DFS Alerts
Curtis Samuel ruled out for Sunday
With Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess healthy, Samuel wasn’t going to be much of a factor regardless, especially considering the early season ineptitude of the Panthers passing attack.
As reported by: Max Henson
Matt Forte officially ruled out for Sunday
Even with Forte out of the picture, the Jets backfield is still very tough to trust with work likely to be split between Powell and McGuire. Powell remains the higher floor/higher ceiling play against the Jags, and if his usage is able to climb back to last years totals with Forte on the shelf, he’ll be a worthwhile tournament gamble.
As reported by: Rich Cimini Other tagged players: Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire Tyler Eifert, John Ross ruled out for Week 4
Eifert wasn’t expected to go this week and he’ll unsurprisingly be left on the inactives sheet. Tyler Kroft saw a big uptick in snaps with CJ Ozumah also involved to a lesser degree, but AJ Green is the real winner with Eifert on the shelf. Green is an elite high end target against a vulnerable Browns secondary. The Browns have been shredded by #1 WRs so far this year – they allowed a huge game to Antonio Brown in the opener (11-182 on 11 targets), allowed Jeremy Maclin to catch four of his five targets for 4-31-1, and allowed T.Y. Hilton to post his first big game of the season this past Sunday (7-153-1 on 9 targets). Green should be set to smash this weekend.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: John Ross Packers will start four guards on their offensive line Thursday night
With starting tackles Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari inactive and backup tackle Kyle Murphy sent to IR earlier this week, Green Bay is running out of linemen. With limited options available, they’re putting guards Lane Taylor and Justin McCray at left and right tackle and starting rookie Lucas Patrick in at left guard. Patrick will be making his NFL debut in primetime but at least he’s in his natural position, unlike Taylor and fellow rookie McCray. Despite not taking a single snap at tackle in the preseason, McCray has taken all 101 of his pro snaps at RT. Not surprisingly, he’s struggled with the position change, earning a poor 45.1 pass block grade from PFF. Green Bay’s offensive line has been charged with the fifth-most pressures this season (45) and they’ll take a downgrade with this starting lineup.
Michael Crabtree (chest) and Gareon Conley (shin) were limited in practice Thursday
It’s an upgrade for Conley who missed yesterday’s session. The rookie has been solid so far, checking in as PFF’s 28th-ranked cover corner. He out-snapped Sean Smith last week 46 to 3 and may be ahead of him again in Week 4. Crabtree appears on track to play after sustaining a chest injury this past weekend. If he suits up, he’s got a tough spot in Denver. Over the past three seasons, he’s faced the Broncos five times and hasn’t scored once. On top of that, he’s failed to top 54 receiving yards in any of those outings and he’s averaged a pedestrian 3.8/7/34.8/0.0 line for 7.28 PPR points, a 48% decrease from his average production in all other games (13.96 PPR points).
John Brown (quad) and J.J. Nelson (hamstring) practiced Thursday
Both players were limited for the second day in a row. Brown’s continued presence on the practice field is a step in the right direction towards his return. Still, given his lingering health concerns, it’ll be very hard to trust him in fantasy if he plays. At the same time, he could take snaps and targets from Nelson and Jaron Brown. As a team, the Cardinals are getting healthier. Starting guard Mike Iupati said he’s playing Sunday and they’re hopeful starting tackle D.J. Humphries can join him; they would be welcome additions to a struggling offensive line. LB Deone Bucannon got in a full practice again today and is trending in the right direction to make his season debut this Sunday. Bucannon was solid last season, piling up the sixth-most tackles among inside linebackers while posting the 10th-best yards per cover snap (0.75) among all linebackers, per PFF.
