DFS Alerts
Odell Beckham (ankle) is practicing Wednesday, CB Janoris Jenkins and RT Bobby Hart aren't participating
They’re having a walkthrough practice this afternoon following their Monday night loss against the Lions. Beckham is officially considered “limited” Wednesday. He should be all set to play in Week 3 after returning on a limited basis this past week. The star receiver picked up 34-of-56 snaps in Week 2 and should progress towards his normal workload this Sunday. Unfortunately for him, the Giants have been terrible on offense this season and currently have an implied total of 18.5 points against the Eagles.
Where There are Injuries, There is Value
I expect this pick to be chalky, but the popularity is entirely justified. Though Cincinnati ranks first in terms of fewest points allowed to the TE position, that is mostly due to matchups against the horrid Houston passing attack and a Baltimore team that only passed 17 times total in Week 1. We shouldn’t take a two-week sample size too seriously. Last season, CIN gave up the fourth-most points to TEs and ranked 17th in DVOA. The Packers’ depth chart, at this point, is slowly crumbling, with both Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb questionable to play this weekend. Last week, Bennett was targeted 11 times, and the Packers lead the league in passing attempts through the first two weeks of the season, so we know they’re going to keep chucking it. While Montgomery and whatever WRs are in the game will see a significant portion of the projected 40+ pass attempts, Bennett can also expect a significant workload coming his way. He has one of the safer floors and higher ceilings of the week.
Jimmy Graham won't practice Wednesday, expected to play Week 3
Head coach Pete Carroll said the tight end won’t participate in today’s practice session but believes he’ll play this Sunday against the Titans. 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.
Robby Anderson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday
The Jets receiver is dealing with a knee issue and the Jets haven’t elaborated on the severity of the injury. If he misses time, it would provide a bump in volume for Jermaine Kearse, Jeremy Kerley, and potentially Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who’s returning from a two-game suspension this week. On Wednesday, Head coach Todd Bowles seemed to imply Seferian-Jenkins would be limited in some capacity this weekend when he said the tight end needed to get in better shape. Kearse is a volume-based fantasy target in an inefficient offense. He currently leads the team with 11 receptions and 123 yards and he’s the only player on the team who’s caught a touchdown this year – he pulled down two against the Raiders in Week 2. Not surprisingly, the Jets have the second-lowest implied total this week (18 points).
Bruce Ellington (concussion) expected to play Week 3
Ellington remains in the concussion protocol but head coach Bill O’Brien believes he’ll be cleared in time to play Sunday. With Jaelen Strong off to Jacksonville and Will Fuller sidelined, running back Tyler Ervin may continue operating as the de facto WR3 out of the slot. In their first game this season, Ervin caught four of his five targets while Ellington failed to haul in his two looks. Ervin also out-snapped him 50 to 45. Ellington won’t be a viable fantasy option in this offense, especially considering his place on the targets totem pole.
Other tagged players: Tyler Ervin Will Fuller (collarbone) ruled out for Week 3
The receiver has been able to practice this week but he won’t be available for their game against the Patriots this weekend, per head coach Bill O’Brien. He’s trending in the right direction for a potential Week 4 return.
Eagles S Rodney McLeod (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday
Philadelphia’s starting safety is dealing with a hamstring strain, which forced him from their Week 2 matchup with the Chiefs. All of the Eagles safeties have performed poorly this season. McLeod currently ranks 66th among 79 qualifying safeties with a 40.5 PFF grade and backup Corey Graham is right behind him at 67th (40.2). They host the Giants and their struggling offense this weekend as six-point favorites.
Bruce Ellington and Stephen Anderson remain in concussion protocol; Will Fuller (collarbone) practiced again Wednesday
With Houston cutting Jaelen Strong earlier this week, they seem to believe either Ellington or Fuller will be able to return this week. Fuller is coming off a broken collarbone and originally had a timetable that brought him back around Weeks 4 or 5. Although it seems unlikely he’ll play, he’s now strung together two practices in a row. If Anderson misses time, it would help Ryan Griffin, who’s expected to start at tight end this weekend. He could step into a solid workload without C.J. Fiedorowicz taking away targets. Fiedorowicz averaged 7.4 looks per game over his final 12 games of 2016.
As reported by: Patrick Starr Other tagged players: Will Fuller, Ryan Griffin, Stephen Anderson Sammie Coates (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday
Coates couldn’t catch any of his four targets in Week 2. He’s currently dealing with a hamstring issue that could keep him sidelined for their matchup with the Colts on Sunday. Even if he plays, he’ll be their WR4 at best.
Don't Forget this Tight End Tournament Pivot off the Chalk
In Week 1, Doyle had three targets for two catches and 41 yards. In Week 2, with Brissett starting, he had eight targets for eight catches and 79 yards. This trend looks promising for Doyle, and we’ve seen multiple young quarterbacks rely on their tight ends in the past. Through two games this season, Doyle has played 100% of the snaps and has run the second most routes behind T.Y. Hilton. Meanwhile, Cleveland allowed two passing touchdowns to Jesse James in Week 1 and 13 catches with 121 yards to the Baltimore tight ends. And, in 2016, the Browns ranked 32nd in DVOA against tight ends. I don’t expect a lot of people to target anyone from this offense, but I think Doyle is the best pivot off Dickson and Cook this weekend. O’Doyle rules!
Cam Newton (shoulder, ankle) limited in practice Wednesday; Kelvin Benjamin (knee), CB Daryl Worley (knee), and C Ryan Kalil (neck) didn't participate
Benjamin got a little banged up going for a ball in the end zone against the Bills and he was given a rest day Wednesday – he’s fully expected to suit up for his great matchup with the Saints this weekend. The ankle injury is new for Newton but he’s also expected to play in Week 3. Worley was mum about his injury but said he expects to return to practice tomorrow and play on Sunday. Head coach Ron Rivera didn’t offer many details regarding Kalil’s injury, which kept him sidelined in Week 2. His backup Tyler Larsen has excelled in pass protection so far, earning an 80.2 PFF grade across his two appearances, the second-best mark among 32 qualifying centers. He struggled in run blocking though, scoring 57.4 (18th). Larsen will start again if Kalil misses their upcoming game.
Other tagged players: Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers Regardless of Who Starts at RB, My Role Doesn't Change
We have a potential shootout coming up between Washington and Oakland on Sunday night, and with so many options to choose from, I hope people simply overlook Thompson. Rob Kelley is questionable at this point, and even if he does play, it shouldn’t really affect Thompson. He played 24 of 32 passing snaps in Week 2 and has now played 51 of 81 passing snaps this season. Thompson leads all running backs in yards per touch (12.5), and he is second in yards created per touch, while Oakland ranked 23rd in DVOA against pass catching running backs last season. It’s risky taking a guy that’s not going to play a full game worth of snaps, but he still has solid upside on DraftKings this weekend. If Jordan Reed ends up missing the game or is limited, I would expect even more targets for Thompson.
Bennie Fowler (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday
Denver’s slot receiver was forced from their matchup with the Cowboys after hitting his head hard on the turf. He’ll need to clear the concussion protocol in order to play the Bills this weekend. Beat writer Mike Klis reported Fowler was in good spirits on the sidelines today and speculated that he may be recovering well. After opening up the season with a pair of touchdowns, Fowler came back down to earth with a lone catch in Week 2 prior to leaving the game.
Lions LB Jarrad Davis (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday
The linebacker suffered a concussion against the Giants Monday night. The rookie has been off to a solid start, ranking eighth among linebackers in run defense with an 82.2 PFF grade. His absence could be a boost for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
Other tagged players: Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman Devontae Booker (wrist) is practicing Wednesday, CB Bradley Roby (ankle) is not
Jamaael Charles and Aqib Talib aren’t practicing either but they’re likely receiving vet rest days. Booker is expected to return for their Week 3 game against Buffalo after missing their first two games. He’s their third running back though and won’t make an impact in fantasy. The extent of Roby’s injury isn’t clear.
Other tagged players: Denver Broncos