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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

There are only four games in the NBA on Thursday, but the night is not short on superstars with the Lakers, Celtics, Thunder, Blazers, and Nuggets all in action. In order to fit some of those top-tier players into your lineup, you’re going to need the right mix of value plays. Let’s examine some players to consider as you wade through the options. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

Jamal Murray, DEN at LAL
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,900

Murray posted a rare dud Sunday against the Warriors, scoring just three points while shooting 0-for-9 from the field. He rebounded in a big way Tuesday by shooting 6-for-10 from the field for 19 points in just 19 minutes against the Kings. After posting a 45.1 percent field goal percentage last year, don’t read too much into Sunday’s outlier performance. This is a matchup he could exploit against a Lakers team that has allowed the most points per game (127.3) in the league.

D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700

The Magic are extremely thin at point guard, leaving the journeyman Augustin to start at the position. He’s averaging just eight points per game, but a lot of that is due to his abnormally low 28.6 percent field goal percentage. His 5.8 assists per contest would be his highest mark since the 2011-12 season and he’s also averaging 27 minutes a game, so he could provide value at this price if he can get his shot corrected Thursday.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Clarkson is only averaging 23 minutes per game, but that hasn’t stopped him from posting 16 points per contest. He’s been one of the players charged with trying to make up for the loss of LeBron James on offense, resulting in a lofty 30.2 percent usage rate. The Cavaliers have been horrible on defense, so they are going to need all the help they can get from Clarkson to try and keep pace with the Pistons.

Reggie Bullock, DET vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,500

Bullock logged 41 minutes in the Pistons big overtime win against the Sixers on Tuesday, shooting 6-for-14 from the field for 17 points. This performance came on the heels of him scoring 16 points on 13 shot attempts Saturday against the Bulls. His 18.8 percent usage rate would be a significant jump from his 15.7 percent mark last year, especially if he continues to play at least 30 minutes a game. With the Cavaliers allowing 120.5 points per game, there is potential here for Bullock to have another strong offensive showing.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. POR
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Isaac dealt with foul trouble in the Magic’s first two games, limiting him to 18 minutes or fewer in both contests. He hasn’t had those issues the last two games, allowing him to average 13 points, nine rebounds, 1.5 steals and two three-pointers in 27 minutes per contest. With his double-double upside and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, it might be worth taking a risk on Isaac staying out of foul trouble Thursday.

Lance Stephenson, LAL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700

The Lakers steamrolled the Suns on Wednesday, leading to plenty of garbage time production. Stephenson may have had the most surprising performances of the night, scoring 23 points to go along with eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in a season-high 25 minutes. It’s highly unlikely he comes close to that type of production against the Nuggets, but he could see added minutes again with Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram still suspended. Of note, Stephenson is only eligible at point guard and shooting guard on DraftKings.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at ORL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000

Aminu is an underrated part of the Blazers’s success. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he averaged 9.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.8 three-pointers across 30 minutes per game last year. He’s been a bit inconsistent through his first three games, but he posted 16 points and 15 rebounds Monday against the Wizards. Look for the Blazers to lean on him heavily in this contest against a talented Magic frontcourt.

Trey Lyles, DEN at LAL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600

The Nuggets lost a big part of their starting five when Will Barton went down with a groin injury. He might not carry the same name value a Nikola Jokic or Gary Harris, but he’s an important part of their offense. Torrey Craig has replaced Barton in the starting lineup, but Lyles has also seen added minutes since Barton went down, averaging nine points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals over his last two games. With the potential for this to be a high-scoring affair, Lyles is someone to consider in tournament play.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

JaVale McGee, LAL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,300

McGee has proven to be a great addition for the Lakers in the early going. He’s only averaging 24 minutes but has responded with 16.3 points, seven rebounds and 3.3 blocks per contest. Facing Jokic is no easy task, but with such a limited slate, McGee makes a ton of sense at this price.

Tristan Thompson, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,800

Thompson has seen a significant bump in playing time so far, averaging 29 minutes per game compared to 20 last year. It’s hard to count on him for much offense, but he is averaging 10.8 rebounds per contest. The Cavaliers will likely use Kevin Love or Larry Nance Jr. at center when they want to go small, but they might not be able to much against Andre Drummond on Thursday. Thompson’s upside isn’t close to McGee’s, but he’s still someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at the position.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

A lot of the top stars at wide receiver won’t be available for the main Sunday slate in DFS for Week 8. Adam Thielen, Julio Jones, Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas, and DeAndre Hopkins are among the players who are either on a bye or playing in prime time games. That being said, there is still plenty of talent available across the price scale.  Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly avoid, as you create your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,500

Brown received a season-low six targets in Week 6, but he hauled in five of them for 105 yards and a touchdown. That marked Brown’s second consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards and the fifth time in six contests that he found his way into the end zone. With six total touchdowns this season, he is only three scores away from matching his mark from all of last season. Even with being on a bye last week, Brown’s 72 targets rank sixth-most in the league.

Brown was able to take advantage of the Browns during their first meeting in Week 1, catching nine of 16 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown. The Browns have only allowed nine touchdown passes while generating 11 interceptions, but they have allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game (279). This game being played at home does work in Brown’s favor since his quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has historically played better at Heinz Field. While Roethlisberger has posted similar yardage totals at home and on the road this year, he has seven touchdowns and two interceptions in three home games compared to five touchdowns and four interceptions in three road contests.

A.J. Green vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,000

Even with the Bengals’ offensive struggles in Week 7, Green still put up great numbers. He received a season-high 14 targets, converting them into seven receptions for 117 yards. That marked Green’s third straight game with at least 10 targets and the fourth time this season that he has finished with at least 85 yards. However, he did fail to reach the end zone for the third straight week.

While it is a bit concerning that Green has struggled to score touchdowns lately, he did record five of them across his first four games. He’s also finished with at least eight touchdowns in every season of his career in which he has played all 16 games. This is a prime matchup for him to find his way into the end zone again with the Bucs allowing the most passing touchdowns (18) in the league despite already having their bye week.

Tyreek Hill vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $8,600

Hill didn’t have a great performance yardage wise last week, catching seven passes for 68 yards. His 9.7 yards-per-reception was his second-lowest mark of the season. On the bright side, he still had 10 targets, marking the third time in the last four games that he had at least that many. Also, he scored a touchdown to bring his total to seven for the year, matching his mark from all of 2017.

The Chiefs offense leaves most of their skill players with significant upside with Hill maybe having the highest ceiling of them all. His 15.5 yards-per-reception rank him inside the top 20 in the league and his seven touchdown receptions are more than any other player. The Broncos have been much better at defending against the pass than the run this season, but Hill still has a high enough floor in this potent offense to be worth considering in cash contests.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Wide Receivers

Emmanuel Sanders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,500

The addition of Case Keenum at quarterback hasn’t exactly gone as well as the Broncos had hoped for, but he’s certainly provided a significant boost for Sanders. Last year, Sanders caught 47 of 92 targets for 555 yards and two touchdowns across 12 games. Through seven games this season, he has 46 receptions on 61 targets for 601 yards and three touchdowns. He had just a 51.5% catch rate last year, but that mark stands at 75.4% this season.

Sanders did leave their Week 7 game after injuring his ankle, but he’s had extra time to recover with that game being played on Thursday. All indications are that he should be able to play Sunday and the Broncos will certainly need him to try and keep pace with the Chiefs offense. The Chiefs defense did play much better against the Bengals. but they’ve still allowed the second-most passing yards per game (317).

Tyler Boyd vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,700

Boyd was one of the main players to suffer from the Bengals 10-point performance last week, catching three of four targets for just 27 yards. It was the first time this year he received less than five targets in a game and his three receptions were also his fewest since Week 1. He’s been a bit boom-or-bust, posting two 100-yard performances, but also recording three contests with fewer than 50 yards.

The Bengals continue to be short on pass-catching options with Tyler Eifert out for the season and John Ross unlikely to play in this game. That should be great news for Boyd because not only do the Bucs give up a ton of touchdowns, but they’ve also allowed the most passing yards per game (328). Boyd has been on the field for at least 93% of the team’s offensive snaps the last two weeks, so don’t be surprised if he has one of his best performances of the season Sunday.

Christian Kirk vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500

The Cardinals offense is a disaster. They’ve scored fewer than 20 points in all but one game this season, which finally led to the firing of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. Byron Leftwich now takes over the offensive reins, so it might take a couple of games to see how his play calling shakes out. That being said, it can’t be any worse than things were under McCoy’s tenure.

One player who has played fairly well despite the team’s struggles in Kirk, who has been on the field for 74% of their offensive snaps this season. He’s finished with at least 57 receiving yards in four of his last five games and has received at least five targets in five of his last six. Their offensive futility has resulted in him scoring only one touchdown, but that score did come against these same 49ers in Week 5. The 49ers defense has allowed 16 touchdown passes and recorded just one interception, so this looks like an opportunity to take a chance on Kirk in tournament play.

Jordy Nelson vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700

This season has been a lost cause for the Raiders. The team traded away their best defensive player in Khalil Mack just before the start of the year and now they have dealt Amari Cooper to the Cowboys. Add in the fact that Marshawn Lynch was just placed on IR and this offense is severely lacking playmakers.

One of the last men left standing is Nelson. Outside of his 173-yard performance in Week 3, Nelson hasn’t finished with more than 50 receiving yards in another game this year. The good news is that he does have three touchdowns and he was tied with Cooper with 31 targets, so he could be even more involved moving forward. The Colts have been scoring in bunches of late, so the Raiders might need to lean on Nelson and the passing game to keep pace.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Wide Receivers

Sammy Watkins vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Watkins is coming off one of his better performances of the season in Week 7, catching four of seven targets for 74 yards. He has upside, but he also is very inconsistent, finishing with 21 yards or fewer three separate times. Hill and Travis Kelce are the clear top receiving options for the Chiefs, with both having at least 60 targets compared to Watkins’ 40. His price on DraftKings is somewhat reasonable based on his inconsistencies, but he’s still risky. Considering Boyd is close to the same price as Watkins on FanDuel, it might be prudent to avoid him all together there.

Marvin Jones Jr. vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,800

The Lions have three talented wide receivers, but they use a ton of three-receiver sets, helping Jones be on the field for 98% of their offensive snaps. With that being said, Jones’ 37 targets are third behind Golden Tate (57) and Kenny Golladay (43). Jones is only averaging 45 receiving yards per game, as a result, which is a far cry from his career-high 68.8 yards per game last year. The Seahawks have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards per game (206), leaving Jones with very little upside.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Wednesday’s NBA schedule is jam-packed with 11 games. There are a ton of value plays to consider, as a result. Let’s get right down to business and examine some to target for your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

Derrick Rose, MIN at TOR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Tom Thibodeau loves him some Derrick Rose. The two have a long-standing relationship since their days with the Bulls and Thibodeau clearly plans to play him a lot this season, or, at least for as long as Rose is healthy. Rose is averaging 28 minutes per contest, helping him post 14.8 rebounds, 3.8 rebounds, and five assists. Rose is not a good three-pointer shooter, but his 23.5% usage rate is encouraging for his scoring upside. Look for him to get enough time on the floor Wednesday to provide value at this price.

Isaiah Canaan, PHO vs. LAL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300

With the ugliness that is the Suns’ point guard position, Canaan has started each of their first three games. Devin Booker is also helping to facilitate their offense, but Canaan has still been able to log 30 minutes per contest. Canaan can go damage from behind the arc, so the added playing time has helped him average 10 points and two three-pointers per contest. The Lakers play at the fastest pace (108.7 possessions per game) in the league, so Canaan could be in line for even more opportunities to score in this contest.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

Eric Gordon, HOU vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,800

Chris Paul will be out due to his suspension again Wednesday, leaving Gordon with another opportunity to start. He excelled without Paul on Sunday against the Clippers, scoring 21 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and five three-pointers. Across 30 starts last year, Gordon averaged 21.5 points. 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.8 three-pointers per contest. His usage rate also increased from 22% in a reserve role to 27.8% when he started.

Wesley Matthews, DAL at ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,200

Matthews may not get a ton of publicity, but he’s an important part of the Mavericks. He’s averaged at least 34 minutes per game in every season that he’s been with the team, including through the first three games this year. His field goal percentage usually isn’t great, but he’s still managed to average 13.8 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game for his career. The Hawks have allowed 122.7 points per game, making Matthews a strong option to consider based on his minutes floor.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

T.J. Warren, PHO vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

Warren started all 65 games that he played in last year, but he’s moved to the bench this season. His playing time has dropped from 33 minutes to 23 minutes per game, but his usage rate has increased from 24.9% to a whopping 29.6%. He should continue to see the bulk of the scoring opportunities with the Suns’ second unit, making him a great option in what should be a high-scoring contest versus the Lakers.

Jae Crowder, UTA at HOU
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

This game sets up really well for Crowder. The Rockets like to play a lot of small lineups and will have their depth challenged with both Paul and James Ennis (hamstring) out. They also play at the eighth-fastest pace (105) in the league. Crowder plays a crucial role within the second unit for the Jazz, helping him average 30 minutes per contest. He’s cashed in the added playing time by averaging 15 points, 6.7 rebounds and two three-pointers.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

Markieff Morris, WAS at GS
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700

Speaking of dealing with limited depth, the Wizards frontcourt is hurting entering play Wednesday. Dwight Howard (back) will be out yet again and has yet to play a game this season. Fill in starter Ian Mahinmi is listed as questionable with a back injury of his own. Even if he does play, this is not a good matchup for him considering all the small lineups the Warriors like to deploy. Morris is averaging 16.3 points, seven rebounds, one steal, 1.7 blocks and three three-pointers across 27 minutes per game this year and should at least see similar playing time in this contest, if not more.

Dwight Powell, DAL at ATL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,000

Powell is only averaging 17 minutes a game, but his 26.3 percent usage rate has helped him average 15.7 points. Both numbers are likely to decline over the course of the season, but he’s proven the Mavericks can rely on him for however long it takes Dirk Nowitzki to return from injury. The Hawks will again be without John Collins (ankle) on Wednesday, leaving Powell with a chance to thrive against their weak frontcourt.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

JaVale McGee, LAL at PHO
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,300

McGee isn’t going to last as a value play for much longer. His price is steadily climbing because he’s averaging 15 points, 7.3 rebounds, and three blocks through three games. Having excellent passers around him like LeBron James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball is going to help him get a lot of easy buckets and he’s proven to be a force when it comes to blocks. Facing Deandre Ayton might not be an easy task, but McGee is still in line for valuable performance.

Myles Turner, IND at SA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,800

Is this finally the year that Turner breaks out? Well, it certainly doesn’t look like it through four games. With averages of just 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, a lot of Turner’s value on a nightly basis hinges on his ability to block shots. Luckily, he hasn’t disappointed in that department with 1.8 rejections per contest. Domantas Sabonis eats into some of Turner’s playing time, but it’s not often that you can roster Turner at this cheap of a price. It might be worth taking a chance on him in tournament play.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Even though four teams will be on a bye for Week 8, there are still plenty of great running backs available in DFS. Let’s dig into the position to see where you can gain the edge for your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Todd Gurley vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $9,800

Gurley is as automatic as they come. His performance in Week 7 was a prime example of just how high his floor is. He didn’t rack up a ton of yards on the ground with 15 carries for 63 yards. His receiving yards weren’t stellar, either, catching four of five targets for 23 yards. However, he had two rushing touchdowns and one receiving score. With the Rams loaded on offense, Gurley has already been able to cash in with 14 total touchdowns.

The Rams destroyed the 49ers 39-10 last week, so it didn’t really make much sense to run Gurley into the ground during a blowout. This game figures to be more competitive against a Packers team that has far more firepower on offense. The Packers defense hasn’t been very good at stopping the run, leaving them tied for the 10th-highest yards-per-carry allowed (4.5) in the league. Gurley is crazy expensive, but he’s someone to build your lineup around in cash contests.

Kareem Hunt vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $7,100

Things were looking scary for Hunt over the first three games this season, rushing a total of 52 times for 168 yards, which equated to 3.2 yards-per-carry. He wasn’t really involved in the passing attack, either, with one reception and three total targets during that stretch. The good news is that his struggles were shortlived. After destroying the Bengals for 141 total yards and three touchdowns in Week 7, Hunt now has 595 total yards and six touchdowns across his last four contests.

The Chiefs have arguably the most explosive offense in the league, which is going to leave Hunt with plenty of opportunities to find the end zone. His nine total touchdowns this year puts him only three scores away from passing hit total from all of last season. This has the makings of another monster performance for Hunt since the Broncos have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (148.1) to go along with eight rushing touchdowns allowed.

James Conner vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,500

Conner comes into this game with fresh legs after the Steelers had a bye in Week 7. He was hot heading into the bye, rushing for 221 yards and four touchdowns across his previous two games. He also chipped in eight receptions for 93 yards. There were some rumors about Le’Veon Bell possibly reporting to the team during their bye week, but as of Wednesday, there was still no sign of his return. That should leave Conner as their starting running back for at least one more week.

This will mark Conner’s second start of the year against the Browns. He demolished them in Week 1, rushing 31 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns while also catching five of six targets for an additional 57 yards. While those numbers might be hard to duplicate, the Browns have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (134.7) and the second-most rushing touchdowns (10). Don’t hesitate to add Conner to your entry.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Kerryon Johnson vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $5,300

Johnson’s usage has been frustrating. In three of the first four games, he received nine or fewer carries. The only time he had more was in Week 3 when he cashed in 16 rushing attempts for 101 yards.  The Lions have finally started to lean on him a little more over their last two games, resulting in Johnson finishing with at least 12 carries and 70 yards in both contests. It will be hard for them to justify lessening his workload Sunday considering he posted 158 yards on 19 carries last week against the Dolphins.

Another downside when it comes to Johnson is that he’s not very involved in the passing game, receiving more than three targets in only one game so far. He also has to deal with LeGarrette Blount stealing some of the goalline work. The Seahawks defense has been very good against the pass, but they’ve allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game (120.7). Johnson is certainly not a safe option, but this matchup leaves him with upside.

Marlon Mack vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,400

The Colts sure missed Mack at the beginning of this season. Injuries have limited him to just three games, but he’s healthy now and running away with the starting job in their backfield. He’s coming off of his best performance in what was a blowout win over the Bills in Week 7 when he had 126 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

The Colts racing out to a big lead helped Mack in terms of the game flow last week. There is a chance this game could play out in a similar fashion with the Raiders losing two key parts of their offense in Amari Cooper and Marshawn Lynch. Nyheim Hines limits Mack’s involvement in the passing game, but with the Raiders allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game (131.8), Mack is worth considering for your entry.

Phillip Lindsay vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,200

The Broncos offense hasn’t been good, but that didn’t stop them from hanging 45 points on the Cardinals last week. Lindsay didn’t blow the roof off in that game, but he had a strong performance by turning 14 carries into 90 yards and a touchdown. Although he has to split carries with Royce Freeman, Lindsay has still provided value in large part because he is averaging 5.8 yards-per-carry. Freeman, on the other hand, is averaging 4.4 yards-per-carry.

Freeman injured his ankle last week and his status is still up in the air for Sunday. If he is unable to play, Lindsay is likely to see a significant increase in volume. That could lead to a stellar stat line with the Chiefs allowing the third-most yards-per-carry (5.2). In their first meeting this season, Lindsay had 12 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Raheem Mostert vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $3,800

The 49ers backfield looked so promising heading into this season after they signed Jerick McKinnon. However, he tore his ACL before playing in a regular season game, leaving Matt Breida and Alfred Morris to lead the position. Breida has played well, but he’s been battling injuries of late. Morris has been largely ineffective with just 3.6 yards-per-carry, which has opened up an opportunity for Mostert. He’s made the most of his chance, so far, with 146 yards on 19 carries across their last two games.

Breida re-aggravated his ankle injury in Week 7, resulting in him leaving the game early with just five carries. His status is still uncertain for Week 8, but it might be prudent for the 49ers to rest him since this is an injury he’s dealt with before. If Breida doesn’t play, Mostert could receive the bulk of the carries. At this cheap price, he’d make for an excellent play against a Cardinals team that has allowed the most rushing yards per game (148.3) and the most rushing touchdowns (12).

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Alex Collins vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Collins looked primed for a big campaign this year after grabbing hold of the Ravens starting running back job last year. He didn’t take over as the regular starter until Week 6 last season, but he finished with an average of 4.6 yards-per-carry. While efficiency was his strong suit, the opposite has been the case for him this year with just 3.6 yards-per-carry. Javorius Allen is their preferred option when they get close to the end zone, which significantly limits Collins’ upside. This is not a great matchup with the Panthers allowing the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game (95) so it might be best to avoid Collins.

Isaiah Crowell vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $3,700

Crowell has had two big games this season. His first was in Week 1 when he turned 10 carries into 102 yards and two touchdowns. The other was a 15-carry, 219-yard, one touchdown performance in Week 5 against the Broncos. However, he has a total of 138 rushing yards over his other five games. The Bears have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (87.5) and have still not given up a score on the ground, making Crowell way too risky of an option in Week 8.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

After a busy night with nine games Monday, there are only three games on the NBA schedule Tuesday. With their being so few options to choose from, let’s examine players across the entire price scale to consider for your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

De’Aaron Fox, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,100

Fox’s improved numbers this year can be attributed to two factors in the early going. First, he’s averaging 35 minutes per game compared to 28 minutes per contest last season. Second, he’s shooting 52.5 percent from the field compared to 41.2 percent during his rookie campaign. While his shooting percentage is likely to decline, his increased playing time might stick. He’s shown he can contribute across the board by averaging 20.7 points, five rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals, making him a great option Tuesday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,900

Like many rookies, Gilgeous-Alexander has been inconsistent to start his career. While he has chipped in exactly four assists in each of his three games, he sandwiched 11 and 12 point games around a two-point performance against the Thunder. On the bright side, he logged between 23 and 28 minutes in all three games. The Pelicans play at the second-fastest pace (108.8 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Gilgeous-Alexander with added opportunities to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Markelle Fultz, PHI at DET
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,900

Ben Simmons had to leave Saturday’s game against the Magic early due to a stiff back. He’s listed as questionable for Tuesday, so his status is something to monitor as game time approaches. If he doesn’t play, Fultz could see a significant boost in value. Even if Simmons does take the floor, Fultz has averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals across his first three games. His shot still has a long ways to go, but that’s enough overall production to be worth considering for your entry on such a limited slate.

Torrey Craig, DEN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,800

The Nuggets suffered a tough blow when they lost Will Barton to a groin injury. Craig started in his place Saturday and should remain in that role moving forward. His five points in 27 minutes were nothing to write home about, but he did chip in with nine rebounds, a steal, and a block. At near the minimum price on both sites, his minutes floor alone making him an intriguing option in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Danilo Gallinari, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,300

If only Gallinari could put together a healthy season. Since entering the league in 2008-09, Gallinari has played at least 70 games in a season only two times. He missed the entire 2013-14 season with a torn ACL and has played 63 games or fewer in all four seasons since. Last year, he only played in 21 contests. The good news is that he’s healthy now and firing on all cylinders, averaging 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and three three-pointers. He has a 25.8% usage rate and is playing 31 minutes per contest, so take advantage of him being healthy while you still can.

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Bjelica has started each of the Kings first three games, which is a bit surprising considering they drafted Marvin Bagley III. Not only is Bjelica starting, but he logged at least 27 minutes in two of those three contests. He didn’t always get a lot of playing time for the Timberwolves last year, but Bjelica did average 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals across his 21 starts. Although he’s risky, he could outproduce this price point if given extended minutes again Tuesday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Tobias Harris, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,500

The Clippers made a franchise-altering move last year when they traded Blake Griffin to the Pistons. Harris was part of the return for the Clippers and has been one of the focal points of their offense ever since. He’s currently averaging a career-high 22.7 points per game and has chipped in eight rebounds per contest. His 50% field goal percentage is likely unsustainable, but his 24.9% usage rate is going to leave him with a high floor most nights.

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Another significant change the Clippers underwent was the departure of DeAndre Jordan. They brought in Marcin Gortat to take over the starting center job, but he’s played 20 minutes or fewer in each of their three games. Harrell and Boban Marjanovic have been rotating as his primary backup, but this game against the athletic Pelicans seems to be a contest better suited for Harrell’s skillset. He can put up numbers when given the opportunity, scoring 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three blocks across 24 minutes Saturday against the Rockets.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Julius Randle, NO vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,700

The Pelicans may have lost DeMarcus Cousins to the Warriors, but Randle was a great addition to their roster. He’s wasted no time making a significant impact, averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds over their first two games. Even though he’s coming off the bench, he still played at least 24 minutes in both games and has a 26.4% usage rate. Based on the pace at which the Pelicans play, expect him to continue to have plenty of chances to provide value.

Zaza Pachulia, DET vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,800

Andre Drummond missed practice with the flu Monday and is considered questionable for Tuesday. Facing Joel Embiid, this isn’t likely a situation where the Pistons can just go small should Drummond miss the game. One player who would seemingly benefit from his absence is Pachulia, who has already grabbed at least seven rebounds in both of their games. Don’t count on Pachulia to score much, but considering his bargain basement price, he’s someone to consider if Drummond sits.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Bye weeks and prime time games leave the main Sunday slate in DFS for Week 8 missing some top options including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan. However, there are still plenty of great players on the board. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,200
DraftKings = $7,000

Mahomes kept things rolling Sunday night against the Bengals, throwing for 358 yards and four touchdowns. He even chipped in a season-high 45 rushing yards on four carries. If you want to be picky, he did throw an interception for the third straight game after not throwing a pick in any of his first four contests. It’s easy to overlook the turnovers, though, since he has already thrown at least three touchdowns in a game five times and at least 300 yards in all but one contest.

There is no quarterback with a higher floor than Mahomes. He has a ton of weapons around him, making it hard for defenses to figure out who to try and stop. Even his running back Kareem Hunt has four receiving touchdowns. The Broncos haven’t been horrible defending the pass, but Mahomes is still a top option in cash contests, especially with this game being at home.

Jared Goff vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,000

Goff failed to throw a touchdown in a game for the first time this year in Week 6, but he rebounded with two scores Sunday. He’s thrown for 201 yards and 202 yards in his last two games, respectively, in large part because he attempted 28 passes or fewer in both contests. With Todd Gurley destroying opposing defenses on the ground, the Rams don’t always need to have Goff throw a lot.

One thing to note about both of Goff’s recent performances is that they came on the road. Goff has five touchdowns across four road games this year, but he has nine touchdowns over his three home contests. His last two games also came against two bad offenses in the Broncos and 49ers. The Rams might be forced to throw more to keep up with the Packers, making Goff a viable option to consider.

Andrew Luck vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $6,300

Luck had a bizarre performance in Week 7. The Colts got up big early against the horrid Bills, leaving Luck to record season lows in pass attempts (23) and yards (156). To put that into perspective, he had thrown the ball at least 40 times in five of his first six games. However, he was still extremely productive with four touchdowns, marking the third time in the last four weeks that he had exactly that many scores.

It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Luck attempt fewer passes in this game, as well. Marlon Mack has breathed some life into their running game, and while the Raiders aren’t nearly as bad as the Bills, they aren’t great offensively, either. It’s hard to imagine them playing any better this week with Amari Cooper traded to the Cowboys and Marshawn Lynch on IR. Their defense has allowed 13 touchdown passes and recorded just four interceptions, leaving Luck with a matchup to exploit.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,200

Dalton and the Bengals laid an egg against the Chiefs on Sunday. Playing in Arrowhead Stadium is no easy task, but the Chiefs defense has been lit up this year. Dalton made them look excellent, completing only 15 of 29 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. After throwing at least two touchdowns in each of his first four games, he has four touchdowns across the last three games.

Dalton quickly gets a chance to redeem himself against a Bucs team that has allowed the most passing yards per game (328) and passing touchdowns (18) in the league. If that wasn’t bad enough, they’ve only picked off one pass. Some people might be down on Dalton after last week, but he’s still a great option in tournament play.

Jameis Winston vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,000

After posting 395 passing yards in his first start in Week 6, Winston followed that up with 365 yards in Week 7. However, he threw four touchdowns passes two weeks ago, but failed to record a touchdown through the air Sunday. He also threw two more interceptions. Luckily, he was still able to somewhat salvage his performance with 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

The Bucs defense is so bad that their offense has to throw a lot to keep pace with the opposing team. They also don’t run the ball well, which has led to Winston attempting at least 42 passes in both of his starts. Turnovers will likely continue to be a problem, but this a matchup to exploit since the Bengals have allowed the third-most passing yards per game (301) and are tied for the fifth-most passing touchdowns (15) allowed.

Mitch Trubisky vs. New York Jets
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,100

Trubisky is the quarterback of the future for the Bears, but he looked shaky with two touchdown passes and three interceptions across the first three games this year. He failed to throw for more than 220 yards in any of those contests, as well. Then, everything turned on a dime when he threw for 354 yards and six touchdown passes during a route of the Bucs in Week 4. He’s kept things rolling with 649 yards and five touchdowns across two games since.

Last year, Tribusky had four touchdowns and one interception at home compared to three touchdowns and six interceptions on the road. His favorable home splits have continued this season with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions at home compared to three touchdowns and two interceptions on the road. While he may not have as high of an upside as Dalton or Winston, Trubisky could still be extremely productive in this game.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,600

The Lions offense is built around Stafford and their passing game, but he’s attempted 48 passes over his last two games, combined. He did still throw at least two touchdown passes in both games, but he failed to accumulate more than 217 yards in either contest. Those two games are more than likely just outlier performances, but even if he throws the ball more in Week 7, that doesn’t necessarily mean you want him in your lineup. The Seahawks have allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game (206) and have more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes allowed (eight).

Sam Darnold vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $4,500

Darnold has played well at times, but he’s largely been inconsistent. He’s had four games with one or no touchdown passes and has thrown for fewer than 200 yards four times. Turnovers have been a problem for him, as well, with 10 interceptions to go along with his 10 touchdowns. The Bears defense has been porous the last couple of weeks, but if you want to go with a cheap option at quarterback in tournament play, Darnold is not your guy.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

We’ve got nine games on the NBA schedule Monday, including an exciting matchup between the Lakers and Spurs. Let’s try to add even more fun to the evening with some winning entries in DFS. Here are some cheaper players who could provide significant returns based on their matchups. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

J.J. Barea, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,900

The Mavericks certainly have a lot to be excited about with two promising young players in Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr. They also have some valuable veterans on this roster. One of them is Barea, who has been stalwart of their second unit for many years. This season has been no different with him averaging 10.5 points, two rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 three-pointers over his first two games. Although he doesn’t log a ton of minutes, he can still be valuable based on his 20.6 percent usage rate and ability to rack up assists.

Bryn Forbes, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

If it wasn’t for bad luck, the Spurs would have no luck at all this season when it comes to their point guards. Dejounte Murray (knee) is out for the year and Derrick White is still working his way back from a heel injury. Forbes has started both games in their absence, averaging 14 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, one steal, and three three-pointers. He’s not your traditional point guard in terms of his assists, but his ability to shoot from behind the arc leaves him with upside, especially against a Lakers team that plays at such a fast pace.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Josh Hart, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,100

The Lakers will be without two key parts of their rotation for this game with Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram both suspended. Several players will likely be in line for increased opportunities, including Hart. He’s already off to a good start, averaging 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.5 blocks and two three-pointers per game. He’s also seen his usage rate skyrocket from 13.5% last year to 21.6% this season.

Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,000

Another veteran who plays a significant role for the Mavericks is Matthews. He’s averaged 35 minutes across their first two games and has logged at least 34 minutes per contest in each of his previous three seasons with the team. His numbers aren’t off the charts, but he’s averaged at least 12.5 points per game in each of those seasons in large part because he’s also contributed at least 2.4 three-pointers per contest. The Bulls have allowed an average of 112.5 points across their first two games.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Trevor Ariza, PHO at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100

The Suns have a lot of talented young players on their team and added Ariza over the summer to provide some veteran leadership. His first game with the team couldn’t have gone much better, posting 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five three-pointers against the Mavericks. However, he came crashing back down to Earth with five points and three rebounds in their subsequent game against the Nuggets. The good news is he played at least 29 minutes in both contests and should have a significant role moving forward. With all the small lineups the Warriors like to deploy, look for Ariza to be heavily involved Monday.

Jae Crowder, UTA vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,700

Crowder showed a lot of promise during his tenure with the Celtics, but his brief stint with the Cavaliers in the first half of last season was a train wreck. He played much better after being dealt to the Jazz, averaging 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.8 three-pointers per contest. The Jazz have given him a significant role off the bench this year, as well, helping him post 15 points, six rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers per game. They have also played at the fifth-fastest pace (110.7 possessions per game) in the early going, making Crowder a viable option for your entry.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300

With the league trending towards smaller lineups, you could see the writing on the wall when it came to playing time for Jonas Valanciunas. He averaged a career-low 22 minutes per game last year and has only logged 18 minutes per contest through the first three games this season. Ibaka has been the Raptors preferred option up front when they do go small, helping him average 29 minutes a game. While he’s not putting up the gaudy block numbers like he did during his tenure with the Thunder, Ibaka has still been excellent this year with 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, one steal and 1.7 blocks per game. The Hornets like to play small, so look for Ibaka to see plenty of minutes Monday.

Dwight Powell, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,100

The Mavericks desperately needed to add talent at center and they did just that by bringing in DeAndre Jordan. They still don’t have a ton of talent up front, though, and are missing Dirk Nowitzki as he recovers from an ankle injury. Powell has been extremely involved as a member of their second unit with a 29.1% usage rate. That’s not going to hold up, but he’s going to get added opportunities to produce until Nowitzki returns. Based on how poorly the Bulls have played on the defensive end, Powell could be in line to extend his hot start.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Myles Turner, IND at MIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,000

Turner was a trendy pick for a breakout campaign last year, but he didn’t show much improvement. In fact, his 47.9% field goal percentage was the lowest mark of his young career. He’s had an inconsistent start this year, but that could be partly because the Pacers haven’t had a game yet that was decided by fewer than 17 points. Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t a great defender and Turner has the ability to contribute plenty of blocks, leaving him with upside Monday.

JaVale McGee, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900

McGee has done a great job for the Lakers. They like to use a lot of small lineups, but McGee has averaged 21 minutes a game as their starting center. After being relegated to an extremely limited role with the Warriors, McGee has cashed in his added playing time this year for 14.5 points, seven rebounds and four blocks per contest. Even though Rondo won’t play, McGee still has LeBron James and Lonzo Ball to create scoring opportunities for him. If he keeps playing like this, he won’t be this cheap for much longer.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA enters the weekend with nine games on the schedule Friday. Not only are there plenty of elite players to choose from for your lineup, but there are also a lot of value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

De’Aaron Fox, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,500

The Kings didn’t have one player average at least 30 minutes per game last year but had five players log at least 30 minutes in their opener against the Jazz. Fox was one of them, finishing with 21 points, found rebounds, seven assists and three steals across 38 minutes. While it’s unlikely he’s going to play that much on a nightly basis, there is a real chance that he could see more playing time this season. This should be a high-scoring game against a Pelicans team that played at the fastest pace (101.6 possessions per game) in the league last year, potentially setting up Fox for a valuable performance.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,800

The Clippers badly needed to add depth to their backcourt over the summer and they did just that, with Gilgeous-Alexander being one of their prized acquisitions at 11th overall in the draft. It was encouraging to see him play 28 minutes in their opener against the Nuggets and he took advantage of his opportunity, scoring 11 points to go along with two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Patrick Beverley will continue to start at point guard, but he likely won’t see a normal stater’s allotment of minutes and isn’t a great offensive player. The Clippers get to face a thin Thunder roster that could be without Russell Westbrook (knee) again, making Gilgeous-Alexander someone to consider at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Buddy Hield, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600

Hield logged 32 minutes Wednesday and should continue to see added playing time with Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) injured. He had a balanced performance, scoring 19 points and recording six rebounds, one steal, one block, and one three-pointer. Maybe the stat that is the most exciting about his prospects for Friday is the 18 shot attempts that he had in that game Wednesday. Considering the pace at which this game will likely be played, Hield could be in line for another offensive outburst.

Rodney Hood, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Hood played so poorly after being traded to the Cavaliers that some people forget how well he played for the Jazz at the start of last year. Across 39 games before he was traded, Hood averaged 16.8 points and 2.6 three-pointers. He attempted 14.2 shots per game with Jazz, but only 9.5 per game with the Cavaliers. Now with LeBron James in LA, Hood is in line for more scoring opportunities this season. His 12 points in their opener weren’t great, but he did attempt 13 shots and had to face a good defensive team in the Raptors. Don’t count on him for much outside of scoring, but he could still be a viable option if you want to save money at shooting guard.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Cedi Osman, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,400

Osman was a trendy player to take in the later rounds of season-long drafts due to his likely expanded role this season. He provided glimpses of his upside last season by averaging 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the three games in which he played at least 30 minutes. The Cavaliers gave him 33 minutes Wednesday, resulting in him posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. The fact that it came against the Raptors is even more impressive. This might be an opportunity to take advantage of by plugging him into your lineup before his price starts to climb.

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

The Kings have a ton up depth up front but still decided to bring in Bjelica over the summer. They were intent on giving him extended run Wednesday and he finished the game with 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. Their top pick in the draft Marvin Bagley only played 12 minutes and veteran Zach Randolph didn’t see the floor at all. Their rotations still appear to be very much up in the air, but it might be worth taking a chance that Bjelica sees added minutes again Friday based on this matchup.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Jerami Grant, OKC at LAC
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Patrick Patterson started at power forward for the Thunder in their opener, but he only played 19 minutes and was 2-for-9 from the field. Grant wasn’t much better offensively, finishing with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting. However, he did play 29 minutes and chipped in three blocks. He’s a better defender and more athletic than Patterson is at this stage of his career, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Grant continue to get more minutes than Patterson. If he can hit a few more shots, Grant could provide value at this price based on his ability to contribute defensively.

Ersan Ilyasova, MIL vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Bringing in Ilyasova and his ability to stretch the floor was a key move for the Bucks. He didn’t start in their opener, but he played 29 minutes and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a three-pointer. With opposing defenses focusing on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe, Ilyasova could get a lot of open looks. While Grant is also a viable cheap option, Ilyasova has the higher upside between the two.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Myles Turner, IND at MIL
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,800

Turner only played 20 minutes in the Pacers first game of the season, but that was mostly because they destroyed the Grizzlies. Even with his limited playing time, Turner finished with eight points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Coming off signing a hefty contract extension, he’s clearly their main man in the middle. Expect this game to be much more competitive and for Turner to outproduce his prince point.

Alex Len, ATL at MEM
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100

It’s hard to look as bad as the Hawks did in their first game. Playing without John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon certainly didn’t help a roster that is severely lacking talent, to begin with. They were destroyed 126-107 by the Knicks, of all teams. Len only played 21 minutes, which could partly be attributed to the score. With Collins and Dedmon both out again Friday, Len has the opportunity to get a significant workload. Across three games in which Len played at least 30 minutes last year, he averaged 17.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.

 

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The tight end position has been pretty shallow in recent weeks, but it feels a little deeper for the Week 7 slate. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100

For the first time this season, Ertz failed to receive at least 10 targets Week 6 against the Giants. He was still heavily involved, though, with seven receptions on nine targets. His 43 receiving yards were also a season-low, but he still managed to salvage his performance with a touchdown reception. This game was a prime example of why you want to pay up for Ertz in cash games. Even if the yardage total isn’t always there, he’s a weekly threat to find his way into the end zone.

Week 7 brings a favorable matchup for Ertz against a Panthers defense that has allowed 28 receptions, 297 receiving yards and three touchdowns to opposing tight ends. The Eagles have been more productive with Carson Wentz at quarterback, averaging 24.5 points in the four games he has started compared to 19.5 points in their first two games without him. Expect Ertz to see plenty of targets again in this contest.

Eric Ebron vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,400

Ebron had a cloudy prognosis heading into the start of the season with another quality tight end in Jack Doyle on the roster. However, Doyle’s early injury woes have opened up a huge role for Ebron. T.Y. Hilton went down recently as well, making Ebron one of the prime targets in the Colts passing game. He cashed in with another valuable performance in Week 6, catching four of seven targets for 71 yards and a touchdown.

With his score last week, Ebron has now reached the end zone in five of six games. He’s also received at least seven targets in four straight contests. It appears that Hilton has a good chance of returning to the field for Week 7, but Doyle will sit out once again. The Colts have attempted the most passes in the league (289), so there will still be more than enough targets available for Ebron even if Hilton does take the field.

Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,400

The Vikings defense has had their struggles, but they had one of their best performances Week 6 when they held the Cardinals to 17 points, six of which came when the Cardinals defense returned a fumble for a touchdown. They logged four more sacks in that game and have now recorded at least three sacks in five of their six contests. The game also resulted in their first interception since Week 1.

Don’t be surprised if the Vikings pick off a pass or two Sunday facing Sam Darnold, who has thrown at least one interception in all but one game so far. Darnold hasn’t exactly been explosive yet, either, throwing for fewer than 200 yards four times. Things won’t get any easier for him this week with his favorite wide receiver Quincy Enunwa out with an ankle injury. Even though they will be on the road, the Vikings could be in for a stifling performance.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 - TE/DEF/ST

Trey Burton vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,300

Burton isn’t exactly a great source for yards. He hasn’t topped more than 88 yards in a game this season and has three outings where he finished with 23 yards or fewer. One of those was last week against the Dolphins, but he did manage to find the end zone in that game. The Bears have only played five games, but Burton has already posted three touchdowns.

The Bears invested heavily in Burton during the offseason, but they have attempted the fewest passes in the league, which puts somewhat of a limit on his upside. The good news is that if the Bears defense can’t slow down the high-powered Patriots offense, Mitch Trubisky might be forced to throw the ball more. Burton may see a couple extra targets in this game, as a result, making him an intriguing option in tournament play.

David Njoku vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,200

Njoku received a season-high 12 targets in the Browns blowout loss to the Chargers in Week 6, finishing with seven catches for 55 yards and his first touchdown of the season. He’s been a big part of the Browns offense, receiving at least seven targets in all but one game. Josh Gordon may not have been playing well, but his departure was a positive one when for Njoku’s value for the rest of the year.

Baker Mayfield hasn’t played great since taking over at quarterback, but this could be the week he has a breakout performance. The Bucs have allowed the most passing yards per game (356) and are tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (16) in the league. I actually believe Njoku has a higher upside this week than Burton, making him an even better play when you consider he’s slightly cheaper than Burton on both sites.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,300

If you’re looking at past performances by the Colts to try and gain some confidence in playing their defense this week, let me save you some time. They’ve been bad. Teams have scored at least 31 points against them in each of their last three games, one of which came against a Jets offense that isn’t exactly loaded with talent.

The reason why you should consider the Colts defense for Week 7 is because of how putrid the Bills are on offense. Things are only going to get worse for them Sunday with Josh Allen out due to an elbow injury. His backup Nathan Peterman has been so bad that the Bills are actually going to start Derek Anderson at quarterback, who just signed with the team less than two weeks ago. Even with how poorly they have played, this is a great spot for the Colts to thrive on defense.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 - TE/DEF/ST

Greg Olsen vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,400

Olsen had been out since Week 1 with a foot injury, but he made his return last Sunday against the Redskins. The Panthers certainly weren’t cautious with him, putting him on the field for 98% of their offensive snaps. Olsen wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t great, either, with four catches on seven targets for 48 yards. Olsen has decided to put off foot surgery at this time, but who knows if he’s going to hold up for the rest of the season. This is a tough matchup against the Eagles, who have only allowed 19 receptions to opposing tight ends.

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,500

Injuries have put a damper on the Rams defense, causing them to allow at least 23 points in each of their last four games. They only picked off one pass during that four-game stretch, as well. The 49ers have dealt with more than their fair share of injuries on offense, but C.J. Beathard has been much improved from last year. In each of his three starts, he has at least 248 passing yards and two touchdowns. He has been turnover prone, but the 49ers might be able to put up some points in this contest. That limits the upside for the Rams defense, so it might not be worth paying the premium required to get them into your entry.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA takes a step back from the 11-game slate Wednesday with only three games on the schedule Thursday. Even with so few options, there are still some great value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

Goran Dragic, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000

The Heat were extremely shorthanded Wednesday with James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, and Wayne Ellington all sidelined. Dragic was one of the players who stepped up in their absence, scoring 26 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists and one block in 32 minutes versus the Magic. There is a chance that all four players will sit again Thursday, which would again leave Dragic with an added role in the offense. He might lose a few assists without as many quality players around him, but he should make up for that with added scoring.

Cameron Payne, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,600

Payne enters this season as the backup at point guard to Kris Dunn. Payne had a few decent games last year when given extended playing time, but a lot of those performances came when Dunn was injured. Even though his playing time will be somewhat limited, the Bulls are extremely thin at point guard outside of him and Dunn. In 23 minutes per game last year, Payne averaged 8.8 points, 4.5 assists, one steal and 1.4 three-pointers per contest. His upside isn’t great, but if the Bulls get down big on the road against the far superior Sixers, Payne could be productive in garbage time.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

J.J. Redick, PHI vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100

The Sixers are going with an odd strategy of using Markelle Fultz as the starting shooting guard to begin games, but then starting Redick there for the third quarter. Fultz ended up playing 24 minutes under that arrangement in their season opener, but he didn’t play well. Redick, on the other hand, scored 16 points and hit two three-pointers in 29 minutes. Fultz is going to have his growing pains, so expect Redick to edge him out in playing time, at least for now. The Bulls are not a good defensive team, so Redick might be able to light them up from behind the arc.

Justin Holiday, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bulls entered the preseason with the intention of starting Jabari Parker at small forward and Lauri Markkanen at power forward. Once Markkanen went down with an elbow injury, it opened the door for Parker to slide to power forward and for Holiday to enter the starting five. Parker has since been moved to a sixth man role off the bench, but Holiday remains a member of the starting unit. He won’t get a ton of shots playing alongside Zach LaVine and Bobby Portis, but he should get enough playing time to be worth considering at this cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

Josh Richardson, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,200

Not only did Dragic benefit from the Heat’s lack of depth Wednesday, but Richardson finished the game with 21 shot attempts. He wasn’t very efficient and was only 2-for-10 from behind the arc, but he still scored 21 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Should the Heat have the same injury concerns Thursday, look for Richardson to play a vital role in their offense.

Otto Porter Jr., WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,600

Porter doesn’t get a lot of headlines playing with John Wall and Bradley Beal, but he’s a fine player in his own right. He doesn’t always get a lot of shot attempts, but he’s been efficient with a field goal percentage of at least 50.3% in both of the last two seasons. Not only does he provide added value on the glass, but he also averaged 1.5 steals last year and has recorded at least 1.4 steals per contest in each of the last three seasons. Don’t count on him to provide as much scoring as Richardson, but Porter is still a viable option for your entry.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

Bobby Portis, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700

The Bulls made a somewhat surprising decision late in the preseason to start Portis ahead of Parker. Portis was ticketed to provide a ton of energy off their bench, but the Bulls decided to move Parker to a bench role after they struggled mightily on the defensive end at the start of the preseason. Portis is instant offense, posting the second-highest usage rate (26%) on the team last year. LaVine is going to take a ton of shots, but Portis might be the second best offensive weapon among their starters.

Markieff Morris, WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,000

The Wizards added Dwight Howard over the summer, but he’s battling a back injury and is listed as questionable for this contest. Even if he does take the floor, he may not be completely healthy. The Wizards don’t have a ton of quality size up front behind Howard and Morris with their backups including Jeff Green, Ian Manhimi and Jason Smith. Morris might be forced to spend some additional time at center in this game, giving him added opportunities to provide value. He’s going to take a back seat offensively to Wall, Beal, and Porter, but he still chipped in 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 27 minutes per game last year.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

JaVale McGee, LAL at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500

The Lakers made several additions during the offseason, one of which was adding McGee to their very shallow group of centers. McGee is expected to start, but he likely won’t see traditional starter’s minutes. Expect the Lakers to deploy a lot of small lineups. With that being said, McGee is still going to play more than the 10 minutes a game he averaged last year with the Warriors. He also has the opportunity for a lot of easy buckets catching passes from LeBron James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball. McGee is also a great source for blocks, making him someone to target in tournament play at this cheap price.

Bam Adebayo, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,900

The Heat were a bit of a mess at center last season. Hassan Whiteside was expected to be their anchor in the middle, but he averaged only 25 minutes a game. That opened up the door for Adebayo to get extra minutes. Whiteside did play 33 minutes in their opener Wednesday, but Abebayo still logged 22 minutes due to all of their injuries. He chipped in nine points, eight rebounds, and a steal, helping him stay in the discussion as a value play option Thursday. However, I do prefer McGee to Adebayo if you want to save money at center.