DFS Alerts
Leonard Fournette expected back to practice on Wednesday
Fournette did not suit up last week due to a quad injury and at this point should be considered questionable for a favorable week 16 matchup vs the 49’s. With a playoff berth already sealed up, you could see the team take it extra cautious with their star running back over the last two weeks of the season. If Forurnette does indeed play then we could easily see a situation where the team only uses him for a half, so at this point, it’s a wait and see on the status of Jaguars backfield situation. If Fournette does indeed sit, then we can look to attack the value of both Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon.
Other tagged players: Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon
This Near Min-Priced WR is in Store For a Lot of Targets
This Giants offense has one realistic NFL WR, and that is Sterling Shepard. Too bad that Shepard is going to get matched up against Patrick Peterson, who is one of the biggest lock down CBs in the NFL. With Peterson locking down Shepard, we can expect a significant workload to go to the Giants other WRs, and with King likely to miss this game, we can expect Lewis to be the main beneficiary. Lewis has had double-digit targets over the last two weeks, and while he hasn’t made much out of them (11 DK points each of the last two weeks), this week he is due for some positive regression. The Cardinals do have an above average pass defense (they rank 10th in DVOA), but with the Giants’ complete inability to run the ball, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Eli throw the ball 50+ times. Don’t sleep on Lewis this week, as there aren’t a whole lot of value WRs to use on this slate.
Upside for a Value Salary Tag
O.J. Howard was spotted in a walking boot after the game on Monday night, and his status is definitely in doubt this week. We know that Winston loves throwing the ball to his tight ends, as Brate and Howard have combined for 12 touchdown catches this year. A Howard absence would pave the way for Brate to play a ton of snaps, and Brate would have the opportunity to see around eight targets with the potential to find the end zone. Keep an eye on Howard’s status as we get closer to Sunday kickoff.
Keep the Good Times Rolling
Sterling Shepard exploded in a big way in Week 15, catching 11 of 16 targets for 139 yards and a touchdown. While we can’t expect Eli Mannign to have the same type of game here against the Cardinals, it’s also not likely that the Giants will be able to throw to the outside very much. Arizona does have a weakness against slot receivers, and Shepard will be a difficult draw for their defense. His price tag has not fully adjusted for last week’s monster game, making Shepard a great mid-range target in GPP formats.
Keep it Simple
Let’s keep this one basic. Play the man. Gurley is as matchup-proof as a running back not named Le’Veon Bell can be these days. He dominated the Seahawks in the first half last week before taking a seat for the final quarter, and he now leads all running backs with 17 touchdowns on the year. His involvement in the passing game is a boost, and it is amazing how much he has turned it on this year with a more innovative coaching staff. Tennessee’s defense is stronger against the run than the pass, but that’s no reason to fade Gurley at this point. With Bell off the main slate this week, Gurley is the clear overall #1 RB play.
Zig When They Zag
After a big game from Keelan Cole last week, that is where everyone is likely to look for a value wide receiver play in Week 16. I am not going to go nuts there based on a one game sample size, and Westbrook is the far superior talent. This is a case where I am happy to zig when everyone zags, and Westbrook is an elite tournament play against a beatable San Francisco secondary. With both Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns injured, the potential is certainly there for a GPP-winning type of performance. I wouldn’t expect that to be from Cole for the second straight week. I’m fully on board Team Westbrook.
Tom Savage done for the season
Tom Savage will now miss the rest of the season due to a concussion. T.J. Yates will now get the ball in hands for the last two weeks of the season. As expected Yates struggled against a very good Jaguars defense last week. He failed to surpass 130 passing yards and will have another tough matchup against the Steelers’ 10th-ranked defense in pass DVOA. DeAndre Hopkins should continue to be another target monster and will continue to have appeal based upon his tremendous upside.
Hunter Henry done for the year
The Chargers confirmed today that star tight end Hunter Henry is done for the year. Henry’s absence makes veteran Antonio Gates the team’s number one tight end. In the last few week’s Henry had taken a bigger role in the offense by compiling 5 targets in 4 out of his last five games. The Chargers face the Jets 7th ranked DVOA defense against the tight end this week, thus making it very hard to find value in Antonio Gates.
Other tagged players: Antonio Gates Davante Adams did not practice on Tuesday
Adams should be considered questionable for the Packers’ Week 16 matchup against the Vikings. Adams took a big hit from the Panthers Thomas Davis on Sunday and if he’s somehow able to suit up, he’ll likely draw coverage from Xavier Rhodes like he did in Week 6. Overall the matchup is horrible for the Packers and with the team now planning to start Brett Hundley at quarterback, all of the teams offensive pieces take a considerable hit in terms of value.
Aaron Rodgers placed on season ending IR
With no chance of making the playoffs, the Packers announced today that Aaron Rodgers will be placed on IR. Brett Hundley will start under center for the Packers as they prepare for a Week 16 matchup against the Vikings. The addition of Hundley as the team’s QB makes an already tough matchup even that much harder. All pieces of the Packers offense should be downgraded drastically with today’s news. The Vikings rank 9th in overall defensive DVOA.
Donte Moncrief did not practice on Tuesday
Even when healthy Moncrief has been a nonfactor this season. This once promising wide receiver has missed the last two games and should be considered questionable for week 16. With or without Moncrief the Colts have a very tough passing matchup in week 16 vs the Ravens.
Stevan Ridley signed by the Steelers
With backup James Conner on the injured reserve, the Steelers signed Stevan Ridley on Monday. Le’Veon Bell will continue to see all the work he can handle, much like Conner, Ridley will have little to no fantasy value.
O.J. Howard is expected to miss the rest of the season
It looks like rookie O.J. Howard will be done for the season.The team’s first-round pick began to play well towards the end of the season and finished with a 26-432-6 line on just 39 targets. Cam Brate who was also banged up a bit on Monday night will work as the team’s featured tight end moving for the last few weeks of the season.
Davante Adams remains in the concussion protocol
Adams should be considered questionable for the Packers’ Week 16 matchup against the Vikings. Adams took a big hit from the Panthers Thomas Davis on Sunday and if he’s somehow able to suit up, he’ll likely draw coverage from Xavier Rhodes like he did in Week 6. Overall the matchup is horrible for the Packers and with the team not having much to play for you could easily see a scenario in which Aaron Rodgers sits if they get behind. If somehow Brett Hundley works back into the mix as a quarterback for the Packers the prospect for Adams or any other wide receiver gets much worse.
Antonio Brown ruled out for week 16
The Steelers announced on Monday that both Antonio Brown and James Conner are out this week. The team hopes to get Brown back prior to the playoffs, but Conner will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Martavis Bryant and Juju Smith-Schuster will work as the Steelers’ outside receivers for a favorable week 16 matchup against the Texans. Le’Veon Bell should also get all the work he can handle with backup James Conner (knee, IR) also sidelined. Bell will serve as the RB1/WR2 moving forward.