DFS Alerts
C.J. Fiedorowicz returned to practice Wednesday
Fiedorowicz has been designated to return from the IR and returned to the practice field today.
Emmanuel Sanders didn't practice Wednesday, Cody Latimer and Isaiah McKenzie returned
Sanders missed Week 7 with an ankle injury but Denver remains hopeful he can suit up this Monday. If he can’t, Bennie Fowler would remain in the starting role opposite Demaryius Thomas while McKenzie and Latimer would be in line for more snaps. Thomas should receive a solid workload against the Chiefs in that scenario. It didn’t pan out that way in Week 7 as he struggled against Casey Hayward and the Chargers to a 2/6/9/0 line. Fortunately for him, he should have an easier matchup this time around as he should avoid Marcus Peters’ coverage most of the night. He’ll primarily square off with Terrance Mitchell, PFF’s 81st-ranked cover corner.
Other tagged players: Cody Latimer, Isaiah McKenzie, Demaryius Thomas Michael Thomas didn't practice Wednesday, Willie Snead a full participant
It’s unclear if Thomas was simply getting a rest day as he played the entire game Sunday but he was listed with a knee issue Wednesday. Meanwhile, Snead, who was inactive in Week 7 due to a lingering hamstring injury, got in a full practice. He’s only been active for one game this season and played just 21 snaps in that contest. Now that he’s fully healthy, he could finally work into a bigger role. Even so, it may be best to take a wait-and-see approach as he’d have a tough matchup in the slot with Bears CB Bryce Callahan. When lined up inside, Callahan is fifth in cover snaps per reception (13.9) and third in yards per cover snap (0.53, per PFF). If Thomas plays, he’ll have to battle Prince Amukamara quite a bit. The CB has posted the third-best cover snaps per reception rate (23.7) and allowed the seventh-fewest yards per cover snap (0.58, per PFF). As a unit, the Bears are now tenth in pass DVOA and over the past four weeks they’ve allowed the seventh-fewest receptions to the position (9.25 per game). Even Amukamara’s counterpart, Kyle Fuller, has stepped up his game recently. Over the past three games, he’s been targeted the third-most in the league (26) but he’s held receivers to an impressive 42% catch rate. It’s a tough spot for Saints receivers.
Other tagged players: Willie Snead JuJu Smith-Schuster was a full participant in Wednesday's practice
Although he remains in the concussion protocol, this is a good sign. If Smith-Schuster can get cleared to play, he would likely start and move to the outside with Martavis Bryant expected to be inactive, putting Eli Rogers in the slot. While Darius Slay could be busy shadowing Antonio Brown, JSS could get a mix of Nevin Lawson and D.J. Hayden, both of whom are ranked 95th or lower by PFF. Although he hadn’t been targeted once in the deep-passing game entering Week 7, he picked up two looks 20+ yards downfield last Sunday and turned one of them into a 31-yard score. He’ll be in line for a target boost with Bryant sidelined. If Rogers takes over the slot role, he’ll get plenty of run against Quandre Diggs, who’s limited receivers to the sixth-fewest yards per cover snap when lined up inside.
Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin, and Breshad Perriman questionable for Week 8, Michael Campanaro doubtful, Terrance West ruled out
Baltimore’s top three receivers are officially questionable for their Thursday night game against the Dolphins. Joining them with a ‘Q’ tag: S Eric Weddle, TE Ben Watson, LB Terrell Suggs, LB Patrick Onwausor, RG Matt Skura, and CB Jimmy Smith. TE Maxx Williams has been ruled out and WR Chris Matthews is doubtful. Perriman and Maclin were inactive Sunday and Wallace exited early with a concussion so Flacco peppered Allen with a team-high 11 targets. The Dolphins are allowing the 11th-most receptions to RBs this season (5.8 per game) and now rank 28th in receiving RB DVOA after Matt Forte and Bilal Powell combined for a 7/81/0 line in Week 7. Allen out-snapped Alex Collins 88 to 38 over the past two weeks without West and he should continue that trend against the pass-funnel Miami defense that ranked third in rush DVOA and 27th against the pass. At receiver, Chris Moore and Griff Whalen both played 58-of-65 snaps last Sunday. Moore was second on the team with eight looks and hauled in Flacco’s lone TD but he finished with just two receptions. He ended up leading the team in receiving yards despite only having 44 of them. Even if the top three receivers miss another game, it doesn’t seem like he’ll offer much upside. If Maclin is able to make his return, he’ll have a nice matchup with Dolphins slot CB Bobby McCain, who’s given up 16 receptions on 18 targets when lined up inside. It’s not a particularly appealing game though as it features two inept offenses. Not surprisingly, Vegas has given it the lowest total on the board (37).
Other tagged players: Jeremy Maclin, Breshad Perriman, Terrance West, Michael Campanaro, Chris Matthews, Alex Collins, Javorius Allen, Chris Moore, Griff Whalen, Baltimore Ravens Colts CB Rashaan Melvin, S Darius Butler, S T.J. Green, C Ryan Kelly, and LB John Simon didn't practice Wednesday
The Colts already lost their best safety, Malik Hooker, for the season, so these other defensive injuries could leave them very vulnerable against the Bengals this weekend. With Melvin inactive last weekend with a concussion, QB Blake Bortles ripped Indy’s secondary for 330 yards on 26 attempts. Undoubtedly, quarterback Andy Dalton will pepper A.J. Green with targets against them this weekend. He’s currently commanding a 30.2% market share of the team’s passes and he’s third in the league with 2.63 yards per route run. If Melvin, PFF’s 12th-ranked cover corner, misses more time, Green could see more of Vontae Davis, who has played poorly this season – he’s currently ranked 99th in coverage.
Jets CB Buster Skrine placed in concussion protocol Wednesday, RT Brandon Shell and Muhammad Wilkerson didn't practice
Skrine came down with concussion-like symptoms Wednesday and was held out of practice. His late addition to the protocol will make it difficult for him to get cleared in time to play the Falcons this weekend. Wilkerson hasn’t practiced the past two weeks but has played in both games. Although Julio Jones is expected to be shadowed by Morris Claiborne, the corner doesn’t travel into the slot and Jones is going there more often. Over the past two weeks, the receiver has run 32% of his routes inside. Skrine is already a favorable matchup as he’s allowed the second-most yards per cover snap when in the slot (1.74, per PFF) and it could get easier for Jones if the Jets have to dig into their bench.
Other tagged players: Julio Jones Martavis Bryant expected to be inactive Week 8
Bryant took snaps with the scout team Wednesday and was told by the front office he’ll be inactive this weekend. With JuJu Smith-Schuster in the concussion protocol, the Steelers could be very thin at receiver when they take on the Lions. If Smith-Schuster can get cleared to play, he would likely start and move to the outside, putting Eli Rogers in the slot. While Darius Slay could be busy shadowing Antonio Brown, JSS could get a mix of Nevin Lawson and D.J. Hayden, both of whom are ranked 95th or lower by PFF. Although he hadn’t been targeted once in the deep-passing game entering Week 7, he picked up two looks 20+ yards downfield last Sunday and turned one of them into a 31-yard score. If Rogers takes over the slot role, he’ll get plenty of run against Quandre Diggs, who’s limited receivers to the sixth-fewest yards per cover snap when lined up inside.
Other tagged players: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Eli Rogers, Antonio Brown Hue Jackson won't commit to Kenny Britt as a starter
Once again, the Browns head coach won’t say whether Britt will start, saying “we’ll see” when asked if the receiver will get the nod in Week 8. He’s now caught 10-of-28 targets and with the Browns not playing for anything besides a draft pick, the big free agent acquisition is nothing but a sunk cost at this point.
A Top Wide Receiver Priced in the Mid-Range
When looking at Hilton’s price this week, all I could think was “Wow.” Here you have a guy that was one of the top fantasy performers last year and someone who has been great at times this year, and he’s priced among peasants. So far on the season, Hilton is averaging seven targets per game, and that’s despite having one of the tougher schedules a WR can have on the season. The Bengals can be beat by speedy slot WRs like Hilton, which is evident by their 30th ranked DVOA vs. WR3s and their 31st ranked DVOA ranking in deep passes. The Colts are 10-point underdogs in this game, which means that they will probably be behind for most of the game and will likely be very aggressive in the passing game. Hilton should be the main beneficiary. Look for a high volume of targets with a large likelihood of a big play for Hilton this week. At his $5,600 price tag on DraftKings, there are very few scenarios in which the Indy WR doesn’t make value.
