DFS Alerts

A Resurgence With Beathard Under Center?

Almost every DFS player on the planet assumed that Kittle would struggle with the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo, but the quarterback change might actually be good news for Kittle’s outlook. Beathard doesn’t fit well with deep threat Marquise Goodwin, and this might lead to more play calls with Kittle as the primary target. Kittle is coming off a 6/125/1 line a week ago (eight targets), and he lines up well against a Cardinals team that ranks just 23rd in DVOA against tight ends in the early going.

A Low-Owned Risk/Reward GPP Runner

T.J. Yeldon is the obvious chalk value at running back this week, but don’t sleep on Aaron Jones. He had 11 carries last week, which was the same amount as Jamaal Williams, and Jones gained about 40 extra yards on those carries. To put it bluntly, Williams is pretty much terrible. Jones gives this offense a much-needed spark out of the backfield, and Aaron Rodgers has made some glowing comments about Jones to the media. Jones is likely going to become the lead guy here, and the price tag remains cheap. Throw in a matchup against a Detroit team that is allowing a league-worst 158 rushing yards per game, and you have a fantastic GPP swerve away from the popular plays.

Low Ownership, Plenty of Upside, and a Cheap Price

Fun fact: Matthew Stafford has thrown for at least 320 yards in each of his last four meetings against the Packers. He’s always more comfortable playing at home, and Stafford is also coming off a solid game where he threw just six incomplete passes on his way to 307 yards and two scores against the Cowboys. This could be a game that turns into a sneaky track meet on the Detroit turf, and the Stafford-to-Tate combination is one of my favorite GPP combinations of the week.

A Breakout Game Awaits

The Steelers simply can’t cover anyone 20 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. John Brown got open seemingly at will against their secondary last Sunday night, and this is nowhere near the elite defense that we saw a few years ago. We have a massive Vegas total of 57 points in this PIT/ATL contest, and I expect Julio Jones to be able to get open at will against this secondary. Expect plenty of big plays and fireworks, and I think Jones breaks out in this spot. He has only scored three total touchdowns in his last 23 regular season and postseason games, and it’s seemingly a little more than just variance at this point. However, Jones continues to get a huge chunk of yardage on a weekly basis, and this matchup is simply too good to pass up on. This is the spot where I believe he busts loose with his first multi-score game in quite some time.

Josh Gordon (hamstring) and Jacob Hollister (chest) limited in practice Tuesday for the Patriots

Josh Gordon (hamstring) and Jacob Hollister (chest) were both limited in practice Tuesday for the Patriots. Keep an eye on their practice status tomorrow to get a clearer look as to their availability for Thursday night against the Colts. Gordon appears likely to suit up as he looks to build on his two-target outing last week, while Hollister along with Gronkowski appear truly questionable for the contest.

TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle) not seen at practice Tuesday

The Patriots’ star tight end is expected to be questionable for Thursday night’s game after it was reported yesterday that he wasn’t dealing with a serious injury. It’s been a disappointing season thus far for Gronk, partly due to being the primary focus of defensive schemes and seeing constant double teams. Assuming he is healthy enough, that could start to change this week due to the return of WR Julian Edelman (suspension) and the expected increase in snaps for Josh Gordon after being on the field for just 18 plays in his first game with the Patriots. If Gronk is ruled out, then Dwayne Allen would see TE1 duties with backup tight end Jacob Hollister expected to miss Thursday’s game as well.

TE Jack Doyle (hip) and RB Marlon Mack (hamstring) not practicing again, likely to miss TNF

Doyle and Mack don’t look like they’re going to play Thursday night for the Colts, who are also expected to be without star receiver T.Y. Hilton. TE Eric Ebron remains a nice value after seeing double digit targets in both of the games that Doyle has missed so far. However, he’s only converted those targets into 73 total yards and the Patriots rank 4th in DVOA so there’s certainly an argument to fading him. Pass-catching rookie back Nyheim Hines has seen 70% of the RB snaps in the past 2 weeks and should be heavily relied on again without Hilton, Doyle, and Mack out there. With Luck’s tendency for short passes and the Colts installed as 10-point underdogs, exposure to Hines makes alot of sense this week.

WR T.Y. Hilton (chest/hamstring) likely to miss TNF

The Colts’ WR1 didn’t practice today after gutting it out with multiple injuries in Sunday’s loss to Houston. Head Coach Frank Reich was quoted as saying “We’ll miss T.Y.” in today’s press conference, implying that Hilton will miss Thursday’s game against the Patriots. Fellow wideouts Chester Rogers and Ryan Grant would be locked into 2-WR sets with Zach Pascal seeing snaps as the third wide receiver. TE Eric Ebron and RB Nyheim Hines are also expected to be heavily involved in the passing game after both saw double digit targets and combined for 3 touchdowns in Week 4.

Ezekiel Elliot Trending Towards Playing

Jerry Jones says banged up Ezekiel Elliott will be good to go for Texans game. Elliot has been a force this season and should continue to be started as an elite RB option in DFS

MNF this week features a short list of actives/inactives, with Chiefs S Eric Berry (heel) inactive for the fourth straight week, and LB Brandon Marshall (knee) active for the Broncos. The absence of Berry definitely improves the prospects of the Broncos passing attack, who will rely on Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas as always for the bulk of the passing targets. Berry’s absence would also be a bump to Denver’s tight end, but their flood of injuries at the position leaves them with Jeff Heuerman as their primary TE, so the wide receivers are the only truly reliable options.

49ers WR Dante Pettis (knee) ruled out for Sunday

49ers WR Dante Pettis has already been ruled out for Sunday due to the knee injury he sustained Sunday against the Chargers. He was carted off the field, and the severity of the injury appears to be confirmed with the early ruling on Pettis’s status for the coming weekend. Look for Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon to get the majority of WR targets, with George Kittle seeing a lot of looks at the TE position as well.

Le'Veon Bell expected to report to Steelers during Week 7 bye

It appears there is an end in sight for Le’Veon Bell’s holdout – the Steelers star RB reportedly intends to report to the team at their Week 7 bye. This sets up Bell to reclaim the role of workhorse back and make his 2018 debut week 8 against the Browns.

Jack Doyle (hip) doesn't practice Monday

Jack Doyle didn’t practice Monday due to the hip injury that has held him out of action for weeks 3 and 4. Given the Colts are on a short week this week as they prepare to face New England Thursday night, it appears unlikely Doyle will be active. Look for Eric Ebron to again see a large target share as the Colts only true receiving threat at tight end.

T.Y. Hilton (hamstring/chest) doesn't practice Monday

T.Y. Hilton didn’t practice Monday due to both hamstring and chest injuries that he sustained Sunday against the Texans. The hamstring injury ultimately removed Hilton from the game, and it appears unlikely he will suit up Thursday night on a short week to face the Patriots. Look for Chester Rodgers, Ryan Grant and Zach Pascal to get most of the run at WR for the Colts, with Eric Ebron factoring into the passing game as well.

Ezekiel Elliott (ankle/knee) expected to play Week 5

Ezekiel Elliott is battling both knee and ankle injuries, but is expected to play Week 5 against the Texans. Elliott is far and away the Cowboys most important offensive weapon, as he basically serves as their most effective piece of both the rushing and passing attack. There is nothing to indicate Zeke won’t get his usual workload against Houston, but keep an eye on his injury status as we get closer to game day.