DFS Alerts
LeGarrette Blount will remain starting RB for Eagles
Despite acquiring Jay Ajayi in a trade Tuesday, the Eagles are still considering Blount their starter. Although Ajayi figures to lead the backfield in touches, he’ll lose carries to Blount and some passing-down work to Wendell Smallwood. He’ll be running behind a better offensive line than he had in Miami and he’s known for making explosive plays, so it’s possible he can impress out of the gates and carve out a large workload for himself in Philly. He’s been very inconsistent as a runner though and he has a poor 43% success rate this season (per Sharp Football Stats). Perhaps a better line can help him improve those areas of his game. For Week 9, it may be best to wait and see what they do with this group. On top of the market share uncertainty, they’re heading to Denver. The Broncos run defense is holding RBs to the fewest PPR points and heading into Week 8, they ranked first in rush DVOA and third in adjusted line yards (per FO) before stuffing Kareem Hunt for 46 rushing yards on 22 attempts Monday night.
Other tagged players: Jay Ajayi
Jeremy Kerley will be suspended for at least Week 9
Kerley violated an undisclosed NFL policy and will be suspended, although the length of the ban has not yet been released. He’s not a huge factor on the Jets offense, attracting just 3.4 targets per game.
Bills S Jordan Poyer expects to play Week 9
Poyer (knee) and CB E.J. Gaines (hamstring) were both inactive Sunday. It looks like Poyer, PFF’s third-ranked cover safety, will play Thursday night against the Jets which could hinder Robby Anderson’s ability to make big plays. The Bills may be without Gaines though, who’s now missed two days of practice. If he can’t go, it would likely keep Shareece Wright on the outside. He allowed the seventh-most yards this past weekend (69) and if he had enough snaps to qualify, he would have the fourth-worst yards per cover snap (1.81 per PFF) and third-worst cover snaps per receptions (7.0) this season. He’ll primarily battle Jermaine Kearse while Robby Anderson only runs 26% of his routes on the side Wright would be on. Anderson is coming off the best game of his season with 104 receiving yards and a touchdown. He’s going to see a lot of Tre’Davious White, who’s limited receivers to a 47% catch rate and earned the seventh-best cover grade from PFF. Anderson travels to the slot for 33% of his routes where he’ll see Leonard Johnson, who’s posted the third-worst cover snaps per reception rate (8.0) when inside. Given Poyer’s presence and a tough matchup with White, Anderson may find more success running short and medium routes out of the slot. It’s possible McCown picks on Wright by sending more targets towards Kearse but he hasn’t passed his way more than five times over the past four weeks. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins could pick up a larger workload as well and the Bills have struggled to defend tight ends, ranking 19th in DVOA while allowing the ninth-most PPR points to the position. ASJ has seen five targets in back-to-back weeks but he hit 11 and eight in the two weeks prior and has scored three touchdowns over those four games. Jeremy Kerley is expected to be suspended which opens up a little over three targets per game for the other pass-catchers.
Other tagged players: Robbie Chosen, Josh McCown, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jermaine Kearse Bills CB E.J. Gaines isn't practicing again Tuesday, S Jordan Poyer is participating
LG Richie Incognito is also sidelined today – he wasn’t able to practice most of last week as he deals with an ankle injury but still played in the game. Poyer (knee) and Gaines (hamstring) were both inactive Sunday. It looks like Poyer has a chance to play Thursday night against the Jets but it’s not a good start to the week for Gaines, who’s now missed two days of practice. If he can’t go, it would likely keep Shareece Wright on the outside. He allowed the seventh-most yards this past weekend (69) and if he had enough snaps to qualify, he would have the fourth-worst yards per cover snap (1.81 per PFF) and third-worst cover snaps per receptions (7.0) this season. He’ll primarily battle Jermaine Kearse while Robby Anderson only runs 26% of his routes on the side Wright would be on. Anderson is coming off the best game of his season with 104 receiving yards and a touchdown. He’s going to see a lot of Tre’Davious White, who’s limited receivers to a 47% catch rate and earned the seventh-best cover grade from PFF. Anderson travels to the slot for 33% of his routes where he’ll see Leonard Johnson, who’s posted the third-worst cover snaps per reception rate (8.0) when inside. If Poyer, PFF’s third-ranked cover safety, returns, it could make it harder for Anderson to make big plays.
Other tagged players: Robbie Chosen Chris Hogan expected to miss a few weeks
The receiver injured his shoulder late in Sunday’s game and was seen sporting a sling after the game. Fortunately, it’s nothing too serious. It won’t require surgery, just rest and rehab, per Ian Rapoport. The Patriots are on a bye this week and then head to Denver for a tough matchup in Week 10. If Hogan isn’t able to return, it could open up snaps for Danny Amendola and Phillip Dorsett.
Charles Clay isn't expected to return for Week 9
Coach Sean McDermott said Clay (knee) is “going to have a hard time” getting healthy enough to suit up this Thursday against the Jets. His absence will leave Nick O’Leary in the TE1 role. After seeing six targets when he came in for the injured Clay against the Bengals, he’s been quiet with 2.5 targets per game. The Jets are allowing the eighth-most PPR points to tight ends though and the Bills top-targeted pass-catcher, LeSean McCoy tends to struggle on the road. On top of averaging 36.2 fewer rushing yards per game (63.2 away, 99.4 home) and 1.1 fewer rushing touchdowns since 2016 (0.2 away, 1.3 home), which could encourage the Bills to pass more, he averages 4.3 targets on the road compared to 5.2 at home. This could open up some opportunities for O’Leary Thursday night, making him a potential GPP option at his affordable $3.1k price tag.
Other tagged players: Nick O'Leary C.J. Beathard expected to start Week 9
He’s going to lose the job to Jimmy Garoppolo soon but the newcomer is expected to be ready to start this weekend. Beathard hasn’t been good across the past three games. He’s posted a 22.5 QBR and despite throwing at least 36 times in each game, he’s only averaged 215.7 yards per game with two total touchdowns to three interceptions. San Francisco’s line is very banged up and they’ve already allowed the fifth-most pressures this season (107, per PFF). Last week, Beathard was under pressure on a ridiculous 60% of his throws. Although the Cardinals, their Week 9 opponent, only ranks 29th in adjusted sack rate (per PFF), they could still find success against this 49ers unit. If Pierre Garcon (neck) plays, he’ll likely be shadowed by Patrick Peterson, limiting his upside in fantasy and what he can do for Beathard. As a team, the Cardinals are 11th in pass DVOA.
Other tagged players: Jimmy Garoppolo, Pierre Garcon, Arizona Cardinals Seahawks S Earl Thomas isn't expected to play Week 9
Thomas, PFF’s sixth-ranked cover safety, tweaked his hamstring last Sunday and is considered a “long shot” to play this weekend. The Seahawks host the Redskins this weekend, Thomas’ absence could open up some downfield opportunities for quarterback Kirk Cousins. He currently has the eighth-highest passer rating on balls thrown 20+ yards downfield (108.2) but he’s only attempted 23 such throws (21st). The emergence of Josh Doctson could encourage him to become more aggressive. So far, 25% of Doctson’s targets have been deep balls. The receiver was second among the receivers with 47 snaps in Week 8, firmly out-snapping Terrelle Pryor for the second straight game as he’s firmly supplanted him on the depth chart. He’s still just $4.4k on DraftKings and makes for a potentially boom-or-bust GPP option in a traditionally tough matchup with Thomas likely out. Even with Thomas playing last week, Deshaun Watson exposed them deep, completing 7-of-10 passes 20+ yards downfield for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
Other tagged players: Kirk Cousins, Josh Doctson Eagles acquired Jay Ajayi from Dolphins for fourth-round draft pick
Ajayi is headed to Philly where he’s expected to be the featured back and run behind a better offensive line. Per PFF’s Pat Thorman, the Dolphins offensive line ranks 30th in run blocking while the Eagles, who will be without LT Jason Peters, are seventh. However, in terms of adjusted line yards, the Eagles are just 21st. That’s still an improvement over the Dolphins though (28th, per FO). Ajayi has only posted 3.4 yards per carry this season but he’s eighth in the league with 2.8 yards after contact. In Miami, he picked up at least 23 carries in four games. He may not receive as large a role in Philly with LeGarrette Blount still around and Wendell Smallwood an option for passing downs. On top of that, he’ll be facing a tough Broncos run defense this weekend that stymied Kareem Hunt for 46 rushing yards on 22 attempts Monday night. Heading into Week 8, Denver was first in rush DVOA, third in adjusted line yards, and allowing the fewest PPR points to RBs. Back in Miami, Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams are expected to enter a timeshare with Williams continuing to hold down the passing-down role. They’ll face a Raiders defense allowing the ninth-most PPR points to RBs this season. Hopefully, we’ll get a clearer picture of what the Dolphins are expected to do with their backfield as the week progresses.
