Jay Cutler Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

There hasn't been much doubt regarding Cutler's status heading into the weekend and he's going to start Sunday night against the Raiders. Cutler is in a good spot but he's shown absolutely no ceiling to date and isn't a strong play unless you're willing to roll the dice in tournaments, where he makes some sense as a contrarian stacking partner with DeVante Parker or Jarvis Landry.

This was the expected approach following the Jay Ajayi trade. On the bright side, they aren't considering their third back, Senorise Perry, a part of the committee. Ajayi struggled to be productive in this offense, running behind the 31st offensive line in adjusted yards (3.15, per FO), and he was in a workhorse role with 23+ carries on four occasions. That makes these running backs in a timeshare unappealing in fantasy. On top of the general failure to successfully establish a ground game, the Dolphins are scoring the fewest points per drive in the NFL (1.12) - Ajayi hasn't scored yet this season. Reporters covering the team seem to think Drake will start and have the edge on the early down work while Williams takes more of the passing down snaps. It's definitely possible one of them gets a hot hand and eats into the other's role or establishes themselves as the team's featured option like Ajayi did last season. However, that's just something worth keeping an eye on. Even in a favorable matchup with the Raiders, whose defense is allowing the ninth-most PPR points to RBs this season while ranking 23rd in rush DVOA, it looks like a backfield to avoid. The Raiders have been poor against the pass too, ranking 32nd in DVOA, but that hasn't translated into a ton of fantasy production - they've allowed the 15th-most fantasy points to QBs. Both DeVante Parker and Jarvis Landry will have exploitable spots. Parker will likely see David Amerson the most, who would have the highest yards per cover snap rate (2.22) if he qualified. Landry is expected to battle T.J. Carrie in the slot. Although he's earned PFF's 36th cover grade, he's allowing the sixth-most yards per cover snap out when lined up inside (1.55) and has posted the second-worst cover snaps per reception rate (6.4). While it's normal to see elevated catch rates from slot corners, Carrie's 77% is still appealing for target-monster Landry. The receiver is averaged 11.4 looks per game and hit double-digits in all but one game. Parker's return could potentially eat into that volume but he was a full go in three of those outings and averaged 9.0 targets himself. It looks like those two are the top targets on the Dolphins this week.

Parker is expected to return from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury. He should have Jay Cutler under center as coach Adam Gase stated the quarterback would be available to play this weekend and Matt Moore's poor Thursday night performance kept Cutler's starting job safe. The Dolphins will host the Raiders this weekend, whose defense allowed Tyrod Taylor to complete 74% of his passes in Week 8. The Dolphins have one of the worst offenses in football but they'll be in a good spot to get it going against the 31st-ranked unit in pass DVOA. Parker averaged 9.0 targets in his three full games this season.

Parker is expected to return from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury. He should have Jay Cutler under center as coach Adam Gase stated the quarterback would be available to play this weekend and Matt Moore's poor Thursday night performance kept Cutler's starting job safe. The Dolphins will host the Raiders this weekend, whose defense allowed Tyrod Taylor to complete 74% of his passes in Week 8. The Dolphins have one of the worst offenses in football but they'll be in a good spot to get it going against the 31st-ranked unit in pass DVOA. Parker averaged 9.0 targets in his three full games this season.

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.

Matt Barkley will continue to lead the Bears in Cutler's absence. They play the Lions in Week 14 and have an implied team total of 17.75 points; they aren't expected to do much. With limited receiving options, it would make sense for the Bears to feed Jordan Howard, who had a monster three-touchdown game in Week 13. The Lions aren't as bad as the 49ers against the rush, but they rank 28th in rush DVOA.