Other tagged players: J.J. Nelson Seahawks S Earl Thomas (knee) didn't practice Thursday, expected to play Sunday
Doug Baldwin was also sidelined again but still expects to play the Colts this weekend. He’ll match up with cornerback Nate Hairston, who’s manned the slot admirably this season, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 64.2 quarterback rating. When in the slot, he’s only allowed a reception every 15.2 cover snaps, per PFF; only Chris Harris has a better rate (one reception every 23.5 cover snaps). With Vontae Davis expected to be back this weekend, the Colts secondary will be able to limit the snaps of their weakest corners. Opposite Davis will be Rashaan Melvin, who’s currently a top-ten cover corner by PFF grading (83.7). After starting the season by allowing nine receptions for 87 yards on 14 targets, he bounced back in Cleveland with two interceptions and limited receivers to three catches on ten targets – although one of them was a touchdown grab by Kenny Britt. As a team, the Colts have allowed 284 passing yards per game (third-most) but they’ve limited opposing quarterbacks to the seventh-lowest rating (78.5) and fourth-lowest completion rate (55.8%). With Davis replacing the weakest link at cornerback, the Colts may have a better pass defense than it appears, although it remains to be seen if Davis can improve upon his poor 2016 campaign.
Bears DL Akiem Hicks and RG Josh Sitton active Thursday night; C Hroniss Grasu inactive
Hicks was added to the injury report this morning but he’s ready for tonight’s game against the Packers. It’s good news for Chicago’s rush defense. The defensive lineman is currently second among interior defenders in run-stop rate (17%), per PFF. Hicks has also been effective when rushing the passer, picking up nine pressures and two sacks so far this season. Green Bay’s line has been poor as they deal with several injuries; they’ve given up the fifth-most pressures (45) and they’ve been charged with six of Rodgers’ 13 sacks (8th). The Bears rank 27th in adjusted line yards per carry (4.48, per FO), but they’ll have a better chance against Ty Montgomery with Hicks’ run-stopping ability. Sitton has consistently earned high grades from PFF over his entire career while backup Tom Compton has been poor. His presence will be a boost for runners Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen and quarterback Mike Glennon, who’s faced pressure on 40% of his dropbacks, the fourth-highest rate in the league. However, with Grasu’s absence, the Bears will likely have to put Cody Whitehair at center, who’s earned the worst pass blocking grade from PFF this season (17.3).
Randall Cobb and LB Nick Perry active Thursday night; CB Davon House, DT Mike Daniels, RT Bryan Bulaga, and LT David Bakhtiari inactive
Green Bay will be without both of their starting offensive tackles tonight, which could spell trouble for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers offensive line has allowed the fifth-most pressures (45) and the quarterback has taken 13 sacks this season. On the positive side, he’ll get his slot receiver Cobb back on the field after a one-game absence. Cobb has a tough draw as Callahan has been excellent this year. When defending the slot, he’s limited receivers to a 6/39/0 line on 13 targets, per PFF. With Prince Amukamara healthy, the Bears have a solid cornerback group that will also challenge Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams on the outside. Marcus Cooper was targeted seven times by Ben Roethlisberger last week and he only allowed the QB to complete one pass for ten yards. Most of the Steelers’ damage through the air came when picking on Kyle Fuller, who allowed seven receptions and 82 yards on ten passes. Fuller out-snapped Amukamara 51 to 36 but that may have been due Amukamara’s ankle injury – it was the first time he’s played this season. Now that he’s had more time to heal, Amukamara should take snaps away from Fuller, which will make things more difficult for Rodgers and his receivers. Rodgers could look towards Ty Montgomery quite a bit if his wideouts struggle to get open; Roethlisberger efficiently connected with Le’Veon Bell for six catches on seven targets, although they only went for 37 yards. On defense, they’ll have to roll without the eighth-ranked interior defender Daniels and House at cornerback. With House injured and Quinten Rollins off to a horrendous start, S Morgan Burnett moved into the slot last week, leaving Damarious Randall and Kevin King on the outside. A.J. Green turned up the heat on the outside CBs, hauling in 10-of-13 targets for 111 yards and a score, but they won’t face the same type of competition this week against the poor Bears receiving corps. Deonte Thompson and Markus Wheaton will see them the most, potentially providing them a better spot than top receiver Kendall Wright. If Burnett mans the slot again, it would be bad news for Wright considering Burnett has earned an excellent 86.0 PFF pass coverage grade. He was only targeted once last week across the 26 passing snaps he was in the slot and didn’t allow a completion. Fortunately for the Packers, Nick Perry will return to bolster their pass rush. He’s PFF’s eighth-ranked edge defender in pass rushing and Chicago’s offensive line has allowed the sixth-most pressures (44) and second-most hits (10).
