DFS Alerts
Pay Up At Tight End
Travis Kelce has the potential to be a slate-breaking option on this short slate. He ranked EIGHTH in the league in targets this year, and that’s not eighth among tight ends. That’s eighth in the league, period — ahead of the likes of Michael Thomas and Keenan Allen. In addition, the Chiefs draw a matchup against a Colts squad that ranked a meager 29th in the league in DVOA against tight ends this year. There’s 9/125/2 potential here, and that would make Kelce a pre-requisite in order to compete in GPPs on this slate. However you slice it, Kansas City exposure is a necessity with their 31 point implied team total.
Rising Out Of A Three-Man Committee
It has come out of seemingly nowhere, but Darren Sproles is slowly becoming the lead back in this three-man committee in Philadelphia. Josh Adams has disappeared, and Wendell Smallwood has been largely ineffective. Now, it’s not that Sproles has been any better, but it’s no surprise that he couldn’t find much sledding against a difficult Bears defense a week ago. The good news is that he dominated the snaps and logged 15 total touches in that game, and his skill-set should play much better in a more open game against the Saints… his former team. Revenge narrative for the win!
Boom Potential On A Short Slate
If this Colts/Chiefs game stays competitive, we could see a wide open throttle from both teams. We know the Colts love to sling the ball the moment they fall behind, and the Chiefs obviously have elite weapons at quarterback, receiver, and tight end. We should see a lot more offense this weekend than we did in the wild card round, and this game is particularly intriguing with the skill players each team has offensively. Hill will be one of my top priorities in GPP formats, as he has the ability to take a 75 yard pass to the house at any time. After being quiet for a while, he showed his upside in the first half of the Week 17 game against the Raiders, and I suspect we will see more of that potential in the playoffs.
Other tagged players: Patrick Mahomes Sneaky Value That's Great For GPP Formats
Even though Melvin Gordon returned to last week’s Wild Card game against the Ravens, he was largely ineffective, rushing for just 40 yards on 17 carries in the Chargers’ upset win. Austin Ekeler really any better than Gordon, but it’s worth noting that Ekeler touched the ball 15 times and played on more offensive snaps than Gordon. This should be a more wide open game against a Patriots defense that often struggles in the short to intermediate passing game. I expect Ekeler to be a sneaky DFS option this weekend.
WR Sammy Watkins (foot) and RB Spencer Ware (hamstring) return to practice Tuesday
The Chiefs’ preferred WR2 hasn’t practiced in over a month and is sure to be limited but his return in any capacity gives him a reasonable chance to suit up for Saturday’s divisional round where he figures to play in 3-WR sets, at the least, if healthy. His practice participation as the week moves along should be monitored to determine whether he’ll be a viable DFS play or if fellow wideouts Chris Conley and DeMarcus Robinson will remain factors for this weekend’s playoff slate. Ware seems to be on track to play after a month layoff as well due to a hamstring injury. His role remains up in the air after Damien Williams excelled as the Chiefs’ lead back in his absence. One scenario, would be an even timeshare between the two backs with Ware seeing more of the early down work.
As reported by: Brooke Pryor Other tagged players: Spencer Ware
WR Cole Beasley (ankle) and TE Blake Jarwin (ankle) unlikely to practice Tuesday; WR Tavon Austin (groin) expected to be limited
Despite today’s practice report, Jerry Jones shared he was “very positive” about both wideouts playing Saturday. Additionally, Jarwin is reported to be feeling better, though the trio will need to be monitored later in the week as Jones can be overly optimistic about his players’ capabilities. With Allen Hurns hitting IR today, each of them could move up in the receiving pecking order, particularly Beasley, in a game where more should be asked of the Cowboys’ passing game given that they’re a touchdown underdog in a game with a 50-point total.
As reported by: David Helman Other tagged players: Blake Jarwin, Tavon Austin Air Raid Guru Kliff Kingsbury Interviews for Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Job
Former Texas Tech Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury is interviewing for the Arizona Cardinals job today. Wherever he lands will instantly become an offense infused with enthusiasm and fantasy friendliness.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Twitter
Chargers officially activate TE Hunter Henry (ACL) for Divisional Round
Despite the activation, Henry is coming off of an ACL tear just 7 months ago and hasn’t played this season making it likely he sees only a small percentage of snaps in Sunday’s divisional round game at New England. Antonio Gates and Virgil Green should continue to split the majority of the workload though Henry’s presence for even a handful of snaps should provide a small boost to the Chargers’ offense as he has loads more pass-catching and play-making ability than Green and Gates at his age, potentially requiring some extra defensive attention from the Patriots.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Antonio Gates WR Mike Wallace (leg) is still day-to-day
The veteran speedster is unlikely to be available for Sunday’s divisional round game at New Orleans after recently coming of injured reserve. Alshon Jeffery, Golden Tate, and Nelson Agholor will round out 3-WR sets in a game where they will likely be forced to throw early and often.
As reported by: Jeff McLane Cole Beasley Questionable
Cole Beasley is doing a little better today according to coach Jason Garrett and his status for this weeks playoff game in uncertain. The Cowboys lost Allen Hurns on Saturday night and a Beasley injury would open a path to a cheaper WR getting extra snaps for DFS purposes. We will know more as the week goes on.
As reported by: Brandon George Twitte Trey Burton inactive on Sunday
Trey Burton was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday and won’t play today vs The Eagles. If you are in need of a late swap Both Adam Shaheen and Dallas Goedert can be subbed in for Burton. Shaheen is more of a pure dart play than Goedert since The Bears offense has shown the propensity to spread the ball around. Even though Goedert is not the clear-cut number one option for the Eagles he has seen three or more targets in his last seven starts and appears to be a player that The Eagles make an attempt to work into the offense.
Other tagged players: Adam Shaheen, Dallas Goedert
Austin Ekeler will play today vs The Ravens
Austin Ekeler was set to test out his injured groin in pre-game workouts today. According to Adam Schefter, the pre-game workout went well and Ekeler will play today vs The Ravens. Ekeler will continue to back up Melvin Gordan and will see his normal amount of action in the offense.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Twitter
Hunter Henry (knee) won't play Sunday
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com is reporting that the Chargers won’t activate Henry from the PUP list on Saturday, which effectively rules him of Sunday’s Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens due to a torn ACL that’s kept him sidelined since OTA’s this past spring. Even if Henry was active, head coach Anthony Lynn had already confirmed that he would have been subject to a strict pitch count, though the exact number of snaps was not disclosed. In Henry’s absence, Antonio Gates and Virgil Green will continue to be the primary tight ends in one and two-tight end sets.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter
T.Y. Hilton (ankle) and Dontrelle Inman (shoulder, finger) active Saturday
Hilton will be active for Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Texans after previously being listed as questionable on the Colts’ injury report due to an ankle injury that’s hampered him for the last several weeks, while Inman is also active despite dealing with his respective ailments. Even though he was held out of practice all week, Hilton was always expected to play in today’s contest, and he has absolutely dominated the Texans this season, posting a 13-314-0 line on 18 targets in two games this season. As for Inman, he is second among Colts wide receivers in snaps the last six weeks, so he’ll remain in consideration as a contrarian option in tournaments, though Hilton and Eric Ebron clearly remain Andrew Luck’s preferred targets.
As reported by: the Indianapolis Colts via Twitter Other tagged players: Dontrelle Inman Keke Coutee (hamstring) active Saturday
Coutee will be active for Saturday’s Wild Card matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, after previously being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury that had forced him to miss five consecutive weeks. Despite such a long absence, Coutee is trending towards being a popular option in daily fantasy formats this afternoon, so he makes for an interesting fade candidate considering the potential risk of re-injury and how well the Colts have defended slot wide receivers this season. Vyncint Smith appears likely to be the wide receiver opposite DeAndre Hopkins in three-wide sets with DeAndre Carter backing up Coutee in the slot, which makes Smith an intriguing leverage play in Texans stacks or as a low-owned one-off punt.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter