DFS Alerts
Internal Debate
After much internal debate I decided to go ahead and list Jaylen Samuels as a core play this week. While I think there are serious concerns over the amount of carries Samuels will actually get – I don’t think he’ll be used as a workhorse – Samuels involvement as a receiver gives him a high enough floor in a favorable matchup where he should be considered a core play for his price. I still hold the opinion that Samuels makes for an ok fade in GPPs but I can’t imagine constructing a cash game lineup without Samuels in it.
Stefon Diggs (knee) will play Monday night
Diggs finally put in a full practice on Saturday and has been removed from the Vikings’ final injury report for Monday night’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks after being a limited participant the first two days due to a knee injury. Despite nearly missing last Sunday’s game with knee swelling, Diggs didn’t appear to be too hampered by the injury, and he’ll set up as a strong option in showdown formats against the Seahawks outside cornerbacks Tre Flowers and Shaquill Griffin, both of whom have largely struggled in coverage this season.
As reported by: Courtney Cronin via Twitter
Odell Beckham (quad) ruled out for Sunday
Beckham popped up on the Giants’ injury report as a limited participant in practice, and he’s now officially been ruled out Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Redskins due to a quad injury, despite head coach Pat Shurmur insisting to the media that Beckham would be fine to play. Beckham’s absence frees up 28.5% of target share in the Giants offense, which should provide Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Saquon Barkley in an increase in opportunity through the air. For reference, Shepard and Engram both saw 21% of Eli Manning’s targets when Beckham missed time last season, making them interesting tournament targets on Week 14 slates, though Engram has been losing snaps to Rhett Ellison at tight end since his return from injury.
As reported by: Art Stapleton via Twitter Preferred Value Option at Wide Receiver
DeSean Jackson has been declared out again for the Bucs which means it’s time for Chris Godwin to eat. DeSean Jackson has missed three games over the last two seasons and Chris Godwin’s lines in those games: 3-98-0, 7-111-1, 5-101-1. If the Saints use Marshon Lattimore to shadow Mike Evans that could open up some nice looks for Chris Godwin against Eli Apple who has struggled mightily at times this season and has given up 15 receptions on 20 targets over the last two weeks for 189 yards. Godwin is my preferred value option at the wide receiver position this week.
Keke Coutee questionable for Sunday
Keke Coutee is questionable for Sunday, which is no surprise after Bill O’Brien said earlier today that Coutee’s status won’t be determined until Sunday. We’ll continue to update you on his developments. DeAndre Hopkins will play Sunday, as expected, and should once again be the clear-cut target leader on the HOU side.
Other tagged players: DeAndre Hopkins
Danny Amendola questionable for Sunday
Danny Amendola is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Patriots. He missed last weekend which afforded both DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills the opportunity for extra work, and both actually ended up finding the end-zone despite less-than-stellar yardage totals. If Amendola misses again here, the two are on the GPP radar as punt play options at WR, although neither are anywhere near the cash game radar.
Other tagged players: Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker Pierre Garçon (knee) out Sunday
Garcon was a limited participant in practice this week, but he won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos due to a knee injury, while Marquise Goodwin is expected to play following a one-game absence as he dealt with a personal matter. The viability of Dante Pettis for daily fantasy formats in Week 14 is on the rise with Garcon unavailable, as Pettis emerged as Nick Mullens’ second favorite target behind George Kittle over the last two weeks and racked up a 9-206-3 line on 14 targets over that span.
As reported by: Eric Branch via Twitter DeSean Jackson (thumb) officially out Sunday
Jackson has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints after not practicing all week with a thumb injury that’s now kept him sidelined for two consecutive games. This means that Chris Godwin will be a phenomenal option for daily fantasy formats once again following his breakout performance in last Sunday’s win. He’ll be joined in three-wide receiver sets by Mike Evans and Adam Humphries, and all three are in a fantastic spot versus a Saints defense that has surrendered the fifth-highest completion percentage on passes thrown at least 15 yards downfield, though weather concerns have dropped this game’s total nearly four full points since opening.
As reported by: Jenna Laine via Twitter Michael Gallup (illness) expected to play Sunday; Cole Beasley (foot) will play
Gallup is a surprise addition to the Cowboys’ injury report but is expected to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles despite being listed as questionable due to illness, while Cole Beasley will play, as expected. Gallup and Amari Cooper find themselves in a tremendous position to take advantage of a porous and decimated Eagles secondary that is projected to start Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, and Cre’Von LeBlanc, all of whom rank 90th or worse in PFF’s cornerback rankings.
As reported by: Jon Machota via Twitter Other tagged players: Cole Beasley Melvin Gordon (knee) officially out Sunday
Gordon has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals after not practicing all week due to a knee injury that’s now kept him sidelined for two consecutive games. There’s a chance Gordon can return in Week 15, but Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson are expected to form a two-running back committee in the meantime with Ekeler working as the marginal lead back. Even though Ekeler carries more value in full PPR formats, Jackson sets up as an interest tournament pivot given the possibility he overtakes Ekeler in terms of snap share and touches following his impressive fourth-quarter performance in last Sunday night’s win.
As reported by: Ricky Henne via Twitter Kerryon Johnson (knee) out Sunday; Bruce Ellington (back) and Michael Roberts (shoulder) questionable
Johnson has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals after not practicing the entire week due to a knee injury, while Bruce Ellington and Michael Roberts are listed as questionable with their respective ailments and Kenny Golladay will play despite being limited in practice the last two days. This news will allow LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick to continue monopolizing the Lions’ newly-formed two-running back committee, though both are relatively touchdown dependent given the ineptitude of the Lions slow-paced offense.
As reported by: Mike Jurecki via Twitter Other tagged players: Bruce Ellington, Michael Roberts Doug Martin (knee) and Seth Roberts (concussion) questionable for Sunday
Martin is officially listed as questionable on the Raiders’ injury report for Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a knee injury, while Seth Roberts remains in the concussion protocol and will need to be cleared before returning to game action. The uncertainty surrounding Martin’s availability makes the signing of C.J. Anderson make all that more logical, but with the Raiders presently 11-point home underdogs, Jalen Richard remains the preferred fantasy option of the trio since he’s averaged just under six targets per game this season.
As reported by: Matt Schneidman via Twitter Other tagged players: Seth Roberts Melvin Gordon (knee) not practicing again Friday
The Chargers’ RB1 appears doubtful for Sunday after not practicing all week. Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson will split the backfield work in a phenomenal matchup against a Bengals bottom-tier run defense where the Chargers come in as two-touchdown favorites, potentially making both usable at their price points, particularly Jackson.
As reported by: Eric Williams Other tagged players: Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson
QB Mitch Trubisky (shoulder) will start Sunday
The Bears QB1 saw his usual reps this week in practice and will return for Sunday’s night’s conference showdown with the Rams. However, he’ll be facing one the league’s best pass-rushes and the team may look to limit his running a bit in order to avoid risk of re-injury so fantasy expectations may need to be tempered. The Bears come in as 3-point underdogs for SNF.
As reported by: J.J. Stankevitz WR Kelvin Benjamin not expected to be active for Chiefs in Week 14
With Sammy Watkins also now expected to miss 4-6 weeks, Chris Conley should again see a meaningful role again on Sunday as the Chiefs’ WR2. Conley has 3 touchdowns over the past three weeks, though he faces a challenging matchup on Sunday against a Ravens secondary ranked in the top 5 in pass defense DVOA.
As reported by: Brooke Pryor Other tagged players: Chris Conley