DFS Alerts
Travis Benjamin and Mike Williams officially active for Week 12
Both receivers were considered questionable ahead of their Thanksgiving matchup with the Cowboys. Benjamin’s abdomen injury paired with extended garbage time allowed Williams to pick up season-highs in snaps (41) and targets (8) – he hauled in five for 38 scoreless yards. With Benjamin expected to play, Williams will likely return to a part-time role. Benjamin is a boom-or-bust option that’s delivered two games with five receptions this season but has averaged 2.0 receptions and 32.5 receiving yards per game.
Other tagged players: Mike Williams
Kelvin Benjamin and Mike Tolbert didn't practice Thursday; Jordan Matthews was limited
Although Benjamin avoided major knee damage last weekend, he’s not quite ready to return to the practice field. Head coach Sean McDermott considers him day-to-day which lands him in the questionable area heading into the weekend – if he can’t return by Friday, he’ll likely sit this one out. His absence would spread targets to Zay Jones, Charles Clay, Deonte Thompson, and Matthews if he plays. Matthews was inactive in Week 11 but he appears to be on track to suit up in Week 12. Matthews would have a terrific spot against the struggling Steven Nelson, who’s allowed 1.6 yards per cover snap (sixth-most if he qualified) and two touchdowns when lined up inside since returning to action in Week 8. Jones will avoid Marcus Peters most of the game as he only runs 31% of his routes in the corner’s area. If Benjamin suits up, he’ll deal with Peters often, although the CB hasn’t exactly been shutting receivers down this year. He’s 26th in yards per cover snap (0.92), 19th in cover snaps per reception (13.5), and he’s allowed three touchdowns along with a 63% catch rate. Tolbert was downgraded Thursday after getting in a limited session yesterday.
Other tagged players: Jordan Matthews, Mike Tolbert JuJu Smith-Schuster and Vance McDonald didn't practice Thursday; S Mike Mitchell participated
Smith-Schuster is dealing with a hamstring injury that is reportedly minor. McDonald was inactive last weekend and could miss Week 12 as well which would keep Xavier Grimble in the TE2 role. Smith-Schuster has impressed as a rookie, scoring five touchdowns and returning 1.93 yards per route run – which would be 12th if he qualified. If he plays without limitations this weekend, he’ll have a pretty nice matchup with the Packers on Sunday. Slot corner Damarious Randall is giving up an appealing 0.37 fantasy points per route defended (per PFF) and as a unit, the Packers are 23rd in pass DVOA and giving up the eight-most PPR points to WRs.
Other tagged players: Vance McDonald Schefter: Sterling Shepard unlikely to play Week 12
Shepard has been dealing with migraines and reportedly won’t be able to suit up tonight. Travis Rudolph will take over the slot role in his place while Roger Lewis would become the de facto number one wideout and Tavarres King gets a bump as well. Tight end Evan Engram already has a strong outlook against a Redskins defense giving up the most yards and fourth-most PPR points to tight ends and his market share should rise with Shepard out.
Devonta Freeman returned to practice Thursday
The initial expectation following Freeman’s Week 10 concussion was he’d miss a couple of games, so it won’t be surprising if he sits again this weekend. If he does, Tevin Coleman would get another shot as the featured back. Coleman struggled against the Seahawks last week, averaging 2.2 yards per carry while only catching one pass, although he did find the end zone once. Fortunately, he’ll have a better matchup this weekend against the Buccaneers. While the Seahawks are giving up the fifth-fewest PPR points to RBs, the Bucs are allowing the 13th-most, in part because they’re permitting the ninth-most rushing TDs (0.7/g) and receiving yards (48.6/g) to the position. The Falcons are monster 10-point home favorites and implied to score the second-most points of the week (29.25), both positive signs for Coleman. His price predictably increased this week but he’s still an excellent value on DraftKings ($6.5k) and on FanDuel in particular where his $6.2k makes him the 18th-most expensive RB. He’s our top points-per-dollar RB on FD and RB5 on DK.
