DFS Alerts
Randall Cobb (chest) will be a game-time decision Week 3
The receiver injured his shoulder Sunday night and then popped up on the injury report with a chest issue. He hasn’t been able to practice all week, which is a bad sign. DT Mike Daniels (hip) will also be a game-time call after missing all three practices leading up to their game against the Bengals. If Cobb can’t suit up on Sunday, Geronimo Allison would operate as their third receiver. The second-year player ended up playing 61 snaps against the Falcons, pulling in three catches for 24 yards. In the slot role, he would face cornerback Darqueze Dennard, who’s allowed a 77% catch rate this season, the fourth-highest rate among starting CBs this week, per PFF.
As reported by: ESPN
Evan Engram (concussion) and Janoris Jenkins (ankle) questionable for Week 3, Odell Beckham removed from injury report
Engram was placed in the concussion protocol earlier this week as a precaution, he’s expected to play this weekend. Jenkins is more questionable after being sidelined against the Lions and missing practice all week. The Eagles appear to be a terrific matchup for TEs right now. Their starting safeties, Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod, have earned pass coverage grades of 46.8 and 40.1 from PFF, respectively, and McLeod is banged up. Every-down LBs Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks have scored 41.6 and 34.9 in coverage, respectively. TE Travis Kelce just worked this team for an 8/103/1 line on ten targets. Engram caught exactly four balls in each of his first games and found paint against the Lions Monday night. With everyone else playing poorly on that offense, QB Eli Manning should continue to look for Engram in a favorable spot. If Jenkins can’t suit up it’s a clear upgrade for Alshon Jeffery. The cornerback handled Dez Bryant in shadow coverage in Week 1 – the Cowboys receiver couldn’t convert any of his four end zone targets in that game – and he’s expected to follow Jeffery if he plays this weekend. Jeffery amassed 13 targets in Week 2, finishing with a 7/92/1 line but he mostly avoided left cornerback Marcus Peters; five of his catches, including his touchdown, came on the opposite side of the field.
Other tagged players: New York Giants, Odell Beckham, Alshon Jeffery Giants LB B.J. Goodson (shin) and RT Bobby Hart (ankle) ruled out for Week 3
Goodson will miss his second game in a row. It’s a big loss as the linebacker currently ranks fifth at his position with an 84.6 PFF grade. While his replacement, Calvin Munson, didn’t score a high grade (39.4), he showed up on the stat sheet with four tackles and three run stops, which was tenth at his position in Week 2, per PFF. The rookie rushed the passer on just three snaps but still managed to sack Matthew Stafford. Although he wasn’t tested too much in pass coverage, he allowed a reception both times he was targeted. Hart started against the Lions Monday night but exited after two snaps. Center Brett Jones stepped in for him and promptly earned a poor 39.5 grade and allowed two hurries. As a unit, this offensive line ranks 27th in pass-blocking efficiency (PFF) and 22nd in adjusted line yards per carry (FO).
As reported by: Art Stapleton Marcell Dareus (ankle) won't practice Friday, considered day-to-day
Beat writer Mike Rodak believe Dareus still has a chance to play this weekend as the Bills haven’t made a decision on his playing status yet. However, missing practice again Friday isn’t a good sign. Starting defensive tackle Shaq Lawson is looking probable, which is good news for their rush defense as Lawson currently ranks fourth with an 87.8 run defense grade from PFF. The team is “less confident” that starting left tackle Cordy Glenn can suit up after suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. Glenn has struggled in run blocking this season, earning a 34.8 grade in the area but his backup, Dion Dawkins, has posted a 74.5 through 58 snaps.
Ravens DT Brandon Williams (foot) ruled out for Week 3, Maxx Williams (ankle) not expected to play
Williams didn’t make the trip to London to battle Leonard Fournette and the Jaguars, which is definitely a boost for the RB. Williams has earned PFF’s eight-highest grade among 120 qualifying interior defenders (85.4) and he’s 17th in rushing defense specifically (82.2). Given Baltimore’s strong secondary that’s already tallied a ridiculous eight interceptions through two games, Jacksonville will likely try to keep the ball out of Blake Bortles’ hands as much as possible. Fournette should get the ball early and often and if game flow allows, they’ll keep feeding him. So far this season, Jacksonville has the ninth-most adjusted line yards per carry (4.39) while Baltimore’s defense has ranked eighth (3.05). The Ravens had Williams for most of that stretch and they’ll be worse off without the DT. Tight end Maxx Williams hasn’t been able to practice this week and he’s not expected to play Sunday, per Jeff Zrebiec. He’s averaged 22.5 snaps per game, which will now go to Ben Watson and Nick Boyle. With a tough cornerback group defending Joe Flacco’s receivers, he may need to rely on Watson through the air – he caught all eight of his targets against the Browns in Week 2 for 91 yards.
As reported by: NBC Other tagged players: Maxx Williams, Leonard Fournette, Benjamin Watson, Nick Boyle Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey (ankle) questionable for Week 3
Ramsey continues to battle an ankle injury. He wasn’t able to practice at all last week but still played in their game against the Titans. Despite being banged up, Ramsey provided lockdown coverage; he didn’t give up a single reception and was only targeted once. On the season, he’s allowed a 37.5% catch rate and 0.07 PPR points per cover snap, per PFF. Simply put, when considering WR/CB matchups, he looks like a corner to avoid. If he plays this weekend, he’ll see a combination of Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman while Jeremy Maclin works out of the slot against Aaron Colvin. Across a two-game sample this year, Colvin has allowed a 66.7% catch rate and 0.21 PPR points per cover snap. Tight end Delanie Walker was the most productive player in Tennessee’s passing game last week, leading the team in receptions (4) and yards (61). In Baltimore, 36-year-old Ben Watson led his squad in the same categories, pulling down 8-of-8 targets for 91 yards. Buck Allen was second in both areas, posting a 5/35/1 line and the Jaguars currently rank 20th in receiving RB DVOA, per FO. With a tough cornerback group working on Flacco’s receivers, the quarterback may need to look towards Watson and Allen again this weekend.
As reported by: Ryan O'Halloran Other tagged players: Benjamin Watson, Javorius Allen, Breshad Perriman, Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin Dwayne Washington (quad) expected to miss "multiple weeks"
Dave Birkett reports Washington is expected to miss a few weeks due to his quad injury. His absence should elevate Zach Zenner to the active roster to fulfill a similar role, which isn’t all that big; Washington has averaged 10.5 snaps and 4.5 touches per game so far. In terms of fantasy, the injury doesn’t change much. Ameer Abdullah will continue to pick up the early down work and Theo Riddick will get work on passing downs. In Week 3, they play the Falcons, a great spot for Riddick as Atlanta can’t seem to defend pass-catching backs. Last week, Ty Montgomery caught 6-of-7 targets for 75 yards and a score. A week prior, rookie Tarik Cohen had his breakout game with eight receptions for 47 yards and added a touchdown. Riddick is averaging 5.0 targets per game and he could see that volume increase this week. The Lions are currently three-point home dogs in a game with the second-highest total on the slate (50.5).
As reported by: Detroit Free Press Other tagged players: Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah Jimmy Graham (ankle) didn't practice Thursday
The tight end has missed two days in a row as he rehabs an ankle injury. Graham got banged up in Week 2 and finished with a poor one-catch performance. He’s had a slow start to the season along with the rest of the offense; he’s caught three passes total for just nine scoreless yards. It doesn’t help that QB Russell Wilson is constantly running for his life. Their offensive line ranks 30th in pass-blocking efficiency this season, per PFF. They’ve already allowed 33 pressures through two games; that 16.5 pressures per game pace is an even worse than the one they set last year (14.89 per game), which ranked 31st. If Graham misses their Week 3 matchup against the Titans, it should boost the market shares for Doug Baldwin, Paul Richardson, and Tyler Lockett. C.J. Prosise could potentially get more receiving work out of the backfield as well.
Gerald Everett active Thursday, Malcolm Brown inactive
Despite leaving early with a thigh injury, Everett led the Rams in Week 2 with 95 receiving yards. The number was inflated by a 69-yard catch and he only saw three targets though. In Week 1, he caught his lone target for 39 yards. San Francisco has allowed two top tight ends, Greg Olsen and Jimmy Graham, to combine for a 3/19/0 line over their first two games. It doesn’t look like a promising matchup for Everett, especially with their two best cover safeties active and starting tonight. Tartt is currently the 8th-ranked safety by PFF among 74 qualifiers with an 85.0 pass coverage grade.
George Kittle, S Jaquiski Tartt, and S Jimmie Ward active Thursday, S Eric Reid and LB Reuben Foster inactive
No surprises with Reid and Foster, who were expected to be out tonight. The other safeties were game-time decisions but are going to suit up against the Rams. Tartt is currently the 17th-ranked safety by PFF this season among 74 qualifiers with an 80.1 grade and he’s excelled in pass coverage, earning an 85.0 (8th). Tight end Kittle has played a ton of snaps this year – at least 87% in both of the first two games – and he’s run a route on at least 86.2% of his passing plays. He opened up the season with a solid five-catch performance but settled into the background against Seattle, catching 2-of-2 targets for 13 yards. Last week, the Rams allowed Jordan Reed to haul in all six of his targets and he led the team in receptions and yards (48). A week prior, Jack Doyle turned three targets from Scott Tolzien into two catches and 41 yards. Although the Rams have been solid against the pass so far, limited opposing quarterbacks to a 73.1 rating, the sixth-best mark in the league, Kittle may be able to find some room to work. Considering all three of San Francisco’s receivers listed in our WR/CB matchup model have negative ratings, quarterback Brian Hoyer may need to rely on Kittle quite a bit.
Melvin Gordon (knee) had a limited practice Thursday, Jason Verrett (knee) didn't participate
It’s a new issue for Gordon, he wasn’t on the injury report yesterday. The Chargers currently rank dead last in FO’s adjusted line yards per carry (2.56) and Gordon has more receiving yards (90) than rushing (67). Unfortunately for Gordon, the Chiefs check in as the sixth-best team in receiving running back DVOA and have only allowed 32.5 yards to the position so far this year. They have, however, given up 4.4 yards per carry this season and are 21st in adjusted line yards per carry (4.24). It may be an opportunity for Gordon to do some damage on the ground. If Verrett misses another game, it would be a boost for Chris Conley as Tyreek Hill will likely be shadowed by Casey Hayward in either scenario.
J.J. Nelson (hamstring) had a limited practice Thursday
The receiver made an appearance on the injury report with a hamstring issue. It’s not clear how serious the injury his but his participation in practice is a good sign it’s not anything too serious. If Nelson ends up missing any time, it’s a clear upgrade for Jaron Brown and Larry Fitzgerald, who would see an uptick in targets against the banged-up Cowboys cornerbacks.
Dumpster Diving at Tight End
If you’re looking for value at the tight end position in Week 3, consider taking Jack Doyle, who has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable start to the season for the Colts. Still priced like the odd man out in an inconsistent offense, Doyle ranks third among all NFL tight ends with a 96% offensive snap rate this season is coming off a game in which he caught all eight of his targets for 79 yards against a stingy Arizona defense. Things get much easier for Doyle this week facing a Cleveland defense that ranked dead last in pass DVOA against opposing tight ends in 2016 and has allowed a combined 19-162-2 line to opposing tight ends this season.
Top TE to Pay Up For in Week 3
Currently leading all NFL tight ends in target market share through the first two weeks of the season, Kelce will look to continue rolling in Week 3 against a Chargers defense that ranks dead last in pass DVOA against opposing tight ends this season. Kelce is one of the few reliable receiving options on a run-first offense but with proper game flow on his side, can pay dividends as Alex Smith’s favorite red zone target. Often lining up in the perimeter in head coach Andy Reid’s “Y-ISO Trips” package, Kelce’s size and speed will create mismatches for L.A.‘s inexperienced outside corners and safeties. With shutdown corner Casey Hayward expected to shadow Tyreek Hill throughout much of Sunday’s game, look for Kansas City to move the ball in the air through Kelce in a game with sneaky shootout potential.
Low-Cost Alternative at WR
If you’re looking to differentiate from the masses that will likely be rostering a receiver on the Cleveland Browns that is one game removed from being a member of the practice squad, consider taking Brandon Coleman, who is fresh off a 6-82-1 performance in Week 2. Listed at 6’6, 225, Coleman will be running most of his routes against Carolina slot corner Captain Munnerlyn, who is generously listed at 5’9 and is approaching the wrong side of 30 years of age. By no means should Coleman be a staple in your cash games due to his inconsistencies as a receiver and the struggles of Drew Brees on the road, but with game flow likely on his side, Coleman makes for an intriguing pivot in tournaments where his ownership will likely be extremely low due to a perceived difficult matchup.