DFS Alerts
This Target Monster Should Be Very Busy This Week
If you’re looking to take advantage of price at WR this week, consider taking Mike Evans who is fresh off a solid 5-79-1 performance against Atlanta last week. In week 16, Evans draws a great matchup against a struggling Carolina secondary that has allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing receivers over the last four weeks. Also working in his favor in week 16 is the fact that Evans, who checks in a 6’5, 230, will have a superior size advantage against struggling Carolina corner James Bradberry, who has drawn a negative PFF grade this season. In a game Tampa Bay will likely be playing from behind in, look for Evans to easily pay off his reduced price with the large volume of targets he will likely receive.
Well Rested And Ready To Feast
Outside of evaluating the matchup for a particular running back, another important aspect of RB selection, especially for cash games, is volume. One such running back who will dominate usage this week is Ezekiel Elliott, who is well rested following a recent suspension. A matchup against a stingy Seattle defense may seem daunting, but this defense has dealt with numerous injuries in recent weeks and was shredded for 152 rushing yards by Todd Gurley in last week’s blowout loss at home. This bodes well for the talented young running back Elliott, who has the luxury of running behind one of the league’s best offensive lines in a game that should feature plenty of offense.
This Dual Threat QB Should Go Off This Week
After a slow start to the year due to injury, Cam Newton is finally healthy and producing at an elite level. He draws a juicy matchup this week against a depleted Tampa Bay defense that ranks 29th in pass defense DVOA and owns the league’s worst adjusted sack rate this season. This bodes well for the dual threat Newton, who has always played much better against teams that do not have an effective pass rush. In a game Carolina can clinch playoff berth, expect a big performance from Newton through the air and on the ground.
This Wide Receiver Is Not A Fluke!
Keelan Cole has played around 50 snaps per week for most of the season, but it has only been recently that the Jaguars have been heavily featuring him in the pass game. The results speak for themselves, however, and with Cole outplaying Dede Westbrook and Marqise Lee set to miss this game, it’s not outlandish to view Cole as this team’s “number one receiver.” In a great matchup vs San Francisco, he could be in for a big game yet again.
This WR Could Be One Of The Keys To The Slate
The last time Godwin filled in as a starting wide receiver for Tampa, he saw double-digit targets – and while we should not expect quite such a huge workload this time (he’s filling in for DeSean Jackson this week, rather than for Mike Evans), we should expect him to play a full complement of snaps and be heavily involved. There is some guesswork on this play, but it’s rare that we can find a minimum-priced guy with genuine 20-point upside and usage-potential. Godwin can be locked into cash games and considered strongly in tourneys this week.
DeAndre Hopkins limited again Friday but expected to play
For the second straight week, the Texan’s star wide receiver heads into a game as only limited participant in weekly practices. Hopkins posted a 4-80-1 in a tough matchup last week and should once again suit up for the team as they prepare to play the Steelers on Christmas Day. Even with T.J. Yates as his quarterback Hopkins remains a player with an extremely high celling.
Chris Godwin to start in week 16
Goodwin will fill in for the injured Desan Jackson vs the Panthers on Sunday. This rookie last started when Mike Evans served a one-game suspension where he turned 10 targets into 5 catches for 68 yards. As the stone minimum on DraftKings, Goodwin makes for an interesting GPP play in week 16.
Amari Cooper on track to play Monday night
Cooper hasn’t played a full game since Week 11, but he has returned to practice and is reportedly on track to start this week. Cooper has been a major disappointment this season, and it’s a bit of surprise that he will push to get back on the field now that the Raiders season is over. Ankle injuries are never easy to get over and one would think that Cooper will be less than 100% on Christmas night. Even if Cooper plays you can still expect Michael Crabtree to be the number one option for this team.
Other tagged players: Michael Crabtree Chris Hogan and James White are both questionable for Week 16
Both James White and Chris Hogan practiced in a limited fashion this week and are questionable to play on Sunday. White is expected to suit up Sunday against the Bills and he could see an increased receiving workload with Rex Burkhead out due to injury. Hogan’s status is a bit more of a question mark as he missed last week after going through a similar practice pattern this week. With Hogan out Kenny Britt and Philip Dorsett saw limited action, but neither is worth a roster spot. Brandin Cooks should once again be the biggest benefactor in this spot as he is averaging almost 13 more DK points in the games where Hogan is out.
Other tagged players: James White Kerwynn Williams is questionable for Week 16
Williams returned to a limited practice on Friday and is officially questionable for this week’s game vs the Giants. If Williams is unable to go then we could see Elijhaa Penny get work as the feature back, and D.J. Foster to see action in the passing game. With Drew Stanton under center this week, the prospect of any one player in the offense to have a great day is far less likely. Rostering any player from this team should be considered an extremely thin GPP play.
Joe Mixon and Vontaze Burfict are back for the Bengals
Mixon will return for Sunday’s Week 16 matchup against the Lions. Mixon’s return to the field most likely means a diminished role in the offense for Gio Bernard. The Bengals will also have key defensive players Vontaze Burfict and Dre Kirkpatrick for Week 16. Even with injured players returning, we could see a similar performance to last week where a team that expects it’s coach Marvin Lewis to resign at the end of the season again lays down and performs poorly.
Theo Riddick not on final injury report
Riddick has asserted himself as the number one option in the Lions backfield, as he was dominating snaps last week even with Ameer Abdulah back in action. Riddick is not on the injury report this week and should once again have a decent amount of work in both the running and passing game. The Lions will get the benefit of playing a banged-up Bengals defense on Sunday making a Riddick an interesting source of salary relief for Week 16.
Cameron Brate questionable, DeSean Jackson (ankle) is out for Week 16 against the Panthers
Brate’s status for this week’s game is worth watching closely as both OJ Howard and DeSean Jackson are both officially listed as out. Brate, in particular, is an appealing option over the final two weeks as Howard is done for the season. In three games since Jameis Winston returned, Brate has caught seven balls on 12 targets with two TDs. Brate is officially questionable this week with a knee injury.
Other tagged players: DeSean Jackson Jamison Crowder is questionable for Sunday
End of the season injuries are mounting up for the Redskins as Jamison Crowder joins fellow teammate Samaje Perine on the injury report with a bad hamstring. If the matchup for the Redskins was not bad enough this week against the Broncos, injuries will make the game that much harder. Perhaps the best fantasy edge to gain in this game might be the Broncos defense.
Travis Kelce on track to play
As expected Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce returned to practice today and is ready to play in Week 16. Kelce is a prime spot vs the Bills and should be inline for a big offensive day. Kelce is having one of his best seasons to date and ranks among the top-two tight ends in both red-zone and overall target share.