Other tagged players: Green Bay Packers Sammy Watkins (concussion) and Tavon Austin (concussion) will play Week 4
The receivers remain in the concussion protocol but coach Sean McVay said they’ll be “good to go” this weekend. Watkins had his first big game of the season against the 49ers last Thursday with a 6/106/2 line. If he can play in Week 4, he’ll have another favorable matchup with the banged-up Dallas secondary that’s allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers this season and the seventh-most yards to WR1s specifically (81.3 per game), per FO.
Other tagged players: Tavon Austin This Stud TE Should Be Worth Every Penny Week 4
Currently leading all NFL tight ends in target market share through the first three weeks of the season, Zach Ertz will look to continue rolling in Week 4 against a Chargers defense that ranks 31st in pass DVOA against opposing tight ends this season. One of the few reliable receiving options on a run-first offense, Ertz can pay dividends with proper game flow on his side. Seldom required to block on offense, Ertz uses his size and speed to create mismatches against inexperienced outside corners and safeties. With shutdown corner Casey Hayward expected to shadow Alshon Jeffery throughout much of Sunday’s game, look for Philadelphia to move the ball in the air through Ertz in a game with significant scoring potential.
Don't Sleep On This Target Monster
One of the league’s most difficult receivers to cover, Keenan Allen is off to a hot start after missing much of last year due to injury. Currently averaging 65 receiving yards and 10 targets per game, Allen’s usage is bankable regardless of matchup because of his ability to move around in various offensive formations, similar to Antonio Brown. He draws a tasty Week 4 matchup against a depleted Philadelphia secondary that was torched for 366 passing yards by Eli Manning last week and will be traveling across the country after a narrow victory. With running back Melvin Gordon dealing with an injury, expect a big showing from Philip Rivers’ favorite target in a game that should feature plenty of scoring.
Back to the Well With This Stud WR
Fresh off a monster 10-111-1 performance on 13 targets in Green Bay last week, A.J. Green should be primed for another strong performance in Week 4. He draws a fantastic matchup on the road against a weak Cleveland secondary that ranks 31st in pass defense DVOA against opposing #1 wide receivers this season and was torched for 7-153-1 by T.Y. Hilton last week. With a new offensive coordinator at the helm and an emphasis on getting him the ball as much as possible, look for A.J. Green to be well worth his steep price tag in Week 4.
Too Much Talent Not to Produce
I am so happy Dez laid a bit of a dud on Monday, as I’m just hoping it will keep people off of him here in Week 4. His prices on both sites are laughably low for a player who’s currently top five (#4) in red-zone targets. This is still Dez Bryant we’re talking about here, one of the most talented wideouts in the NFL. I think Dez is my favorite GPP play of the week and that he is a great target against a Rams D that is having massive trouble stopping anyone (outside of Indianapolis). We know teammate Ezekiel Elliott will be popular and that most will be afraid to play Dez and Zeke together. Overall, I love this game if you’re looking to stack, and I would run it back with Sammy Watkins and/or Todd Gurley on the Rams side if you go that route. How much I go here will depend on ownership, but I’ll have my fair share of both Dez and Dak Prescott this week and will be far above the field on both.
High Volume RB Bargain for week 3
If you’re looking for value at running back this week, Jacquizz Rodgers instantly becomes one of my top options in the bargain bin. Known more of a “change of pace” back early in his career, Rodgers has been thrust into the lead role in the absence of Doug Martin; accumulating at least 17 touches in six of seven games dating back to last season. He should get plenty of opportunities to improve upon those totals for at least one more game this week, facing a porous New York run defense that has surrendered the third most rushing yards per game and ranks 29th in rush defense DVOA this season. With Tampa Bay likely opting to slow the game down to keep their banged up defense off the field as much as possible, “Quizz” should receive all the touches he can handle, making him a low-risk, high-reward option at a very attractive price.