DFS Alerts
Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin to Start at WR
Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin will start for the 49’ers Week 1, according to their unofficial depth chart. Deebo Samuel should get snaps in 3 WR sets, but SF ran 3 WR sets at the lowest rate in the NFL last season, instead heavily using the fullback. Pettis had received criticism from coach Kyle Shanahan recently, but that appears to have just been a motivational technique.
As reported by: Chris Biderman Other tagged players: Marquise Goodwin, Deebo Samuel
D.K. Metcalf (Knee) Full Practice Participant, Starting Week 1
D.K. Metcalf practiced without restriction just 13 days after minor knee surgery and appears ready to go week 1. On the Seahawks first unofficial depth chart he is listed as a starter. He is one of the most physically gifted and explosive players in the league, running a 4.33 40-yard dash at 6’ 3”, and averaging 21.9 yards per reception his last season at Ole Miss. Having another weapon will help Russell Wilson, as the Seahawks WR core is not deep. Tyler Lockett should also benefit from having a weapon like Metcalf pulling some defensive attention away from him.
As reported by: Gregg Bell Other tagged players: Tyler Lockett, Russell Wilson Trey Burton to be a game-time decision Thursday night
Trey Burton to be a game-time decision Thursday night after getting in a limited practice on Tuesday. He’s still got about 48 hours to get right and take part in the Bears season opener, but there is a shot that the Bears treat Burton with caution given that he’s been dealing with groin issues since last season. His absence would open up some intriguing opportunity for Adam Shaheen, making Shaheen a potential value play in Thursday’s single-game contests. We’ll monitor this one through Thursday and we could have a clearer picture as soon as tomorrow.
As reported by: Kevin Fishbain Other tagged players: Adam Shaheen
Derrius Guice Named Week 1 Starter
Derrius Guice has been named the Redskins week 1 starter. The running back has worked his way back from a torn ACL suffered in August 2018. He was able to return for week 3 of the preseason, racking up 44 yards on 11 carries and 1 reception for 4 yards on his lone target. Guice had an elite combination of size and speed coming out of college, running a 4.49 at 225 pounds. Coach Jay Gruden said earlier this week the rush attack will run through Guice, and that he can see Guice being a three-down back at some point. Adrian Peterson will still have a role in the offense, but Guice is in position to be the lead back if he performs.
As reported by: Les Carpenter Other tagged players: Adrian Peterson
Cameron Brate Returns to Practice
Brate returned to practice Tuesday, although his official injury designation won’t be released until tomorrow. O.J. Howard is the clear number 1 TE for the Bucs, but Brate was a frequent red zone target last season. He averaged barely 3 targets per game but finished with 6 touchdowns. If Brate is healthy he is a very risky DFS play while taking some value away from Howard.
As reported by: Greg Auman Other tagged players: O.J. Howard Third-Year WR Could Break Out in Game with High Point Total
The preseason reports on Curtis Samuel have been glowing to say the least, and the Panthers third-year WR is looking at an increased share of the passing game with Devin Funchess out of the picture. Samuel should step into the starting role and this week gets a home game against the Rams in the game with the second-highest Vegas point total (50.5) on the slate. With a healthier Cam Newton under center, Samuel should have no issue exceeding his 39 receptions and 494 receiving yards from last season.
Late Retirement Thrusts Back-up QB Into Starting Role
Andrew Luck’s shocking retirement puts Jacoby Brissett into the starting role in Indianapolis, and with the timing of the retirement so close to the start of the season, DFS prices for week 1 have already been set with Brissett priced as a back-up. Brissett may not have the passing ability of a healthy Luck, but this is a capable QB who has two 300-yard passing games on his resume already. The Colts face a Chargers team in Los Angeles that will be without safety Derwin James, increasing the chances that Brissett can put up a solid score at a rock-bottom price.
Great Matchup with Massive Upside
These 49ers make for a very interesting GPP stack this week, as the public seems to be leaning more towards the opposite side of this matchup with the Buccaneers, and rightfully so. However, this gives us an opportunity to get low owned players such as Dante Pettis in great matchups with massive upside. The total in this game is just shy of 50, and Vegas is giving the 49ers an implied total of 24.5, which shows the upside of a potential game stack here. Pettis is my favorite guy to roll with from the 49ers; he is coming into the season as the #1 WR for a team in which I expect to have a very good offense this season with Jimmy Garoppolo returning to action. Despite being a rookie, Pettis showed signs of extreme talent. Last season, Pettis lead the league in average separation on routes ran, he produced an average Air Yards of 10.1 per catch and an aDOT of 12.2. I fully expect Pettis to find himself in an increased workload this season, and especially this week in what should be a shootout against Tampa Bay.
Low-Owned WR Target
Stefon Diggs is coming off of a 2018 season in which he was a top 12 WR for fantasy, and he looks to be in line to continue in that direction in 2019 as he gets a great Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. This game is projected to be one of the highest on the slate (47.5 o/u) as the Vikings have been given an implied total of 25.5 this week. In 2018, the Falcons were 26th in the NFL in terms of fantasy points vs. WRs, allowing the 4th-most TDs through the air (33) as well as the 6th most passing yards. Last season Diggs was a vital part of the Vikings offense, controlling a 26% target share, playing 95% of snaps, and seeing just under 10 targets a game. This game appears to be one of the higher scoring games that is really not being targeted in DFS for Week 1.
Target This Workhorse RB
We hardly saw Fournette last season, but when he did, we saw a lot of good things from the LSU product, as he scored a TD in every game with at least 15 carries in the 2018 campaign. Jacksonville looks to have an improved offense this year with expected upgrades at QB and in their play-calling. Leonard Fournette looks to be in a great spot here this week, with a very beatable and high scoring matchup to open the season. Last season, Kansas City allowed 132.1 yards per game on the ground (6th most in the NFL), as well as 19 rushing TDs (3rd most in the NFL). Kansas City did not do a whole not to improve their running defense this year. Hopefully it’s safe to assume Fournette will be fully healthy and prepared for the season opener, and the Jags will continue to lean on the running game and their starting RB. Fournette is a top target for me this week, especially when he should get much less ownership than Dalvin Cook at nearly the same price.
Greg Zuerlein (foot) will be ready to go Sunday
Rams coach Sean McVay reiterated today that he expects K Greg Zuerlein (foot) will be ready to go Sunday. He makes for a great option in you Showdown cash games for Super Bowl Sunday.
As reported by: Tom Pelissero
Antonio Brown not a Lock to be Traded
According to Ian Rapoport , the Steelers have not given Brown permission to facilitate a trade although Brown said he would like a fresh start somewhere else. This will be one of the most interesting story lines in the offseason. Brown is a dynamic fantasy wide receiver and could flip the DFS/Best Ball worlld upside down depending on where he lands.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Twitter CJ Anderson Does Not Practice
CJ Anderson missed practice Thursday with an illness. He should be fine to suit up and play in the Super Bowl. He is an intriguing piece to the massive Super Bowl Showdown slate next Sunday. He has received the bulk of the work in this backfield for several games now.
As reported by: Pro Football Talk Jimmy Garoppolo Should be Ready for Camp
Jimmy Garoppolo was recently throwing passes and should be ready to roll for OTA’s according to GM John Lynch in a recent radio interview. His return would be a major boost to the offense and he is in play as a late round pick in best ball drafts for 2019.
Todd Gurley Claims to be Healthy
One of the bigger decisions in the Super Bowl Showdown slates coming up is to determine if Todd Gurley is healthy or injured. Gurley said post game he was healthy and didn’t play much because he was playing poorly. While that cannot be disputed, he was also shown riding the stationary bike for much of the 2nd half, indicating there was a possible health issue. We should learn more closer to the big game, but this Showdown slate could hinge on Todd Gurley or CJ Anderson as your choice to lead the Rams backfield versus the Patriots
As reported by: ESPN