Sam Bradford Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Sam Bradford Inactive for Arizona. That's the only significant name on the list

Sam Bradford appears likely to be the Arizona Cardinals opening day starter at quarterback. Carson Palmer is gone and Bradford should hold down the fort until he gets injured or Josh Rosen is ready to play. This isn’t a situation to get overly excited about as the Arizona’s WR1 is 34-year-old Larry Fitzgerald, followed by an overhyped free-agent signing (Butler) and a rookie WR3 (Kirk). New coach Steve Wilks also looks to be implementing a run oriented scheme. If we get the right price and the right matchup for Bradford than he is in play for DFS purposes, otherwise this is probably a player to avoid.

Bradford underwent an arthroscopic procedure Tuesday to clean up his left knee. Although there wasn't major damage found, the Vikings have decided to shut him down for the season. Teddy Bridgewater will be activated to the 53-man roster on Wednesday. As of now, the Vikings plan on having Bridgewater serve as Keenum's backup when they take on the Redskins this weekend. Washington has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to QBs but with Josh Norman back in the fold, they have three corners in the top 27 of PFF's coverage grades, all of whom have posted 0.84 yards per cover snap or better. That sets up a tough matchup for Keenum and the Vikings passing attack. The Redskins are worse against the run, ranking 27th in adjusted line yards. Since Dalvin Cook's injury, Jerick McKinnon has picked up between 17 and 22 touches in each game but he's been out-carried by Latavius Murray in each of the past two - Murray garnered 18 and 19 carries in those contests. Murray is expected to start and handle most of the early-down work while McKinnon takes on the passing-down role but he'll be on a short leash like he was in Week 8. He only managed 39 yards on those 19 attempts and McKinnon ended up out-snapping him 54 to 31. Outside of one solid game for Murray, McKinnon has looked like the better back and McKinnon's added value in the passing game makes him the more appealing fantasy asset.

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 said his status for Sunday is up in the air but his return to practice is a step in the right direction. 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 with Sam Bradford looking doubtful. 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 return to practice is good news for the Vikings defense a he's earned the eighth-best LB grade from PFF 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.

Bradford isn't expected to play this weekend. Diggs hasn't practiced yet this week due to a groin injury but he told the media he expects to suit up Sunday. If Packers CB Kevin King is out, defensive coordinator Dom Capers may have no choice but to push Randall to the outside even though he wants him in the slot. That's great for Diggs as the corner has permitted a 116.8 passer rating (67th among corners) and 1.55 yards per cover snap (59th, per PFF). There will be risk involved given Diggs' injury but he'll naturally come with a huge ceiling in this spot, even with Case Keenum throwing to him. Not only is Diggs fourth in yards per route run (2.56), he's leading the league with eight receptions and a 61.5% catch rate on deep passes (20+ yards downfield). Keenum filled in for Bradford again on Monday and completed 81.0% of his 21 pass attempts while leading the Vikings to a 20-17 victory. He's been very up and down over his four games this season as he appears to be a very matchup-sensitive passer but he'll have a nice spot against the Packers, whose defense is allowing a 66.2% completion rate and a 94.5 passer rating.

Bradford isn't expected to play after he re-aggravated his lingering knee injury Monday night. Diggs was forced from the game for a spell with a groin strain but managed to return. His Week 6 status is in question though, he'll probably need to return by Friday to have a chance to play this weekend. If he can't go, it'll provide target boosts for Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph. Green Bay has been tough on tight ends this season, limiting them to the second-fewest PPR points per game (7.74) without allowing a single touchdown to the position. With Laquon Treadwell and Michael Floyd representing untrustworthy options at receiver, Thielen should see plenty of opportunities from Case Keenum in the number one receiver role. The Packers are 26th in WR1 DVOA while allowing the tenth-most passes to top wideouts (8.5, per FO). Last Sunday, Dez Bryant managed a decent 5/8/52/1 line against them. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers tried playing Damarious Randall in the slot last week which would present a favorable matchup for slot receiver Thielen - the corner has permitted a 116.8 passer rating (67th among corners) and 1.55 yards per cover snap (59th, per PFF). However, injuries forced him to the outside, which left Quinten Rollins inside the most and he allowed a completion all five times he was targeted for 41 yards and a score (in just 15 coverage snaps). Unless Green Bay moves safety Morgan Burnett, who would have the second-best yards per cover snap when in slot coverage if he qualified (0.26, per PFF), back into the nickel corner role, Thielen could have a field day. If they don't, Burnett could be on Rudolph most of the afternoon.

Bradford was taken out of Monday night's game against the Bears due to his lingering knee injury. Although head coach Mike Zimmer said he'll be day-to-day, Bradford appears doubtful for Week 6's matchup with the Packers. Case Keenum filled in for Bradford again and completed 81.0% of his 21 pass attempts while leading the Vikings to a 20-17 victory. He's been very up and down over his four games this season but he'll have a nice spot against the Packers, whose defense is allowing a 66.2% completion rate and a 94.5 passer rating.