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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

Six teams are on a bye during Week 11, but none of them have as much of an impact on the wide receiver position for the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS as the Packers, Chiefs, Rams, and Vikings all playing in prime time. There are still a lot of quality options, though, so let’s dig into the position to see which matchups stand out. 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Wide Receivers

Michael Thomas vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,800

The Saints exploded for 51 points against the Bengals last week, so it’s no surprise that Thomas had a big game. He caught all eight of the targets thrown his way for 70 yards and two touchdowns. After scoring five touchdowns all last season, he already has seven through his first nine games. He also has an insane 89.7 percent catch rate, leaving him just 50 yards shy of reaching 1,000 yards for the third straight year.

The Eagles have only allowed 12 passing touchdowns this season, but they have allowed the 10th-most passing yards per game (266). Their secondary also received a significant blow when cornerback Ronald Darby was lost to a torn ACL. With the Saints firing on all cylinders offensively, they could put up plenty of points in a hurry in this contest. Thomas is tied for the league lead with 78 receptions, so expect him to have another great performance.

Julio Jones vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,500

There has never been any question about Jones’ workload with his 102 targets tied for the third-most in the league. He’s already posted 1,040 receiving yards, marking his fifth straight season with at least 1,000 yards. The only issue has been his incredible inability to score touchdowns. However, he finally found the end zone in Week 9, then followed that up with another score last week against the Browns.

If you’re just looking at the opponent, this does not stand out as a great matchup for Jones. The Cowboys have a good pass defense and have only allowed 12 touchdown receptions all season. However, Jones has such a heavy volume of passes thrown his way that it’s hard to slow him down. If he can continue to find his way into the end zone, the sky is the limit in terms of his value. Even if he doesn’t again Sunday, he still has a high enough floor to be worth considering in cash contests.

Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,400

It’s been a frustrating season for Beckham and the Giants offense. He’s still put up some big yardage totals, but he entered Week 10 with just two touchdown receptions. A matchup against the 49ers turned out to be just what the doctored ordered with the Giants scoring 27 points and Beckham hauling in two scores. Even though he finished with four receptions for 73 yards, his day actually could have been even better since he had 11 targets.

A surprising as this may be, Beckham actually has as many targets as Jones does. Having Eli Manning as his quarterback is going to continue to limit his upside, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from him at this lofty price. The Bucs have been horrible against the pass, allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game (292) and the most passing touchdowns (23). As long as the Giants offensive line can keep Manning upright, he should look Beckham’s way enough to make him a safe option.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Wide Receivers

Alshon Jeffery vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,300

Jeffery had a quiet performance against the Cowboys last week with only four catches for 48 yards. On the bright side, he received eight targets and was on the field for 97 percent of their offensive snaps. New wide receiver Golden Tate wasn’t involved much in his debut with the team, only appearing on the field for 29 percent of their snaps. That number seems likely to rise as he gets more familiar with their offense, but it’s clear that Jeffery is still their top option at the position moving forward.

Tight end Zach Ertz will eat into Jeffery’s production from time to time, but Jeffery has four touchdowns in just six games and has a career-high 63.5 percent catch rate. The Eagles offense has had its struggles, but they will likely have to throw a lot Sunday to keep up with the Saints. That could lead to a banner performance from Jeffery since the Saints allow the second-most passing yards per game (296).

Kenny Golladay vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,800

The trade of Tate to the Eagles opens up an even larger role for Golladay. He was great in Week 10 against the Bears, catching 6 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Marvin Jones (knee) also had to depart that game early, which led Golladay to receive a season-high 13 targets. Golladay has now been on the field for 90 percent of the Lions offensive snaps his season, which is tops among their skill position players.

Jones is luckily just dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, but his status is still in question for this contest against the Panthers. If he can’t play, Golladay is going to be extremely busy. Even if Jones is able to take the field, Golladay is going to be heavily involved due to Tate no longer being in town. The Panthers have struggled in the secondary, allowing the second-most touchdown passes through the air (22).

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,600

The first two games with Byron Leftwich as the Cardinals offensive coordinator has provided immediate dividends for Fitzgerald. After receiving 41 targets across seven games with Mike McCoy at the helm of their offense, Fitzgerald has received 22 targets over two games since. He’s made the most of his added opportunities, posting 14 receptions, 152 yards, and a touchdown.

Another encouraging sign for the Fitzgerald is that he was on the field for at least 96 percent of the Cardinals offensive snaps in the two weeks under Leftwich. He had logged no more than 87 percent of their offensive snaps in three of his previous four contests. The Raiders get virtually no pressure on opposing quarterbacks and have allowed 21 passing touchdowns, potentially setting up Fitzgerald for a big game.

Tre’Quan Smith vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,000

With the Saints putting up 51 points last week, it is surprising that Smith wasn’t even targeted once in that contest. He was on the field for 68 percent of their offensive snaps, which was more than any other wide receiver, including Michael Thomas (61 percent). Don’t expect him to out snap Thomas moving forward, but last week illustrates the potential that Smith could have if the Saints decided to throw more passes his way.

The Saints just signed Brandon Marshall to provide some depth at wide receiver, but Smith should still be their second best option at the position moving forward. His lack of targets is concerning, which is why you should only consider him in tournament play. However, if this game turns into a shootout, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith provide value at this dirt cheap price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Wide Receivers

Mike Evans vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,300

It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Evans. He received 10 targets in Week 9, but only caught one pass for 16 yards. He managed to post 51 yards in Week 10 but caught only three of six targets. This brief rough stretch is especially surprising considering how well he played with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback to start the year. Don’t expect him to struggle like this for the remainder of the season, but this isn’t a good opportunity for him to turn things around against the Giants. They’ve dealt away a couple of their key defenders, but they still have cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who has helped them allow just 12 passing touchdowns this season. At this lofty price, Evans is awfully risky.

Tyrell Williams vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $4,800

After four touchdowns across his previous three games, Williams was finally shut out of the end zone by the Raiders in Week 10. He’s only received 36 targets all season, so a lot of his value depends on him scoring touchdowns. With Keenan Allen the top option at wide receiver for the Chargers and Melvin Gordon thriving in the backfield, don’t expect Williams to receive a significant jump in targets anytime soon, either.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

We’re back up to six teams on a bye for Week 11, but at least this will be the last week that more than two teams will be on a bye. The Packers, Chiefs, Rams, and, Seahawks all play primetime games, making the main Sunday slate in DFS even more thin at quarterback. Let’s dive into the position to see where value can still be found. 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Quarterbacks

Cam Newton vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $6,200

The Panthers were blown out on the road Thursday night, but at least they get some extra rest for Week 11. Newton completed 79.3 percent of his passes in that contest, but for only 193 yards. The Steelers also bottled him up on the ground, holding him to 10 yards on two carries. Newton was able to somewhat salvage his line with two touchdown passes, which marked his eighth straight game with at least two scores through the air.

