Michael Floyd Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

LT Riley Reiff is also questionable. Diggs is expected to play in London against the Browns this weekend. If he's able to suit up, he could be shadowed by Jason McCourty (ankle, questionable) which presents a difficult matchup on the surface. The cornerback is having a renaissance year in Cleveland after a few down seasons and finishing in the bottom 18 in yards per cover snap and cover snaps per reception with the Titans in 2016. In 2017, he's found himself as PFF's third-ranked cover corner, although that grade may be a bit inflated due to his three interceptions - great production in real life, but worse for QBs than WRs in fantasy. In terms of receiver production, he's 35th in yards per cover snap and 39th in cover snaps per reception while allowing a 65.5% catch rate. Essentially, this appears to be a case where his PFF grade doesn't mean he's a shutdown corner to fear in DFS. The Browns may have one of those in slot corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun though. Despite playing all seven games, he's only been targeted an absurdly-low five times, allowing him to lead the league with 0.1 yards per cover snap and 54.5 cover snaps per reception. He was forced to the outside a little more than normal with McCourty out against the Titans last week but he still defended 18 routes in the slot. Eric Decker, who worked into his coverage on the outside and in the slot, finished with a blank sheet on just two targets. That sets up a daunting challenge for Adam Thielen this weekend whether Diggs is in or not. If McCourty sits, it'll force CB Michael Jordan into the nickel corner role and he'll man the outside. In that scenario, Diggs would see a combination of Jordan, who's earned poor grades over the past two seasons, and Jamar Taylor, who's allowed the seventh-most yards (391) and a 72.2% catch rate this year. It's a clear upgrade for the receiver.

Diggs will try to make his return this week following a two-game absence. Bradford isn't expected to play in Week 8, likely leaving Case Keenum under center. However, The Vikings haven't ruled out Teddy Bridgewater yet and he's practicing today. If Diggs is able to suit up, he could be shadowed by Jason McCourty which presents a difficult matchup on the surface. The cornerback is having a renaissance year in Cleveland after a few down seasons and finishing in the bottom-18 in yards per cover snap and cover snaps per reception with the Titans in 2016. In 2017, he's found himself as PFF's third-ranked cover corner, although that grade may be a bit inflated due to his three interceptions - great production in real life, but worse for QBs than WRs in fantasy. In terms of receiver production, he's 35th in yards per cover snap and 39th in cover snaps per reception while allowing a 65.5% catch rate. Essentially, this appears to be a case where his PFF grade doesn't mean he's a shutdown corner to fear in DFS. The Browns may have one of those in slot corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun though. Despite playing all seven games, he's only been targeted an absurdly-low five times, allowing him to lead the league with 0.1 yards per cover snap and 54.5 cover snaps per reception. He was forced to the outside a little more than normal with McCourty out against the Titans last week but he still defended 18 routes in the slot. Eric Decker, who worked into his coverage on the outside and in the slot, finished with a blank sheet with just two targets. That sets up a daunting challenge for Adam Thielen this weekend whether Diggs is in or not. Tight end Kyle Rudolph could see an uptick in targets if Diggs remains sidelined and he'll have the best matchup of the bunch with the Browns giving up the second-most PPR points to his position this season.

Diggs wanted to play last weekend but couldn't get clearance as he tends to a groin strain. If he misses any more time, Adam Thielen would remain the top receiver. He took advantage of his opportunity last weekend, coming down with nine receptions for 97 yards against an injury-riddled Packers secondary. He may have a better matchup than it appears on paper against the Ravens this weekend as he'll battle Ladarius Webb in the slot. When inside, Webb is allowing the most yards per cover snap (2.11, per PFF) and a 68% catch rate. Case Keenum will likely remain the starter this weekend against the Ravens if Sam Bradford is unable to return, although Teddy Bridgewater did return to practice Wednesday. It's a tough spot for the QB as Baltimore is currently holding passers to the second-lowest completion percentage (53.6%), fourth-lowest rating (71.1), and fifth-fewest yards per game (190). Barr's absence could have a big impact on the Vikings defense, he's earned the eighth-best LB grade from PFF this season.

Floyd will have a favorable spot against an injury-riddled Packers secondary but it'll be hard to trust the receiver to exploit the matchup in his second game with the team. Most targets should flow towards Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph, and Jerick McKinnon. Floyd should get some run at corner Damarious Randall, who has permitted a 116.8 passer rating (67th among corners) and 1.55 yards per cover snap (59th, per PFF). Even so, Thielen will likely get the preferred matchup with Quinten Rollins in the slot, who's allowed a reception all 15 times he's been targeted inside.

Floyd will make his season debut tonight against the Bears. He'll likely operate as the fourth receiver though given his time away from the team while he served a suspension. Sam Bradford's primary targets will be Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Kyle Rudolph. Chicago currently ranks 31st in WR1 DVOA and they've given up the 11th-most fantasy points to receivers this season which sets up a nice spot for Diggs. On top of that, he's expected to square off with the Bears' weaker corner, Kyle Fuller. Heading into Week 5, he was targeted the fourth-most (30) and gave up the 13th-most yards total (220), 12th-most yards per cover snap (1.76), and had the sixth-worst cover snap per reception rate (6.9), per PFF. If Minnesota struggles to get their running game going tonight with Dalvin Cook sidelined, Bradford could go to the air quite a bit and should look for Diggs often.

Reliable beat writer Mike Reiss asserted that only four of New England's five receivers will be active tomorrow, but he isn't exactly sure who will be the inactive among the group. Malcolm Mitchell (knee) was the odd one out last weekend against the Houston Texans, although Reiss seems to believe it was because he was not medically cleared. Given the connection he's developed with Tom Brady, if he's healthy he will most likely be the third receiver behind Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan (thigh, questionable). Michael Floyd out-snapped Danny Amendola 44-21 against the Texans but he played poorly and made some costly mistakes, including one that created an interception. He's also new to the team, which could provide an edge to Amendola. Either way, it seems like the Patriots will likely choose between those two tomorrow. It'll be worth following on game-day as a player like Michael Floyd is a potential contrarian GPP flier on a two-game slate that features limited avenues to differentiate lineups. If Mitchell ends up active, he should be the third receiver and will be a solid contrarian play himself with Hogan a bit banged up. New England has the second game tomorrow but we'll hopefully know what the Patriots plan to do with Mitchell, Floyd, and Amendola before lock.

The general tone among beat writers this week was that Mitchell's status was truly up in the air. Not only is he dealing with a knee injury, but they have four other (healthy) receivers now that Danny Amendola has returned. Former Patriots employee Mike Lombardi appeared on the "Bill Simmons Podcast" last night and said he believes Mitchell will be inactive tomorrow. Should that happen, New England would roll with Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, and Michael Floyd along with Amendola. Edelman is by far the safest option, he's averaged 12.6 targets over the last seven games. Hogan and Floyd would be in play for tournaments, as both have big play ability. Floyd posted a 3/36/1 line in place of Mitchell in Week 17 and displayed some serious blocking skills that could earn him extra playing time. New England plays the primetime game on Saturday night, so it's definitely possible we find out Mitchell's status prior to lock.