DFS Alerts
TNF Update: Gronk, Edelman and Josh Gordon are officially active for TNF; Jack Doyle, TY Hilton, Marlon Mack inactive for IND
The Patriots will have Rob Gronkowski and Josh Gordon active, with Julian Edelman also returning to the lineup after his suspension. The receiving corps is a little more crowded with Edelman around, but Gronk should still get his. James White’s role may drop off some as a receiver, but he’s still one of only two active backs on the Patriots roster, so I’d still expect a 40% snap rate at least with upside for something in the neighborhood of 12 touches, most of which figure to be receptions. Sony Michel should head the backfield this evening and sets up as a perfectly suitable mid-range target across all formats. For Indy, they’ll be without Jack Doyle yet again which will lead to Eric Ebron continuing to play a hefty snap total, and he’s seen double-digit targets in each of the two games Doyle has missed. With Hilton out, Chester Rogers and Ryan Grant will see their target shares grow, with Zach Pascal being the sneakier option of the three. He saw 10 targets last week and could see 6-10 again here, especially with the Colts expected to be trailing. The Colts backfield is even more of a mess with Robert Turbin back, but Turbin is on the DFS radar for Showdown slates considering his salary and the chance that he eats more heavily into the workload than we think. Nyheim Hines is the top play among the Colts backs, but none of them are safe.
Other tagged players: Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Jack Doyle, Eric Ebron, Chester Rogers, Ryan Grant, Marlon Mack, Robert Turbin, Zach Pascal, Nyheim Miller-Hines, Jordan Wilkins
Sammy Watkins (hamstring) limited again Thursday
Sammy Watkins was limited again in practice Thursday due to the hamstring injury that forced an early exit from the Chiefs Monday night game against the Broncos. Pay attention to Watkins’ practice status tomorrow, as he seems truly questionable at this point for week 5.
Travis Benjamin (foot) expected to miss 2-3 weeks
Travis Benjamin is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a foot injury. Look for the Chargers to continue to rely on Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Tyrell Williams in his absence.
Patriots release RB Kenjon Barner
The Patriots have released running back Kenjon Barner, making a traditionally convoluted backfield fairly straightforward for the time being. Barner’s release combined with both Jeremy Hill and Rex Burkhead being on IR means the backfield is down to Sony Michel and James White, who both are now guaranteed heavy usage in this Pats offense. Both are in a great spot Thursday night against a banged-up Colts team, where the Pats are heavy favorites and should be running the ball often.
Ted Ginn (knee) not practicing Thursday
Ted Ginn did not practice Thursday due to a knee injury. If Ginn were to miss this weekend that may funnel a few more targets to the likes of Cam Meredith and Ben Watson. Keep an eye on his status at practice tomorrow to get a better read on his potential availability for the Saints’ MNF matchup against the Redskins.
Jimmy Graham (knee) limited in practice Thursday
Jimmy Graham was limited in practice Thursday due to a knee injury. Graham’s limited practice was a step ahead of most of the Packers receiving corps, with Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison all missing practice Thursday. If multiple of those receivers can’t go Sunday, look for Graham to have an increased target share against the Lions.
Will Fuller (hamstring) limited in practice Thursday, plans to play Sunday barring setback
Will Fuller logged a limited practice Thursday due to the hamstring injury he sustained week 4. That said, when asked after practice if he would suit up barring setback for their Sunday night game against the Cowboys, Fuller responded “yeah, definitely”. Assuming he can take the field, Fuller will continue to be a target-magnet due to his rapport with QB Deshaun Watson.
Lamar Miller (chest) limited in practice Thursday
Lamar Miller logged a limited practice Thursday due to a chest injury. Nothing indicates that Miller is in danger of missing Sunday’s contest with the Cowboys, however expectations for Miller are limited based on his lack of overall production thus far this season.
Devonta Freeman (knee) practices in full Thursday
Devonta Freeman practices in full Thursday, further echoing that he will be good to make his return this week after missing weeks 2-4 with a knee injury. Freeman’s return caps the upside of Tevin Coleman, and makes Ito Smith essentially irrelevant.
Mohamed Sanu (hip) practices in full Thursday
Mohamed Sanu practiced in full Thursday and appears to be good to go for the Falcons Week 5 matchup against the Steelers. Sanu makes for an interesting GPP flier across the industry as most flock to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley from the Falcons side of the ball in what is expected to be a high scoring game.
Sick Prospect, Usage Ticking Up
Taywan Taylor is a dynamo who’s usage is trending up, last week securing 7 of 9 targets from a surging Marcus Mariota. This week, the Titans get a matchup with the Buffalo Bills that should see star corner Tre’Davious White shadowing the also-recently-surging Corey Davis at the other wideout which will open up for easier looks for Taylor, a player capable of breaking a monster play any time the ball in his hands.
Corey Davis (illness) practices in full Thursday
Corey Davis practiced in full Thursday, indicating his illness isn’t jeopardizing his availability for week 5. Davis is the Titans’ primary pass catching option – look for him to try to have a solid follow up performance to his break out week 4 where he caught 9 passes for 161 yards and a game-winning touchdown.
Far Too Cheap
Emmanuel Sanders is priced far too low on FanDuel this week facing Buster Skrine who has been decimated by opposing slot WRs in the 2018 season. People will be off of him due to how bad Case Keenum has been perceived as being lately, but getting Sanders at a cheaper price on FanDuel than on DK is absurd given his matchup and the upside he’s shown this season, even if Keenum is a lackluster arm to be attached to.
Julio Eruption
Some people will be off Julio because of the “no TDs” narrative and that is the wrong move. The Steelers couldn’t stop a runny nose if it ran for a deep ball against them and Artie Burns vs. Julio Jones is a laughable mismatch.
Eagles Secondary is Horrible
The Eagles are impossible to run on and the Vikings offensive line isn’t doing much to help the backs it has on its roster, meaning lots of concentrated Kirk Cousins targets to Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Both make for fine tourney considerations but Diggs will garner less ownership as he has not been as consistent as Thielen to start 2018. PFF’s Scott Barrett has shown that Diggs is a receiver who can be depended on to go off against bad corners and Jalen Mills is a certifiably #bad corner. Thielen’s matchup is also good, but working mostly out of the slot, he’ll see Sidney Jones for more of his snaps who has been the most effective player in the PHI secondary as far as coverage goes thus far.