Other tagged players: Damien Williams, Kenyan Drake Ezekiel Elliott's attempt to block six-game suspension denied, but he can appeal
In what seems like a never-ending roller coaster, Ezekiel Elliott’s most recent attempt to block his suspension has been denied, but he has 24 hours to file an appeal. If he’s unable to go this weekend, look for a combination of Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris to eat up rushing duties with Rod Smith also a threat to steal some work. We’ll continue to update this situation as it unfolds over the next 24 hours.
As reported by: Adam Schefter
49ers acquired Jimmy Garoppolo from Patriots for second-round draft pick
The 49ers aren’t happy with what they have in C.J. Beathard or Brian Hoyer so they’ve decided to bring in Garoppolo to be their quarterback. He was impressive in limited action last season, averaging 248 yards across two starts with four touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 71% completion percentage. It’s not clear how soon he’ll be prepared to start but they’ll want him in there as soon as possible. It’s a clear upgrade for San Francisco’s pass-catchers.
Other tagged players: C.J. Beathard, Brian Hoyer 49ers place S Jimmie Ward and RT Garry Gilliam on IR; LT Joe Staley and DE Solomon Thomas out for at least two games
Ward has a fractured forearm and it’ll end his season. On top of that, the 49ers lost starting LT Staley due to a fractured orbital bone and backup RT Garry Gilliam, who was filling in for the injured Trent Brown, is out for the year with a knee issue. Quarterback C.J. Beathard was sacked four times and threw two interceptions Sunday while facing pressure on 27 of his 45 dropbacks. Although Arizona’s defensive line is 29th in adjusted sack rate, they could find success against this banged-up 49ers unit. Solomon Thomas has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain and is expected to miss a couple games. With DE Arik Armstead already on the IR, the 49ers will be without their two starting edge defenders.
As reported by: Eric Branch Texans acquired CB Jeremy Lane from Seahawks for LT Duane Brown
Lane has only logged 12 snaps since Week 3 as he battled injuries. In his limited time on the field, he’s earned the 102nd corner grade from PFF. He could potentially replace CB Kevin Johnson, who’s 115th and has allowed 2.19 yards per cover snap this season which would the worst in the league if he qualified. The Seahawks will continue to use Justin Coleman in the slot. He’s 18th in yards per cover snap when lined up inside (1.11) but he’s limited receivers to an impressive 54% catch rate from the position. As a unit, they were 5th in pass DVOA heading into Week 8, before Deshaun Watson went off for 402 yards and four touchdowns.
Other tagged players: Seattle Seahawks Seahawks acquired LT Duane Brown from Texans
The Seahawks completed a trade for Brown Monday, who only ended up playing in one game this season following a holdout. It’s a huge upgrade for their offensive line as Brown came in as PFF’s 14th-best tackle in 2016 and was one of two tackles that allowed just one sack despite playing over 400 pass-blocking snaps. So far this season, Seattle’s line has ranked 30th in pass blocking efficiency.
Other tagged players: Houston Texans Chiefs C Mitch Morse active for Week 8
Morse will start at center following a six-game absence due to a foot injury. LB Justin Houston is also active, as expected. He should provide a boost for Kareem Hunt and the running game as his 77.6 run blocking grade through two games would be good for eight at his position if he qualified. It’s still a tough matchup as Denver ranked third in adjusted line yards heading into Week 8 (per FO). Hunt is currently second in the league with 5.8 yards per carry and he’s topped 100 yards four times this season.