DFS Alerts
Jeremy Kerley warming up, expected to play Week 9
Kerley is expected to be suspended for violating an NFL policy but the punishment hasn’t been handed down yet, meaning he’ll play against the Bills tonight. He’s averaging a lackluster 3.9 targets per game this season and hasn’t seen more than four since Week 4, so he isn’t an appealing fantasy option. Quarterback Josh McCown will likely continue to focus on Robby Anderson, who’s coming off his best game of the season with a 6/104/1 line, but he has a tough matchup with PFF’s seventh-ranked cover corner, Tre-Davious White. He’ll continue to favor Austin Seferian-Jenkins as well and he has a great spot. The Bills are allowing the fifth-most receptions per game to tight ends. ASJ has only seen five targets the past two weeks but he saw eight and 11 in the two games prior and he’s scored three times over those four games. McCown seems to trust him near the end zone and he’s been very efficient as he’s turned 3-of-4 targets inside the ten-yard line into touchdowns.
Other tagged players: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Robbie Chosen, Josh McCown
Martellus Bennett and S Kentrell Brice didn't practice Thursday; S Morgan Burnett limited
Bennett is dealing with a shoulder injury, the severity of which is not yet known. The tight end has received four or fewer targets in four of the past five games and he hasn’t found the end zone all year. With Brett Hundley under center, the whole offense takes a downgrade, leaving Bennett as a lackluster fantasy target if he plays.
Other tagged players: Green Bay Packers Raiders CB David Amerson didn't practice Thursday
Amerson was able to practice yesterday after being inactive on Sunday with a foot injury. It seems like he may have suffered a setback as he was downgraded to a DNP today. If he plays this weekend, he’ll defend DeVante Parker the most. If he sits, Dexter McDonald would take on that challenge. McDonald has permitted a 78% catch rate this season and he’s earned PFF’s 53rd cover grade. He may be a tougher matchup than Amerson though considering Amerson would have the highest yards per cover snap rate if he had enough snaps to qualify (2.22) and he’s allowing a 75% catch rate. Jarvis Landry also has a favorable spot against T.J. Carrie in the slot. Although Carrie has earned PFF’s 36th cover grade, he’s allowing the sixth-most yards per cover snap out when lined up inside (1.55) and has posted the second-worst cover snaps per reception rate (6.4). While it’s normal to see elevated catch rates from slot corners, Carrie’s 77% is still appealing for target-monster Landry. The receiver has averaged 11.4 looks per game and hit double-digits in all but one game. Parker’s return could potentially eat into that volume but he was a full go in three of those outings and averaged 9.0 targets himself.
Other tagged players: DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry Kenny Golladay didn't practice Thursday
Golladay was on track to return last week prior to re-aggravating his hamstring injury. If he can’t get back on the field by Saturday, he’ll probably remain sidelined Monday night. If he can’t suit up, T.J. Jones would continue to operate as the WR3. He’s seen eight and nine targets over the past two weeks and managed to post his best game of the season against the daunting Steelers secondary with a 4/88/0 line. Even so, he’s only picked up four red zone targets this year and doesn’t carry too much upside behind Golden Tate and Marvin Jones.
Other tagged players: TJ Jones Pierre Garcon didn't practice Thursday
It’s the second missed practice in a row for Garcon as he deals with a neck injury. If he’s able to play this weekend, he’ll likely be shadowed by Patrick Peterson, limiting his upside in fantasy. Peterson is the top cornerback in both yards per cover snap (0.32) and cover snaps per reception (36.9). If Garcon is out, it’ll provide more snaps/opportunities for Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor, and Aldrick Robinson, although Goodwin is at risk of being chased by Peterson. As a team, the Cardinals are 11th in pass DVOA but they’re giving up the fourth-most PPR points to receivers. That’s in large part due to Justin Bethel, who’s been charged with a league-high six touchdowns and the second-most yards. He was benched last game in favor of Tramon Williams. Although Williams didn’t give up a score, he wasn’t good, the corner was responsible for six catches and 62 yards on eight targets against the Rams. Goodwin may be better off if Garcon plays while Robinson would be an appealing value option if Garcon sits.
