DFS Alerts
Chargers CB Jason Verrett (knee) didn't practice Wednesday
Verrett was sidelined in Week 2 as he tended a knee issue. He’s considered week-to-week as the team sees how he responds to rehab; missing practice today isn’t a great sign for his chances to suit up this weekend against the Chiefs. His absence would provide an upgrade for Chris Conley while Tyreek Hill is expected to be shadowed by Casey Hayward.
Saints LT Terron Armstead (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday
Armstead’s continued absence could cause problems for the Saints offense as they’re also without starting RT Zach Strief (knee). The Saints are currently 12th in FO’s adjusted line yards per carry metric (4.06) and PFF ranks them sixth in pass blocking efficiency through two games. However, Armstead’s replacement, Ryan Ramczyk is currently ranked 29th among 30 qualifying tackles with a 62.9 PFF grade and he’s been awful in run blocking (45.2).
Can a Browns Player Actually be Chalk?
While it feels gross saying that a Cleveland Browns wide receiver is a core cash game play, an injury to Corey Coleman should result in a ton of opportunity flooding the way of Higgins. Even with Coleman healthy and playing most of the game last week, Higgins still saw 11 targets that he turned into seven receptions for 95 yards. That was against a stellar defense in the Baltimore Ravens, and now Coleman has been placed on injured reserve with his broken hand. So that leaves the likes of Higgins, Ricardo Louis, Kenny Britt, and Sammie Coates to man the wide receiver position for the Browns. It is safe to say that quarterback Deshone Kizer has already developed great chemistry with Higgins considering Higgins saw those 11 targets last week compared to four (Coates), two (Louis), and two (Britt) for the rest of the group. While this game against Indianapolis could very well be sloppy, Higgins should dominate the market share of targets for this Browns team. At only $4,000 facing a Colts defense that is currently ranked 27th in pass defense DVOA in 2017, Higgins doesn’t have to do much for us to be content with his fantasy production in cash games on DraftKings. I much prefer him on that site, where the full point PPR scoring raises his floor considerably compared to FanDuel.
Jordan Howard, Prince Amukamara, and Kyle Long limited in practice Wednesday, Markus Wheaton returned to full participation
Howard (shoulder) was seen sporting a sling after their game against the Buccaneers on Sunday. As long as he’s banged up, Tarik Cohen will benefit. The rookie has already piled up 16 receptions in his first two games and game flow could work in his favor again this week; the Bears are currently 7.5-point dogs. Wheaton (finger) hasn’t been able to play in a game yet this year but he looks to be all set for their Week 3 matchup with the Steelers. Cornerback Amukamara (ankle) has also missed their first two contests. While the Bears held Julio Jones in check in Week 1, Mike Evans got the best of them for a 7/93/1 line. If he’s able to suit up this week, he’ll have a difficult challenge with Antonio Brown.
Other tagged players: Markus Wheaton, Tarik Cohen, Antonio Brown This WR Will Find the End Zone this Weekend
It will generally be a weekly headache trying to figure out whom to choose between Demaryius and Emmanuel from this Denver wide receivers corps. For this weekend, I am going with Demaryius as a core play on DraftKings despite being $100 more expensive than his teammate. Sanders was the guy to have last week, largely due to the fact that he hauled in two touchdowns. That shouldn’t be too surprising considering Sanders has four red zone targets through the first two weeks compared to Thomas’ zero. However, I expect that to normalize going forward. Both guys had an equal 18 targets inside the 20-yard line in 2016. Demaryius leads the way in everything else so far in 2017. He has 16 total targets to Emmanuel’s 14. 11 receptions to Emmanuel’s 9. 138 receiving yards to Emmanuel’s 88. 169 air yards to Emmanuel’s 98. I think this is the game that Demaryius gets his fair share of end zone looks, and I will happily plug him into my cash game lineup on DraftKings at only $5,900.
Update: Rob Gronkowski (groin) didn't practice Wednesday
The tight end was seen at practice but was officially listed with a DNP. His injury isn’t considered serious and he’s still expected to play this weekend against the Texans.
Gerald Everett (thigh) questionable for Thursday night
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. Their top three safeties are banged up though and they may have to start a pair of rookies who have never played an NFL snap. If Everett plays, the matchup would be much more favorable in that scenario.
We Have Not Seen Him This Cheap in A While
Bell is my priority high-end spend in cash games on both sites. I believe that he is without question your safest bet for fantasy production on the main slate. And the thing about it is, we don’t exactly have to pay a premium for him now. On FanDuel, he is $8,700. He hasn’t been that cheap since Week 10 of last year. On DraftKings, he is $8,800. He hasn’t been that cheap since Week 11 of last year. So while some may remain skeptical about whether he can maintain such a huge role in the offense (specifically the pass game) in 2017 with Martavis Bryant in the mix, I will happily be taking this discount in my cash game lineups. Even if he sees a target or two fewer, I still think he is underpriced. And the game script should be perfect for him in this matchup against the Bears. Despite speculation about a good front seven for the Bears coming into the year, they are still only 15th in rush defense DVOA through the first two weeks. That comes after they finished 29th last year. So while they have certainly improved, this is by no means a team we should be avoiding. That couldn’t be more true than with an elite back like Bell.
Corey Davis (hamstring) ruled out for Week 3
Davis tweaked his hamstring on Sunday and left in the third quarter. His absence will provide a bump in volume for Rishard Matthews, Eric Decker, and Delanie Walker in a tough matchup with Seattle. As a team, the Seahawks have limited opposing quarterbacks to a 71.5 passer rating this season (5th) and 5.9 yards per attempt (6th). However, their top three cornerbacks – Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane, and Shaquill Griffin – have all earned poor marks from PFF between 41.7-51.1. Since 2016, Lane has posted the worst stats, allowing a 71% catch rate and 0.31 fantasy points per route defended. That provides Eric Decker a better matchup than Matthews but he’s had trouble getting in a groove with quarterback Marcus Mariota. The slot receiver has only pulled down six of his 13 targets for 42 scoreless yards. Taywan Taylor will operate as the WR3 with Davis sidelined, he’s hauled in all three of his looks for 56 yards, including a 42-yard reception against Jacksonville. After receiving 25 deep targets in 2016, Matthews hasn’t received any this season. Without Davis available, who’s tallied three deep targets so far, Matthews should get more downfield opportunities. He finished eighth in yards per route last season (2.13) and fifth in deep-passing catch rate (44%) last year.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt Other tagged players: Rishard Matthews, Eric Decker, Delanie Walker, Taywan Taylor George Kittle (hip), S Jimmie Ward (hamstring), and S Jaquiski Tartt (neck) questionable for Thursday night
Linebacker Eli Harold (foot) is also questionable. Safety Eric Reid and LB Reuben Foster have already been ruled out. Kittle picked up six targets in his debut this season but followed up with two looks in his second outing. Now that he’s banged up, it’ll be tough to trust Kittle to produce against the Rams. If Tartt or Ward are unable to suit up, Lorenzo Jerome or Adrian Colbert will get the nod – they’re both rookies who have yet to log an NFL snap. 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). Strong safety Reid has impressed in run defense, earning an 81.9 (13th) while delivering a 9.3% run-stop rate (6th). Reid’s absence is a clear downgrade to their rushing defense and if Tartt sits, it’s a blow to their pass coverage as well.
DeMarco Murray (hamstring) and Corey Davis (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday
They both tweaked their hamstring in Week 2’s victory over the Jaguars and Corey Davis has been ruled out of their upcoming matchup with the Seahawks. Murray hardly played in the second half of that game. It paved the way for Derrick Henry to rack up 92 yards and a score on just 14 carries. If Murray ends up inactive in Week 3, Henry will be an interesting fantasy option. He’ll have a tough matchup against the Seahawks but they got worked by Carlos Hyde for 124 yards on 15 carries Sunday. If Murray plays, Tennessee may employ a timeshare.
Other tagged players: Corey Davis, Derrick Henry Jordy Nelson (quad) is practicing Wednesday; Randall Cobb (shoulder) isn't participating
Nelson’s return is a positive sign for his Week 3 playing status. RT Bryan Bulaga also returned to the practice field Wednesday. Cobb’s MRI came back negative earlier this week, but the Packers are being cautious with their receiver. Hopefully, he’ll be able to return to the field tomorrow.
Jay Ajayi (knee) didn't practice Wednesday
Beat writers don’t appear too concerned, it’s likely a maintenance day for the running back. Ajayi has some knee soreness and he’ll probably be limited in or held out of practice quite a bit this season as Miami wants to be very cautious with him.
Pay Down at QB in Cash Games for This Guy
Cousins has underwhelmed in the first two weeks of the season. While that of course brings a little concern to the table, it also means it has kept his price tag down. He is the 11th most expensive quarterback on the main slate on both sites ($7,600 on FanDuel; $6,100 on DraftKings). Oh, and did I mention that this game has the highest over/under on the slate at 54? Cousins gets a great matchup at home against the Raiders, a team that ranked 25th in pass defense DVOA in 2016 and is only up to 22nd in that metric so far in 2017. This is a defense that has given up the seventh most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the season. These price tags around the industry on Cousins are great for cash game roster construction. While we are technically paying down at the quarterback position, we are by no means full out punting. And in this matchup, Cousins has just about one of the highest ceilings at the position on the slate. He is an easy lock for me in cash games, and I think an overweight approach in tournaments is appropriate as well.
Evan Engram placed in concussion protocol
The Giants said it’s precautionary; he’s officially considered “limited” Wednesday. Given his participation today, he should be all set for their Week 3 matchup with the Eagles. Tight end Travis Kelce went off for an 8/10/103/1 line on them in Week 2 and Philly’s safeties have all earned poor grades this season. It could be a nice spot for Engram, who’s averaging a 4.0/6.0/46.5/0.5 line through two games.