Drew Stanton Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

The Cardinals announced that Drew Stanton will start for the team in week 16. In a season that has been defined by injuries, the team will look to give the unproven Stanton a chance to show what he can do. Stanton will have the benefit of facing a below average Giants pass defense. The Cardinals have only scored over 21 points once since week 7.

Beat writer Josh Weinfuss reports he was sporting a brace around his injured knee and moving with a noticeable limp. Blaine Gabbert is expected to start for the Cardinals against the Texans this weekend. It's one of the best matchups a quarterback can have; the Texans have allowed the most yards per attempt (8.3), the third-most passing touchdowns (19), and the fifth-highest passer rating. Not surprisingly, they've allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. However, it would've been tough to trust Stanton to perform well in this great spot and the team believes Gabbert is worse than Stanton. Over the course of his career, Gabbert has completed 56.9% of his passes and posted 6.0 yards per attempt. It seems likely he'll try to lean on Larry Fitzgerald like Stanton did. Over his two starts, Stanton sent 31% of his targets in Fitzgerald's direction and it's helped him tremendously. While the quarterback has been inefficient overall, completing just 48.4% of his passes while averaging 5.93 yards per attempt, he has a 65% completion rate and averages 7.96 yards per attempt when passing to his Fitz over the past two games. If Gabbert follows a similar pattern, Fitzgerald should find success against Texans slot corner Kareem Jackson, who's earned PFF's 109th cover grade out of 116 qualifiers.

The quarterback sprained his knee last Thursday against the Seahawks. The Cardinals won't release an injury report today but Stanton was present during the portion of practice open to the media. It appears he was limited though as he was reportedly working on the side. If he can't play this weekend, Blaine Gabbert would start under center against the Texans. It's one of the best matchups a quarterback can have; the Texans have allowed the most yards per attempt (8.3), the third-most passing touchdowns (19), and the fifth-best passer rating. Not surprisingly, they've allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Of course, it'll be a bit tough to trust either of these quarterbacks to deliver in the spot but it won't get much better for them. Although Larry Fitzgerald has seen his production tail off in the second half of the past few seasons, the situation may prevent that from happening. Stanton has leaned heavily on the veteran receiver, sending 31% of his targets in Fitzgerald's direction over the past two games. While the quarterback has been inefficient, completing just 48.4% of his passes while averaging 5.93 yard per attempt, he's done much better when throwing to Fitz. Across Stanton's two starts, he has a 65% completion rate and averages 7.96 yards per attempt when passing to his top receiver. On top of that, Texans slot corner Kareem Jackson has earned PFF's 109th cover grade out of 116 qualifiers.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Thomas Rawls will be their "guy" against the Cardinals Thursday night with Eddie Lacy sidelined. Rawls took over the early-down role last weekend after Lacy got hurt and posted a season-high 39 yards on 4.3 yards per carry while adding two receptions for 31 yards. Seattle will get C.J. Prosise back after essentially missing five straight games. He's expected to be the primary passing-down back, although he could lose a some of those snaps to J.D. McKissic. The group has a tough matchup this week; Arizona ranks seventh in yards per carry (3.7) and they're holding RBs to the 11th-fewest PPR points this season. On Sunday, they limited Carlos Hyde to 41 rushing yards on 12 carries but allowed him to haul in nine catches for 84. With Prosise back, Rawls won't receive many opportunities to exploit any weaknesses in coverage. Seattle's pass defense allowed 247 scoreless passing yards without Thomas against the Redskins and quarterback Kirk Cousins was 2-for-5 on passes 20+ yards downfield. They have a friendly matchup with Drew Stanton on Thursday, who only completed 50% of his passes for 201 yards, two scores, and a pick against a weak 49ers pass defense. Richardson has been more productive in pass-rush than run defense this season, accumulating the 24th-most pressures among interior defenders. His presence should help Seahawks apply pressure on Stanton, who'll be playing behind the second-worst offensive line in football by PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric.

Carson Palmer has a broken arm and given the initial eight-week recovery timetable, he’ll likely be shut down for the season. Drew Stanton is now the starting quarterback in Arizona. He completed 36% of his passes for 62 scoreless yards and added a pick. It’s an obvious downgrade for skill players like Larry Fitzgerald, whose production has decreased in the second half of the past few seasons as it is. They’ll have a bye week to prepare for the 49ers in Week 9.

Jay Cutler has a pair of cracked ribs which will keep him sidelined for 2-3 weeks. Matt Moore will become the starting QB in his absence. He ended up leading a comeback victory in Week 7 and may not be a huge downgrade from Cutler. In 2016, Moore started the final four games of the year, including a matchup with the Steelers in the playoffs. During that stretch, the QB averaged 240.8 yards and 2.25 touchdowns while completing 68.6% of his passes. Miami is hoping to get DeVante Parker back for their Week 8 game against the Ravens on Thursday night. It’s a tough matchup for any passer as the Ravens have limited QBs to a 70.6 passer rating (third), 55.2% completion rate (second), and the fourth-fewest fantasy points. Miami has an easier matchup in Week 9 against the Raiders.

Delanie Walker was hobbled up towards the end of the game Sunday and was spotted with heavy taping and a crutch afterward - reports indicate it might be a high ankle sprain. Tennessee has a bye in Week 8, providing some extra time for Walker to rehab. If he misses any games, Jonnu Smith, who played 49 snaps on Sunday, would start at tight end. He hauled in 2-of-4 targets for 22 scoreless yards against the Browns. With Walker currently commanding a 22.5% market share of the team's targets, his absence would open up a good chunk of volume for Rishard Matthews and Eric Decker.

Mike Wallace has joined fellow receiver Breshad Perriman in the concussion protocol, potentially leaving Baltimore without their top three wideouts in Week 8 against the Dolphins. With Jeremy Maclin also absent this past Sunday, Joe Flacco peppered Buck Allen with a team-high 11 targets. The Dolphins are allowing the 11th-most receptions to RBs this season (5.8 per game) and ranked 21st in receiving RB DVOA heading into Week 7 – before Matt Forte and Bilal Powell combined for a 7/81/0 line. At receiver, Chris Moore and Griff Whalen both played 58-of-65 snaps. Moore was second on the team with eight looks and hauled in Flacco’s lone TD but he finished with just two receptions. Moore led the team in receiving yards despite only having 44 of them. Even if he’s elevated to the top receiver role again, it doesn’t seem like he’ll offer much upside.

C.J. Prosise only played two snaps before re-aggravating his ankle injury. He’s uncertain for Week 8 and may be limited if he suits up. While he was down, Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy, and J.D McKissic all saw the field between 21-30 times. They continue to have a full-blown committee without any of them standing out enough to earn more time. It’s probably best to avoid the group against the Texans this weekend.

Colts S Malik Hooker will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL and MCL. He had been one of the better coverage safeties this season, picking up PFF’s 24th grade in the area. To make matters worse for the Colts, CB Rashaan Melvin is in the concussion protocol. He’s been their best corner this season, limiting passers to the 18th-lowest rating (70.4). His absence will be a nice upgrade for A.J. Green in Week 8.

49ers LB Reuben Foster returned to the field for the first time since Week 1 but couldn’t stay on it. He ended up leaving early with an injury to his ribs. Foster had started at MLB with NaVorro Bowman now in Oakland and San Francisco had safety Eric Reid rotating in at WLB. With Jaquiski Tartt playing so well at safety, it looks like Reid has lost the role. As a unit, they were dismantled by the Cowboys offense for 265 rushing yards and six total touchdowns. They’ll visit the Eagles next weekend; It’ll be interesting to see how Philly uses their backfield tonight with Wendell Smallwood returning as the 49ers are giving up the most fantasy points to RBs. On the offensive side of things, RT Trent Brown entered the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday’s game early. If he can’t get cleared in time for their Week 8 matchup with the Eagles, it would be a big downgrade for their pass blocking; Brown is currently PFF’s seventh-best tackle in pass protection.

Bills S Jordan Poyer is dealing with a sprained MCL and is considered week-to-week but coach Sean McDermott said, "early signs are positive." He’s the fifth-ranked safety by PFF this season and carries the second-best coverage score. On top of that, E.J. Gaines went down after re-aggravating his hamstring. He’s the 25th-ranked corner this season. Without these two, the Bills secondary, which has held QBs to the fifth-lowest passer rating and second-fewest passing TDs, would take a big downgrade against the Raiders next week.

Browns LT Joe Thomas tore his triceps, ending his season. It's a major loss for the struggling Browns offense as Thomas has earned PFF’s third-best tackle grade this season. The Browns OL has already allowed the tenth-most pressures this season and that number figures to rise without their starting blindside tackle. They’ll take on a Minnesota defense currently in sixth with 21 sacks; they’ll be a popular D/ST this weekend.

Jaguars LT Cam Robinson suffered a sprained ankle Sunday. He’s not having a great rookie campaign, earning the 65th tackle grade from PFF. Josh Wells will step in for Robinson if he misses any time; it would be his first NFL start. Wells was charged with the 12th-most pressures among tackles in Week 7 (3). Robinson will have a Week 8 bye to rehab.

Texans LT Chris Clark will be sidelined for 1-2 games with a calf issue. Fortunately for the Texans, LT Duane Brown has ended his hold out and may be able to play this weekend against the Seahawks. Brown finished 2016 with the 14th-best tackle grade from PFF and should provide a nice upgrade from Clark who’s currently 56th among 72 qualifiers.

Panthers C Ryan Kalil and RG Trai Turner both left Week 7 early. Kalil was starting his first game since Week 1 and couldn’t make it through without suffering a setback to his neck injury. His replacement, Tyler Larsen has struggled in pass protection this season, allowing the second-most pressures among centers (16, per PFF) and he’s been charged with the most sacks (3). Turner will undergo an MRI on his knee today. While he’s excelled in run-blocking, picking up the ninth-best PPF grade in the area among guards, he’s 53rd in pass blocking and he’s given up the eighth-most pressures at his position (15).

Saints RG Larry Warford was forced from Week 7’s game with an abdominal strain. He’s PFF’s 26th-ranked guard in pass protection and 50th in run blocking. As a unit, the Saints OL has ranked third in pass-blocking efficiency (per PFF); if Warford, misses time in would be an upgrade for the Bears pass rush in Week 8.

Dan Bailey injured his groin Sunday and he’s expected to miss several weeks, per Ian Rapoport. Dallas will work out kickers early this week to get a backup in place.