Other tagged players: Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson, Trent Taylor Tests confirm Deshaun Watson tore ACL
It’s a devastating blow for the Houston Texans and the quarterback who was having an incredible rookie campaign. Watson will miss the remainder of the season and Tom Savage will start at quarterback going forward. He’s only played one half for the Texans this season after getting benched in their opener. Savage has a career completion rate of 60.0% and has averaged 6.2 yards per attempt which would be good for 27th this season. The Colts are one of the better spots for passers as they’re allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position but it’ll still be hard to trust Savage to produce a strong game. The change is a huge downgrade for DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller who now have inflated price tags based on their four-game hot streak with Watson under center. The game total peaked at 52 points this afternoon and predictably crashed to 46 following the injury news. The Colts are now 7-point road dogs, representing a gain of six points.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Tom Savage, DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller Rapoport: Texans fear Deshaun Watson suffered torn ACL in practice Thursday
Watson suffered a non-contact injury in practice this afternoon and he’s headed for an MRI to confirm the injury. Waston has been on a tear since Will Fuller returned to the lineup. Over the past four weeks, he’s tossed 16 touchdowns and added another on the ground. Well on his way to rookie of the year honors, Watson’s season is now in jeopardy. If the diagnosis is confirmed, it’s an obvious downgrade for DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. Tom Savage would start at quarterback in that scenario.
Other tagged players: Tom Savage, DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller Eagles CB Ronald Darby limited Thursday, not expected to play Week 9
Although he’s been able to practice, it appears Darby is still not ready to make his return. Reporter Jeff McLane put the chances of Darby playing at “less than 1” when asked if he thought Darby would play (on a scale from 1-10). His absence would make things easier for Demaryius Thomas. The receiver may benefit from the change at quarterback as well. With Trevor Siemian, Thomas averaged 8.5 targets per game and he’s hit double-digits once. Across Osweiler’s eight appearances in 2015, Thomas attracted 10.5 looks per game and saw between 10-14 five times. Thomas could spend plenty of time battling Rasul Douglas, who’s allowed the 14th-most yards per cover snap (1.36), and Jalen Mills, who’s allowed the fourth-most total yards (426) and fifth-most touchdowns (4). He appears to be the better bet over Emmanuel Sanders, who’s expected to return this weekend. In addition to coming off an injury, Sanders played in seven of those Osweiler games and averaged 8.0 targets while only hitting double-digits once.
Other tagged players: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders Redskins S DeAngelo Hall expected to play Week 9
Hall hasn’t played since Week 3 of 2016 so he may be limited in his first game back. According to PFF, he allowed a 122.1 passer rating into his coverage when he transitioned to safety in 2015.
Buccaneers CB Robert McClain expected to return Week 9; CB Brent Grimes didn't practice Thursday
McClain has cleared the concussion protocol and he’s all set to return to the starting lineup this weekend following a one-game absence. If Grimes is unable to suit up, it would likely leave McClain and Vernon Hargreaves on the outside against the Saints on Sunday. McClain primarily plays slot corner but he made the switch due to Hargreaves poor performance. He should see Michael Thomas quite a bit this weekend. The receiver has commanded a 25% market share of the Saints targets and he’s efficiently hauled in 68% of those looks. He hasn’t broken out for any big games yet this season though; Thomas hasn’t topped 89 yards and he’s only scored twice through seven games. This could be the week though. The Saints are at home and the Buccaneers are allowing the most PPR points per game to WRs. He’ll also see Hargreaves, PFF’s 57th cover corner. Although the corner impressed last week, limiting Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess to a 1/9/0 line on six targets, he’s still allowing the 5th-most yards/cover snap this season (per PFF). This game is one of three with a game total of at least 51 points this week.
Other tagged players: Michael Thomas Colts CB Rashaan Melvin had a full practice Thursday
Melvin remains in the concussion protocol but his return to a full practice is a good sign for Week 9. He’s earned PFF’s 13th-best cover grade this season and he’s held receivers to a 57% catch rate. The corner will try to slow Will Fuller down this weekend if he’s able to suit up. Despite playing in just four games and only catching 13 passes, Fuller leads the league with seven receiving touchdowns. Not surprisingly, Fuller’s price has soared, he’s now the sixth-most expensive receiver on FanDuel and DraftKings. It’s not possible for the receiver to maintain this production over the long term but the Texans are hot and the Colts are allowing the sixth-most PPR points to WRs.
