DFS Alerts

Patriots TE Matt LaCosse and FB James Develin Inactive

LaCosse hasn’t been much of a factor in the passing game, and we won’t have to worry about James Develin vulturing any touchdowns on the ground.

Ravens TE Mark Andrews (Foot) is Active Against Chiefs

Andrews reportedly looked injured pregame, but is active in a potential shootout against the Chiefs.

Patriots RB James White (Personal) Out Today Vs. Jets

White will miss today’s game because his wife is giving birth. His 39% snap share will be divided among RBs Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and possibly Damien Harris, with Burkhead being the biggest beneficiary. All are interesting GPP options today vs. the Jets with game script likely in their favor; the Patriots are favored by a ridiculous 23 points.

QB Teddy Bridgewater to Start for Saints

As expected, Bridgewater will lead the Saints offense today, while packages for fellow QB Taysom Hill will be “sprinkled” in. Bridgewater faces a Seattle defense that ranks 13th in pass DVOA, but gave up 418 yards at home to Andy Dalton and the Bengals in Week 1. Bridgewater is appropriately priced, but WR Michael Thomas and RB Alvin Kamara are not cheap – the industry priced them as if QB Drew Brees would be playing. As a result, their projected ownership is greatly suppressed, making them fine GPP targets in Seattle.

Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery (Calf) Unlikely to Play, TE Dallas Goedert (Calf) a Game-Time Decision

Jeffrey is not expected to take the field vs. the Lions, while Goedert could end up suiting up. If he does, the second-string TE makes for an interesting GPP target with DeSean Jackson and Jeffrey’s targets available for other pass catchers.

WR Nelson Agholor is an elite play in all formats at only $3,600 on DK and $4,800 on FanDuel. WRs JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Mack Hollins, and Greg Ward merit GPP consideration as well, though the passing volume for the Eagles offense is difficult to project for today’s matchup.

Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny (Hamstring) Unlikely to Play Vs. Saints

There were concerns that starting RB Chris Carson would cede more work to Penny after the second-year back impressed in Week 2 and Carson had fumbling issues. With Penny out, Carson becomes a surefire RB1 on today’s slate and a phenomenal play in all formats across the industry.

Today’s RB snaps vs. the Saints, who rank dead-last in rush DVOA on defense, will go mostly to Carson, while C.J. Prosise and Travis Homer will mix in.

Ravens TE Mark Andrews (Foot) Expected to Play Against Chiefs

Andrews, who is officially questionable for today’s showdown in Kansas City, is one of the top TE plays on the slate if he suits up. Although he doesn’t see as high of a snap count as other elite TEs, Andrews runs routes on most of his snaps and is projected a 22% target share today. Andrews already has consecutive 100-yard games with a touchdown to open 2019 and makes for a premiere game-stacking option today in what may be a shootout in Kansas City.

Texans LT Laremy Tunsil (Ankle) Expected to Play Today

Tunsil and his fellow linemen will try to stop the Los Angeles Chargers from adding to Deshaun Watson’s league-leading 10 sacks in 2019.

Chiefs RB LeSean McCoy (Ankle) Likely to Play Despite Being Game-Time Decision

McCoy is reportedly set to see a “significant role” with starting RB Damien Williams out vs. the Ravens. Although RBs Darwin Thompson and Darrel Williams should be in the mix, McCoy in viable in all formats and is a great point-per-dollar option in a game that could see more rushing than usual due to weather concerns at Arrowhead. This contest still boasts the highest total of any game in Week 3 at the moment, and while the Ravens defense is potentially elite, it is important to keep in mind their first two games were against the Dolphins and Cardinals. McCoy and the Chiefs will provide a true test this afternoon.

Colts WR T.Y. Hilton (Quadricep) and RB Marlon Mack (Calf) are Game-Time Decisions, Optimism Both Will Play

Hilton has been questionable on a frequent basis throughout his career recently, so it was always likely he would take the field vs. the Falcons. The speedster dominates his team in air yards and targets, and we all know he tends to excel at home in the dome. Projected for a 25% targets share against a Falcons defense that ranks 9th in pass DVOA, Hilton makes for a fine GPP play today.

On the other side of the coin, Mack is a fine play in all formats and is one of the top point-per-dollar options on the main slate. The Falcons are 30th in run DVOA through two games, and the Colts have one of the best offensive lines in the league. Mack isn’t very involved in the passing game, but has seen 45 carries and 72% of the snaps in 2019. His ownership could also be suppressed due to reports he was seen with a walking boot earlier this week (holding a walking boot, not wearing one). Fire up Mack in a fantastic matchup if he is active.

Browns CB Denzel Ward (Hamstring) Unlikely to Play Sunday, CB Greedy Williams Also Questionable

The Browns defense, which boasts being first in pressure rate, sack rate, and 8th in pass DVOA, will be without one of its best playmakers for SNF vs. the defending NFC Champions.

While the Rams pass-catching trio are arguably the hardest to project for targets in the NFL, WR Brandin Cooks clearly sees the most benefit from Ward’s absence. Cooks, Kupp, and Woods all see slight upgrades and are viable options for Showdown contests, primetime hammers, and the Fantasy Draft main slate.

Rashaad Penny unlikely to play Sunday

Rashaad Penny is unlikely to play Sunday, setting Chris Carson up for an even bigger slice of the pie against Pittsburgh. Despite issues holding onto the football so far, Carson is a fine play in any format as a home favorite with what should be bell-cow usage and increased passing game work. CJ Prosise and potentially Travis Homer figure to spell Carson, with Prosise working in more on passing downs.

Schefter's Late Night Alert: Alshon Jeffery unlikely to play, Goedert's status to be decided in the morning; Mark Andrews is "50-50"

Go to bed Adam. With Jeffery unlikely to go, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s role should be solidified, as he has been Jeffery’s direct back-up to date. Mack Hollins still figures to play more of the DeSean Jackson role, giving both respectable ceilings as low-cost DFS plays. Nelson Agholor is the safest cash game target among the wideouts and figures to gain plenty of traction in tournaments as well. Zach Ertz is a fine high-end option at TE in any format, regardless of Goedert’s status. As for Mark Andrews, his potential absence puts Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle into the conversation as minimum-priced punt plays on an offense that is more than willing to utilizes tight ends in the passing game. Andrews has been Lamar Jackson’s most reliable target to date, and if he were to sit it would help to raise Marquise Brown’s floor and (already sky high) ceiling by a slight margin.

Chargers Downgrade K Michael Badgley to Doubtful for Sunday

Punter Ty Long will likely handle kicking duties as well for a third straight week.

Redskins TE Jordan Reed Out for Monday Night’s Game Vs. Chicago

No surprises here as Reed (concussion) seemed unlikely to play all week. Backup TE Vernon Davis, who has caught eight of his 11 targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in 2019, is projected to see a 14% target share vs. the stingy Bears defense.

Davis is appropriately priced across the industry, but remains in play for SNF-MNF hammers and Showdown contests. With the lack of a top-tier TE in this two-game slate and QB Case Keenum averaging over 40 pass attempts per game, Davis could see decent volume in a game Vegas expects the Redskins to be trailing in.