today’s practice. It’s still early to speculate that he’ll see the majority of the work come Sunday, but this does bode well for chances of playing an important role against the Giants. Assuming Michael continues to see consistent work with the #1’s in practice, Joseph Randle is an easy fade this coming week. Michael is at or near minimum price across the industry, so keep a close eye on news surrounding him as the week moves along.
As reported by: @BryanBroaddus on Twitter