Clive Walford Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Walford isn't a great option today. The Chiefs are allowing just 4.1 receptions and 31 yards per game to tight ends (Walford averages 3.25 catches and 31.25 yards). Carr will target Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, and the backfield more than his tight end.

Vegas is always a good guide for choosing games to target, especially when there is notable line movement. The Raiders opened as 2-point home favorites against the Chiefs. By Thursday, the line switched to favor Kansas City. Currently, they are giving 1.5 points according to the Vegas Insider consensus line. Any time a line moves by more than a field goal it's worth noting, but when it means an away team has switched from underdog to favorite, it's significant. Clearly, the sharp money is on the Chiefs this weekend. There was also reverse line movement on the over/under. The game started the week with a 48.5 total, and despite 63% of the public taking the over, it actually shrunk to 46, implying sharp money is on the under. Bettors may be concerned with the potential for wet and windy weather, as reported by RotoGrinders meteorologist Kevin Roth, or just think it will be a slow game. Either way, it's an ominous sign for fantasy production. Overall, it's cause for concern when rostering Raiders offensive players as their implied team total has dropped from 25.25 to 22.25 points. Kansas City had a minor bump from 23.25 to 23.75 points, plus they have the sharp money on their side. With a timeshare between Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware at running back, it could be a nice spot to target Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce. Since the Chiefs play conservative dink-and-dunk football, primarily scoring in the red zone, Kelce may be the best option. He has a 24.24% market share inside the 20-yard line (second-most among all tight ends and receivers in the NFL) and the Raiders allowed two red zone touchdowns to tight ends last week against the Chargers. Kansas City's defense is also in play.

Walford is third on the team in targets with 20. Mychal Rivera will get the start at tight end in his place. He's only had one reception this season, but he is a capable receiver; in 2014 he had 58 receptions on 101 targets. Most of Walford's targets are likely to go to Cooper and Crabtree though. The Chargers have a pretty weak defense, allowing 290 passing yards per game, fifth-worst in the NFL.

Walford was looking questionable earlier in the week, but there apparently wasn't much doubt about his status among those close to the Raiders organization. He's still a little off of the DFS map with guys like Zach Ertz, Cameron Brate, Zach Miller and Kyle Rudolph available at similar price tags, but his presence will be needed by a Raiders offense that will be without Lee Smith for a while.

It had been previously reported that Raiders RB Latavius Murray was doubtful for this weeks game - we should know with more certainty soon as he plans to test out his injured toe in practice today. TE Clive Walford is also an injury concern as media has stated he is "no sure bet" with his knee injury. We'll update these injury situations as soon as we have more information.

With Lee Smith being placed on IR, the Raiders are going to need Walford healthy or they'll be forced to turn to Mychal Rivera. Walford left Sunday's game with the Ravens, but apparently could have returned which does bode well for his Week 5 status. We'll keep an eye on his practice participation through the rest of the week, which should give us a good idea of his status for Sunday.

In reviewing reports around the DFS industry, it's apparent that the majority feel that TE ownership will be split up mainly between four to five players with the rest being split evenly amongst a bunch of different middle tier TE's. The five that are garnering the most attention (and rightfully so) are Jordan Reed, Rob Gronkowski, Coby Fleener, Delanie Walker, and Dwayne Allen. A couple players like Travis Kelce and Jared Cook lurk a bit behind. After those seven, identifying potential targets could be a huge difference maker in your GPP lineups. Some names to keep an eye on are Charles Clay, Tyler Kroft, Jesse James, Zach Ertz, Clive Walford, and Eric Ebron as that group should have lower ownership and all have some TD upside in their respective games. Walford probably stands out the most given his match up against the Saints and he's a nice way to give yourself exposure to that game without going to chalk plays like Amari Cooper.