Other tagged players: Will Fuller Jamison Crowder, several other Redskins starters didn't practice again Thursday
Jordan Reed didn’t practice either and he isn’t expected to play Week 9 after exiting Sunday’s game with a hamstring issue. He hasn’t been fully healthy all season and fellow tight end Niles Paul is in the concussion protocol and hasn’t practiced all week. That could leave Vernon Davis with a huge role in Seattle this weekend. He saw five targets when Reed missed their Week 3 matchup with the Raiders and found the paint. Although he hasn’t attracted a ton of targets this season, he’s leading the league with 18.4 yards per reception. The Seahawks pass defense got worked by Deshaun Watson and company but only two of the quarterback’s passes went to his tight ends. Overall, Seattle has been pretty solid against the better TEs they’ve faced, limiting Jack Doyle, Martellus Bennett, and Delanie Walker to 43 scoreless yards or less each. Evan Engram did the most damage, finishing with a 6/60/1 line but he wasn’t particularly efficient considering he saw 12 targets in that contest. As a unit, Seattle ranked sixth in TE DVOA heading into Week 8. LT Trent Williams, C Spencer Long, LG Shawn Lauvao are all sidelined again today – three starters. Fortunately for this banged-up line, RG Brandon Scherff reportedly returned today and RT Morgan Moses is participating. Although Seattle is 18th in adjusted sack rate, if the Redskins head to Seattle without those linemen again, Kirk Cousins could be in trouble. He ended up being sacked four times and committed two turnovers against Dallas (eighth in adjusted sack rate) in Week 8. Cousins targeted Crowder 13 times in that contest and the receiver finally broke out for a big game with nine catches for 123 yards. Crowder is dealing with a hamstring issue and if he can’t get back on the field tomorrow, he’ll have a hard time suiting up this weekend. That could provide more snaps and touches to Ryan Grant and recently-demoted Terrelle Pryor.
Other tagged players: Jordan Reed, Niles Paul, Vernon Davis, Washington Commanders, Ryan Grant, Terrelle Pryor Delanie Walker didn't practice again Thursday, Corey Davis participated
Davis hasn’t played since Week 2 due to a hamstring injury but he’s finally ready to get back on the field this weekend against the Ravens. It’s a tough spot for his first game back, the Ravens are holding receivers to the second-fewest PPR points this season. In the lone full game of his rookie campaign, Davis led the team with ten targets and pulled down six of them for 69 yards. Two of those looks were deep balls 20+ yards downfield. While the receiver clearly carries upside, he’s a risky bet this week coming off an injury against a stout secondary. Baltimore’s weak point may be against tight ends; they rank 32nd in DVOA and have allowed the 12th-most PPR points to the position, although that’s a bit inflated by Marcedes Lewis’ three-touchdown performance back in Week 3. Over the past four weeks, they’ve held tight ends to the 11th-fewest PPR points. Still, if Walker is able to overcome a bone bruise on his right ankle and suit up this weekend, he may be the most appealing pass-catcher on the Titans side, he currently leads the team with 49 targets and 32 receptions.
Other tagged players: Corey Davis Change at QB Should Benefit This WR
Although Demaryius Thomas has put up two straight duds when big things were expected of him with teammate Emmanuel Sanders on the sidelines, now that Sanders is expected back Thomas is getting a change at Quarterback as well. While it remains to be seen if the move to Brock Osweiler is an upgrade, in eight games with Osweiler under center in 2015, Thomas was able to put up 39 receptions for 559 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Eagles rank 28th in passing yards per game allowed so far this year, and with Thomas priced at $6,000 on DraftKings and a season-low $6,700 on FanDuel, Thomas could put up a big game at an affordable price this Sunday.
Big Play WR Has Major Upside This Weekend
There could be fireworks in the Dallas – Kansas City game this weekend with two pass defenses in the bottom half of the league, a Dallas team more likely to rely on the pass since losing their star running back, and a Vegas total of 51 with a close spread. One player who could benefit is wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who has monopolized the receiver targets for the Chiefs this year. Hill has 55 targets on the year, substantially more than the next closest receiver Albert Wilson with 22, and has put up at least six targets in each of his eight games. Hill has converted those targets into 38 catches for 553 yards, just a few yards behind teammate Travis Kelce’s team-leading 556 yards. Hill also has four touchdowns this season (three receiving, one return touchdown) and is also a threat to score on the ground after scoring three rushing touchdowns last season. At $6,700 on DraftKings and $7,700 on FanDuel, Hill is a reasonable point-per-dollar play and has major upside with his big-play potential.