DFS Alerts
The 2016 Version of This WR is Coming Back
Last year Mike Evans was one of the top WRs for fantasy and averaged nearly 11 targets per game. This was due to Winston’s lack of options to throw to, but this weekend, Winston should be without Howard and DeSean Jackson, which will make their offense look very similar to 2016 (when Evans ended 96 catches, 1300 yards and 12 TDs). Evans should move back to the focal point of this offense, and although the Panthers are ranked seventh in pass DVOA, they are below average against WRs. In addition, the Panthers funnel targets to WRs of opposing offenses at one of the highest rates in the league (over 60% of opposing offensive passes are to WRs). The Bucs are nine-point underdogs in this game, so we can expect them to be throwing early and often, and it would not be out of the realm of possibility to see Evans with 15+ targets in this matchup. Add in double TD potential and there is a possibility that he is the highest scoring WR on the entire slate.
Jeremy Maclin misses practice again
Maclin once again finds himself fighting an injury. Early season shoulder problems and a limited Ravens offense have made this free agent acquisition a fantasy non factor this season. Maclin is now battling a bum knee and could miss a great matchup vs the Colt’s 30th DVOA ranked pass defense.
Injuries Will Force The Ball Into This Guy's Hands
For the second half of last year and the first half of this year, Brate was one of the top TEs in the league. With the emergence of O.J. Howard as a receiving threat and with Winston having another weapon in DeSean Jackson, Brate’s numbers have taken a hit. Well guess what? Those two likely won’t play this weekend. Without these guys in the offense, most of Winston’s throws should be in Brate’s and Evans’ direction. From Week 8 last year through Week 6 this year (when O.J. Howard became more involved in the offense), Brate had 10 TDs in just 13 games. He is one of the top red-zone targets for Winston and is priced way too cheaply at just $3,300 on DK. Even against a tough Carolina defense that ranks fourth in DVOA against the TE position, Brate is the top pt/$ option at TE this week, as he has potential for 20+ points in this matchup.
Leonard Fournette expected to play in week 16
The Jaguars look to get rookie sensation Leonard Fournette back for a very favorable week 16 matchup vs the 49’s. Coach Doug Marrone confirmed he’ll suit up for the game this week, but as of now, we are not sure of what Fournette’s workload will be for Sunday. The addition of Fournette to the backfield makes it a little harder to predict value, due to the number of snaps that each back should get. The Jaguars have a playoff seat locked up, so it would not be a surprise to see the team start to rest starters in the second half of games over the next two weeks.
As reported by: Eric Branch Twitter Cheap RB in a Favorable Matchup
The Jags may be one of the top defenses in the league, but where you can attack them is with the run. On the year, the Jags rank 27th in DVOA against the run. Hyde hasn’t fared too well in this offense, from a fantasy perspective, since Garoppolo has taken over, but the team overall is rolling and the Vegas spread is only 4.5 points. This makes me think that this game is going to be close. Hyde is still top five in touches within the 20-, 10-, and 5-yard lines and is still top five among all RBs in targets this season. With the Jags being the top pass defense in the league and with their elite pass rush, we can expect a lot of touches for Hyde in this game if it stays close and a lot of receiving work if they’re behind late in the game. Overall, at only $5,000 on DK, Hyde is one of the top pt/$ RBs on the entire slate.
Travis Kelce not at practice on Wednesday
Late season injuries almost will guarantee that players take an early weekday off in order to rest up for the weekend. Kelce is perhaps the most talented tight ends in the game will miss Wednesday’s practice with an illness. The team expects to have Kelce for a week 16 matchup vs the 28th ranked DVOA against tight ends Dolphins.
Tevin Coleman limited practice on Wednesday
Coleman returned to a limited practice on Wednesday but is still considered questionable for week 16, as he still has not cleared the concussion protocol. In his absence, Devonta Freeman had 194 total yards on 27 touches last night in a win vs the Buccaneers. If Coleman is unable to play vs the Saints this weekend Freeman should once again be the focal point of this Falcons offense. In games without Coleman, Freeman is averaging almost 8 more DraftKings points per game.
Other tagged players: Devonta Freeman Julio Jones not at practice on Wednesday
Jones injured his ankle on the second play of the Falcons’ Monday night win over the Buccaneers, and not surprisingly the team will let the often injured superstar rest ahead of a big matchup vs the Saints in week 16. Jones should be ready to go this week in what figures to be one of the highest targeted fantasy games on the slate.
