DFS Alerts
Russell Shepard (Foot) Out, Bennie Fowler (Hamstring) Limited, Cody Latimer (Concussion) Full in Practice Thursday
Shepard missed his second consecutive practice, putting his Week 4 status in doubt. Fowler was limited again and has a good chance to play. Latimer is a full participant in practice but still needs to clear the concussion protocol, something he will attempt to do Friday. If he passes, he will play this week.
As reported by: Dan Salomone Other tagged players: Bennie Fowler, Cody Latimer
Corey Clement (Shoulder) Expected to Play Tonight
Clement is expected to play for the Eagles against the Packers. He is purely a return man so far this season, with his 3 offensive snaps Week 1 his only of the season.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Damien Williams (Knee) Misses Practice Again, Likely Out Week 4
Williams appears headed towards missing his second consecutive game after sitting out practice Thursday. He also sat out practice Wednesday, and the Chiefs have three other viable running backs, leaving little need for them to rush Williams back.
As reported by: Adam Teicher Chris Godwin (Hip) Not Practicing Thursday
Godwin was not practicing again Thursday, and he is looking like a game-time decision this week. His status for practice tomorrow will be an important indicator of his availability.
As reported by: Greg Auman Rashard Higgins (Knee) Not Practicing Thursday
Higgins has missed the last two games, but he was also able to practice in a limited capacity previously. He may have had a set back with his injury, and we should get an update later today.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich Amari Cooper (Ankle) Limited Thursday, MRI Negative
Cooper injured his right ankle in practice Wednesday and had to get an MRI. It came back negative, and he was limited in practice Thursday. He is expected to play this weekend, but his status will need to be monitored.
As reported by: Jori Epstein No Surgery Recommended for Saquon Barkley (Ankle), Recovery Window Remains 4-8 Weeks
Barkley got a second opinion from a specialist and surgery was not recommended. Instead, he will rehab the ankle and his expected window to return hasn’t changed. The Giants have their bye Week 11, meaning he could return for the final 6 games even if the Giants are cautious with his return.
As reported by: Art Stapleton All The Opportunity
Christian Kirk has had 32 targets in his first three games, but while they have had success in the short passing game, the Cardinals are still in need of big plays. Kirk is the one guy on the team who I think has the ability to get behind a defense, and this is a good matchup against a weak Seattle secondary. He is already getting a boatload of targets and he is very affordable on all sites.
Top WR In A Great Spot
Julio Jones has 30 targets and 4 touchdowns in his first 3 games, and this week gets a great matchup against a Tennessee secondary that can get beat deep. Julio can obviously beat any defense, but this is the perfect matchup at home, where Matt Ryan is much more comfortable. Look for them to continue to feed Julio, and I think there could be some big plays made in the passing game.
Top Play Even With The Tough Matchup
Dalvin Cook is someone that I will be all over this week, even in the tough matchup against the Bears. Cook has three straight 100 yard rushing performances with 4 rushing touchdowns this season. Another thing that is promising is his targets in the passing game. They are not huge but have increased each game, and hopefully in a closer matchup they may need to utilize him even more in the passing game. One of the only ways to slow down a strong pass rush is to run right at them, so look for them to run right at the edge rushers in Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd to try and slow them down.
Don't Get Off This RB's Hype Train Just Yet
Dalvin Cook has arguably been the most impressive RB so far this season, and has been one of the highest owned players in the 2019 season from a DFS perspective. However, in Week 4, it appears everyone is falling off the Cook Train due to the matchup against the Bears. While it is a difficult matchup, the usage and role that Cook has, paired with his talent, makes him an undeniably matchup proof RB. Cook is averaging 6.6 YPC this year and has seen nearly 20 carries a game. Even more impressive, Cook is a massive part of the passing game as well so he is also game-script proof as he has seen 27% of the teams targets so far this year. Cook might not have the best matchup, but keep in mind the Bears have three of their interior defensive lineman listed as questionable, including their best run stopper Akiem Hicks. Regardless of matchup, Cook is an elite GPP play week in and week out thanks to his massive usage in this run heavy offense.
One Last Chance For This RB?
The price on Todd Gurley has entirely plummeted, and for good reason. However, this may be the perfect buy-low spot for the former RB1. Gurley is now priced at 6.8k on FD and 7k on DK. While he is not getting the same kind of usage we saw him over the last two seasons, he is still playing 70% of snaps this year. One main issue is his target share being so low when compared to previous seasons, as it sits at just 9%. He still accounts for 51% of the teams rushing market share, and 33% of the teams total opportunities so far this year. People feel very uneasy about Gurley this year, and rightfully so, however at this price and in this game where the Rams have been given a 30.25 implied total. If there was ever a time to give Gurley one last shot, its at this price and in a game where the Rams are 10 point favorites.
Expect Monster Season to Continue in Week 4 for This WR
Lockett has been amongst the elite in many categories so far this season, and now he gets arguable the best matchup against the Cardinals in Week 4. The Cardinals play at an extremely fast pace, allowing the opposing team to see a high than usual volume of plays, which is an obvious benefit. Lockett is already one of the more efficient WRs in the league, so adding to his volume will only add to his upside in a great matchup against the Cardinals who are still without Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford. Lockett’s usage has been elite so far this season, as he is seeing 27% of the teams targets and 31% of the Seahawks’ air yards. Last week, he saw 14 targets for 11 catches, 154 yards and a TD. Lockett is in the top 10 of air yards amongst WRs, and inside the top 15 in terms of targets. This is a recipe for success, and with the run game in the potential “dog house” thanks to Chris Carson’s fumbling issues and Rashaad Penny’s injury, Lockett and this Seahawks offense appears to be in an incredible spot in Week 4.
Elite WR in Underrated Spot
Beckham and the Browns travel to Baltimore to take on the division foe, Ravens. The Browns are coming off a Sunday Night performance that led to lots of criticism and now get an underrated matchup in the Ravens. This Ravens secondary is beat up with injuries to Tavon Young and Jimmy Smith, and have been very beatable so far this year. The Ravens have allowed nearly 16 yards per reception a game to the tune of 216 YPG. I expect Beckham to go extremely overlooked with all of the other elite options on the slate at WR. In the first three games, OBJ has controlled 28% of the teams targets. Pairing his high usage with his 100+ air yards per game and 10.3 aDOT, I expect a big game here from Beckham.
Breshad Perriman (Quad) Limited, Chris Godwin (Hip) Does Not Practice
Neither player missed Week 3, so there remains a good chance both can play. Monitor their statuses as the week progresses.
As reported by: Eddie Encina Other tagged players: Breshad Perriman