Other tagged players: Tevin Coleman Vikings RT Mike Remmers inactive Week 12
It’ll be Remmers third straight absence due to a concussion. On the season, the Vikings are eighth in pass blocking efficiency (per PFF) and they held strong over the past two weeks without him, ranking ninth over the past two games and the line hasn’t been charged with a sack. While Ziggy Ansah will be back, the Vikings appear to have the edge in the trenches – the Lions are 20th in adjusted sack rate (per FO).
Lions DE Ziggy Ansah active for Thanksgiving, DE Dwight Freeney inactive
Ansah will make his return following a two-game absence due to a back injury. Although he’s PFF’s 51st-ranked edge defender, he’ll provide an upgrade to their pass-rush and run defense nonetheless. His run-stop rate would be 20th if he qualified, so he could make things a little more difficult for Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon. Murray has been hot recently, scoring four times over the past four weeks but he’s been out-snapped by McKinnon every game since Dalvin Cook went down and McKinnon has averaged 18.3 touches per game to Murray’s 16.8. McKinnon gets a fantasy boost from his involvement in the passing game but Murray is clearly the preferred option in scoring position; he’s now ninth in the league with 20 red zone rushing attempts and seventh in carries inside the five-yard line (7) – McKinnon has 12 RZ attempts and two inside the five. McKinnon’s receiving ability hasn’t translated to touches near the end zone either, he’s picked up two red zone targets and zero from within ten yards of the end zone. Freeney just joined the team this week and isn’t ready to suit up.
Other tagged players: Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon Ty Montgomery and LB Clay Matthews aren't practicing Thursday; CB Kevin King and S Morgan Burnett participated
Reporter Jason Wilde believes it’s unlikely Montgomery will be able to suit up this weekend against the Steelers as he rehabs his ribs. If he can’t go, Jamaal Williams would get another shot as the featured back. He only picked up 3.2 yards per carry last week which is right on par with his season average. He had a sizable workload though, picking up 22 touches and finished with 85 total yards. He’ll have an even tougher matchup this week as the Steelers are fourth in adjusted line yards (3.38, per FO) and allowing the seventh-fewest PPR points to RBs. King (shoulder) and Burnett (groin) both missed last week’s game with but it looks they’re on track to return. Matthews said he could end up being a game-time decision on Sunday but didn’t sound optimistic according to Packer Report.
Other tagged players: Green Bay Packers Travis Benjamin and Mike Williams expected to play Week 12
Both receivers were considered questionable ahead of their Thanksgiving matchup with the Cowboys. Benjamin’s abdomen injury paired with extended garbage time allowed Williams to pick up season-highs in snaps (41) and targets (8) – he hauled in five for 38 scoreless yards. With Benjamin expected to play, Williams will likely return to a part-time role. Benjamin is a boom-or-bust option that’s delivered two games with five receptions this season but averages 2.0 receptions and 32.5 receiving yards per game.
Other tagged players: Mike Williams Sterling Shepard remains questionable for Week 12, likely headed for game-time decision
After being sidelined Sunday with migraines, Shepard was unable to practice Tuesday and Wednesday. Apparently, the migraines returned when he attempted light activity which doesn’t bode well for his chances of playing tonight. Although the receiver traveled with the team to Washington, ESPN’s Stephanie Bell says, “it’s difficult to imagine him taking the field” and beat writer Dan Duggan expects him to be inactive. Unfortunately, we probably won’t know much more until after lock as the Giants-Redskins game kicks off at 8:30 pm eastern and the team will likely need to see how he responds in warmups prior to making a decision. If he’s out, Travis Rudolph would man the slot while Roger Lewis would become the de facto number one wideout and Tavarres King gets a bump as well. Tight end Evan Engram already has a strong outlook against a Redskins defense giving up the most yards and fourth-most PPR points to tight ends, and his volume should rise if Shepard is out. If Shepard suits up, he’ll take on a defense that’s displayed serious vulnerability to inside receivers. They’ve played four games in which their opponent’s slot receiver was their WR1 or WR2 and gave up a touchdown to that player in all four. Those receivers were Nelson Agholor (twice; 6/86/1, 4/45/1), Doug Baldwin (7/108/1), and Adam Thielen (8/166/1). Shepard will likely be heavily targeted given the lack of options around him – he’s averaged 11 targets in the two games he’s served as the WR1 – and it looks like he has a great spot to produce with his opportunities. He will come with risk though as there’s legitimate concern the migraines could return mid-game if he plays.