Being the road team on Thursday night is tough, let alone having to face the Steelers. Newton and the Panthers get a much easier matchup this week against the Lions, even though it’s also on the road. The Lions have done a good job limiting passing yards, but they’ve given up 19 touchdowns through the air. They’ve also had troubles forcing turnovers with just three interceptions. The passing yards still might not be great for Newton in this contest, but his touchdown upside still leaves him as a good option in cash contests.

Drew Brees vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,500

The Saints demolished the Bengals 55-14 in Week 10. It’s no surprise that Brees was spectacular, completing 22 of 25 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He even chipped in a rushing touchdown, giving him a great overall line despite not playing the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score.

While that game wasn’t close, this should be a much more competitive matchup against the Eagles. Brees could be lined up for a big performance with the Eagles allowing the 10th-most passing yards per game (266). It won’t help their cause that they just lost cornerback Ronald Darby to a torn ACL, either. This game being played at home also favors Brees. In four games at the Superdome, Brees has 12 touchdown passes and is averaging 347.8 yards per game. Across five games on the road, he has nine touchdowns and is averaging 242 yards.

Carson Wentz vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,300

In one of the more surprising games of Week 10, the Eagles lost at home to the Cowboys. Wentz played well in the defeat, throwing for 360 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw an interception, but it was only his third of the season. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering he only threw seven picks across 13 games last year.

One noticeable improvement for Wentz this season has been his completion percentage. After completing 60.2 percent of his passes last year, that mark stands at 71 percent through seven games. That’s helped his passing yards per game jump to 306.9 compared to 253.5 last year. The Saints have allowed the second-most passing yards per game (296), leaving Wentz with the potential for another great performance Sunday.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Quarterbacks

Deshaun Watson vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $5,700

The Texans squeaked out a close two-point win over the Broncos in Week 9. Then, they were able to enjoy the victory during their bye in Week 10. Watson hasn’t been able to keep up his crazy touchdown rate from his rookie season, but he’s still posted 17 passing touchdowns across nine games. He’s even increased his passing yards per game from 242.7 last season to 265.4 this year.

The loss of Will Fuller to a torn ACL could have been a big blow to Watson’s value, but the Broncos helped mitigate that by adding Demaryius Thomas in a deal with the Broncos. The Texans bye certainly came at the right time since Thomas will now have had extra time to familiarize himself their offense and develop a rapport with Watson. If you want to beat the Redskins, the way to do that is through the air. They are allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (90.9), but the eighth-most passing yards per contest (270).

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $5,600

What an odd performance from Fitzpatrick against the Redskins in Week 10. He completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 406 yards, so he should have finished with a monster stat line. However, he failed to record a single touchdown and was picked off twice. Across the previous three games in which Fitzpatrick finished with at least 400 yards this season, he had a total of 11 touchdown passes.

The goods news for Fitzpatrick is that he’s held onto the starting quarterback job for at least another week. With how poorly their defense has played, he’s going to continue to be forced to throw a lot to try and keep pace in games. The Giants defense has certainly been better than their offense, but they traded away a couple of key players in Damon Harrison and Eli Apple. Don’t expect Fitzpatrick to be shut out on touchdowns again in this contest, leaving him as a tournament play with upside.

Eli Manning vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,200

The Giants finally put another game in the win column with a defeat of the 49ers on Monday night. Manning wasn’t particularly sharp despite the victory, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for just 188 yards. However, he made up for it by recording a season-high three touchdown passes. That was even more shocking when you consider he had eight touchdown passes all year entering Week 10.

Manning will get another chance to shine against the Bucs, who have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (292). This could be another one of Manning’s better touchdown performances of the season, as well, with the Bucs allowing the most touchdown passes through the air (23) in the league. It’s hard to trust Manning at this stage of his career, but he’s priced so cheap that he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $5,800

Roethlisberger destroyed the Panthers in Week 10, throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns. He failed to complete just three passes all game and didn’t throw an interception for the third time in his last four contests. It’s hard to be too down on him coming off of a stat line like that, but the Jaguars have allowed the fewest passing yards per game (201) and have given up only 12 passing touchdowns. Roethlisberger’s price on DraftKings is reasonable, but he’s awfully risky at his price on FanDuel based on this matchup.

Andy Dalton vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $5,000

Simply put, Dalton was a disaster against the Saints. He really missed having his start receiver in A.J. Green (toe), finishing with just 153 passing yards and one touchdown. The Saints also picked him off twice, which was just the second time all season that Dalton has thrown at least two interceptions in a game. Dalton got off to a hot start, but he now has 229 passing yards or fewer in three of his last four contests. The Ravens have one of the best pass defenses in the league, so stay far, far away from Dalton with Green set to miss Week 11.

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.

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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.

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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.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

It seems like every week another tight end is lost to a significant injury. Week 4 was no different as Tyler Eifert went down for the season with an ankle injury. This might be the thinnest the tight end position has been in a long time, but there are still options out there for Week 5 that could provide significant returns. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your DFS 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,500

There isn’t much risk involved when you roll with Ertz in DFS. He’s received at least 10 targets in each game this year, including a season-high 14 in Week 14 even with the return of Alshon Jeffery. Although Ertz has yet to find the end zone, he has finished with at least 73 receiving yards in three of four contests.

It’s not all that surprising that Ertz still received a ton of targets in Jeffery’s first game of the season. The Eagles rely on Ertz heavily in the passing game, resulting in him getting at least 106 targets in three straight seasons. Opposing tight ends only have one touchdown against the Vikings this season, but they have allowed 246 receiving yards to the position. Two of their four games have come against the Bills and Rams, too, neither of which have a lot of talent at tight end. Expect another reliable performance from Ertz.

Jared Cook vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Cook didn’t exactly have a banner campaign in his first year with the Raiders, catching 54 of 86 targets for 688 yards. He finished the year with just two touchdowns, giving him three total scores across the last three seasons. The change at head coach has done wonders for Cook through four games this year, resulting in him posting 26 receptions on 35 targets for 370 yards and two touchdowns. After finishing with at least 100 yards in a game two times in 2017, he’s already reached that threshold twice through Week 4.

It’s certainly encouraging for Cook’s value moving forward that he has received at least 10 targets twice this season, especially since he had no more than nine in any game last year. His 74.3% catch rate is also a big improvement over his 62.8% mark in 2017. The Chargers have had no problems scoring points, so the Raiders might be forced to throw a lot to keep up, which only further adds to Cook’s upside.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,800

The Rams defense started out strong by allowing 13 points across the first two weeks. Their fortunes have changed since, allowing 54 points over their last two contests. One of the main reasons for their struggles of late is their injuries at cornerback. Aqib Talib is on IR with an ankle injury and Marcus Peters is battling a calf strain.

The good news for the Rams is that even with all of their issues the last two weeks, they recorded six sacks and three fumble recoveries. They still put a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, which could spell doom for Russell Wilson since he has already been sacked 16 times. The Seahawks did get Doug Baldwin back last week, but their offense still isn’t all that explosive. The Rams might not have the ceiling they would if they were healthy at cornerback, but they are one of the top defenses for Week 5.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - TE/DEF/ST

David Njoku vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,400

Njoku was active in Baker Mayfield’s first career start, catching five passes for 52 yards. He finished the game with seven targets, marking the third time this season that he has received seven targets. However, he finished with a catch rate of 57.1% or lower in the first two weeks compared to 71.4% in Week 4.

The move from Tyrod Taylor to Mayfield provides a boost to the majority of the skill players on the Browns offense. Mayfield will go through some growing pains, but Taylor had never averaged more than 216.8 passing yards per game during any season of his career. This is no easy task against a tough Ravens defense, but the volume of passes that Njoku gets thrown his way at least makes him someone to consider.

Vance McDonald vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,700

After sitting out the first game of the season, McDonald has received exactly five targets in each of the Steelers three games since. He followed up his monster 112-yard performance from Week 3 with 62 yards and a season-high five receptions in Week 4. An encouraging trend is that McDonald has seen his snap percentage increase each game, topping out at 62% last week.

This game should be a shootout based on how poorly both defenses have played. The Steelers have great weapons at wide receiver but expect McDonald to still be heavily involved. With all the injuries the Falcons have been dealt at linebacker and safety, teams can exploit the middle of the field against them. At this cheap price, McDonald has an opportunity to provide significant returns in tournament play.

Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,200

Although the Broncos lost last week, their defense didn’t play all that poorly against the potent Chiefs. They only allowed 10 points in the first half and the 27 total points that the Chiefs scored in the game marked their lowest output of the season. In fact, the Chiefs had scored at least 38 points in each of their first three contests.

The downside with the Broncos defense is that they haven’t created a turnover since forcing three in Week 1. Expect them to get back into that column Sunday against Sam Darnold, who has thrown at least one pick in three of four games. The Jets passing attack hasn’t been great, either, with Darnold throwing for fewer than 200 yards three of four weeks. If you don’t want to pay up for the Rams, the Broncos are a viable option.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - TE/DEF/ST

Jesse James vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,100

James started the first two games for the Steelers, catching eight of 10 targets for 198 yards and a touchdown. However, now that McDonald is completely healthy, James has received just two targets combined across the last two games. His snap percentage has also decreased each week, bottoming out at 44% in Week 4. McDonald is the Steelers tight end you want to roll with this week, not James. McDonald is even cheaper than James on FanDuel.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $2,800

The Jaguars defense has done a good job keeping teams out of the end zone, but they have only forced three turnovers this season, two of which came in Week 1. Outside of their Week 2 matchup against the Patriots, they haven’t exactly faced offensive juggernauts in the Giants, Titans, and Jets. This will be an extremely tough test against the Chiefs, so starting their defense seems like an unnecessary risk to take, especially based on how expensive they are on FanDuel.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

One of the top-tier DFS options at running back was lost last week as Leonard Fournette reaggravated his hamstring injury. While he will be on the sidelines for Week 5, Joe Mixon and Devonta Freeman could be making a return to their respective squads. Let’s dig into the running back position to see where you can gain the edge in DFS. 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - Running Backs

Todd Gurley vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,400

Gurley is as consistent as it comes at the running back position. He has at least 100 total yards in three of four games this season and has recorded at least one touchdown in all four. The Rams have also given him at least 17 rushing attempts in every game and he’s seen at least six targets in three of them. With a talented wide receiver trio to support the emerging Jared Goff at quarterback, defenses can’t key in on Gurley anymore.

Sunday brings an excellent matchup for Gurley as the Seahawks have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (122.5) and the eighth-most yards-per-carry (4.6). They also suffered a tough blow last week when star safety Earl Thomas was lost for the season due to a broken leg. This game could get out of hand in a hurry for the Seahawks as their offense has struggled, as well, which could lead to a steady dose of Gurley in the second half. Don’t hesitate to pay up to get him into your entry.

Melvin Gordon vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,600

Gordon hasn’t received more than 15 rushing attempts in a game this season, but he’s been able to accumulate 276 rushing yards because of his career-high 6.1 yards-per-carry. The Chargers have also made him a primary option in the passing game with his 34 targets ranking second on the team behind Keenan Allen (36). Last year, Gordon finished with 58 receptions on 83 targets for 476 yards and four touchdowns. He already has 24 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns across four games.

Austin Eckler has emerged as a quality second running back, but Gordon has still played at least 72 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in three of their four games. The only game he didn’t was their blowout win over the Bills where he left early with an injury. He won’t get a much easier matchup than he will in Week 5 against the Raiders, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (139.3) and the second-most yards-per-carry (5.6).

Christian McCaffrey vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $8,000

The Panthers come into this game well rested after being one of the first teams to have a bye week this season. McCaffrey had the most impressive rushing performance of his career in Week 3, carrying the ball 28 times for 184 yards. Before that contest, he hadn’t received more than 15 rushing attempts in a game during his career and had never even topped 70 rushing yards. Known more for his pass-catching abilities, McCaffrey already has 26 targets through just three games.

Things won’t exactly be easy for him on the ground Sunday against the Giants, who have one of the best run stoppers in the league in Damon Harrison. However, they were torched by Alvin Kamara on Sunday for 134 yards on 19 carries. Even if McCaffrey doesn’t have as many yards on the ground, he has a high floor in DFS based on his involvement in the passing game.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - Running Backs

James Conner vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,500

Things couldn’t have gone any better for Conner in Week 1 as he replaced Le’Veon Bell, rushing 31 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in five receptions on six targets for 57 yards. While it looked like the Steelers wouldn’t skip a beat with him leading their backfield, Conner has only totaled 97 yards on 32 carries in three games since. On the bright side, he did record 13 catches on 18 targets for 107 yards during that stretch.

With the news that Bell plans to return to the Steelers before their Week 8 game, Conner’s days as a starter are numbered. He has a favorable opportunity to get back on track Sunday against the Falcons, who have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game (119) and have been torched for 42 receptions and 310 receiving yards by opposing running backs. Even if the Steelers have to throw a lot to keep up with the Falcons’ explosive offense, Conner has a high ceiling this week.

T.J. Yeldon vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,600

With Fournette going down once again, Yeldon should step in as the lead back for the Jaguars. He played well after Fournette departed early last week, finishing with 100 total yards and two total touchdowns. Over the previous two games that Fournette missed, Yeldon had 102 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards. The Jaguars have used him a lot in the passing game, throwing at least five passes his way in three of four games.

It’s well known that the Chiefs secondary has been porous this season, but they’ve also allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (123.3) and the most receiving yards to opossing running backs (385) by a hefty margin. Corey Grant will get some work, too, but not enough to deal a significant blow to Yeldon’s upside. At this price, he’s hard to pass up in tournament play even if he is expected to be highly-owned.

Matt Breida vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,700

This has quickly turned into a lost season for the 49ers with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jerick McKinnon both suffering torn ACL’s. The injury to McKinnon has opened up added opportunities for Breida, who began the year in a timeshare with Alfred Morris. While Morris is still a threat for carries, he’s only averaging 3.8 yards-per-carry and is not a viable option in the passing game. Even though Breida is battling a shoulder injury, he’s been much more explosive by averaging 7.6 yards-per-carry.

Breida is also a better threat to catch passes, receiving 12 targets through four games compared to five for Morris. Breida’s shoulder is still bothering him, but if he can play Week 5, he could be in line for a monster performance. The Cardinals have not only allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (142.3), but they’ve also allowed the most rushing touchdowns (seven).

Aaron Jones vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,300

After missing the first two weeks due to a suspension, the Packers only gave Jones six carries in Week 3. He took advantage of his opportunity with 42 rushing yards, showing he is the most explosive player out of their running back trio that also consists of Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery. They gave him 11 carries against the Bills on Sunday, which he turned into 65 yards and a touchdown.

Montgomery, a former wide receiver, is clearly the best pass-catching option in the Packers backfield, but they would be wise to give Jones more carries. Williams has only averaged 3.4 yards-per-carry after averaging 3.6 yards-per-carry on 153 attempts last year. The real question is, how long with head coach Mike McCarthy continue to stubbornly stick with Williams? If we had a clearer picture, Jones certainly wouldn’t be priced this cheap against a Lions defense that has allowed the most rushing yards per game (157.8). I still think he’s talented enough to provide value even if he doesn’t get the bulk of the carries considering this matchup.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - Running Backs

Jay Ajayi vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,100

Ajayi returned after sitting out Week 3 due to a back injury, carrying the ball 15 times for 70 yards against the Titans on Sunday. The Eagles have a lot of options at running back, which has limited Ajayi to playing no more than 53% of their offensive snaps in any of the three games that he played. The Vikings defense hasn’t been nearly as tough this year, but they have limited teams to 104 rushing yards per contest. The Eagles running back situation just isn’t set up for Ajayi to provide significant value.

Dalvin Cook vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Century Link Field
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,300

Speaking of running backs who have dealt with injury, Cook missed Week 3 with a hamstring issue and was limited by the injury in his return Sunday against the Rams, finishing with 20 yards on 10 carries. He’s listed as questionable for Week 5, but even if he does play, he may once again see a limited workload. Considering the Eagles have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (63.8), Cook is too risky.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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The tight end position is looking ugly across the league. Another one of the top players there will be sidelined this week as Evan Engram is out with a knee injury. Add in Jordan Reed and Redskins on their bye week and it’s slim pickings for Week 4. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your DFS 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Nissan Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,200

In what has been a volatile position this year, Ertz has stood out as one of the few reliable tight ends. He’s received at least 10 targets in all three games, although he is still looking for his first touchdown. After three straight seasons with at least 800 receiving yards, Ertz is well on his way to hitting that threshold again with 215 yards so far.

The Eagles have been banged up at wide receiver and even if Alshon Jeffery does return this week, they are still going to rely heavily on Ertz. Carson Wentz was a little rusty in Week 3 in his first game since returning from a torn ACL, but he’ll continue to improve with each passing week. The Titans have great numbers against opposing tight ends, but they faced three teams with poor options at the position in the Dolphins, Texans, and Jaguars. Look for Ertz to give them plenty of trouble.

Trey Burton vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $3,900

Burton left the Eagles to take over as the top tight end for the Bears this year and received plenty of hype as a breakout fantasy candidate. Things haven’t gone well for him so far, catching nine of 15 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. Part of the problem has been the play of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who is only averaging 197 passing yards per game and has more interceptions (three) than touchdowns (two).

If you want to look at the bright side, Burton’s 15 targets are third-most on the team behind Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, so he’s clearly an important part of the offense. If there is ever a week for him to have a big performance, it could come in this game against the Bucs, who have allowed the most receptions (25) and receiving yards (329) to tight ends so far.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,100

The Jaguars continue to get after the quarterback, totaling seven sacks across three games. They only have one interception on the year, but they have recovered two fumbles and held two of their three opponents to 15 points or fewer. In their toughest matchup against the Patriots, they limited them to 20 points while pulling off a big win at home.

It would be nice to see the Jaguars creating more turnovers, but their ability to accumulate sacks makes them a defense to target more often than not. Week 4 brings a great matchup against a Jets team that has seen rookie quarterback Sam Darnold throw five interceptions compared to three touchdowns. The Jaguars are the most expensive option at the position, but for good reason.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 - TE/DEF/ST

Tyler Eifert vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,800

Eifert certainly has talent, but injuries have left him unable to reach his full potential. He played 10 games over the last two seasons combined and hasn’t played more than 13 games in a year since his rookie campaign 2013. The Bengals have taken a cautious approach with his return and he’s been able to stay healthy through the first three weeks. His best performance came last week against the Panthers, catching six of eight targets for 74 yards.

Part of the season for Eifert’s production in Week 3 was because wide receiver A.J. Green didn’t play in the second half due to injury. Eifert had only seven total targets in the first two weeks. There is still a reason to be optimistic about his chances to provide value Sunday based on this matchup against a Falcons defense that has been decimated by injuries. This game could turn into a shootout, making Eifert an intriguing option.

Rhett Ellison vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $2,700

The loss of Engram is significant for the Giants. They have a lot of weapons on offense, but Engram still received 12 targets across their first two games. After he went down last week, Ellison stepped in as the Giants primary tight end. He played 87% of their snaps, catching all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Ellison is known for his blocking abilities, but he also caught 75% of the passes thrown his way last year. Engram didn’t play in the final game last season, a contest in which Ellison caught five of six targets for 63 yards. At this cheap price, Ellison is worth a look in tournament play if you want to load up at running back and wide receiver.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,200

The Seahawks defense has lost a lot of players from the “Legion of Boom” era, but that hasn’t stopped them from recording seven interceptions this season. They have also chipped in eight sacks, although two of the three games they have played came against subpar offenses in the Bears and Cowboys.

They’ll face another low-scoring team Sunday as the Cardinals have only posted 20 points through three weeks. Sam Bradford has looked terrible, leading the team to name Josh Rosen the starting quarterback for Week 4. Rosen could experience some growing pains and the Cardinals offensive play calling has been questionable, to say the least, making the Seahawks a viable candidate if you don’t want to pay up for the Jaguars.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 - TE/DEF/ST

George Kittle vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,200

The 49ers have lost arguably their two best players on offense already with Jerick McKinnon and Jimmy Garoppolo both done for the year with torn ACL’s. C.J. Beathard takes over at quarterback for Week 4 and he was anything but special last season, averaging 204.3 passing yards and throwing six interceptions across seven games. There may still be occasions where Kittle can be productive, but I’d take a wait-and-see approach for the first week with Beathard running the offense.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $2,700

Few teams looked as inept offensively over the first two weeks as the Giants. They have plenty of talent, but a poor offensive line and the diminishing play of Eli Manning had put them in a 0-2 hole. They played much better against the Texans in Week 3, scoring 27 points in route to their first win of the year. Considering they lost Engram in the second quarter, it was an even more impressive feat. The Texans have allowed at least 20 points in each game this season and only have one interception, leaving them with limited upside on the road against the Colts.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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After three weeks of a full schedule, Week 4 brings two teams on a bye with the Redskins and the Panthers getting an early breather. The Chiefs also play on Monday, taking their high-flying offensive weapons out of the equation if you playing the main Sunday slate in DFS. However, there are still plenty of great matchups to take advantage of at the quarterback position. Let’s examine some players to target and avoid as you craft 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 - Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,800

Last year, Rodgers threw for at least 300 yards in each of the first three games of this season. Through the first three weeks of 2018, Rodgers has yet to reach that mark. He continued to battle through a knee injury Sunday against the Redskins, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Although his yardage totals haven’t been great, he does have six touchdown passes and has yet to throw an interception.

Rodgers is certainly not going to be completely healthy again Sunday, but he could be in line for one of his best performances of the year. The Bills pulled off a miraculous upset against the Vikings last week, but that game was at home. Playing on the road in Lambeau Field is a completely different story. The Bills have allowed seven touchdown passes and recorded only one interception through the first three weeks, setting up Rodgers with a high floor in this contest.

Matt Ryan vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $6,100

Ryan’s season started with a whimper, registering 251 yards, one interception and no touchdowns Week 1 on the road against the Eagles. To say he’s bounced back well would be an understatement. In the last two games, Ryan has thrown for 646 yards, seven touchdowns and has even chipped in two rushing touchdowns. He completed just 48.8% of his passes in Week 1 but has completed 77.8% of his passes since.

Week 4 brings a third-straight home game for Ryan and the Falcons. They’ll face a Bengals defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks through the first three weeks. The Bengals didn’t exactly get lit up by Cam Newton last week, but the Panthers offense is built around their running game, which is not the case for the Falcons. Their wide receiver trio of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Mohamed Sanu can cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses, so don’t hesitate to roll with Ryan for your entry.

Philip Rivers vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,500

Sunday’s game against the Rams wasn’t pretty for Rivers, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 226 yards. He still threw two touchdown passes and avoided being intercepted, but it wasn’t all that surprising that he didn’t have a banner day against a tough Rams defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. The two touchdown passes by Rivers were the first they had allowed this year.

Things swing back in Rivers’ favor for Week 4 against a 49ers team that is still reeling from the loss of their franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a torn in ACL. Their defense was torched in that contest, allowing Patrick Mahomes to rack up 314 yards and three touchdowns. The 49ers have now allowed eight touchdown passes and are still looking for their first interception. They will be short-handed in the secondary with Richard Sherman already ruled out due to a calf injury, potentially setting up Rivers for a productive afternoon.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 - Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400

Dalton provided a mixed-bag against the Panthers in Week 3. While his 352 passing yards and two touchdowns look nice, he also threw four interceptions in the Bengals first loss of the year. His yardage total was boosted by his 46 pass attempts, which marked his second consecutive week with at least 40 attempts. He threw at least 40 passes in a game only two times all of last season.

The Bengals have a much easier matchup Sunday against a Falcons defense that is missing several key players due to injury, including linebacker Deion Jones and safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen. They have allowed 731 passing yards and six passing touchdowns to quarterbacks over the last two games, leaving Dalton as an excellent option in tournament play based on his upside.

Baker Mayfield vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $5,300

The Browns finally ended their long losing streak and basically did so on the shoulders of Mayfield, who came in at quarterback after Tyrod Taylor left Thursday’s game due to a concussion. Although Mayfield didn’t throw a touchdown, he completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards and added some much-needed life to their offense. The Browns have already named Mayfield as the starting quarterback for Week 4, a job he should hold onto for the rest of the season, barring injury.

Playing on the road on the West Coast isn’t exactly ideal for a rookie quarterback’s first career start, but the Raiders don’t have an imposing defense. The trading of Khalil Mack has significantly hurt their pass rush as they have only three sacks through the first three weeks., which is the fewest in the NFL. Their lack of pressure has only resulted in one interception, as well. Don’t be surprised if Mayfield thrives in this game.

Ryan Tannehill vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,500

Who would have thought that heading into this AFC East matchup that the Dolphins would be 3-0 while the Patriots would be 1-2? A lot of the Dolphins success can be attributed to Tannehill, who has completed at least 71.4% of his passes and thrown at least two touchdowns in each of the first three weeks. He’s also provided some value with his legs, rushing 15 times for 74 yards.

While the Dolphins’ start has been impressive, this will be by far their toughest task of the season facing the Patriots on the road. It might not be all that bad for Tannehill and their offense, though, since the Patriots have allowed 25.7 points per game across the first three weeks. The Dolphins are finally completely healthy at wide receiver, too, with DeVante Parker returning last week. I don’t think Tannehill has as high of a ceiling as Dalton and Mayfield do, but he can still provide value at this price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 - Quarterbacks

Carson Wentz vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Nissan Stadium
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,800

Wentz made his first start of the season Sunday, completing his return from a torn ACL suffered last year. He wasn’t great, but he wasn’t awful either, throwing for 255 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It certainly didn’t help his cause that the Eagles were missing two of their top three wide receivers in Alshon Jeffery and Mike Wallace. They were also without Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles in their backfield. Ajayi and Sproles are expected to return for Week 4 and Jeffery might make his season debut, as well, which would certainly be a boost for their offense. That being said, Wentz is still coming off a long layoff, so it might be wise to spend your money elsewhere.

Derek Carr vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,100

The Raiders are a mess. They have led at the half in each of their first three games, but don’t have a win to show for it. Carr has posted a 76.6% completion rate and is averaging 312 passing yards per game, which would both be career-highs. However, he’s turned that into only two touchdown passes and he has five interceptions. The Browns defense has been much improved and has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. That’s especially impressive when you consider they have faced the Steelers and Saints already. Stay away from Carr when crafting your lineup.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Through the first two weeks of the season, there have been 25 instances where a wide receiver has finished with at least 100 yards in a game. Not only have they been racking up yardage, but 13 wideouts have at least two touchdowns so far. There should be plenty of productive performances this week, as well, so let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly avoid, as you create your DFS 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 - Wide Receivers

Michael Thomas vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,900

Thomas has been dominant through the first two weeks, hauling in 28 of 30 targets for 269 yards and three touchdowns. While his 93.3% catch rate is certainly not sustainable, the amount of passes he is getting thrown his way is going to remain high. He received 121 targets in his rookie season and followed that up with 149 targets last year, which was tied for sixth-most in the NFL.

The Falcons haven’t allowed much production from wide receivers so far, but they haven’t exactly faced a ton of talent. Week 1 brought a matchup against an Eagles team missing their top wideout in Alshon Jeffery due to injury. Last week they faced the Panthers, who have some promising young talent in Devin Funchess and D.J. Moore, but they are still trying to establish themselves as reliable options. Expect Thomas to have a high floor considering his massive role in the Saints offense, especially since his seven red zone targets are the second most in the league this year.

Stefon Diggs vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $7,700

Diggs had a fairly quiet performance in Week 1 with only 43 receiving yards, but he still received six targets and scored a touchdown. He had a massive game Sunday against the Packers, catching nine of 13 targets for two touchdowns. He’s quickly developed a strong relationship with Kirk Cousins, who has already thrown for 669 yards through two games. Case Keenum did a nice job for the Vikings last year, but Cousins presents a higher-upside quarterback for Diggs and the rest of the Vikings receivers.

This stands out as a great matchup against the Bills, who are one of the worst teams in the league and have problems keeping their offense on the field. They also don’t have the strongest secondary and even went through the debacle of Vontae Davis retiring at halftime last week. There is some concern that the Vikings will be running the ball a lot during the second if this game gets out of hand, but Diggs should still get enough opportunities to provide significant value.

Tyreek Hill vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,500

The Chiefs offense looks like a video game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been amazing out of the gate, throwing 10 touchdown passes without an interception. He also has a 69.1% completion rate. He has plenty of weapons around him, but Hill might be the most dangerous. Hill has shown his big-play ability often through the first two weeks, totaling 259 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He’s averaging 21.6 yards per reception.

The 49ers will have their hands full with the Chiefs offense. They are coming off a poor showing against the Lions where they allowed Matthew Stafford to throw for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Both Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay finished with at least 89 receiving yards in that contest. This should be another high-scoring game when you consider how poorly the Chiefs defense has played, as well, so don’t hesitate to add Hill to your lineup.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 - Wide Receivers

Will Fuller vs. New York Giants
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $5,900

Fuller missed Week 1 due to a hamstring injury, which was a big blow to the Texans offense. He returned in style for Week 2, catching eight of nine targets for 113 yards and one touchdown. His presence has made a huge difference for Deshaun Watson who has averaged 35.4 fantasy points per game in his career in games that Fuller has played compared to just 17.4 fantasy points per game without him.

The Giants have done a nice job limiting receiving yards this year, but they haven’t exactly faced two offensive juggernauts in the Jaguars and Cowboys. They have a strong cornerback duo of Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple, but they don’t have much depth past those two players. Apple is currently dealing with a groin injury and it looks like a real possibility that he won’t be able to play this week. If he can’t, the Giants are going to be hard-pressed to slow down Fuller. He’s a lock for me if Apple sits, but Fuller can still provide value even if Apple is ultimately able to play.

Nelson Agholor vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,100

Agholor only had 33 receiving yards in Week 1, but his role in the Eagles offense was clear as he hauled in eight of 10 targets. He received another 12 targets last week and was able to cash that in for eight receptions, 88 yards, and a touchdown. The Eagles were dealt another injury at receiver during that game as Mike Wallace suffered a leg injury that has since landed him on IR.

Jeffery’s status for Week 3 is still uncertain, but if he doesn’t play, Agholor is again going to get all the targets he can handle. He’ll also be catching passes from Carson Wentz for the first time this season. Although Wentz will be playing for the first time in nine months after suffering a torn ACL, the Eagles have been very calculated with his recovery and held him out until they felt comfortable that he was completely healthy. Wentz might be a little rusty, but Agholor still has plenty of upside at this price.

Marquise Goodwin vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,500

The 49ers offense was expected to take a significant step forward with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm for an entire season. One of his most talented weapons is Goodwin, who unfortunately suffered a quad injury Week 1. Although he did return to that game, the injury forced him to miss Sunday’s contest against the Lions. While it’s still unclear if he will play in Week 3, it’s encouraging that he was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Goodwin has a tremendously high ceiling. His full-season pace based on the five games that Garoppolo started last year would have put him at 138 targets, 93 receptions, and 1,229 yards. If he can return for Sunday, the sky is the limit against the horrid Chiefs secondary that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers through two games.

Dede Westbrook vs. Tennesee Titans
Stadium – TIAA Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600

The Jaguars lost Marquise Lee to injury before the season began, dealing a tough blow to their wide receiver group. Westbrook and Keelan Cole have emerged as their top-two options so far with Westbrook receiving at least five targets in both games this year. He’s averaging 14.9 yards per reception and has already scored a touchdown after reaching the end zone only one time all last year.

In an impressive win against the Patriots last week, the Jaguars threw the ball 45 times. Some of that had to do with the fact that running back Leonard Fournette sat with an injury. With Fournette likely back this week, don’t be surprised to see them run the ball more. Even if that’s the case, Westbrook is still a cheap option worth considering for your entry because the Titans have allowed the second-most yards (469) to opposing wide receivers.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 - Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,300

There is no question that Allen is one of the focal points of the Chargers offense. Over the first two games of the season, he’s recorded 14 catches on 19 targets for 175 yards and a touchdown. When healthy, he’s one of the best receivers in the league. However, this is a very tough matchup against the Rams and their stingy secondary that is led by Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. No wide receiver has posted more than 28 receiving yards against them this year. Considering the cost required to add Allen to your entry, it might be best to spend your money elsewhere.

Sterling Shepard vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,500

The Giants have a lot of talented skill players on offense, which was going to limit Shepard’s involvement, to an extent. To make matters even worse, their porous offensive line has left Eli Manning with very little time to work in the pocket. They aren’t moving the ball well or scoring many points, which has led Shepard to only eight catches and 72 yards through the first two weeks. Until they show more signs of life on offense, taking a chance on one of their secondary pass-catching options like Shepard seems like an unnecessary risk to take.

 

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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One of the themes of Week 2 was running backs racking up catches for their respective squads. Three of the top four leaders in receptions for Week 2 were runnings backs and all three of them finished with at least 80 receiving yards. There are plenty of great matchups for running backs again in Week 3, so let’s dig into the position to see where you can gain the edge in DFS. 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 - Running Backs

Alvin Kamara vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $9,500

Kamara had another fairly quiet performance on the ground in Week 2, rushing 13 times for 46 yards against the Browns. However, he was heavily involved in the passing game, catching all six of his targets for 53 yards. Through the first two games, Kamara already has 15 receptions on 18 targets. He was a monster in the passing game last year, as well, hauling in 81 or 100 targets for 826 yards.

Week 3 brings a great matchup against a Falcons defense that suffered a significant loss when linebacker Deion Jones was placed on IR. Christian McCaffrey took advantage of his absence last week, catching 14 of 15 targets for 102 yards. Kamara may not get a ton of carries again, but his tremendous upside as a receiver makes him one of the best running back options available in DFS.

Saquon Barkley vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,600

The Giants looked awful offensively Sunday night against the Cowboys. Their offensive line once again had trouble protecting Eli Manning, who has clearly lost a step at this stage of his career. Manning looked to have his head on a swivel in the pocket, often checking down to Barkley to avoid the oncoming pass rush. The end result was Barkley catching 14 of 16 passes thrown his way. He didn’t have a lot of room to run, though, accumulating only 80 receiving yards. He also couldn’t get much going on the ground, carrying 11 times for 28 yards.

The Giants have talented playmakers on offense, but their offensive line and the poor play of Manning might limit some of them from reaching their full potential this year. The one positive for Barkley is that he should receive plenty of targets from Manning as he tries to quickly get the ball out of his hands. Barkley has shown an ability to force missed tackles and he can break off a big play at any moment, which gives him a high floor most weeks.

Jordan Howard vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,500

Howard didn’t exactly shine on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks, rushing 14 times for 35 yards. He’s failed to score a touchdown yet this year, but his involvement in the passing game has been promising. He received 32 targets in 2017, but he’s already had nine passes thrown his way across two games, hauling in eight of them for 58 yards. The Bears have another talented pass-catcher out of the backfield in Tarik Cohen, but he’s received only five targets so far.

Week 3 brings a great matchup that could potentially lead to a breakout performance from Howard. The Cardinals offense has looked terrible this year, often putting them in a big hole early. This has resulted in their opponents running the ball a lot late in games. The Cardinals haven’t provided much resistance, allowing 256 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 - Running Backs

Chris Thompson vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,300

Thompson may not get a lot of press, but he’s one of the best pass-catching running backs in football. He proved it again in Week 2 against the Colts, catching 13 of 14 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown. He’s quickly developed a strong relationship with Alex Smith, resulting in him receiving 21 targets through the first two weeks. While Adrian Peterson was brought in to help offset the loss of Derrius Guice, Thompson’s significant role with the team remains unquestioned.

Peterson took a step backward from his 96-rushing-yard performance in Week 1, but part of that was because the Redskins were playing catchup against the Colts. Peterson ended up with 15 fewer carriers than he had in the first week. Going up against the high-powered Packers offense could force the Redskins to throw more passes in this game, as well, making Thompson a great option to target for your entry.

Giovani Bernard vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,900

Joe Mixon couldn’t make it through Thursday Night Football unscathed and underwent a procedure to remove a small particle from his knee over the weekend. The surgery isn’t expected to sideline Bernard for too long, but he won’t be able to suit up Sunday against the Panthers.

Bernard started two games last season that Mixon also missed due to injury. One of them was a tough matchup against the Vikings where he finished with only 43 total yards, but he did score a touchdown and receive 14 carries to go along with five targets. He accumulated 130 total yards in his other start against the Bears. The Panthers have allowed 4.9 yards per carry across their first two games this season, leaving Bernard with a high ceiling considering his expected role and price in DFS.

Matt Breida vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,400

The 49ers were dealt a crushing blow when they lost Jerick McKinnon to a torn ACL before the season even started. In his absence, Breida and Alfred Morris became the lead duo in their backfield. After an unfavorable matchup versus the Vikings in Week 1, Breida rebounded in a big way Sunday against the Lions. He only carried the ball 11 times, but he ran for 138 yards and a score.

Another encouraging sign for Breida in Week 2 is that he received four targets. This could be a high-scoring game against the Chiefs explosive offense, which may force the 49ers to throw more than usual. The Chiefs have given up 261 receiving yards on 21 receptions to running backs so far this year. If he continues to play like he did last week, he could break away from Morris, who has averaged 3.3 yards per carry.

Corey Clement vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,300

The Eagles could be very thin at running back this week. Darren Sproles missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury and his status for this game against the Colts is still in doubt. Jay Ajayi also briefly left Sunday’s game with a back injury, but there have been reports that he might not be able to play this week. The Eagles already promoted Josh Adams from their practice squad, which isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for the prospects of Ajayi and Sproles taking the field.

Clement played well in Week 2 with Ajayi limited, finishing with 85 total yards and a touchdown. If Ajayi ultimately does not play in this contest, Clement should see a significant boost in value. If Sproles is also ruled out, the potential value you could receive from Clement at this might be too hard to pass up.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 - Running Backs

LeSean McCoy vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,100

McCoy is really the only significant weapon the Bills have on offense. They have a hard enough time scoring points, to begin with, but now McCoy is dealing with a rib injury heading into Week 3. He’s listed as questionable right now, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s forced to miss at least this contest. Even if he does play, he’ll be at less than 100% against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Stay far, far away from McCoy when crafting your lineup.

Derrick Henry vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Henry had the potential to become the lead running back for the Titans after the departure of DeMarco Murray, but the addition of Dion Lewis put a damper on his value. They have basically split the carries through two games with Henry getting 28 rushing attempts compared to 30 for Lewis. Lewis is clearly their preferred option as a pass-catcher, though, as he has nine targets compared to just one for Henry. There’s just not enough upside here with Henry to warrant taking a chance on him against the Jaguars stingy defense.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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There were some excellent performances by tight ends in Week 1, but we also lost two of the most productive players at the position due to injury in Delanie Walker and Greg Olsen. With Walker out for the season and Olsen likely to miss several weeks, an already thin position became that much harder to navigate. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your DFS 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,100

Ertz only came away with five catches for 48 yards against the Falcons in Week 1, but the key is that he was targeted 10 times. He has never finished a season with a catch rate below 63.2%, so it was a bit of an aberration to see him haul in only half of the balls thrown his way. The number of targets he received was no surprise, though, as he received at least 106 targets in three consecutive seasons.

Alshon Jeffery is expected to miss Week 2 as well, opening up an even larger role in the offense for Ertz. Nelson Agholor will be his main competition for targets, but the Eagles pass-catching options are fairly limited otherwise. Nick Foles attempted 34 passes against the Falcons with Ertz and Agholor being his targets on 20 of them. Ertz is also their best red zone option, leaving him with a high floor in this contest.

Jordan Reed vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,000

Reed is one of the most talented tight ends in the league. His only problem is finding a way to stay on the field. He’s healthy right now and is coming off a productive first game of the season that saw him catch four of five targets for 48 yards and a touchdown.

Last year was pretty much a lost season for Reed as he played only six games and was limited by injury in many of those contests where he did actually play. In the 24 games that he played across 2015 and 2016, he averaged more than 10 yards per reception and scored 17 total touchdowns. The Colts secondary entered this season ranked last in the NFL by Pro Football Focus and struggled in Week 1, making Reed an excellent target for your entry.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $3,700

The Rams had one of the best defenses in the NFL last year and made it even stronger when they added cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Aaron Donald was holding out for a contract extension, but luckily he and the Rams were able to agree to a new deal before the start of the season so he didn’t miss any games. They limited the Raiders to 13 points Monday, recording three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

The Cardinals offense laid an egg Week 1, scoring only six points against the Redskins. Sam Bradford struggled mightily, completing 20 of 34 passes for 153 and an interception. They have two talented weapons in David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, but Bradford doesn’t have much to work with outside of those two. Add in the fact that this game will be at home and the Rams defense could dominate Sunday.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - TE/DEF/ST

George Kittle vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $3,800

Not much went right for the 49ers against the Vikings on Sunday, but Kittle was one of the bright spots for their offense. He finished with five catches on nine targets for 90 yards and could have finished with an even better line had he not dropped what looked to be a potential long touchdown pass.

Kittle and Jimmy Garoppolo clearly have developed a good relationship. In the final three games of 2017 with Garoppolo as his starting quarterback, Kittle averaged 64.7 receiving yards per contest. The 49ers may try to avoid cornerback Darius Slay, which could open up even more targets for Kittle. The Lions defense is weak, overall, so look for Kittle to build on his strong opening performance.

Jared Cook vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,600

The Raiders were clearly trying to avoid the Rams star cornerbacks in Week 1, which opened up a huge role in the offense for Cook. He finished with nine catches on 12 targets for a staggering 180 yards. He had 83 targets and 688 receiving yards across 16 games in all of 2017.

While his performance was certainly impressive, Cook is going to be hard pressed to get 12 targets again Sunday. He might not need to in order to provide significant value, though, based on the Broncos struggles to defend tight ends. They allowed 1,023 receiving yards and nine touchdowns to the position in 2017 and were torched by Will Dissly for 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. At this cheap price, he’s a viable option to consider in tournament play.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,600

The Chargers defense suffered a significant loss when Joey Bosa was unable to play against the Chiefs. They were destroyed by Tyreek Hill, who had 169 receiving yards and three total touchdowns, one of which came on a punt return. Patrick Mahomes also had an impressive performance in the first game of the post-Alex Smith era.

The Chiefs have a lot of weapons on offense. The Chargers will be facing a team on the opposite end of the spectrum in the Bills. They could only muster three points against the Ravens and have already turned over the quarterback job to Josh Allen after Nathan Peterman was awful once again. They have very few playmakers outside of LeSean McCoy and will likely struggle to score again in Week 2.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - TE/DEF/ST

Jimmy Graham vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Jimmy Graham was all about touchdowns in 2017. He hauled in 10 scores but also posted just 520 receiving yards on 57 receptions. He only topped 60 receiving yards in a game twice all season and finished with a combined 47 yards across his last four games. A move to the Packers brought much of the same in Week 1 as he finished with two catches on four targets for eight yards.

Graham is one of the more talented tight ends that Aaron Rodgers has played with in his career, but Graham is heavily touchdown dependent at this stage of his career. I’d much rather roll with Reed, Kittle or Cook rather than the all-or-nothing risk that Graham provides.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $2,800

The Jaguars defense started off on the right foot, holding the Giants to 15 points in their season opener. Eli Manning was under pressure throughout the game and eventually threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. That was nothing new for a Jaguars team that had seven defensive touchdowns in 2017.

The Giants have a lot of weapons on offense, but Manning is in the twilight of his career. Tom Brady hasn’t lost a step and opened the season with 277 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Texans. The Patriots are thin at wide receiver with Julian Edelman suspended, but they still have enough talent to cause plenty of problems. It might be wise to avoid this matchup, especially at the Jaguars price on FanDuel.