DFS Alerts
Jarvis Landry (knee) expected to play Sunday
The receiver was questionable heading into Week 2’s matchup with the Chargers after being added to the injury report Friday. He already looked like the top receiving option on Miami in his matchup with Trevor Williams in the slot before Jason Verrett was ruled out with a knee injury. Now Williams will slide to the outside while the Chargers dig into their bench to man the slot. With Casey Hayward potentially shadowing DeVante Parker – scoring a -1.52 in our WR/CB model – the breakout candidate could struggle to get open. While no one would be surprised if quarterback Jay Cutler forces balls into Parker anyway, the smart play would be to look for Landry and Kenny Stills, who gets a nice upgrade without Verrett covering him. For comparison, Hayward has limited receivers to a 57% catch rate and 0.23 fantasy points per route defended since 2016 while Williams has allowed a 62% catch rate and 0.31 fantasy points per route run, per PFF. Meanwhile, Landry may line up across from a rookie, Desmond King, making his NFL debut. He should see an increased market share given his comparative advantage and could see an uptick in usage near the end zone – and scoring has always been an issue with Landry. Last week, Denver’s slot receiver Bennie Fowler exploited the Chargers in the slot to score twice.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills
Odell Beckham officially listed as questionable for MNF
While the official tag may be questionable, the expectation is the Beckham will be in action on Monday night. The New York passing game was abysmal in week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys without Beckham, so Eli Manning will certainly be pleased to have his most dangerous weapon back on the field. Odell hauled in six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Lions in their week 16 matchup last season. In theory, his presence should steal away some of the targets headed Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram, but it will also afford them more space to work with as Detroit’s secondary will shift Beckham’s direction as often as possible. It is the last game of the week, so if you’re rolling with Beckham on DraftKings, it would be wise to use him in your Flex spot in order to open up more pivot options if he suffers a setback.
As reported by: Dan Graziano
After Catching Just One Pass in Week 1, This WR is Set to Break Out
Chris Hogan isn’t as cheap or as sneaky as we may like in a large-field tournament, especially with Amendola set to miss time, but I do have some hope that his paltry Week 1 stat line will suppress his ownership to at least a small degree. Despite turning in a 1-8-0 stat line (on five targets), Hogan led the Patriots receivers in snaps, tallying 73 out of a possible 81 (90%). Flashy new toy Brandin Cooks logged 67 snaps while Danny Amendola racked up 32 before leaving with concussion symptoms. Phillip Dorsett also saw 18 snaps and he could be the primary beneficiary in terms of playing time if Amendola is ruled out. As for Hogan, the snap rate is clearly encouraging, as were his 103 air yards – only 18 receivers met that mark in Week 1. He’s a particularly strong GPP play if it looks like his ownership may slip, so keep an eye on the RotoGrinders Ownership Projections to stay up on that as Sunday approaches. Even if it looks like he’ll be fairly popular, I’ll make sure I’m overweight on Hogan shares. If he’s able to pick up some extra snaps in the slot, his value could soar even further.
Here's How to Get NO/NE Exposure While Still Going Against-The-Grain
This is without a doubt a GPP only play, but Alvin Kamara led the Saints backfield in snap rate (50%) compared to 44% for Ingram and a measly 15% for Peterson is his return to Minnesota. We knew the rookie would be involved to a degree in a passing down/change-of-pace type role, just not that AP would turn out to be a non-factor. It’s not crazy to think that trend could continue and while the Saints were playing from behind most of the night, Mark Ingram ate up most the garbage time receiving work among the RBs, corralling four of his five receptions on the Saints last drive when they were trailing 29-12. Kamara and Ingram finished the day tied for the backfield lead in touches, so Kamara won the battle while things were still competitive. It doesn’t appear that the public has bought into Kamara – his 11 touches, unclear role and poor rushing performance are plenty of reason for pessimism, but the upside could be worth chasing in large-field tournaments. I’d suspect that Kamara won’t be one of the three most popular backs from the NE/NO tilt alone, which will be targeted heavily by the public in all DFS formats.
Odell Beckham (ankle) appears on track to play in Week 2
Beat writer Jordan Raanan reports that everything is trending toward Beckham playing Monday night, implying it would take a setback for him to miss another game. Although Beckham was limited in practice again Friday, coach Ben McAdoo told the media his number one receiver has responded well to his treatment and was able to do more today. If he suits up, he’ll return to a tough individual matchup with Darius Slay, who could potentially shadow Beckham when he’s lined up outside. Last year, he stuck with Beckham for eight of nine passing plays before suffering an injury. Slay was solid in Week 1; he was targeted six times and only permitted two catches for nine yards. As a team, Detroit’s pass defense remains poor, which may lead Eli Manning to target Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram more than he normally would – all three are potential GPP pivot options in this matchup if Beckham suits up. Although Quandre Diggs played well last Sunday, shockingly earning PFF’s highest cornerback grade, our WR/CB matchup model provides Shepard the seventh-highest score (35.71). Without Beckham on the field last week, he was targeted eight times and efficiently hauled in seven for 44 yards. Shepard was the only receiver to get a look inside the 20 and he played every single offensive snap. Although he would lose plays with Beckham active, the Giants used three receivers on 41 of their 56 offensive snaps last week. Shepard is an appealing GPP pivot off of Beckham if he plays. If he doesn’t, Slay would likely follow Brandon Marshall and Shepard would pick up additional snaps. It’s also worth taking a look at Shane Vereen in full PPR scoring. The running back amassed ten targets against the Cowboys in Week 1, hauling in nine of them for 51 yards. Detroit struggled to defend receiving running backs in 2016, ranking 29th in DVOA while allowing the ninth-most receptions (7.1) and sixth-most receiving yards (46.8) per game to the position. Although game flow certainly helped Vereen, this game is expected to be close; the Giants are just three-point favorites. Last week, Arizona’s running backs combined for a 9/104/0 line on 13 targets.
As reported by: Jordan Raanan Other tagged players: Shane Vereen Raiders CB Sean Smith (neck) questionable for Week 2
Smith returned to practice Friday after sitting out for Thursday’s session. He was great in Week 1, earning PFF’s fifth-best corner grade (86.3) and his presence will be important for Oakland’s pass defense as he’s expected to guard Jermaine Kearse the most. Kearse was the top-targeted receiver on the Jets side in their first game (10) and he finished with seven catches for 59 yards. Against the Titans, Smith only gave up four yards in coverage despite being targeted four times. The Jets receiver has some appeal based on his expected volume but if Smith plays, he doesn’t appear to be a strong option. Currently, the Jets are implied to score 15 points, the second-fewest in Week 2.
Other tagged players: Jermaine Kearse Chargers WR Mike Williams (back) returned to practice Friday
It’s his first practice since he suffered a herniated disc in June. He’s not expected to be active for games until October. Whenever he’s healthy enough to play, he’ll likely be buried on the depth chart and probably won’t make an immediate impact.
As reported by: Armando Salguero Danny Amendola (concussion) ruled out for Week 2
New England also ruled out Dont’a Hightower and Matt Slater. That leaves quarterback Tom Brady with Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, and newly-acquired Phillip Dorsett at receiver. New England’s dearth of options at wideout will likely encourage them to use running backs at the position. James White should benefit the most; the Patriots are comfortable using him in the slot and he picked up five targets in Week 1. At receiver, Chris Hogan and Brandin Cooks will be the biggest beneficiaries. Cooks has the revenge game narrative in his favor this week as he returns to New Orleans for what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair. The game total has been pushed to 56 points after opening at 53.5 as bettors pounded the over earlier this week. With a 6.5-point spread in New England’s favor, they have an implied total of 31.25 points, the highest mark on the board. After Sam Bradford tore up the Saints on Monday night – including a 5-for-5 performance on throws 20+ yards downfield for 130 yards and score – Tom Brady and his pass-catchers will undoubtedly be popular options in DFS this week.
As reported by: Jeff Howe 49ers FS Jimmie Ward (hamstring) questionable for Week 2, LB Reuben Foster (ankle) ruled out
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Ward had his best practice of the week Friday but he wants to make sure he’s 100% before letting him return. Foster is dealing with an ankle sprain that forced him out of their Week 1 matchup with the Panthers. Although he was hopeful he could return for their game against the Seahawks, he’s be ruled out and is considered week-to-week.
As reported by: ESPN Seahawks CB Richard Sherman (hamstring) questionable for Week 2 but "likely to play"
Sherman wasn’t able to practice Wednesday or Thursday but beat writer Bob Condotta believes he’s likely to play this weekend against the 49ers.
As reported by: Bob Condotta Chester Rogers (hamstring) questionable for Week 2
Rogers returned to a full practice Friday after getting in limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday. If he’s able to suit up, he’ll operate behind T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief at receiver, possibly rotating with Kamar Aiken as the number three. He won’t have much fantasy appeal given the current state of the offense and his place on the depth chart. Indianapolis is expected to start Jacoby Brissett under center, which is an upgrade for Hilton, Moncrief, and tight end Jack Doyle.
As reported by: Indianapolis Colts Jarvis Landry (knee) questionable for Week 2
Landry was limited in practice Friday with a knee issue; it’s a new injury for the wide receiver. If he’s able to play this Sunday, he looks like the top wide receiver target on the Miami side. DeVante Parker, whom many expect to take over the number one receiver role this season, will be in a very tough spot under Casey Hayward’s shadow. Hayward has limited receivers to a 57% catch rate and 0.23 fantasy points per route defended since 2016. Los Angeles will start Trevor Williams on the outside opposite Parker and they don’t have much depth to fill the slot corner role, leaving Landry in a very advantageous matchup. He should see an increased market share due to Parker’s tough coverage and could see an uptick in usage near the end zone. Last week, Denver’s slot receiver Bennie Fowler took advantage of the Chargers’ weaker corners to score twice.
As reported by: ESPN Stephon Tuitt (biceps) not expected to play in Week 2
He injured his biceps in Week 1 against the Browns and is officially considered questionable. However, beat writer Joe Rutter doesn’t expect him to suit up this weekend.
As reported by: Joe Rutter Packers RT Bryan Bulaga (ankle, illness) questionable for Week 2
He got in a limited practice Friday after being sidelined Wednesday and Thursday. Their starting left tackle, David Bakhtiari has been limited all week with a hamstring injury and he’s also questionable. Bulaga was inactive in Week 1 due to the ankle injury and he was also dealing with flu symptoms this week. Bulaga earned the 14th-highest PFF grade among 76 qualifying tackles in 2016 (85.5) and he was the fourth-best in pass protection, scoring an 89.3. After Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times in the opener, the Packers could certainly use both their starting tackles Sunday.
As reported by: Ryan Wood Chargers CB Jason Verrett (knee) ruled out for Week 2
Trevor Williams, their slot corner, is expected to start in his place. Verrett was expected to shadow Kenny Stills on Sunday while Casey Hayward follows Devante Parker. His absence could open up some big plays for Stills and provide him some GPP appeal as he’ll have a much better matchup than Parker. In Week 1, Emmanuel Sanders was only targeted twice in Hayward’s coverage and he’s limited receivers to a 57% catch rate and 0.23 fantasy points per route defended since 2016. Williams has permitted a 62% catch rate and 0.31 fantasy points per route defended during the same span. The corresponding moves in reaction to Verrett’s absence will make Jarvis Landry very appealing as the Chargers’ don’t have much depth at the position. He appears to be the best target among the three wideouts in this spot.
As reported by: Mike DiGiovanna Other tagged players: DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry