Week 5 Daily Fantasy Targets

Week 4 wasn’t our finest week, but we had a few solid picks and were in the money in one our leagues (nothing major but it keeps us at around .500 for cashes).

Quarterbacks

• $$$: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens ($7,100)
  • After allowing 20+ points through two weeks, the Pittsburgh defense has played two excellent games against opposing quarterbacks, but we feel that this trend will revert in week 5. Jackson has shown the ability to play within the pocket, while using his legs to supplement a surprising passing game. In this divisional rivalry, I see the Ravens taking it handily, and Jackson performing very well.
• $$: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,200)
  • While New Orleans ranks 30th in points allowed to QB’s, it has been a tale of two defenses, with Houston and Seattle balling out in weeks 1 and three, and Goff and Prescott managing less than 25 points combined (with Dak’s 6 points being a low last week). Still, the emergence of Chris Godwin has turned the passing game into a lethal weapon, and Ronald Jones new found efficiency is helping to keep defenses honest. It may not be as high a scoring affair as it would be with Brees, but it should be Winston that benefits from a sub par passing defense.
• $: Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints ($5,200)
  • While he’s been more of a game manager through three games, he’s been efficient regardless, completing over 70% of his passes over the previous two weeks. The Bucs offense has been scoring in bunches, and if it goes to the air (and I believe it will) he has the weapons in Thomas and Kamara to post points without having to do much of the work himself. Considering the Tampa defense has allowed quite a bit of scoring, I expect Bridgewater to be an absolute value in DFS this week.

Running Backs

• $$$: David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals ($7,500)
  • Johnson’s volume has saved him from a bit of a difficult start to the season, as he’s drawn three difficult matchups in a row, running to the tune of nearly 3 yards per carry during that time. This week he gets a last place Bengals rushing defense that’s allowed no fewer than 21 points in PPR formats to opposing backs. This could be the turnaround game for the former 2,000 rusher as we expect that volume to remain constant.
• $$: James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers ($6,200)
  • Life with Mason Rudolph was one where the ball rarely went down field, and Conner managed to turn a rough day on the ground into a very productive day as a dump off safety value for Rudolph. With Baltimore a very real threat to get up early, Conner could again be a heavy part of the passing game as the Steelers coaching staff didn’t seem comfortable taking the reigns off their back up signal caller
• $: James White, New England Patriots ($5,000)
  • The last time we saw the Patriots, it was against a Bills team that bottled them up all day, but coming into a juicy match up against a Colt McCoy led Washington team, the Pats look to bounce back in a big way. Rex Burkhead is out, Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon are dinged up, and Brady is going to have to look White’s way fairly often, making him a solid cheap play on Sunday.

Wide Receivers

• $$$: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons ($7,700)
  • Remember when Jones was considered a “can’t reach the end zone” receiver? Jones currently has four receiving TD’s through four weeks, and is still the best receiver in a passing attack that should put up points against Houston this week. The volume is there for Jones, who’s target share has been in the 8-12 targets per week. Start him with confidence if you’re looking for an expensive option for your team.
• $$: Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles ($5,900)
  • The Eagles looked off last week, but Wentz tried over and over again to fit the ball to his star receiver. Against a Jets secondary that’s providing solid scoring to opposing fantasy receivers, he should again be a target magnet, and I expect him to have far better success this week.
• $: Dionte Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,400)
  • When the season started, we had high expectations for Donte Moncrief and James Washington, but it looks like rookie receiver Dionte Johnson could be the peanut butter to Juju Smith-Schusters jelly in this offense thanks to an apparent level of comfort with backup made starter Mason Rudolph. As mentioned before, this offense has turned to a check down philosophy, and Johnson looks like he could fit the bill nicely.

Tight Ends

• $$: Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders ($5,000)
  • The raiders search for receiving weapons has seemed to provide the athletic tight end with extra opportunities so far, and a tough match up against a Bears defense that’s limited pretty much everyone but opposing tight ends from production looks like a solid play here.
• $: Tyler Eifert, Cincinatti Bengals ($3,300)
  • Predicting anything in fantasy is difficult, but Arizona seems to love allowing opposing Tight Ends to score. While he’s been an afterthought through much of the season, a trip or two to the end zone shouldn’t be out of the question for the oft-injured tight end.

D/ST

• Patriots D/ST ($4,300)
  • Daily fantasy sites are starting to catch up to the Pats dominance against weak opponents, but against a third string QB and a Washington team that offers very little talent on offense, this could be another dominating performance for a defense that’s strung together several to start the season
• Titans D/ST ($3,000)
  • If you’re looking for a cheaper option, the Titans defense has been excellent this year as well, and draws a Buffalo team that may not be 100% on Sunday. With Josh Allen having been knocked out of last Sunday’s contest, it should be interesting to see how he handles pressure this week.

The Dr’s DFS Team

• QB: Jameis Winston
• RB: James Conner
• RB: James White
• WR: Chris Godwin
• WR: Alshon Jeffery
• WR: Dionte Johnson
• TE:  Darren Waller
• Flex: Sterling Shepard
• DST: Patriots D/ST

 

 

 

 

Week 4 Daily Fantasy Targets

We were indisposed for our week 3 recap, but we had a solid week with some of our picks. We managed to win a few bucks in our own Daily lineup, so this week we’re hoping to really hit some home runs.

Quarterbacks

• $$$ – Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs ($7,500)
  • Considering that Mahomes may be the easiest player to project this week against the 29th ranked Detroit Lions secondary, being at only $7,500 makes him an absolute value the position if you don’t mind spending the capital on a QB.
• $$ – Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks ($6,100)
  • Only two players are scoring more points per week than Russell Wilson in 2019… Mahomes and Jackson. Unlike Jackson, who plays an underrated Browns secondary, Wilson is less expensive, and is facing the Arizona Cardinals (ranked 31st in the league against QB’s in fantasy). Wilson is a must start this week.
• $ – Daniel Jones, New York Giants ($5,300)
  • Jones looked solid last week, and draws and even easier match-up in week 4 with the 30th ranked Washington Redskins coming to town. With the Giants feeling good about themselves for the first time in a long time, and a rushing attack that’s headlined by Wayne Gallman, it could be another surprising performance for the rookie from Duke.

Running Backs

• $$$ – Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers ($8,000)
  • The news that Melvin Gordon is ending his hold out makes Ekeler a precarious roster player in season long leagues, but drawing a Miami defense that’s even worse against the run than it is against the pass means that Ekeler’s last week at the top of the teams depth chart should be a good one. Given his usage in the passing game, he’s fairly insulated against shifting game plans in the case of a blow out.
• $$ – Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens ($6,600)
  • The buzz in Baltimore has centered on Lamar Jackson for much of the first quarter of the season, but that doesn’t mean teammate Mark Ingram hasn’t emerged as a bonafide RB1. Unlike their top 5 passing defense, Cleveland boasts the 29th worst defense against opposing running backs. Mark Ingram could be in for a monster week if the gameplan shifts towards the ground game, and we expect it should.
• $ – James White, New England Patriots ($4,900)
  • He’s been pretty solid but tough to predict in his NFL career, but he’ll be featured more prominently against a tough divisional opponent thanks to injuries on the Patriots offensive line and Sony Michel’s early struggles. If Julian Edelman is out or limited, he could find himself as Brady’s third down safety blanket, and a dozen targets with a few in the red zone are a safe bet for the value.

Wide Receivers

• $$$ – Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers ($7,600)
  • If it sounds like I’m all in on the Chargers this week, you’re right. The Miami connection is obvious, but it’s also important to note that Mike Williams is out this week, further forcing the Chargers to rely on their elite slot man. Allen could see a season high in targets this week, making him a value despite his cost.
• $$ – Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks ($6,300)
  • Lockett has been excellent in PPR formats, so this is probably a better play in leagues that reward those extra points, but as the center piece of the Seahawks offense, and Russell Wilson’s resurgence, he could be in for a big day against a pretty average against opposing receivers.
• $ – D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars ($5,100)
  • All aboard the Chark Train for at least one more week. Denver hasn’t been kind to opposing receivers, but the Minshew to Chark connection is a real one, and with the gunslinger mentality on full display last week, we expect the Jaguars to look down field a lot, which is Chark’s specialty. Until he slows down, there’s no reason to ignore him at the value he’s given most weeks.

Tight Ends

• $$ – Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders ($5,200)
  • Waller has been the Raiders most consistent passing game weapon, and against an Indy team that should be able to score against their defense, should be called on again to be an integral part of their game plan. The best part? He’s their best red zone weapon in the passing game, and I can see another handful of targets in the redzone, giving him an excellent chance to score in week 4.
• $ –Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks ($3,600)
  • The Seahawks look like the found an excellent pass catching tight end in Dissly, and he should be involved all day in week 4 again. While we do like Lockett to lead the team in targets, an TD or two isn’t out of the question against the worst team in the league against the TE position in Arizona.

D/ST

• Patriots D/ST ($3,700) – A pick 6 and a muffed punt cost the Patriots a second straight shutout in week 3, and they draw a Buffalo team with an inexperienced signal caller and lack of depth at the skill positions. Averaging nearly 20 points at $3,700 is the kind of every-week decision that can’t be ignored.
• Jaguars D/ST ($3,700) – There’s not a lot of easy plays for D/ST’s this week, but the Jaguars secondary looked revitalized last week despite the Jalen Ramsey drama. With a Joe Flacco led offense that really hasn’t performed well, there’s a potential for multiple turnovers in this one.

 

The Doctor’s Team

• QB: Daniel Jones
• RB: Mark Ingram
• RB: James White
• WR: Keenan Allen
• WR: Tyler Lockett
• WR: D.J. Chark
• TE: Will Dissly
• Flex: Kenny Golladay
• D/ST: Patriots D/ST

Thoughts: The toughest choice was choosing between Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler, but the slightly lower cost and the potential return of Melvin Gordon have me leaning toward the high volume receiver here. That left me with a moderate amount for my flex, and I decided playing the down-field option on the team facing Kansas City is a fairly safe play despite Golladay’s up and down season so far. One could have made an argument for T.J. Hockenson against that KC defense that’s allowed a solid amount of points to tight ends, but I felt better with this lineup.

Week 3 Daily Fantasy Picks

Last week we had a few solid picks but game scripts and injuries kept us from really hitting big. We aim to do better as the year wears on. Of course, it’s important to understand the purpose of this exercise. There are plenty of players we like on different teams, but our aim is to provide value at each tier, to help fill out the last few roster spots that you may have trouble with. Every roster will feature players from each; these are just the guys we like the most this week. 

Quarterbacks

$$$: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens ($7,000): I’m not too concerned about Mahomes failing to produce this week even against Baltimore’s D, but getting Jackson, who’s nearly kept pace with Mahomes as it is, is a better value this week. This one should turn into a shootout, so getting one of these guys as your “expensive” pick should pay dividends.

$$: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons ($5,700): Inside, Matt Ryan has played his best football, and while they’re on the road, he draws a favorable match up against an Indy team that should allow him to score some points. I feel that Jacoby Brissett should be half way decent this week (more on that bellow), so both teams may be forced to score.

$: Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts ($5,200): It seemed like all was lost when Andrew Luck announced his retirement, but Brissett has looked capable in his last few starts. While the red zone efficiency is likely going to come back to earth, this week against a high scoring Falcons team, he’ll be asked to do even more with injuries hampering his backfield.

Running Backs

$$$: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints ($8,000): I entertained CMC here, but of the two elite backs who are operating without their QB’s, I trust the Teddy Bridewater to get Kamara the ball better than the situation in Carolina. Seattle’s defense has looked solid to this point, but Kamara is the kind of backfield asset who, outside of extenuating circumstances (last week anyone?) nearly always turns in fantasy performances.

$$: Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens ($5,700): While we may have expected Justice Hill to have a larger role in the Baltimore offense, it’s been largely the Mark Ingram show, and with a trip to Kansas City in the docket, he could be asked to play a larger role in the passing game. I’m not always keen on highlighting several players like this, but I expect Baltimore to surprise some folks today on offense.

$: Darwin Thompson, Kansas City Chiefs ($3,000): There was a point over the weekend when we weren’t sure if even LeSean McCoy would play, but even if McCoy is on the field, his lingering ankle issue should open the door for Darwin Thompson to see a real valuable role, if just for one week. If Baltimore can keep pace with Kansas City, then expect a high scoring game for this backfield, one way or another.

Wide Receivers

$$$: Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys ($7,500): Amari Cooper has continued to show us that he’s a far better receiver than his time in Oakland led us to believe. This week, he’ll shoulder a larger burden with Michael Gallup dinged up, and the Miami Defense has yielded a ton of points to opposing teams.

$$: Tyler Boyd, Cincinatti Bengals ($6,500): Speaking of volume, Tyler Boyd has been a target vacuum, seeing a ton in his usual role in the short and intermediate passing game. Buffalo’s defense is a bit better than they get credit for, but with John Ross showing he can take the top off, I like Boyd to see a ton of targets again on Sunday.

$: D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks ($4,700): Metcalf has looked every bit of the downfield specialist we thought he’d be when he was drafted early by the Seahawks. While Tyler Lockett remains the teams top target, down the field and in the end zone, Metcalf will feature heavily. At that price point, I feel confident that a trip the end zone and a big catch or two is going to give us plenty of value.

Tight Ends

$$: Evan Engram, New York Giants ($5,200): The guy has been one of the two or three best TE’s in terms of fantasy scoring (as we expected) and I don’t see that slowing down any time soon. While you may feel concerned with Daniel Jones under center this week, I expect him to be at least replacement level for Eli Manning, and if he plays even a modicum better, then Engram could have another monster week.

$: Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers ($3,700): The news that Cam Newton is going to miss Sunday’s game certainly put damper on the receivers group, but of all the Panther’s pass catchers, Olsen should lose the least amount of work with the backup QB. Arizona ranks dead last in the NFL this season in allowing points to tight ends, and while Olsen carries a question mark of health into Sunday’s match up, if he plays, I like him to produce despite Kyle Allen starting under center.

D/ST

$$: Patriots D/ST ($3,800): Playing Dallas’ D/ST against the Dolphins may sound like a no brainer, but with an elite Patriots defense costing about $500 of your balance less, and facing off against a third string QB for the Jets, I have to go with the Pats defense in week 3.

$: San Francisco 49ers D/ST ($3,000): There’s a lot of value with D/ST’s as they all inhabit the same airspace in terms of cost, but the 9er’s defense has been scoring with regularity to this point in the season, and draws a banged up Steeler’s offense at home. With Mason Rudolph under center and the health of running back Jame’s Conner up in the air, there’s a chance that the San Fran D could be one of the most valuable starts this week.

The Doctor’s Lineup

• QB: Matt Ryan
• RB: Mark Ingram
• RB: Darwin Thompson
• WR: Marquise Brown
• WR: Amari Cooper
• WR: D.K. Metcalf
• TE: Evan Engram
• Flex: Alvin Kamara
• D/ST: Patriots D/ST

Notes: I had to make a few adjustments just to fit the roster under the cap. I do like Marquise Brown this week against KC’s defense, especially if KC can put up points. While there’s some risk in playing Darwin Thompson this week, his price is basically free and in that potential high scoring match up, that’s the kind of risk that can pay off in spades in Daily contests.

Week 3 Waiver Targets

We apologize for the delay in our waiver targets article, as Gardner Minshew played on Thursday and would likely have been a target had we got this out yesterday. That being said, it’s important to note that the QB position has become that much more shallow with the injuries suffered to Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger in week 2, so we’re going to have to go deep.

Quarter Backs

• Jimmy Garoppolo, San Fransisco 49ers (45.4% owned)

  • If you’re in a deeper league, he may not be available to you, but in more than half of ESPN leagues, Jimmy G is still floating around on waivers, and we’re not sure why. While the sheen had certainly come off him after the season ending injury left us with questions, the truth is that he still is at the helm of a Kyle Shanahan offense that is even more pass heavy with the loss of Tevin Coleman to injury. He has an excellent group of pass catchers, highlighted by TE George Kittle but filled to bursting with young guys like Deebo Samuel, Dante Pettis, and Marquise Goodwin. He’s trending up and won’t be available in many league if he has another solid week.

• Andy Dalton, Cincinatti Bengals (17.8% owned)

  • Dalton has long been maligned in the fantasy community, but we think he is finally trending up thanks to a change at head coach (see ya Marvin Lewis!) and the emergence of receiving weapons beyond A.J. Green. John Ross has been an excellent stand in and alleviates some of the fear that Dalton has very few high end pass catchers to through to, and we’ve seen Dalton perform well through two weeks. With a lack of quality passers, and a potential need, he’s likely available in most leagues this week.

• Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts (17.7% owned) 

  • When Andrew Luck retired, Colts fans and fantasy owners saw the news as “the sky is falling”. What we’ve seen through two weeks is that Jacoby Brissett may not be elite like we expect Luck to be, but he has plenty of weapons to succeed as a fantasy asset in limited exposure. With a potential shoot up on deck with the Atlanta Falcons, he could be a nice streaming option this week, and for Brees and Big Ben owners, a valuable addition to get you through the doldrums. 

Running Backs

• Nyheim Hines, Indianaplis Colts (45.9% owned) and Jordan Wilkins (0.8% owned)

  • It’s not a given that Marlon Mack is going to miss time, but with his injury limiting him this week, it’s worth monitoring. While Hines is the name I’d rather add with a match up coming against the high flying Falcons, Wilkins isn’t a terrible look in deeper formats if you’re needing someone who can provide some assistance, and if you’re a Mack owner who wants to mitigate disaster if he doesn’t play, it’s likely that Wilkins is floating around on your waivers.

• Raheem Mostert, San Fransisco 49ers (39.3% owned)

  • It’s clear that Matt Brieda is the closest thing to a bell cow this offense has, but Kyle Shanahan loves using all of his weapons, and Mostert has looked good in limited touches. With an uptick in rushing attempts last week, we expect Mostert to float around 10-15 touches with a few pass catches sprinkled in. He’s not an elite option by any stretch, but he has plenty of flex value if you’re searching for value on waivers.

• Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers (13.6% owned)

  • I may not agree with Matt Lafleur’s assessment of the Packers backfield (I think Aaron Jones is a better back), but it’s time to take Jamaal Williams usage seriously after the comments made over the last few days. It’s clear they want to involve Williams in the offense, and expecting 12+ touches a week may not make him an obvious start, but it makes him a strong flex option in a potentially very good offense, and if Aaron Jones injury issues flare up, he becomes an excellent back end RB2 option at the cost of a deep roster spot.

Wide Recievers

• Randall Cobb, Dallas Cowboys (28.9% Owned)

  • Cobb looked pretty good already in this Dallas offense, but an injury to Michael Gallup could open up more opportunities for the shifty slot man to get possession work. Devin Smith is a popular add today, but I like the veteran Cobb as my waiver add at this point.

• Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (20.5% owned)

  • It sure seems like I’m high on the 49ers this year, but the truth is that Samuel is being completely overlooked after being taken in the second round of the draft. Dante Pettis’ health has kept him from being impactful, and Marquise Goodwin’s role as a downfield threat certainly doesn’t make him a high volume receiver. Samuel has played well through two weeks and, while he may settle in as a WR4 type player, he shouldn’t be owned in fewer than a quarter of ESPN leagues.

• Philip Dorsett, New England Patriots (5.3% owned)

  • At first blush, this offense is so full of play makers it’s easy to see why Dorsett has become available in 95% of leagues. But with the buzz around Antonio Brown growing louder, and a week one performance that highlights his usefulness in this Patriots offense, I could see Dorsett being a big part of this offense going forward. If Antonio Brown is forced to miss games, either due to being released or being placed on the Commissioners Exempt List, he’ll be snatched up in a ton of leagues, so getting in front of this may save you the trouble.

Tight Ends

• Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (37.5% owned)

  • I’ll admit I was in the “wait and see” camp on the un-retired future hall of famer, but despite not having major target share, Witten resumed his role as safety blanket for Dak Prescott, making big catches, and seeing the end zone twice already. With Gallup on the shelf (as mentioned earlier) it could be more of the same going forward at a position that’s seen several high profile assets go down to injury.

• Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks (21.4% owned)

  • This one may feel like low hanging fruit, but with a passing attack that featured little in the way of red zone threats, Dissly has emerged as a premier option in that area of the field. I don’t expect him to put up top 10 numbers regularly, but if you’re a Henry or Njoku owner that hasn’t had success elsewhere, Dissly may get you through a few weeks without a huge step back.

• Chris Herndon, New York Jets (7% owned)

  • Yes, the Jets are a mess, and Herndon still has two games to go on his four game suspension to start the season, but if you’re in need, and have the roster to hold on to him, Herndon could be one of those mid season pick ups that helps you achieve fantasy greatness. He’d return (likely) after Sam Darnold comes back from his bout with mono, and he’s become the teams best red zone weapon outside of Le’Veon Bell the moment he walks on the field. He’s a deep add, and there’s always some risk putting a player on your bench you can’t use for 3 more weeks (they have a week 4 bye) but he could be sneaky good when he returns.

Streaming Options D/ST

• Tampa Bay D/ST vs. New York Giants (4.7% owned) Tampa’s D has played pretty well against the run this year, and forcing rookie QB Daniel Jones to throw the football may lead to some interesting results. Even if Saquon Barkely is more efficient on the ground, I expect Tampa to force a few turnovers with the rookie under the lights for the first time.
• San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (32.1% owned) The Steelers are reeling from the loss of their QB for the season, and with James Conner not 100% healthy and backup Mason Rudolph starting, the 49ers are in a prime spot to make noise on Sunday. They aren’t a season long D/ST but for streaming purposes, they could be a helpful add if you’re looking at a situation like Baltimore vs. KC.

Week 2: Daily Fantasy Picks

Week 1 saw a handful of guys we picked go off, most notably Lamar Jackson, although we could have done a bit better. Week ones are always unpredictable, so we’ll take it with a grain of salt. Below are our favorite picks, in the format we’ve established from week 1.

Quarterbacks

$$$: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs ($7,500) – Against what we considered a solid defense, and without his top reciever for much of the contest, Mahomes did MVP like things, hanging 300+ yards and three TD’s against the Jaguars. Oakland should provide just as many opportunities for Mahomes to rack up points.

$$: Tom Brady, New England Patriots ($6,500) – Defy father time yet again? Check… Acquire one of this generations best receiving talents (despite off the field issues)? Check… Draw what may amount to the worst team in the NFL? Check. This week against Miami, Brady should once again look like a legit top 5 QB.

$: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions ($5,200) – If you’re looking for a discount, Stafford may be your man. The emergence of T.J. Hockenson only solidifies what may be one of the best groups of receiving weapons he’s had since the departure of Calvin Johnson. Given that the Chargers can score with the best of them, it’s likely he’ll be called on to attempt quite a few passes on Sunday.

Running Backs

$$$: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants ($9,200) – Any of the top three options available (including Zeke and Kamara) are solid options, but drawing the Buffalo Bills should provide plenty of opportunities for Barkley to improve on the low volume/high efficiency start he had to the season.

$$: Sony Michel, New England Patriots ($6,200) – The Patriots offense drawing the Miami Dolphins is an obvious feather in his cap, but the news that James White will miss week 2 action following the birth of his child leaves the door wide open for Michel to assume a much larger workload than usual. If the Patriots get ahead early, they could pound the ball late.

$: Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins ($3,900) – The news that Derrius Guice has been placed on IR means the backfield will see a solid dose of Chris Thompson, especially on passing downs. It may be too early to tag Dallas as a top offense, but if they’re scoring, it’ll be Thompson, not Peterson, with the big day.

Wide Receivers

$$$: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints ($8,000) – Don’t be scared off by the Rams passing defense after one week, this is a high scoring Saints offense with a lot to prove after having their season ended last year against this very Rams team thanks to an egregious call. Thomas is going to see a ton of targets every week, and while we have concerns about Brees lasting all season at the top of the mountain, we’re confident he’ll be good early on.

$$: Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams ($6,400) – He may have had a disappointing week last week, with only 15 PPR points, but his 13 targets should set your mind at ease regarding his usage. As mentioned above, this weeks match up should produce one of the more exciting games of the week, and Woods should see another healthy dose of targets as Goff may not have time to find his down the field targets with the Saints defense getting after him.

$: D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars ($4,500) – They say backups throw to backups, and Gardner Minshew certainly looked Chark’s way several times after Foles left the Jaguars week one matchup with an injury. This is an offense that has never really established a top receiver, so there’s as much of a chance that Chark continues his torrid pace against a Houston team that could force Minshew to throw it a lot all game.

Tight End

$$$: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs ($7,300) – I’m not super confident in either Kelce or Kittle to perform consistently this week as both draw defenses that aren’t excellent for fantasy purposes for TE’s, but Kelce should be involved heavily regardless thanks to Hills extended absence. Last week it was Watkins, but it could very easily be Kelce with several TD grabs this week.

$$: Evan Engram, New York Giants ($5,200) – There seems to be a curse on the Giants receiving group, and Engram stands to gain as much as Barkley thanks to a passing game that will continue to siphon through his hands. With Shepard entering concussion protocol, we can’t be certain who will line up beside Barkley and Engram this week.

$: Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders ($3,300) – Waller saw a healthy dose of action in week one thanks to the departure of Antonio Brown, so expecting him to be involved in what should be a game of catch up isn’t hard to imagine. Kansas City is going to put up points, and Carr is going to have to use his athletic tight end if they’re going to hope to keep pace.

D/ST

$$: Patriots D/ST vs. Miami ($3,700) – Could the Pats lay a dud like they did last year against the Detroit Lions? Sure, but this defense looks legit at all three levels, and Miami is fielding a disgruntled J.V. roster. Pats should win handily, and I expect a few turnovers as well.

$: Seahawks D/ST vs. Pittsburgh ($2,900) – Are the Patriots really a top 5 defense this year? Maybe, but there seems to be something wrong with the Pittsburgh offense, and Seattle’s defense isn’t anything to sneeze at either. With their smash mouth, grind you down offense, they’re just as likely to keep that Pittsburgh offense off balance, and hold them to another dud in week 2.

Dr.’s Roster

• QB: Matt Stafford
• RB: Sony Michel
• RB: Chris Thompson
• WR: Michael Thomas
• WR: Robert Woods
• WR: D.J. Chark
• TE: Darren Waller
• Flex: Alvin Kamara
• Patriots D/ST

Week 2 – Friday Injury Updates

Every Friday we’ll examine the ongoing injury concerns that may effect your fantasy teams this weekend. We will ignore players who’s injury designation has not changed from the previous week, instead bringing our focus to changes in status that will help you make decisions when setting your roster. 

Hunter Henry, TE – Los Angeles Chargers: It’s a fractured knee that’s going to sideline Henry for the next 4-6 weeks. It seems that, despite the obvious talent, Henry needs to be faded until he can prove he can stay healthy for any length of time.

Juju Smith-Schuster, WR – Pittsburgh Steelers: There was some concern after Smith-Schuster was limited at practice on Wednesday, but he was a full participant yesterday, leading me to believe he’ll be a full go for Sunday’s match up against Seattle.

Joe Mixon, RB – Cincinnati Bengals: The ankle sprain suffered in week 1 has kept Mixon from practicing this week, although reports mentioned he worked on the Bengal’s rehab field. At this point, the best case scenario is he’s limited if he does play. Gio Bernard is a better play at this point.

Derrius Guice, RB – Washington Redskins: It’s a tough blow for the oft-injured Redskins back, as his most recent meniscus tear will have him sidelined for some time. There hasn’t been a designation on how long he’ll be out, but if Adrian Peterson is available in your league, he’s a solid backup option for a few weeks.

Tevin Coleman, RB – San Francisco 49ers: The ankle injury he suffered last week was of the high-ankle variety, and he’s slated to miss a few weeks as he recovers. Matt Brieda should assume the lion’s share of work, with Raheem Mostert offering very little upside as a change of pace back.

Sterling Shepard, WR – New York Giants: It’s been a tough year for the Giants receiving group, and it looks like week 2 isn’t going to get any better. After suffering a concussion, Shepard remains in the protocol and is expected to miss at least this coming week. With the depth chart looking thin, Engram and Barkley are volume plays in most formats, including DFS.

Mike Williams, WR – Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers big play receiver left week 1 with a knee injury, but as the week progressed, the team expressed concern over William’s availability this Sunday. While there’s no update on whether he’ll play or not, I suggest looking elsewhere if you have someone who can slot into your starting roster. Even if he’s on the field, I question how effective he’ll be if he’s not 100%.

Jordan Reed, TE – Washington Redskins: Reed just can’t seem to stay healthy, and he looks like he’ll be a toss up to play on Sunday thanks to lingering concussion issues. Vernon Davis turned back the clock last year with a solid performance, so don’t expect the Redskins to rush Reed back to action given his history with these kinds of injuries.

Keke Coutee, WR – Houston Texans: After missing week one due to an ankle injury, it appears Coutee is on track to play in week three after practicing in full on Wednesday. If he does play, it would most likely impact Will Fuller’s production, as he’s been limited this week as well (though not due to injury per team sources).

Tyler Lockett, WR – Seattle Seahawks: After missing the first few practices of the week, Lockett returned on Wednesday in a limited fashion. His status for Sunday is up in the air, but we expect him to play. How effective he’ll be, is the question, and D.K. Metcalf could be a solid play this week.

Trey Burton, TE – Chicago Bears:  The groin injury that sidelined Burton from the Bears week 1 contest against the Packers seems to be getting better, as Burton did practice this week, albeit in a limited fashion. The Bears offense looked dysfunctional outside of Allen Robinson, and they could be hoping for a quick recovery so Burton can get on the field. This is one to watch on Sunday morning.

Le’Veon Bell, RB – New York Jets: After having some shoulder pain, Le’Veon Bell had an MRI this week to ensure there was no structural damage. Based on the results (the MRI returned no issues) and his social media posts since then, it seems Bell should be fine to go this weekend.

Thursday Night Preview

In what has become a bit of a running joke, the Thursday Night Football game promises to be a dud more often than not. What does that mean for your fantasy prospects? We’ll take a look in this weeks Thursday Night Preview.

The Teams – Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last week wasn’t kind to these two teams, as only Christian McCaffrey turned in a worth-while fantasy performance (128 rushing yards, 10 receptions for 81 yards, and two rushing TDs). Cam Newton, Mike Evans, Jamies Winston, and Greg Olsen were all duds, while Chris Godwin and D.J. Moore had solid PPR days, but left a lot on the table. Carolina’s defense did allow 166 rushing yards to RB’s on only 28 total carries, but Tampa Bay features a far less exciting stable of backs than the Rams do.

Conversely, the 49ers offense wasn’t nearly as efficient despite hanging 31 points on the Bucs. Cam Newton will have to improve on his week one performance is the passing game is going to get back on track against a defense that allowed a meager 166 yards through the air to Jimmy Garoppolo.

Sits

Jameis Winston: Facing a Carolina defense that held Jared Goff and the prolific Rams passing offense to under 200 yards passing, Winston could have another tough go of it in week 2.

Mike Evans: While I still believe in Evans in year long leagues, I’m concerned about the Bucs offense providing Winston with enough time to find Evans down the field. I could see a game script that’s more run heavy with a lot of short to intermediate passing plays; something that doesn’t help a guy like Evans.

Curtis Samuel: Moore and McCaffrey shared the bulk of the targets, and considering how well Tampa defended San Francisco, it could be more of the same in week 2. Moore is clearly the top target, and if Newton has to lean as heavily on the run game in week 2, the opportunities aren’t going tot be there for Samuel to be a safe play.

Starts

Christian McCaffrey: Don’t read too much into the lack of success San Francisco had in week 1; their backfield was thrown into turmoil early on with the loss of Tevin Coleman. CMC is on a different level, and even thought we can’t expect nearly a 7 yard per  carry mark every week, he’ll have one of the safest weekly volumes, and is clutch in the red zone.

Chris Godwin: Evans is likely to be the focal point of the Bucs defense, meaning Godwin will have more opportunities to be targeted. If Carolina scores early and often, it’s Godwin, and not Evans, that I’m targeting in daily for week 2.

Thoughts on The Game

I don’t think this will be your prototypical 13-10 Thursday night game, but I expect fatigue to become a factor for the teams playing on the first short week of the season. Of course, these two teams look like they’re continue to filter the ball through it’s best play makers, so feel confident starting most of the top guys in these offenses, but be wary of the Thursday Night curse (low scoring duds).

Week 2 Waiver Adds

Waiver Wire Adds

So you’re hit with an injury or five, and you need to add a few players from the waivers? Here’s a few we’ll be considering for our own depleted rosters for week 2.

Quarter Back

• Josh Allen (Owned in 20%) may have looked like a polished turd on Sunday, but he’s entrenched as the starter, and puts up points with his legs most weeks. If you’re hard up for a QB, he’s almost guaranteed to be available in your leagues.
• Matt Stafford (Owned in 16.3%) being owned in less than 20% of leagues seems crazy to me, since he’s almost always contributing in fantasy terms. The Lions were bad last year, and shouldn’t be much better this year, but without a broken back and with additional receiving weapons, Stafford is a solid plan b.
• Andy Dalton (Owned in 4.2%) I doubt you need to reach this far into the barrel for a QB, but if you’re in a 2 QB league or superflex, you may need to look his way if you lost Nick Foles. Cincinnati may not put up the numbers it did on Sunday, but it’s clear he’ll be able to help in a pinch.

Running Back:

• Ronald Jones (Owned in 40.6%) – He was by far the more dynamic runner on Sunday, and in a game that went sideways against San Francisco, he still made some noise. Peyton Barber isn’t going to be difficult to leap frog in terms of touches, so snagging Jones now in hopes he continues to breakout will be the least expensive option.
• Giovani Bernard (Owned in 32.3 %) – Will Joe Mixon miss extended time? We won’t know until the results of his MRI come back, but Gio Bernard should be in line for the lion’s share of work. Of course, the Bengals drafted two running backs in the draft, but the best of the bunch, Trayveon Williams, was dinged up himself going into week 1. He’s a flier for sure, but especially for Mixon owners, Bernard can help get you by. 
• Chris Thompson (Owned in 18%) – When Adrian Peterson was made inactive in Week 1, it was an odd move, but it opened up a little more opportunity for Thompson to see the field. There’s no guarantee what is going on with Peterson, but Thompson has proven that he can be an effective flex start in PPR formats for years, so if you’re playing in one of the 82% of leagues he’s available, he may be worth an add.
• Malcom Brown (Owned in 6.5%) – It’s been debated since the draft about Todd Gurley and who stands to gain the most from his ongoing knee issues, and I think we saw yesterday that Brown can absolutely be a weapon even if Gurley is on the field. With efficient play and two trips to the endzone, he’s not only an excellent handcuff, but for non-Gurley owners, he’s a solid add regardless. 

Wide Reciever:

• John Brown (Owned in 35.4%) – I still have some concerns about Brown’s ability to stay healthy, but until he finds himself injured, Brown figures to be the top passing option in a Bills offense that’s perennially devoid of big time play makers. He’ll have some bad weeks, and likely end up injured at some point, but ride the hot hand while it’s there. 
• Marquise Brown (Owned in 28.2%) – Color me surprised, but Brown showed no ill-effects from the lisfranc surgery he had this off season in a monster performance in week one. His speed and Jackson’s ability to push the ball down field could be a wonderful combination that leads to several big weeks for a guy who should slide into your roster as a WR3 or WR4. 
• DJ Chark (Owned in 11.8%) – It seems that the Jaguars offense churns out sleepers and busts at a similar rate, but Chark was a major contributor for an offense that lost its QB early. Despite having Dede Westbrook and Marqise Lee ahead of him on the depth chart, Chark showed off the skills that had him a popular breakout candidate last year. He’s a long shot to produce every week, but one that as a bench piece is a nice addition. 
• Terry McLaurin (OWned in 7.3%) – I own McLaurin in a few leagues, and have highlighted him on my breakout lists already, but the rookie picked up a big boost following Washington’s decision to cut Josh Doctson, and he did the most with his looks on Sunday to the tune of 125 yards and a trip to the endzone. He has to remain efficient if he’s going to be startable, but if he’s half as good as we saw yesterday, he could be the top option in this offense in no time. 

Tight End

• Mark Andrews (Owned in 51%) – Andrews has teased, but despite how loud the buzz was surrounding him all preseason, he still finds himself a free agent in 49% of ESPN leagues. Add him now, he’ll be a big part of that Ravens offense going forward.
• Jimmy Graham (Owned in 47.6%) – He’s long been a divisive name among fantasy players, as many have chased the upside he showed in New Orleans, but this year may be the year he becomes a big part of the Green Bay passing offense. There’s been plenty of buzz surrounding players like Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Geronimo Allison, but it’s Graham who Rodgers looks to in the red zone when Adams is blanketed. Expect a few down weeks, as any backend TE 1 is likely to have, but if you need a TE, he should pay off in spades.
• T.J. Hockenson (Owned in 30.%) – I’ve been wishy-washy on Hockenson all off season long, sticking to my guns that rookie TE’s typically disappoint, but I ended up drafting him a few times, and it looks like he may contribute more than I expected. With the position being shallow, it’s never a bad idea to stash a high upside youngster on the bench in hopes that you have the next Kittle or Kelce, so Hockenson is an obvious add if you have the bench space to do so.

 

Week 1 – Sunday Recap

While there’s still a few Monday Night Football games to be played, we like to take our time on Monday morning to see what we got right, and what we missed wide left on. Of course, playing Daily Fantasy early in the season is a crap shoot, but we’ll start there.

Daily Fantasy – Hits and Misses

Quarter Backs: Nick Foles was injured early in week 1, so we’ll ignore his results for the time being. Besides him, we split the week with a hit on Lamar Jackson, who did damage through the air thanks to his big play rookie Marquise Brown, and we missed bad on Jameis Winston, who threw three picks against a 49ers defense we still don’t think should be very good this year.

Running Backs: It was tough sledding for both Matt Brieda and Chris Carson, who both failed to rush for more than 4 yards per carry despite having the most touches in each respective backfield. Cincinnati has what looks to be a decent defense this year, but I only managed to hit on the easiest of the three; Saquon Barkley. Still, with Dallas up big, he didn’t get nearly the number of touches he needed. Still, Saquon looks like he’s a safe play nearly every week in DFS formats.

Wide Receivers: Woof, I really missed big on this one. Hill may have had a decent week had he not left injured, as Watkins stepped into the league receiver role and had a monster day. But aside from Godwin finding pay dirt to salvage his day, it was a three and out for me one receivers. Trey Quinn managed a handful of receptions, but was overshadowed by one of my favorite rookie receivers in Terry McLaurin, who was lights out in his NFL debut.

Tight Ends: I was close with my tight ends, as Engram certainly turned in a monster performance, and Engram and Uzumoah were targeted plenty given their DFS cost. It seems that year after year, I hit mostly on tight ends, but this is a position that can easily be glossed over. Engram looks like a legit threat to finish in the top 3 at the position again this year, and when the Giants play a capable offense, he’s a must start until his DFS cost catches up to his usage.

Injury Updates:

Tyreek Hill, Kansas City WR – If you’re like me, and you drafted him in spite of his karmic comeuppance, you may be kicking yourself following his hospitalization following a shoulder injury in week 1. It’s reported it won’t require surgery, but he’ll likely miss several weeks. Sammy Watkins clearly steps in as the top option, but Kelce and Mecole Hardman could see an uptick in usage over the next few weeks.

Nick Foles, Jacksonville QB: Another shoulder injury, another wasted draft pick for Dr. Fantasy. Foles left Sundays game early with what appears to be a broken clavical. This is an injury that will require a lengthy recovery, but Minshew seemed to play alright in relief.

Tevin Coleman, San Francisco RB – Another Dr. Fantasy draft pick (sensing a trend here?) and another week 1 injury. Coleman injured his ankle in Sundays contest and was ruled out. There’s precious little news surrounding the injury, but head coach Kyle Shanahan was quoted as being “concerned” in advance of the RB’s MRI today. We’ll know more later, but Brieda could be in line for a much larger workload going forward.

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati RB – Would you believe this is another Dr. Fantasy RB? Of course you could, because Mixon also left Sunday’s contest with an ankle injury. While he is also slated for an MRI, sources close to the team suggest they believe it’s only an ankle sprain, and a lengthy injury seems unlikely.

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers WR – One of the prime breakout candidates, Mike Williams has an uphill battle to climb after suffering a knee injury in the Chargers week one contest. Not much is known about the severity of the injury, but he did not return to the game. Keep an eye on this one, as the depth chart beyond Keenan Allen is a bit shallow, and someone likely on the waivers will become a surprise asset should Williams miss time.

Juju Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh WR – In case you thought my rosters were done with injuries, Juju found himself with a toe injury in the last few meaningless minutes against the Patriots last night. There’s optimism that it’s minor and he’ll be good to go in week 2, but it’s something to watch in case it lingers late into the week.

Devin Funchess, Indianapolis WR – Funchess will likely undergo surgery for a broken collarbone suffered in yesterdays action. He wasn’t a likely breakout candidate following Luck’s retirement, but for those who invested in Funchess as a potential TD maven, it’s likely he’ll miss a large portion of the season.

 

Antonio Brown Released; Signs with Patriots

It may be week 1 of the NFL season, but the drama surrounding Antonio Brown has led to what may eventually be the most shocking development of the 2019 season. Shortly after his release from the Oakland Raiders, the divisive star receiver found a new home in the New England Patriots.

Of course, this will obviously cause a ripple affect for both teams, as Antonio Browns presences will surely effect the fantasy prospects of several players on both teams.

Oakland Raiders

With the release of Brown, the Raiders receiving corps suddenly lacks elite talent. It does have a pair of receivers with differing skill sets that could see an uptick in production right away in deep threat Tyrell Williams, and rookie receiver Hunter Renfrow, who could see a lot more action in the slot with Brown out of town. In addition, expect Darren Waller to be targeted a bit more than originally predicted. Of course, none of these guys on their own match the pure talent AB takes with him, but in terms of individual contributions, you can expect Carr to feed each a bit more going forward.

New England Patriots

Of course, the Patriots roster may feel the largest impact, as first round rookie N’Keal Harry’s IR designation left the door open for someone to step into the starting role. Demaryius Thomas looked like the obvious choice, but the Patriots didn’t sign Brown to the contract he was given with no intention of using him. He’ll be heavily targeted, although maybe not to the 160+ target range we’ve come to expect. He and Edelman will continue to be the big targets in this offense, but it certainly hurts the prospects of both Demaryius Thomas as well as Philip Dorsett and the tight ends. Ben Watson was suspended for four games anyhow, but you have to wonder just how many looks there are to go around.

If you own Brown, he’s still a safe bet to be a solid producer, but it remains to be seen with a 42 year old Brady, just how often they’re going to throw in New England.