An Underpriced Stud in a Plus Matchup
I think that very few people will argue that McCoy is not one of the top RBs in the league, and this week he is underpriced and in one of the top matchups a RB can get. McCoy is going against the Patriots, who rank dead last in DVOA against the run and are 22nd against pass-catching backs. McCoy is the focal point in this offense, and even though the Bills are 12-point underdogs, McCoy will be involved in the offense. He is great at catching the ball out of the backfield (67 targets on the year and 4+ in three of the last four weeks). He is at one of his lowest prices of the season and has 24+ DK points in each of the last two weeks. McCoy may have only had 12.2 points against the Pats three weeks ago, but he still had five targets in that game and was only seven yards away from the 100-yard rush bonus. The Bills are still in the playoff race and will do everything they can to try and win this game, which will not happen unless McCoy is heavily involved.
Devin Funchess and Russell Shepard not at practice on Wednesday
Coming off the heels of a big win last Sunday, the Panthers will have two key players out of practice on Wednesday. Funchess aggravated a troublesome shoulder last week but is expected to suit up Sunday. Shepard is also dealing with a shoulder but his status is a little less clear. The emergence of Greg Olsen in the offense takes appeal away from both players if they are healthy. Olsen had a monster day this last week, and if he can stay on the field look for him to once again be the favorite target of Cam Newton. Damiere Byrd could possibly get more work if Shepard were to miss this week.
Other tagged players: Russell Shepard Julius Thomas placed on IR
What was once a promising career has now but all faded for Julius Thomas. The Dolphins announced that Thomas is on season-ending IR with an injured foot. As a big named free agent acquisition three years ago Thomas has not lived up to his end of the bargain in terms of production. In three seasons with the Dolphins, Thomas has failed to catch more than 50 receptions or 500 yards in any one season.
This Old Man Ready to Roll
Gates’ role in this Chargers offense has progressively gone downhill since midway last year. This is partially thanks to age and partially thanks to the emergence of Hunter Henry. Well, Henry was put on IR this week and will miss the rest of the regular season, which means that Gates is the go-to TE in this offense. He may be old, but he’s still the all-time leader in TE TDs and is one of Rivers’ most trusted receiving options. Gates gets a matchup against a Jets team that ranks in the top 10 in DVOA against the TE, but they give up an above average volume of targets to opposing TE’s. With Gates’ TD upside and him being minimum priced on DK, he is just too good to not crush value at this price and with this kind of volume, regardless of the matchup.
Joe Mixon remains in concussion protocol
For the second straight week, Joe Mixon has not cleared the concussion protocol and should be considered questionable for a great week 16 matchup vs the Lions. Giovani Bernard has taken over for Mixon the last two weeks and he is averaging 17 touches per game. The Bengals rushing attack will get to face the 25th ranked rush DVOA team in the Lions this week at home, and if Mixon is once again out then we have a great spot to look at Bernard. If both backs are healthy then the value of either decreases significantly.
Other tagged players: Giovani Bernard Top Point Per Dollar QB Play?
The accuracy and consistency is always a concern with Newton, but he has GPP-winning potential in a great matchup against a porous Tampa Bay pass defense. The Bucs have possessed one of the worst pass defenses in the league all year, and they have allowed a league-worst 271 passing yards per game. Newton also brings upside with his legs, of course. A combination of those two factors makes Newton an elite tournament option on all sites as the Panthers look to clinch a playoff spot.
Jaguars receiving core facing injuries for week 16
Even the face of injuries the Jacksonville Jaguars displayed an exceptional offensive outburst in week 15. Already missing starting running back Leonard Fournette and starting wide receiver Allen Hurns, the team lost leading pass catcher Marquise Lee early in the game. This did not stop Blake Bortles and the Jaguars offense from putting up a 45 spot on the Texans. Early injury news out of the Jaguars camp has Lee expected to miss this week, Hurns is practicing for the first time in quite a while and tight end Marcedes Lewis will also miss practice on Wednesday. Even if Hurns plays you would have to think that Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole should be featured in the offense this week, and both make for great plays over the final two weeks of the season. Lee should be back for the playoffs and remains a valuable piece of the team moving forward.
Other tagged players: Allen Hurns, Marcedes Lewis