Other tagged players: Roger Lewis, Evan Engram, Travis Rudolph Dan Bailey expects to play Week 12
Bailey has been battling a groin injury but he says he’s feeling good and should be all set for Dallas’ Thanksgiving matchup with the Chargers. Dallas is 25th in field goals attempted (16) while the Chargers are 14th in field goal attempts allowed (18) but without Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys offense is more likely to stall before reaching the end zone, potentially leading to more kicks. Last week, Mike Nugent made three field goals against the Eagles. Dallas is implied to score 23 points, the fourth-most on the Thanksgiving slate.
Chiefs signed CB Darrelle Revis
The Revis Family experienced a Thanksgiving miracle Wednesday when Darrelle signed a contract with the Chiefs. Although it’s unclear what level Revis is capable of playing at, Kansas City is currently giving up the second-most PPR points to receivers and they’re pretty desperate for a spark in their secondary. Whether he can play this weekend is uncertain but the Chiefs visit the Jets in Week 13 for a Revis revenge game. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton also served in various roles with the Jets from 2000 until Rex Ryan’s departure following the 2011 season, so Revis does have some familiarity with Sutton’s scheme.
A Breakout Spot For This Affordable Rookie WR
Since returning to the lineup in Week 9, Corey Davis has seen target counts of five, 10, and seven – against three of the top five “wide receiver defenses” in the NFL. While the Colts – aided by the stellar play of Rashaan Melvin – are allowing only a 54.9% completion rate to wide receivers, they have also allowed 47 pass plays this year (nearly five per game!) of 20+ yards. This ranks dead last in the league – with seven more such plays allowed than the next worst team. Davis is a great bet to see continued volume as the Titans’ “number one receiver of the future,” and this is an excellent spot for him to post the first big game of his career.
The Best Running Back Value Of The Week?
Last week, Thomas Rawls was a healthy scratch for the Seahawks, and Mike Davis got the start over Eddie Lacy. When Davis went down with injury, Lacy continued to be a non-factor – receiving only three carries all game. McKissic, meanwhile, played 50 snaps, caught five passes, and took seven carries (one week after catching four passes and taking five carries). While Darrell Bevell is absolutely inept, even he is capable of seeing that Lacy is averaging 2.5 yards per carry and Rawls is averaging 2.6. This should lead to Seattle continuing to put more on the shoulders of Russell Wilson, and to McKissic (4.4 yards per carry) spending more time on the field. This is a great “floor” spot for him at his price, and he carries plenty of ceiling.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Vance McDonald didn't practice Wednesday; S Mike Mitchell participated
Smith-Schuster is dealing with a hamstring injury that is reportedly minor. McDonald was inactive last weekend and could miss Week 12 as well. Smith-Schuster has impressed as a rookie, scoring five touchdowns and returning 1.93 yards per route run – which would be 12th if he qualified. If he plays without limitations this weekend, he’ll have a pretty nice matchup with the Packers on Sunday. Slot corner Damarious Randall is giving up an appealing 0.37 fantasy points per route defended (per PFF) and as a unit, the Packers are 23rd in pass DVOA and giving up the eight-most PPR points to WRs.
Other tagged players: Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers