DFS Alerts
Saints DB Kenny Vaccaro says he's ready to go for Week 12
That’s good news for the Saints considering their best corner, Marshon Lattimore, is trending towards the doubtful side of things. With P.J. Williams expected to fill in for Lattimore, they would’ve used De’Vante Harris in the slot. With Vaccaro’s return, he’ll slide back inside and primarily see Cooper Kupp. While it’s certainly an upgrade over Harris, Vaccaro has given up the 12th-most yards per cover snap from the slot (1.16). With Robert Woods sidelined, Kupp, who’s 22nd in yards per route run (1.71), could see an increased workload this week. He’s already fourth in the league with 16 red zone targets, so any bump in scoring position could lead to some good things for the rookie receiver. He’s currently our WR2 in points-per-dollar projections on DraftKings.
Other tagged players: Cooper Kupp
Kamar Aiken and LB John Simon practiced Wednesday
Aiken was absent last game as he tended to a hamstring injury. It appears the bye week treated him well as he was able to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday and appears on track to return this Sunday against the Titans. He should replace Chester Rogers in the slot where he’ll see plenty of Logan Ryan, PFF’s 35th-ranked cover corner. Ryan is allowing a friendly 0.34 fantasy points per route defended but it’s doubtful Aiken picks up a high enough volume to exploit the matchup. He hasn’t caught more than three passes all season. Simon hasn’t played since Week 7. His return would be a boost for their run defense; he’s the 22nd-ranked edge defender against the rush. The Colts are currently 20th in adjusted line yards and giving up the seventh-most PPR points to RBs. DeMarco Murray has seized control of the Titans backfield over the past two games, playing 77% of the snaps but he bombed last week, picking up just 10 rushing yards on eight carries. Although he popped off in Week 10 for three TDs, it was a bit flukey and he hasn’t averaged more than 3.3 yards per carry over the past five games. It’s possible Derrick Henry picks up more playing time this weekend.
Other tagged players: Indianapolis Colts, DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry Kyle Shanahan "optimistic" George Kittle, Trent Taylor, and DE Solomon Thomas will play Week 12
Kittle missed last game with an ankle injury while Taylor has been dealing with a broken rib. If Kittle ends up playing, he’ll face a Kam Chancellor-less Seahawks defense, potentially opening up a decent spot. Austin Hooper wasn’t able to take advantage last week, catching just two passes for negative yardage. Kittle may not be able to either, he’s been held to 46 yards or less in all but one game this season and scored just once. Taylor would likely slip back into the slot, replacing Kendrick Bourne. He’s only averaged 2.7 receptions per game this season though, so he probably won’t make much of an impact coming off an injury.
Other tagged players: Trent Taylor, San Francisco 49ers Saints CB Marshon Lattimore didn't practice Wednesday; DB Kenny Vaccaro and LB A.J. Klein participated
Lattimore, the third-ranked cover corner by PPF grading, injured his ankle in Week 11 and wasn’t able to practice today. If he’s unable to suit up this weekend, it would be a nice boost for Sammy Watkins and the Rams passing attack. With Robert Woods out, Watkins should see increased targets this weekend and he could be running most of his routes into P.J. Williams’ area. It’s a nice upgrade considering Williams is PFF’s 76th-ranked cover corner and he’s giving up 1.57 yards per cover snap which would be the seventh-most if he qualified. Fortunately for the Saints, Vaccaro, a converted safety serving as their slot corner, was able to practice today. He’s been inactive the past two games. If he’s able to play, he’ll see plenty of Cooper Kupp. If not, he’ll see De’Vante Harris, who’s allowed the most fantasy points per route defended (0.63) in limited action this season. This game has the highest total on the board (53.5) and the Rams have the sixth-highest implied total (28) as 2.5-point home favorites.
Other tagged players: Sammy Watkins, Cooper Kupp, Jared Goff Matt Forte didn't practice Wednesday
It’s not a great start to the week for Forte following a bye week. He’s dealing with some swelling on his surgically-repaired knee which caused him to miss Week 10. If he remains out, Bilal Powell would likely start but he’d probably be in a timeshare with Elijah McGuire. The latter out-snapped the former 36-33 and out-touched him 12-11 last game.
Other tagged players: Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire Ty Montgomery and LB Clay Matthews didn't practice Wednesday, Montgomery "appears unlikely to play" Week 12; 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 tough 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.
As reported by: Wisconsin State Journal Other tagged players: Green Bay Packers Cowboys RT La'el Collins and K Dan Bailey questionable for Week 12
Collins was added to the injury report Tuesday with a back injury but he’s been able to practice in a limited fashion. LT Tyron Smith is also questionable but he’s expected to play. If either ends up sidelined, it could continue to cause some serious problems for the Cowboys offense. Over the past two weeks with Smith down, backup tackles Chaz Green and Byron Bell, have combined for 16 total pressures allowed (per PFF). Put together, that’s five more than any other tackle during that span. The Chargers present a tough challenge as they’re currently seventh in adjusted sack rate and eighth in pressure rate. Smith’s return would provide an improvement on the ground; he’s currently PFF’s 27th-ranked tackle in run blocking. Alfred Morris handled 63% of the Cowboys running attempts last week and appears to have hold of a lead role, although he’ll continue to lose passing downs to Rod Smith. Morris was productive against one of the best run defenses last week, picking up 91 yards on 17 attempts. While the Eagles were first in adjusted line yards heading into the weekend, the Chargers were 14th and the Bills ran all over them. As a team, they piled up 173 rushing yards and two scores on 22 attempts, although most of the game was garbage time. LeSean McCoy racked up 114 on 13 carries and found the end zone. Morris won’t have much involvement in the passing game, limiting his upside, but he could certainly pay off his $4.8k DK salary if game flow works in his favor. Bettors don’t seem to think it will though, the line has moved in the Chargers’ favor. Despite 51% of the tickets coming in on the Chargers’ side of the spread, they’re now 2.5-point road favorites after the game opened as a pick’em, indicating some sharp money is on LA this week.
Other tagged players: Dan Bailey, Mike Nugent Will Fuller isn't practicing Wednesday
He missed Week 11 with cracked ribs and is “touch and go” according to coach Bill O’Brien. It’ll be challenging for him to be cleared in time to play the Ravens on Monday night. Patrick Peterson’s shadow didn’t stop Tom Savage from targeting DeAndre Hopkins, he finished with a team-high nine looks and turned them into a 4/76/1 line. It’s unlikely Ravens CB Jimmy Smith, the only corner allowing fewer fantasy points per route defended than Patrick Peterson (0.11, per PFF), will discourage Savage this week. Fortunately for Hopkins, Smith doesn’t shadow, so the receiver will get some run against Brandon Carr, who’s allowing 0.25 fantasy points per route and ranks 47th in yards per cover snap (1.1). Bruce Ellington would continue to serve as the second receiver. He tallied seven looks against the Cardinals and hauled in six of them for 63 yards. Overall, it’s going to be hard to trust the receivers in this spot with Tom Savage under center. As a unit, the Ravens pass defense is much stronger than the Cardinals. They’re second in pass DVOA and allowing the second-lowest passer rating (66.9), third-fewest yards per attempt (6.4), and the second-fewest fantasy points to QBs and WRs alike. The Ravens are weakest defending tight ends; they’re 31st in DVOA and permitting the 15th-most PPR points to the position. C.J. Fiedorowicz hasn’t gotten very involved in the offense since returning to the team, pulling down two catches in both games while seeing 3.5 targets on average. As a result, he’s dirt cheap at $2.8k on DraftKings and $4.5k on FanDuel, which makes him an interesting tournament option.
Other tagged players: DeAndre Hopkins, Bruce Ellington Jordan Reed ruled out for Week 12
Vernon Davis will continue to operate as Washington’s top tight end. It’s a great matchup for Davis. A tight end has scored on the Giants in every game but one this season and they’ve allowed the third-most yards (75.2/g and fourth-most receptions (5.9/g) to the position. Davis has picked up five red zone targets over the past three games and he’s picked up 8.7 total looks per game during that stretch. He’s delivered an impressive 11.0 yards per target this season (for comparison, Rob Gronkowski averages 10.6 and Travis Kelce returns 8.9) and his 16.0 yards per catch leads all tight ends (13th overall). We’re expecting him to be the most popular tight end on the Thanksgiving slate.
Chris Hogan, Rob Gronkowski, and Tom Brady aren't practicing Wednesday
At this point, the only one with real concern is Hogan, who’s missed the past two games – we’ll have to see if Brady and Gronk return tomorrow before beginning to worry about their Week 12 status.
Other tagged players: Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski Travis Benjamin and Mike Williams questionable for Week 12
Benjamin’s abdomen injury paired with extended garbage time allowed rookie Mike Williams to pick up season-highs in snaps (41) and targets (8) – he hauled in five for 38 scoreless yards. If Benjamin is ultimately ruled out, Williams will likely jump into heavy playing time, although he’ll likely remain low on the targets totem pole in a competitive game.
Other tagged players: Mike Williams Jordan Reed and LT Trent Williams will be game-time decisions Week 12
Reed isn’t expected to play at this point but an official decision won’t be made until he tries to warm up tomorrow. If he can’t go, Vernon Davis will continue to operate as Washington’s top tight end. It’s a great matchup for Davis. A tight end has scored on the Giants in every game but one this season and they’ve allowed the third-most yards (75.2/g and fourth-most receptions (5.9/g) to the position. Davis has picked up five red zone targets over the past three games and he’s picked up 8.7 total looks per game during that stretch. He’s delivered an impressive 11.0 yards per target this season (for comparison, Rob Gronkowski averages 10.6 and Travis Kelce returns 8.9) and his 16.0 yards per catch leads all tight ends (13th overall). We’re expecting him to be the most popular tight end on the Thanksgiving slate.
Other tagged players: Washington Commanders, Vernon Davis Sterling Shepard, DT Damon Harrison, DE Olivier Vernon, and LB Jonathan Casillas questionable for Week 12; RT Justin Pugh, RG D.J. Fluker, and LB B.J. Goodson ruled out
Shepard wasn’t able to practice yesterday as he deals with migraines that held him out of Week 11 but the receiver is officially questionable for Thursday’s game against the Redskins. Without Shepard last game, Evan Engram and Travis Rudolph ended up pacing the team in targets with six apiece while Eli Manning spread the ball around to ten different players. 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 the slot receiver is able to suit 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.
Other tagged players: New York Giants Devonta Freeman won't practice Wednesday
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 This High Priced RB Has a Great Matchup
McCoy has one of the better matchups in the league this week going against the Chiefs and because of Gurley being only $300 more on DK, I don’t think he’s going to get a whole lot of ownership. The Chiefs rank dead last against the run in terms of DVOA and are one of the better teams in the league defending against pass-catching RBs. However, that isn’t going to stop Taylor dumping off the ball to him often. McCoy only has four TDs on the season and with the workload that he gets on a weekly basis, he’s due for some positive regression. Play McCoy at much lower ownership in large-field tournaments this weekend.
