DFS Alerts
Evan Baylis released by Texans
Houston released the tight end after promoting him from their practice squad in Week 2 for their matchup with the Bengals. It’s a positive sign for Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson, who are both dealing with concussions.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Ryan Griffin, Stephen Anderson
The New Number One?
Higgins is likely to be a chalky wide receiver pick this week. After all, he received a hefty 11 targets last week, and with the injury to Corey Coleman, he is likely to be the new number one option for the Browns. This week he gets a matchup with the Colts, who have one of the worst secondaries in the league (alongside the Saints), especially with Vontae Davis unlikely to play again. If Davis is confirmed out, Higgins will likely get either Melvin or Hairston matching up against him, who respectively own 38.57 and 37.22 CB ratings this year. Essentially what we get here is a talented young WR with a huge matchup bump and someone who is likely to be Kizer’s favorite target. Higgins should receive double-digit targets in this matchup and could easily end up with 100+ receiving yards and a TD. If his projected ownership isn’t too high, he’ll be my favorite play in GPPs, and he’s one of the top cash game plays at any position this week.
The Best of a Bad Matchup
I went here last week and it didn’t go too well, but that’s not keeping me from going back to the well this week. The Denver D is one of the strongest defenses in the league, but they are attackable in certain areas. With the elite play of both Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. (both are ranked in the top 10 in CB rating), a significant amount of the targets are being funneled over the middle to opposing TEs (which is evident by Jason Witten’s 10-catch, 97-yard, 1-TD performance last week). While the Broncos do have an above average D vs the TE spot (ranked 5th last year in DVOA), the fact of the matter is they are much better vs wideouts, and BUF already has a below average WR core. Last week, Clay only received a mere three targets from Tyrod Taylor (down from nine the prior week), but the offense was completely anemic in all aspects. I expect a much higher workload for Clay this week and, at these reasonable prices across the industry, he has a chance to be one of the highest pt/$ TEs on the slate.
Jaelen Strong claimed by Jaguars
Strong was waived by the Texans earlier this week and Jacksonville decided to pick him up to add depth following Allen Robinson’s injury. He could potentially work his way into a decent workload alongside Marquise Lee and Allen Hurns. Strong isn’t expected to play this weekend and won’t be eligible to accrue points in fantasy due to the team change.
Dolphins LB Lawrence Timmons suspended indefinitely
Timmons caused quite a stir this past Sunday when he disappeared and the Dolphins reportedly filed a missing person report. He was later found by police at LAX trying to catch a flight. Naturally, this didn’t sit well with the team and they’ve suspended him indefinitely. Per CBA rules, they can only suspend him for four games. Miami is already thin at linebacker. Without MLB Rey Maualuga ready to play, they started Mike Hull, who received a terrible 35.2 PFF grade. He and Kiko Alonso, who’s earned poor grades in each of the past three seasons, started every defensive snap for the Dolphins in Week 2. Predictably, they struggled to contain Melvin Gordon in pass coverage, letting the RB collect seven catches for 65 yards. The situation bodes well for Bilal Powell in the passing game this Week, although he’s still stuck behind Matt Forte.
As reported by: Miami Dolphins Other tagged players: Bilal Powell Corey Coleman placed on IR
Coleman underwent surgery Monday to repair a broken hand. It looks like his recovery is expected to take about eight weeks, which is when he’ll be eligible to return. Cleveland has bumped Rashard Higgins into a starting role on their depth chart, although beat writer Pat McManamon believes Ricardo Louis will get the “start” while Higgins primarily operates out of the slot. Higgins is still the top fantasy target and may essentially become their WR1 while Coleman is sidelined. In Week 2, he out-snapped starter Kenny Britt 54 to 42 and racked up a team-high 11 targets to Britt’s two – Louis picked up 32 snaps and two targets. Higgins will be an appealing GPP option this week against a Colts team that has the early looks of an ideal pass funnel defense to pick on. After facing Todd Gurley and the collection of Cardinals running backs sans David Johnson, the Colts have limited runners to 2.5 yards per carry, the second-best mark in the league. At the same time, they’ve allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (308) and second-most yards per attempt (9.8). Considering the Browns have struggled to move the ball on the ground, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, the eighth-worst rate in the league, Higgins should be given ample opportunity to produce against a weak secondary.
Other tagged players: Rashard Higgins, Kenny Britt, Ricardo Louis Tanner Gentry waived by Bears
Chicago released the receiver Tuesday but will likely put him back on the practice squad if he clears waivers. It could be a good sign for Markus Wheaton who hasn’t played yet this season after breaking his finger.
Greg Olsen (foot) placed on IR
This move was expected after it was announced he would need surgery to repair his broken foot. He’ll be eligible to return in eight weeks, which coincides with the tight end’s expected recovery timetable. The injury should elevate blocking tight end Ed Dickson into a pass-catching role. Dickson tallied 55 snaps in Week 2 and ran a route on 67.5% of their passing plays, per PFF. He caught two of his three targets for 26 yards. Now in his eighth season, Dickson has only exceeded 43 targets once in his career. It came back in 2011 with the Ravens when he posted a 54/528/5 line on 89 looks. For what it’s worth, he’s asked offensive coordinator Mike Shula to keep the playbook the same and let him try to fill the Olsen role. He’ll have a great opportunity to prove himself this week against the Saints. A safer bet would be an uptick in targets for Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess. The former posted a 6/77/0 line on eight looks against the Bills in Week 2 but the latter out-snapped him for the second week in a row (57 to 43). Benjamin should still command a larger market share and he offers more upside; he currently ranks 14th in yards per route run among wide receivers with at least 25% of their team’s targets (2.22), per PFF. Based on how the Vikings and Patriots receivers have feasted on New Orleans this season, Benjamin will be a strong (and popular) fantasy target in all formats while Funchess is an interesting GPP option. Running back Christian McCaffrey is another player set to benefit from Olsen’s absence. He’s run the fifth-most routes among all running backs this season and the Saints just allowed James White, Rex Burkhead, and Dion Lewis to combine for a 12/137/1 receiving line.
Other tagged players: Ed Dickson, Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Christian McCaffrey Jim Dray released by Cardinals
Arizona signed him last week because Jermaine Gresham (ribs) was sidelined. Dray’s release is an indication Gresham is on track to suit up this weekend against the Cowboys.
As reported by: Josh Weinfuss Other tagged players: Jermaine Gresham Ravens RG Marshal Yanda placed on IR
Yanda fractured his ankle in Week 2 and he’ll miss the remainder of the season. It’s a huge blow to Baltimore’s offensive line. Yanda had posted the seventh-best PFF grade among guards through two weeks (84.4) and had been particularly strong in the running game, ranking sixth (87.1). Tony Bergstrom stepped in for Yanda against the Browns and didn’t do well, earning a 28.4 in run blocking. Yanda’s absence could cause problems for running backs Terrance West and Buck Allen when they face the stout Jaguars defense in Week 3.
Other tagged players: Javorius Allen, Terrance West Rashard Higgins listed as starter on Browns depth chart
With Corey Coleman (hand) sidelined, Higgins will move into the starting role opposite Kenny Britt. Based on how they’ve used Britt so far this season, Higgins may essentially be the WR1 on this team. In Week 2, he out-snapped Britt 54 to 42 and racked up a team-high 11 targets to Britt’s two. He’ll be an appealing GPP option this week against a Colts team that has the early looks of an ideal pass funnel defense to pick on. After facing Todd Gurley and the collection of Cardinals running backs sans David Johnson, the Colts have limited runners to 2.5 yards per carry, the second-best mark in the league. At the same time, they’ve allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (308) and second-most yards per attempt (9.8). Considering the Browns have struggled to move the ball on the ground, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, the eighth-worst rate in the league, Higgins should be given ample opportunity to produce against a weak secondary.
Other tagged players: Kenny Britt 49ers S Eric Reid (knee) ruled out for Week 3, expected to miss a few weeks
Reid exited in the first half of their game with the Seahawks following a non-contact knee injury. It turned out to be a PCL issue, which will keep him sidelined this Thursday night against the Rams. San Francisco will likely start Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward at safety this week. It could potentially be a boost in pass coverage. Tartt has earned a stellar 85.0 PFF pass coverage grade, ranking 9th among 75 qualifiers, while Ward’s 82.9 score would be good for 11th if he qualified – he’s only played 38 snaps after sitting out Week 1. Reid’s absence is undoubtedly a downgrade to their rushing defense though, he’s currently 13th among safeties with an 81.9 run defense mark. Per PFF, he’s been lined up within eight yards of the line of scrimmage on 76.8% of his snaps and forced a run stop – which constitutes a loss for the offense – on 9.3% of those plays, the sixth-best rate among safeties. His injury could help Todd Gurley this week, who racked up 136 yards and two touchdowns on 19 touches in Week 2.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Todd Gurley Dak Prescott (ankle) will play Monday night
When asked about Prescott’s ankle injury, Jerry Jones confirmed his quarterback will play Monday night against the Cardinals. He added there’s a “good chance” cornerbacks Orlando Scandrick (hand) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) will be able to suit up as well. Prescott struggled against Denver’s tough defense, throwing two interceptions. He peppered Dez Bryant with 16 targets but couldn’t get in a rhythm; Bryant finished with seven catches for 59 yards, although he did pull down a touchdown. The receiver has had a very challenging start to the season, matching up with Janoris Jenkins in Week 1 and Aqib Talib and the Bronco’s elite secondary in Week 2. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get much easier this weekend when he’ll square off against Patrick Peterson, who’s only allowed two receptions for 22 yards this year, although he did let Marvin Jones score on him in Week 1. Old man Jason Witten could continue to benefit from Bryant’s tough draw. He was second on the team with 13 targets and efficiently caught ten for 97 yards and a score against Denver. Last week, the Cardinals allowed tight end Jack Doyle to catch all eight of his targets for 79 yards. Witten will likely come with high ownership due to recency bias, but he should receive a solid market share again this week.
As reported by: John Machota Other tagged players: Dez Bryant, Jason Witten Jordy Nelson (quad) "50-50" for Week 3, Randall Cobb (shoulder) considered day-to-day
Fortunately for Green Bay, both players avoided serious injuries Sunday night. It looks like Cobb will be ready to play this weekend while Nelson appears more questionable. Nelson suffered a quad strain early in their game against the Falcons but he seems to have a solid shot at suiting up against the Bengals on Sunday. If Nelson ends up sidelined, it should send more targets towards Davante Adams and Cobb. It’ll also elevate Geronimo Allison into the WR3 role. The second-year receiver played 61 of Green Bay’s 76 offensive snaps against the Falcons following Nelson’s injury. He ended up seeing five targets and he turned them into three catches for 35 yards. Tight end Martellus Bennett led the team with 11 targets, including one in the red zone, although he only hauled in five for 43 yards. Cobb has been Rodger’s favorite weapon so far this season; he’s third in the league with 22 targets and he threw to Cobb three times in the red zone in Week 2. Although Cobb’s average air yards per target is just 5.5, the 12th-lowest in the NFL (Next Gen Stats), his use in scoring position boosts his upside. He’ll have a better shot to score if Nelson is out.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison Gerald Everett (thigh) listed with a DNP Monday
The Rams didn’t practice today but if they had, tight end Gerald Everett wouldn’t have participated. Same goes for right cornerback Kayvon Webster (shoulder), who exited Week 1 with a shoulder injury and was sidelined this past weekend. Despite leaving early, Everett led the Rams 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.
As reported by: Rich Hammond