A WR Due for a Breakout in Week 8
Keenan Allen is probably my favorite WR play on the entire Week 8 slate. So far this season, he has failed to reach nine targets just once, and that was last week against a tough Denver D that was down significantly nearly the entire game. Allen is second in the league in targets this year, trailing only Antonio Brown, with 68 on the season. He draws a matchup against the Patriots, who rank 31st in the league vs. WR1s in DVOA and 32nd in pass DVOA. The Chargers are 7.5-point underdogs and therefore will likely be throwing a lot to keep up with this high-powered Pats offense. Thus far, Allen has only gotten into the end zone one time this season, but prior to this season, he averaged a touchdown nearly every other game, and he’s still sixth in the NFL in red-zone targets with 12 on the season. When you factor in the matchup and the volume, I think Allen is in for a breakout game this week. Don’t miss the boat on this one. Get a large amount of exposure to him this week.
Golden Tate is practicing Wednesday; Kenny Golladay expected to return Week 8
Lions players told beat writer Dave Birkett they expect Golladay to make his return this weekend against the Steelers. He could be in line for a sizable workload if Tate, the team’s leading receiver with a 21.3% market share, misses this game. It was originally reported Tate would miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury, so it’s a good sign he was able to participate in today’s practice. He is still very questionable for this weekend. If he’s able to suit up, he’ll go up against one of the top-performing slot corners in the game, Mike Hilton, who’s holding receivers to 0.67 yards per cover snap when lined up inside, the fourth-best rate (per PFF). It won’t be much easier for Golladay; he’ll see Artie Burns the most. Burns is currently 12th with 0.74 yards per cover snap and he’s only giving up a 51% catch rate. As a unit, the Steelers are second in pass DVOA (per FO) and have allowed the fewest PPR points to receivers this season.
Other tagged players: Kenny Golladay Dontrelle Inman traded to Bears
The Bears gave up a seventh-round pick in exchange for the Chargers receiver. Chicago has the worst group of receivers in the NFL, so Inman could latch on rather quickly. Although he’s only attracted four targets this season, he showed some flashes last year with two games over 100 yards and four total touchdowns.
Stefon Diggs has "good chance to play" Week 8
The quote comes from coach Mike Zimmer, who added Diggs will be making the trip to London. If he’s able to suit up, he could be shadowed by Jason McCourty which presents a difficult matchup on the surface. The cornerback is having a renaissance year in Cleveland after a few down seasons and finishing in the bottom-18 in yards per cover snap and cover snaps per reception with the Titans in 2016. In 2017, he’s found himself as PFF’s third-ranked cover corner, although that grade may be a bit inflated due to his three interceptions – great production in real life, but worse for QBs than WRs in fantasy. In terms of receiver production, he’s 35th in yards per cover snap and 39th in cover snaps per reception while allowing a 65.5% catch rate. Essentially, this appears to be a case where his PFF grade doesn’t mean he’s a shutdown corner to fear in DFS. The Browns may have one of those in slot corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun though. Despite playing all seven games, he’s only been targeted an absurdly-low five times, allowing him to lead the league with 0.1 yards per cover snap and 54.5 cover snaps per reception. He was forced to the outside a little more than normal with McCourty out against the Titans last week but he still defended 18 routes in the slot. Eric Decker, who worked into his coverage on the outside and in the slot, finished with a blank sheet with just two targets. That sets up a daunting challenge for Adam Thielen this weekend whether Diggs is in or not. Tight end Kyle Rudolph could see an uptick in targets if Diggs remains sidelined and he’ll have the best matchup of the bunch with the Browns giving up the second-most PPR points to his position this season.
John Ross and CB Adam Jones are practicing Wednesday
Both practiced last Wednesday as well and neither player ended up playing on Sunday. Ross has only played five snaps this season but the team is hopeful he can get back on the field this weekend. It’s hard to know what to expect from Ross and the rookie could be eased into action over the first few games upon returning. Undoubtedly, quarterback Andy Dalton will continue to pepper A.J. Green with targets against the Colts this weekend. He’s currently commanding a 30.2% market share of the team’s targets and he’s third in the league with 2.63 yards per route run. He’ll primarily battle Rashaan Melvin this weekend if the Colts top CB plays. He was inactive last weekend with a concussion and QB Blake Bortles ripped Indy’s secondary for 330 yards on 26 attempts. Melvin is PFF’s 12th-ranked cover corner while fellow outside CB, Vontae Davis, is 99th. If Melvin is absent again, Green will be in an even better spot. If Jones returns, he could make things more difficult for Moncrief and Hilton on the outside – if he had enough snaps to qualify, he would be fifth in the league with 0.44 yards per cover snap.
Other tagged players: A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief