Bennie Fowler WR | DEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Denver Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler caught five passes for 45 yards in Week 7. He took over as the #2 WR for Denver due to Emmanuel Sanders being injured but the offense as a whole struggled. This was not much of a fantasy effort for those who took the chance to start him. It will be hard to trust him which means he is mostly a factor for deeper leagues where the standards have to be lowered.
Demaryius Thomas WR | DEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was held to two catches for nine yards in the shutout loss versus San Diego. This was a situation where owners were optimistic that Thomas could have a big game. It did not come to pass and the Broncos were shutout in a 21-0 loss. Thomas is still one of the best WR in the NFL so he should be owned in the vast majority of leagues.
Devontae Booker RB | DEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker rushed twice for six yards with three catches for 22 yards in Week 7. We continue to wait for Booker to make a move to become fantasy relevant but he has yet to do it. Perhaps it will develop at some point but until then, he is hard to start.
Jamaal Charles RB | DEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Denver Broncos running back Jamaal Charles rushed four times for two yards while recording four catches for 20 yards. The production is disappointing but the part that might jump out to his owners is the eight touches after hearing this week that the plan had been to get Charles more involved. Charles continues to have appealing upside if he can take over the lead back role but until then it will probably be frustrating to try to trust him in fantasy.
Trevor Siemian QB | DEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian went 25/35 for 207 yards and an interception versus San Diego. Most of the completions were of the short variety with a heavy emphasis on running backs and the tight end A.J. Derby . In fantasy terms, this was a very poor effort that should have his owners concerned. Making the offense even less effective, the running game was mostly stuffed as well. The next two games are dangerous as there is a solid chance they will be behind and faced with strong defenses against Kansas City and Philadelphia.
Joe Flacco QB | BAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco went 27/39 for 186 yards with a single passing touchdown versus Minnesota. The lone passing touchdown came on the last play of the game while trailing by 15 points to partialy saved his owners from an even worse output. At this point, the Ravens receivers are banged up, their running game is inefficient at times and Flacco is also struggling. For Ravens fans, the lone offensive bright spot is Justin Tucker .
Alex Collins RB | BAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Baltimore Ravens running back Alex Collins rushed 10 times for 30 yards versus Minnesota in Week 7. The three yards per carry average is subpar and the complete lack of role catching passes really hurts his value. Collins has had most of the high average games this season so perhaps he is most deserving of a qualifier that the Vikings are a tough defense. It is becoming hard to keep recommending most of the Baltimore offensive players outside of Justin Tucker .
Javorius Allen RB | BAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Baltimore Ravens running back Javorius Allen rushed eight times for 20 yards in Week 7 versus Minnesota. He also caught a game-high eight passes for 29 yards. The 14 touches is a decent total but the combined 49 yards makes it a poor effort in standard scoring. Baltimore has struggled repeatedly this season to make consistent offensive progress. To be honest, the only Raven who was much of a fantasy asset this week was the placekicker Justin Tucker .
Benjamin Watson TE | BAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson produced five catches for 38 yards in Week 7. The receiving yardage was a team-high for the week. In a PPR format, this is a mediocre point total. In standard, it is pretty bad. Watson still has potential but the offense as a whole is not clicking and it is dragging down the fantasy value of most Ravens.
Ted Ginn WR | NO |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. had an atypical game in Week 7, but it was a good one for fantasy owners. Rather than being used as a deep threat, Ginn was kept busy with seven targets and secured all of them for a total of 141 yards. He had a long of 47 yards, but didn't find the end zone this week. Ginn once again took advantage of Willie Snead 's absence and could keep increasing his role in the offense if he can gain Drew Brees ' confidence.
Michael Thomas WR | NO |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas saw a team high in targets once again, pulling down seven of those 11 looks for 82 yards. Thomas was kept out of the end zone, but he still provided solid value for fantasy owners, especially in any league counting points per reception. Thomas is as safe a WR play as you can get in the Saints' high-volume pass offense.
Alvin Kamara RB | NO |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara secured five passes for 50 yards and 57 more yards on the ground in Week 7. It's the first time the rookie has gone over 100 total yards in a game in his brief NFL career. Kamara is still playing behind Mark Ingram in the offense, but will continue to maintain a comfortable floor in PPR leagues. He now has a tremendous 6.3 yards per carry average and could see a huge boost in value should Mark Ingram suffer injury, making him worth owning in nearly all formats.
Mark Ingram RB | NO |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram is suddenly revived since the Adrian Peterson trade. He came through with a second straight 100-yard rushing effort and another touchdown. All told, Ingram posted 105 rushing yards and five receiving yards on four catches. Even better, he's carried the ball 47 times in the last two contests. He has suddenly thrust himself into the top tier of running backs and should be started each week.
Drew Brees QB | NO |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees struggled early on, but rebounded nicely to post his second 300-yard game of the season in Week 7. Brees completed 27 of 38 passes for 331 yards against a banged-up Packers secondary. He threw two picks in the first half, but came back with a touchdown pass in the third quarter and a QB sneak for a one-yard TD in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Brees will have a much tougher task next week against a Bears team that kept Carolina out of the end zone completely this week. He is still a QB1 in all formats.
Ben Roethlisberger QB | PIT |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger turned in a steady performance in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Roethlisberger completed 14-of-24 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and most importantly, no interceptions. It was a decent performance against a tough Bengals secondary for the veteran quarterback, who has been struggling for most of the season. The Steelers have now limited his pass attempts for two straight weeks while leaning heavily on the run. It appears that Big Ben's days as a QB1 are over. He draws another tough matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 8.
Kenny Stills WR | MIA |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills played a big part in Miami's comeback victory against the Jets. Stills scored two touchdowns, both coming in the fourth quarter. He finished with 85 yards on six receptions, both season highs. It's an encouraging sign that he did his best work with Matt Moore at the helm, as he figures to be the starting QB for the foreseeable future with Jay Cutler believed to have suffered broken ribs. Stills also benefited from DeVante Parker 's absence, but is still a high-upside WR3 in standard leagues regardless.
Jarvis Landry WR | MIA |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry is becoming a touchdown machine. After scoring just four TD all last year, Landry has now scored in three straight. All told, he secured seven receptions for 93 yards in Week 7. Landry has caught at least five passes in every game this season. He will be adjusting a "new" quarterback in Matt Moore next week, although he has been catching passes from Moore far longer than Jay Cutler in his career. He's off to the best start of his career and should be an every-week start in PPR leagues.
Davante Adams WR | GB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Davante Adams caught two passes for 12 yards in Week 7 against New Orleans. The entire Green Bay passing game struggled with Brett Hundley under center as they threw for only 87 yards. Adams looked to be the receiver whose production would be most resistant to losing Aaron Rodgers , but if Hundley continues struggling to this degree his value will tank. The blame does not lie entirely with Hundley. Green Bay has some the least imaginative route combinations in the league. Green Bay has been able to excel regardless on account of the brilliance of Rodgers, but they will need to make an effort to actually scheme some receivers open instead of leaving them on an island. Green Bay has a bye in Week 8, so they will have an opportunity to try and make some fixes. At the time being, Adams' fantasy value is in serious danger.
Ty Montgomery RB | GB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Ty Montgomery ran for six yards on four carries in Week 7 against New Orleans. He added one catch for nine yards. Montgomery has lost his starting spot to rookie running back Aaron Jones . Jones took the lion's share of the touches over the course of the game and was more effective than Montgomery with the ball in his hands. Add in the overall moribund way the offense looked in the absence of Aaron Rodgers and it seems like there is no way that Montgomery has any business being in a starting lineup unless something changes. He is basically a handcuff to Jones at this point. Montgomery could be a useful weapon in the passing game as he would create a mismatch whenever he is covered by a linebacker, but there was no indication that Green Bay had any plans to try and feature him that way. Montgomery should still be rostered, but you should avoid starting him in anything but the most desperate circumstances.
Aaron Jones RB | GB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Aaron Jones ran for 131 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown in Week 7 against New Orleans. Jones surprisingly came out as the starter for Green Bay and out carried Ty Montgomery 17 carries to four over the course of the game. Jones was the only Green Bay Packer who was able to do anything productive on offense. He was explosive, has some big plays, and looked far more effective than Montgomery running the ball. It is clear that Jones is likely to be the feature back in Green Bay going forward. As their offense transitions to a more run heavy approach, Jones value should skyrocket. He has a bye next week, but going forward you should view Jones as a low-end RB1.
Jordy Nelson WR | GB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Jordy Nelson caught one pass for 13 yards in Week 7 against New Orleans. Green Bay's entire passing attack was abysmal as they only threw for 87 yards as a team. Nelson's value was going to take a hit without Rodgers, but to see it crater like this is a bit surprising. Green Bay did not do anything innovative to help Nelson get open and Hundley seemed incapable of getting him the ball. Green Bay's passing attack has been reliant on playmaking by Aaron Rodgers and it is currently unclear how they expect Brett Hundley to succeed in this offensive scheme. Until they figure something out, Nelson should be viewed with some caution. Green Bay has a bye week in Week 8, so there is some hope they may be able to figure something out, but if nothing changes Nelson could wind up being a flex play at best. Don't abandon all hope yet, but things look very grim for Nelson.
Brett Hundley QB | GB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Brett Hundley had a disappointing first start in Week 7 against New Orleans. He had 87 yards on 12-for-25 passing with no touchdowns and an interception. He added 44 yards rushing with a touchdown. Green Bay's play calling was very conservative as they called few passing plays over the course of the game. When they did pass, it was usually very short, which further limited the amount of production Hundley was able to have. This caution was disappointing. Hundley has been in their system for a while now and there was hope that Green Bay would give Hundley some chances. Making the situation tougher was that Green Bay didn't do much to help their receivers get open. Aaron Rodgers has been able to improvise and throw the receivers open, but he may be the only one in the NFL capable of accomplishing that. It would have helped Hundley if they called more crossing routes. Hundley did show some potential with his legs, but until Green Bay shows that they are willing to give the keys to Hundley and let him air it out a bit, Hundley will not be a viable fantasy option.
Corey Seager SS | LAD |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Corey Seager took batting practice Sunday in anticipation of his return to action in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday. Seager wasn't on the NLCS roster due to a back sprain, but will be re-instated for the World Series. He's returned to full baseball activities and will likely slot back into his regular hitting position of second in the lineup.
David Njoku TE | CLE |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku led his team in receiving during Week 7. The rookie tight end caught two passes for 58 yards as the Browns lost to the Tennessee Titans 12-9. Njoku also drew an end zone target, which was uncatchable, in the game. The rookie has shown elite athleticism this season but his team's poor quarterback play has severely limited his weekly upside. Njoku has emerged as one of Cleveland's preferred red zone targets this year but, unfortunately, the team hasn't been making very many trips to the red zone. He will look to score his fourth touchdown of the year in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Cameron Brate TE | TB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate saw his touchdown streak of four straight games come to an end this Sunday vs the Bills. Brate was overshadowed at the tight end position, by rookie O.J. Howard , who had a massive day. Brate ended the game with six receptions on nine targets for 60 yards and no touchdowns. Fantasy owners shouldn't panic, as Brate has shown himself to be one of the more trusted and more reliable targets for quarterback Jameis Winston . Brate will face two division opponents in the next two weeks.
Josh McCown QB | NYJ |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown had Gang Green off to a fantastic start in Sunday's matchup with the Miami Dolphins, throwing two early touchdowns. The good fortunes faded, however, and the Jets offense largely went stale throughout the second half. On the day, McCown completed 17 passes on 27 attempts for three touchdowns and one interception. Not a bad stat line -; but the interception came at the worst possible time. With less than a minute on the clock in a tied game, deep in Jets territory, McCown threw an absolutely terrible interception that automatically had the Dolphins within field goal range, hence the 31-28 loss. McCown has a difficult matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, but will be on the QB2 streaming radar regardless.
DeSean Jackson WR | TB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson had very modest numbers in the Bucs Week 7 loss to the Bills. Coming into this game, the expectations weren't that high for Jackson, since the Bills defense is among the best in the league, and there were health concerns with quarterback Jameis Winston . Jackson ended the day with five receptions on eight targets for 73 yards and no touchdowns. His usual big play potential was limited by the Bills secondary, but fantasy owners should continue to have faith in him as the season goes on. They face two divisional opponents in the next two weeks.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE | NYJ |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New York Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been a bright spot at an otherwise barren fantasy position, and his arrow continued trending upward in a 31-28 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 7. ASJ saw five targets in defeat, tied for a team-high with running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Robby Anderson , turning them into three catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. It was a quiet day for Seferian-Jenkins overall, not seeing as many looks as one would have thought against a defense allowing a ton of fantasy points to opposing tight ends, but he still found a way into the endzone as one of quarterback's Josh McCown 's favorite targets. ASJ has a more difficult Week 8 matchup in the Atlanta Falcons, but he's still a TE1 option regardless.
Mike Evans WR | TB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tampa Bay Buccaneers top wide receiver Mike Evans had a successful day, despite facing a tough defense on the road. He ended the day with seven receptions on 10 targets for 88 yards and one touchdown. Fantasy owners should be happy with the numbers he put up today, considering the Bills have one of the best pass defenses in the league. Evans is a PPR machine, so seeing the 10 targets a game is a very encouraging sign, considering there were health concerns with Jameis Winston coming into this game. He faces two divisional opponents in the next two weeks.
Matt Forte RB | NYJ |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Heading into Week 7, the fantasy community was wondering how the New York Jets would split their backfield touches with running back Bilal Powell returning from injury, joining fellow running back Matt Forte at full health. From what we saw on Sunday, the workload will be near even -; and that's not great news for Forte. In a 31-28 loss, he turned seven carries into 41 yards while catching five passes (on five targets) for another 41 yards. Forte out-touched Powell 12-11 on Sunday, but was outgained 83-82 in total yardage. Rookie running back Elijah McGuire was an afterthought, only seeing three carries. Moving forward, it will be difficult to trust either Forte or Powell as anything more than decent FLEX options.
Bilal Powell RB | NYJ |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New York Jets running back Bilal Powell missed Week 6 with a calf strain, but returned with a solid day in Week 7's loss to the Miami Dolphins. Powell carried the rock nine times for 43 yards, adding another two catches for 40 yards with a long of 31. On the day overall, Powell was out-touched 12-11 by Forte, but did finished with one more yard. If we're going to be seeing the nearly split workload we saw today in the Jets backfield, expectations should remain tempered going forward. Both Forte and Powell would be nice players to count on if either saw the majority of the work. But as of now it would seem we're going to be seeing about as close to a split load as possible.
Jermaine Kearse WR | NYJ |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New York Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse has had an up-and-down season thus far, often alternating fantastic games with fantasy duds. Week 7's 31-28 loss to the Miami Dolphins wasn't his best day, but he did score a touchdown. In fact, that touchdown was his only catch of the day -; an early first quarter strike from Josh McCown for 29 yards. The score was Kearse's fourth of the season. After serving as a nice surprise source of production early this season, Kearse has tailed off -; especially since the return of tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins . Kearse is clearly the third option in the Jets passing game, behind Seferian-Jenkins and wide receiver Robby Anderson (he might even be fourth, with the combination of running backs Matt Forte and Bilal Powell ahead of him as well). He simply can't be trusted as a week-to-week source of production, but he does make for a nice cheap option in best-ball scoring formats.
Robby Anderson WR | NYJ |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New York Jets second-year wide receiver Robby Anderson hasn't had the most consistent season thus far, but over the last two weeks things have been looking good for him. In a Week 6 loss to the New England Patriots, Anderson saw a whopping team-high 12 targets (turning them into four catches for 76 yards). In Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, Anderson only saw five targets -; but it tied for the team lead with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and running back Matt Forte . He turned those targets into three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown, though, his second trip to pay dirt this season. With a difficult matchup in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons, Anderson is, at best, a desperate FLEX option.
Doug Martin RB | TB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tampa Bay Buccaneers top running back Doug Martin had little to no impact in Sunday's loss to Buffalo. Coming into this game, it was bound to be a tough matchup, as the Bills have one of the betters defenses in the league. Martin finished with 49 rushing yards on 20 carries and no touchdowns. Martin came into this game with a touchdown in two consecutive weeks, and was not able to continue the streak. Martin faces two division opponents in the next two weeks, which always prove to be difficult.
Kyle Rudolph TE | MIN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Kyle Rudolph caught five passes for 43 yards as the Vikings cruised to a 24-9 win over the Ravens. Rudolph was targeted seven times, second on the team, in the game and continues to be someone quarterback Case Keenum can lean on. But the Vikings prefer to deploy a conservative offensive game plan around the running game that makes Rudolph culpable of some poor fantasy stat lines. He still is one of the most talented receivers at his position and is a threat to catch a touchdown every week.
Jarius Wright WR | MIN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Jarius Wright caught three passes for 54 yards as the Vikings beat the Ravens 24-9. Wright made the biggest splash in the passing game, catching a 30-yard pass in an otherwise run-dominant offensive performance. Wright is seeing opportunities due to the injury to receiver Stefon Diggs and made the most of it this week. Diggs is close to returning so Wright should not be considered a streamable option at this time.
Ed Dickson TE | CAR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Ed Dickson caught only three passes for 18 yards as the Panthers offense stalled in losing to the Bears 17-3. Dickson enjoyed some strong fantasy stat lines for a few weeks but has come crashing back to earth. Dickson was targeted five times in the game and some of the attempts were for some possible big gains. But the Bears defenders deflected a couple of those passes and Dickson is stuck with a poor fantasy stat line. Dickson has sleeper appeal but can't be trusted on a week-to-week basis.
Duke Johnson RB | CLE |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson turned in another solid game on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Johnson rushed seven times for 26 yards and added six catches for 45 yards through the air. It was yet another week where Johnson was the Browns' top offensive player. He has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a dismal first seven games for the Browns. Johnson leads the Browns with 32 receptions and 314 receiving yards. As good as Johnson is, the fact he is the team's leading receiver is a pretty big indictment against the Browns' receiving corps this year. Johnson will take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 8.
Zach Miller TE | CHI |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Zach Miller hauled in only two passes for 29 yards as the Bears defense dominated the Panthers to win 17-3. Miller had scored the past two weeks and appeared to be rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky 's preferred target but Trubisky attempted only seven passes in the game. At least there is solace that half of Trubisky's completions were to Miller but the passing game doesn't scare anyone. In fact, it's non-existent. It's hard to trust Miller on a team that prioritizes the running game and playing defense as recipes for victory.
Curtis Samuel WR | CAR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Curtis Samuel caught one pass for 20 yards as the Panthers fell to the Bears 17-3. Samuel would like to have back his fumble on a pitch toss from quarterback Cam Newton that resulted in a 76-yard recovery for a touchdown by Bears' safety Eddie Jackson in the first half. Samuel has the potential but a preseason hamstring injury and the tendency to commit rookie mistakes keeps him on the outside looking in on the Panthers offense. Samuel is not a fantasy option at this time.
Jameis Winston QB | TB |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston had a successful fantasy day, despite losing to the Bills. Coming into this week, there was uncertainty surrounding the health of Winston, after he suffered a shoulder injury in last week's game vs Arizona. The injury seemed to have no impact on him today, as he threw for 384 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Winston also completed 72% of his passes, and his fantasy owners should be encouraged moving forward. The team on the field may not be winning games, but he is putting up solid fantasy numbers.
Keelan Cole WR | JAX |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Keelan Cole caught two passes, including a 52-yard bomb from quarterback Blake Bortles as the Jaguars coasted to a 27-0 win over the Colts. Cole was targeted three times and joined in the fun as Bortles passed for 330 yards. Cole performed well in the preseason but has not been able to earn significant playing time this season. Cole is another weapon the Jaguars can deploy when they decide to open up the passing game. Cole, however, is not fantasy viable right now.
Eric Decker WR | TEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
After posting seven catches for 88 yards in Week 6, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker was held to zero receptions on only two targets. The offense struggled mightily in this favorable matchup, scoring only four field goals in the game. It is now clear that Decker is likely not going to be consistent enough on a weekly basis to be counted on for fantasy owners going forward.
Marqise Lee WR | JAX |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Marqise Lee caught four passes for 72 yards, including a big-time 45-yard catch in the Jaguars 27-0 blowout win. Everything in the Jaguars offense was clicking against the Colts and Lee made the most of his six targets. The future fantasy value of Lee is tied completely to quarterback Blake Bortles and the Jaguars coaching staff's willingness to challenge the opposing defense down the field. There's no question Lee possesses the most talent among the team's wide receivers but could continue to disappoint in the land of fantasy in the near future.
Marcedes Lewis TE | JAX |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Marcedes Lewis caught two passes for 29 yards, including a touchdown in the corner of the end zone as the Jaguars beat the Colts 27-0. Lewis used his size to make an excellent jump-ball catch on a fade pass and also added a 24-yard reception. Lewis is as boom-or-bust as it gets, a touchdown-dependent tight end fantasy option. He lacks the targets to trust moving forward but a strong performance from quarterback Blake Bortles could help Lewis' value in the coming weeks.
Rishard Matthews WR | TEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Despite the favorable matchup, Rishard Matthews was held to only three receptions for 40 yards as the Tennessee Titans were unable to find the end zone in their 12-9 win over the Cleveland Browns. Quarterback Marcus Mariota was obviously still limited by his hamstring injury, and it was very evident in the overall execution of the offense. Tennessee gets a bye in Week 8 to rest up the injured players, but Matthews owners should keep an eye out for the possible return of wide receiver Corey Davis in Week 9.
Chris Ivory RB | JAX |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Chris Ivory racked up 47 rushing yards and one touchdown as the Jaguars blanked the Colts 27-0. Ivory was in line for a heavier workload due to the ankle injury to Leonard Fournette but was usurped by a breakout performance from T.J. Yeldon . Ivory led the team with 17 carries and was on the field in the red zone but was overshadowed by 122 yards on only nine carries from Yeldon. Ivory is no longer an every-down back and look for him to continue to be deployed as a bruising backup whether Fournette is healthy or not.
Delanie Walker TE | TEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker left in overtime of the 12-9 victory against the Cleveland Browns with an apparent lower leg injury after recording a team-high seven catches for 63 yards. Walker was seen after the game on crutches and has an ankle sprain according to team sources. It was shaping up as a decent bounce back game for Walker before his injury. The timetable for his return is unknown for now, but he will at least have the upcoming bye week as extra time to heal.
Marcus Mariota QB | TEN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and the offense struggled mightily in what was expected to be an easy matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Mariota threw for 203 yards and no touchdowns in the 12-9 victory, but his stats were negatively affected by a few dropped passes. Although he looked more mobile than he did in Week 6, Mariota was clearly still limited by his hamstring injury. The bye week is coming at a good time for Mariota and the Titans offense to get healthy and fix the issues that have been ailing them lately.
Jay Ajayi RB | MIA |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi was bottled up by the Jets for a second time this season. He ran for 51 yards on 23 carries, with no scores and a long of 11 yards. Unbelievably, Ajayi has failed to score a single touchdown in six games this season. He'll face a fairly tough run defense in Baltimore this Thursday, but his upside no longer seems to be that of an RB1. With no huge games or TDs on his resume this year, it's time to lower expectations for last year's breakout player of the year.
Larry Fitzgerald WR | ARI |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was held to three catches for 29 yards in today's game. The chain mover was largely ineffective; however, what is more troublesome is quarterback Carson Palmer 's injury. Fitzgerald will now be catching passes from Drew Stanton , which makes him a volume-dependent WR3 for the rest of the season.
Matt Moore QB | MIA |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore stepped in for an injured Jay Cutler and didn't take long to create a QB controversy. While Jay Cutler was having an efficient game, Moore led the Dolphins from a deficit to a late 31-28 victory. He threw for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in just over two quarters of play. Most importantly, he led the team to a pair of fourth quarter scores and helped them defeat their arch rivals in a must-win game at home. Moore will get the start on Thursday against the Ravens and could be worth consideration in tournaments or two-QB leagues, especially if DeVante Parker returns.
Adrian Peterson RB | ARI |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson had 11 carries for 21 yards in the Cardinals loss this weekend. Peterson was removed from the game script after the team went down early. This may become a trend as the Cardinals have yet to fully dominate against similar opposition. Consider Peterson a borderline RB2/3 moving forward.
Jay Cutler QB | MIA |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Updating an earlier report, Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler left in the second quarter of Sunday's game and didn't return. It's now suspected that he may have suffered cracked ribs. He will undergo X-rays to determine whether that is the case. Regardless, it appears he will not be ready to play in Week 8, as the team plays on Thursday night against the Ravens. It comes at a bad time, as Cutler was en route to his best game of the season, completing 12 of 16 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. Matt Moore will take over as the starter.
Allen Hurns WR | JAX |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Allen Hurns led the Jaguars with five receptions for 101 yards as the Jaguars got the passing game going as they stomped over the Colts 27-0. Hurns caught a 50-yard pass and saw a team-high eight targets. Someone needs to emerge as the go-to receiver in the offense and the door is wide open for either Hurns or Marqise Lee . Hurns' promising performance needs to be monitored on a week-to-week basis in fantasy the next few games.
Blake Bortles QB | JAX |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Blake Bortles completed 18-of-26 passes for 330 yards and one touchdown as the Jaguars dominated the Colts 27-0. Bortles revved up the passing game and the Jaguars defense again proved that is one of the most fearsome in the NFL. Bortles was accurate all over the field, hitting receiver Allen Hurns for a 50-yard pass, Marqise Lee for a 45-yarder and Keenan Cole for a 52-yard gain. The Jaguars are becoming a threat and more performances like this from Bortles would make them downright scary.
Adam Thielen WR | MIN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Adam Thielen caught five passes for 41 yards as the Vikings leaned on the running game en route to a 24-9 win over the Ravens. Thielen was targeted 12 times in the game so he still is the focal point of the passing game but the Vikings put up 169 rushing yards. When the Vikings defense is rolling and they can avoid forcing quarterback Case Keenum to carry the offense they find success. Thielen still has value in PPR-leagues but is still searching for his first touchdown catch of the season.
Latavius Murray RB | MIN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Latavius Murray saw 18 carries and put up 113 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown as the Vikings romped over the Ravens 24-9. Murray surprised the fantasy world with an out of nowhere re-emergence and ran hard the entire game. Jerick McKinnon also saw 14 carries in the game but Murray averaged 6.3 yards per carry. It is unclear what this does to the Vikings backfield moving forward but a time-share is certainly a possibility after this strong outing.
Case Keenum QB | MIN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Case Keenum completed 20-of-31 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown as the Vikings beat the Ravens 24-16. The Vikings gained 169 yards on the ground and the defense stifled Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense from the jump. Keenum is a bye-week play to begin with but posting zero touchdowns certainly didn't help his fantasy day. Keenum will remain on the waiver wire moving forward.
Devin Funchess WR | CAR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Devin Funchess caught four passes for 41 yards in the Panthers loss to the Bears. Funchess was targeted eight times in the game but had some passes broken up by Bears defenders. Chicago's defense dominated most of the game and turnovers doomed the Panthers throughout. Funchess is still a huge factor in the Panthers offense moving forward but that won't soothe fantasy owners after posting this mediocre stat line.
Zay Jones WR | BUF |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Despite being the Bills' most targeted player, Zay Jones ' struggles continued in his Week 7 matchup against the Buccaneers. He converted his nine targets into just two catches and 17 yards, piling on to his already incredibly inefficient season as he has just seven catches on 32 targets. He is the most consistently targeted Bills receiver yet has no fantasy value because he is unable to make any use of his targets. Given that, he is not usable in any season long format. Though it is still early in his career, his terrible start to his career is concerning for those relying on him in dynasty or keeper leagues as well. It's not time to give up on him in keeper formats yet, but owners will want to see him put together a few positive performances together before his rookie campaign comes to an end.
Kelvin Benjamin WR | CAR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Kelvin Benjamin caught three passes for 65 yards as the Panthers offense collapsed on the road to the Bears in a 17-3 loss. Benjamin was questionable the whole week as he deals with a swollen knee and was a game time decision heading into the game. But Benjamin made some nice grabs, including a 37-yarder down the middle of the field. The Panthers passing game had a decent afternoon but couldn't find the end zone. Getting Benjamin back to 100% will be one of their top priorities moving forward.
Christian McCaffrey RB | CAR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Christian McCaffrey totaled only 46 yards from scrimmage in the Panthers loss to the Bears. McCaffrey was targeted nine times and caught seven of them but again was rendered useless in the running game. He mustered only 10 yards on seven carries and teams are beginning to circle the rookie immediately off the line of scrimmage. McCaffrey has found the end zone the past few weeks and continues to see targets but all of the preseason hype is beginning to seem undeserved. McCaffrey's role can be compared to that of a Danny Woodhead -type at this point and best value is utilized in PPR-leagues.
Jonathan Stewart RB | CAR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
One week after a disastrous fantasy performance, Jonathan Stewart managed only 48 rushing yards in the Panthers 17-3 loss. Stewart saw 14 carries in the game but the Bears defense stuffed the run the entire game. The Panthers also committed three turnovers in the game forcing the Panthers to throw most of the second half. Stewart is still involved in the offense but rarely see touches in the red zone and is an RB3/4 moving forward.
Cam Newton QB | CAR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Cam Newton completed 21-of-34 passes for 211 yards and two interceptions as the Panthers lost to the Bears 17-3. Turnovers was the story in this matchup, as Newton had a tipped pass returned for a touchdown and threw another interception on the final drive of the game. At times Newton was able to find receivers for some nice gains but a lack of running game and a costly fumble on a pitch pass by Curtis Samuel doomed the Panthers. Newton officially has a turnover problem and protecting the football moving forward will be the key to the Panthers playoff hopes.
Jordan Howard RB | CHI |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Jordan Howard rushed the ball 21 times for 65 yards in the Bears 17-3 win. The Bears defense dominated Cam Newton and the Panthers and Chicago simply needed to avoid turnovers in the game. Howard had some nice, grind-it-out runs late to earn some first downs but the offense couldn't get anything going. Howard is by far the best offensive weapon the Bears have and will have RB1 status next week against the Saints.
Tyrod Taylor QB | BUF |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor took advantage of the maligned Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary, completing 20 of 33 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown in their Week 7 matchup. He also chipped in 53 yards on the ground, a positive development for him after combining to run for only 28 yards over his past three games. Taylor's ability to take advantage of home games also continued, as he has averaged 235 passing yards and 1.66 touchdowns per game when at New Era Field this season. Away from home, Taylor has averaged just 158 yards and .66 touchdowns. That said, Taylor remains a player to use in positive matchups at home and one to leave on the bench for road matchups.
Tarik Cohen RB | CHI |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Tarik Cohen caught one pass for 70 yards as the Bears won at home against the Panthers 17-3. Cohen made a nice catch and run on a bomb from rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky that set up a field goal. It was, by far, the biggest offensive play for the Bears on a day when the defense dominated. Cohen only saw three targets in the game but came up big on a day when Trubisky only attempted seven passes. Cohen will continue to be a boom-or-bust fantasy option heading towards Week 8.
Isaiah Crowell RB | CLE |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell posted another slow rushing day, picking up just 35 yards on 17 carries. He salvaged his fantasy day by catching four passes for 36 yards but it was still another disappointing game for the fourth-year running back. Crowell's 17 carries actually tied a season-high for him but it didn't matter as the Tennessee Titans bottled him up every time he touched the ball. Crowell's longest rush went for just seven yards. He will be hard to trust even as a flex option in Week 8 against a stout Minnesota Vikings defense.
Mitch Trubisky QB | CHI |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Mitch Trubisky completed only 4-of-7 passes for 107 yards as the Bears defense dominated the Panthers en route to 17-3 victory. The Bears scored two defensive touchdowns as the offense couldn't get anything going the entire game. Trubisky did complete an excellent deep-ball pass to running back Tarik Cohen for a 70-yard gain to set up a field goal. Trubisky has talent but the Bears are limiting his responsibilities in the passing game. Trubisky will not be on the fantasy radar heading into next week's matchup with the Saints.
LeSean McCoy RB | BUF |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy carried the ball 23 times, gaining 91 yards and finding the end zone twice. He also tacked on five receptions for 31 yards. McCoy's two trips to the end zone were his first of the season and his big performance was a relief for fantasy owners given his underwhelming start to the season. He will continue to have an excellent floor thanks to the volume he receives as he has gotten at least 20 touches in all but one game this season. In Week 7, McCoy showed off his fantasy ceiling for the first time in the 2017 season, combining efficiency and volume to produce an elite fantasy performance. He remains an RB1 in all formats, and is an elite play when the Bills are at home, where he and the entire Bills offense has performed much better this season.
Deshone Kizer QB | CLE |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
For the second time in three games, the Cleveland Browns benched rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer during the game. Kizer got off to a hot start but tailed off as the game went on. Kizer threw back-to-back interceptions at the end of the second quarter and beginning of the third, one of which came in the red zone. As has been the case when he struggles, Kizer had severe issues with his accuracy. Kizer finished the day completing 12-of-20 passes for 114 yards and two picks. It is unclear whether who will be under center when the Browns take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 8.
Dennis Smith Jr. PG | DAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. continues to deal with a left knee effusion and is questionable for Monday's game against the Warriors. He's missed the last two games with swelling in his knee, but the Mavs have downplayed the issue. In the season opener DSJ dropped 16 points with 10 assists in 30 minutes. J.J. Barea has filled in nicely for Smith Jr. when he scored 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and three triples against Houston on Saturday. The Mavs should have an update on DSJ early Monday, but if he's not able to go then Barea is a solid replacement option.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG | LAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to start guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on Sunday, and he will be making his season debut. He served a two-game suspension, but should be starting the rest of the way out. If Caldwell-Pope does start tonight against the Pelicans, that means Corey Brewer will head back to the bench. Also means that Jordan Clarkson and Lonzo Ball could see a decrease in minutes as well. Feel free to let KCP start from here on out until further notice.
Jacoby Brissett QB | IND |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 200 passing yards and added 31 yards on the ground in a 27-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brissett had very few open throwing lanes thanks to the spectacular Jaguar secondary, but he still managed to not turn the ball over in a game that was out of hand by half-time. He will look to rebound next week against another stout defense in the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jack Doyle TE | IND |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle led the team in receptions and receiving yards in a 27-0 loss to the Jacksonville jaguars on Sunday, catching six passes for 44 yards. Doyle is proving to be more than a streaming option now that quarterback Jacoby Brissett seems to rely on him more and more in the short to mid-passing game. With Andrew Luck unlikely to return anytime soon, it would be wise for fantasy owners hurting at the tight end position to pick up Doyle for the future.
Carson Palmer QB | ARI |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said quarterback Carson Palmer will have surgery to fix his broken arm and will likely miss eight weeks. It's a tough break for the veteran quarterback. It doesn't mean his season is completely over, but he probably wouldn't be able to return until around Week 15, at best. That means you can safely drop him in fantasy leagues. Drew Stanton replaced Palmer in Week 7 against the Rams and didn't do anything. He'll be a bottom-barrel QB2 moving forward, and all of Arizona's pass catchers, including Larry Fitzgerald .
Michael Carter-Williams PG | CHA |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
The Hornets have announced that guard Michael Carter-Williams will remain on the sidelines for Monday's game against the Bucks. His knees are not ready to go yet and the team does not have an official timetable for his return. The fact he's not able to take contact yet at practice means he's likely doubtful for Wednesday's game as well. Malik Monk and Julyan Stone will backup guard Kemba Walker in the absence of Michael Carter-Williams .
K.J. McDaniels SG | TOR |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
The Toronto Raptors have decided to release small forward K.J. McDaniels after two games. The 24-year-old didn't have a realistic shot at making the Raptors roster unless injuries occurred. His deal was only partially guaranteed, and Toronto has plenty of depth at the wings this season. McDaniels could field some interest from NBA teams, but will likely need to head to the G-League in order to increase his value. He played 49 games last season, averaging 1.6 points per game between Houston and Brooklyn.
Sterling Shepard WR | NYG |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (ankle) is inactive for the second straight week for the contest against the Seahawks in Week 7. Defensive end Olivier Vernon (ankle) has also been ruled out. The Giants desperately need Shepard back, but he'll miss at least one more game. That means tight end Evan Engram will continue to operate as the top pass-catching option for Eli Manning , and he's a strong TE1 play for volume alone, even in a tough matchup. You can't trust Manning or any of his receivers in fantasy, though.
Cooper Rush QB | DAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Dallas Cowboys undrafted rookie quarterback Cooper Rush has been promoted up the depth chart to be Dak Prescott 's backup. Rush was inactive for the first five games of the season as Kellen Moore served as the number two quarterback, but Moore is inactive and Rush is backing up Prescott for today's game. Rush was impressive in the preseason and made the team based on that performance. He's clearly continued to impress in practice, as the Cowboys are trusting him to be next in line if something were to happen to Prescott.
Ezekiel Elliott RB | DAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 30 in front of a New York judge. Elliott will find out if he will be granted another preliminary injunction. For what it's worth, the NFL reportedly had no interest in discussing a settlement with Elliott's lawyers because the league is confident that Elliott's suspension will be upheld. We will know more in the coming days, as usual, but this never-ending story doesn't seem like it's ready to end any time soon.
Mike Wallace WR | BAL |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace suffered a concussion in the first quarter during the matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. He will not return. With Wallace in concussion protocol and already down wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) heading into Sunday's game, quarterback Joe Flacco will likely rely heavily on running back Javorius Allen and tight end Benjamin Watson .
Dallas Keuchel P | HOU |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch announced that starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel will pitch in Game 1 of the World Series and oppose Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw . The 'Stros will follow with Justin Verlander in Game 2 in LA. Keuchel had a great year (14-5, 2.90 ERA, MLB best 68 percent ground-ball rate), and he sports an impressive 2.59 postseason ERA in five career starts. The Dodgers have been vulnerable to lefties this year, so Keuchel may have an advantage, but it certainly won't be an easy task on the road.
Keenan Allen WR | LAC |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (shoulder), who was questionable for Week 7 against the Broncos, will play, according to a source. Allen suffered a shoulder injury in practice this week, but it's not serious enough to keep him out. Despite only having one touchdown -- in Week 1 against these same Broncos -- Allen has double-digit targets in four of six games and has topped 100 yards twice. He should be locked in as a WR2 now that he'll be playing.
Jordan Matthews WR | BUF |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews (thumb) will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. Matthews injured the thumb during the matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and subsequently sat out against the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago. Though he was slated to be out for at least four weeks, the team was delighted to find out that he would be available to play. With a special glove for added protection, Matthews will look to add on to what has been an underwhelming season for the wideout.
Melvin Gordon RB | LAC |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (shoulder), who was questionable for Week 7 against Denver, will play, according to a source. The Chargers offense runs through Gordon both on the ground and through the air, and he's strong RB1 choice despite the fact that the Broncos run defense has been the best so far in 2017.
Michael Floyd WR | MIN |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd (hamstring) is inactive against the Ravens in Week 7. Floyd hasn't done anything for Minnesota since returning from his injury, and now he's injured. He's not on the fantasy radar. With him out, Laquon Treadwell should see more work in the passing game with Stefon Diggs (groin) out, too. However, Treadwell isn't a viable fantasy starter this weekend.
Andrew Luck QB | IND |
RotoBaller News and Updates
10/23/17 12:26am
In discussing whether Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder) still has a chance to play in 2017, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that injured reserve is not in the team's plans. "If healthy, he will play this season", Rapoport tweeted. It would be interesting to know which source within the Colts organization made this statement given their track record of misleading information. Luck owners might want to hold onto this news as a glimmer of hope in what has been a dark and tumultuous ride, but it would be a good idea to consider alternative options if your team doesn't have an injured reserve spot to house him. The fantasy playoffs are fast approaching and depth at skill positions for the upcoming bye weeks should be valued more than one or two late-season starts from Luck.
The force is strong with this one: Chris Paul. Check out daily fantasy expert Ricky Sanders’ recommended plays to help you fill out your roster for today’s NBA contests.
Guards:
Stephen Curry, Warriors, $19,200 – There’s no denying Chris Paul is an excellent perimeter defender and has a tendency to drive opposing point guards (PGs) crazy. However, Stephen Curry is not your average, everyday PG and he has enjoyed an abnormal amount of success in his past two meetings with Paul (like he has against virtually everyone). In their only meeting prior this season, Curry dropped 66.75 fantasy points largely due to his 40 real points (PTS) on 11/22 shooting (50-percent). The man is averaging nearly 30 points per game (PPG) and slightly over 52 fantasy points per game (FPPG) this season. On a four game slate with only one game with an over/under greater than 205 points, using the best player from the matchup feels like an absolute must in cash games. The Heat are going to be without Chris Bosh again at the very least and possibly even Dwyane Wade once again so their team will provide plenty of value making it easy to fit multiple studs into a single lineup. With that being the case, it’s a stars and scrubs kind of slate and Curry is the cream of the crop amongst the top-priced options.
Chris Paul, Clippers, $16,700 – In a game with a total so high on a slate that it’s an outlier, you virtually have to use multiple players from the game by default…especially in cash games. Sure one of the other three games could go to triple overtime (OT) and prove to be the game of the night but the probability of such an outcome is low. Just in case a situation like that were to occur, taking advantage of the outside chance is worthy of exploiting in tournaments but no such risks are necessary in cash game formats. With all that being said, the Clippers offense flows through Chris Paul kind of like how the Trail Blazers’ flows through Damian Lillard. Now they are different types of players but I just thought it was noteworthy because Lillard dropped 78 fantasy points against the Warriors last night. Paul has squared off against the Warriors six times over the past two seasons and has scored at least 39.75 fantasy points in each meetings. If that isn’t consistency then I don’t know what is. Throw “CP3” into your lineup and sleep like a damn baby.
Goran Dragic, Heat, $10,400 – Of the Heat that sat out on Friday, at least Hassan Whiteside will return on Saturday as he was only serving a one game suspension. Dwyane Wade can comfortably be listed as questionable although it’s entirely possible he just sat Friday because Whiteside was out and Coach Erik Spoelstra was just waving the white flag. Regardless, Goran Dragic grinded his way to 46.25 fantasy points against the Hawks on Friday on the heels of 17 PTS and 10 assists (AST). Even if Wade were to suit up, Dragic would still enjoy an uptick in usage rate (usg%) from his norm due to the absence of Chris Bosh. Typically after a player goes nuts his price increases but his priced dropped $100 despite the double-double. Assuming Wade sits, Dragic is the top priority among all players on the slate to roster. Even if Wade suits up, Dragic is certainly still in play and worthy of consideration in all formats (especially because of the price).
Forwards/Centers:
Paul Millsap, Hawks, $13,800 – As to not totally disregard the Bucks/Hawks game, paying for Paul Millsap essentially comes with a 30 fantasy point floor. He is one of the most consistent producers in the game and this price is unusually low for him. If he were to simply produce his season total, he would reach 2.86x value which would put your team on pace for 286 fantasy points. In Millsap’s lone matchup against the Bucks this season, he dropped 57.5 fantasy points due to a 23 and 10 double-double with six AST, two steals (STL) and four blocks (BLK). Millsap can fill a box score as well as any big man besides maybe Anthony Davis or DeMarcus Cousins which shows what kind of elite company he is in. Milwaukee allows the seventh most fantasy points to the power forward (PF) position so there is absolutely no reason why he cannot out-produce his season average. He’s priced reasonably enough where he can be used as the third highest priced player in your lineup and there’s still no need for a full-on punt.
Marcin Gortat, $11,700 – Even though Hassan Whiteside will return for the Heat on Saturday, he’s sort of an overrated defender. Sure he leads the league in blocks per game (BPG) by far but he’s awful at covering the pick and roll and/or stepping out on shooters. Marcin Gortat is a threat to do both which should be a kryptonite of sorts for Whiteside’s weaknesses. Therefore, it’s no surprise Gortat has surpassed 31.5 fantasy points in each of his previous three meetings against Whiteside including two games of 38.5 or more. The presence of Markieff Morris is likely to cut into Gortat’s production over time but it’s not something to worry about just yet. Only Draymond Green and Whiteside may be safer bets for double-doubles but both cost significantly more and they all will probably accomplish the feat. Take the discount with Gortat and enjoy your 30-plus fantasy points.
Luol Deng, Heat, $9,300 – Wow did Luol Deng absolutely explode on Friday evening. If you thought Dragic’s fantasy point output was impressive, Deng scored 53.25 fantasy points which equated to the eighth highest score on the entire slate. Deng was certainly aided by the absence of the Heat’s best players but it’s clear he enjoys a giant boost in both production and minutes (played 38) when the team is not at full strength. Last season the absence of Bosh alone caused Deng’s minutes to rise by exactly three per game and the same should be expected moving forward this year. The minutes boost led to an increase from 24.8 FPPG to 26.5. While Deng almost certainly does not have another 50-plus fantasy point explosion in him, he possesses the necessary upside for all formats. I like him better as a cash play having exerted so much energy on Friday night but it’s possible he rides the hot streak for a second straight game as well.
*Stats are accurate as of Friday, Feb. 19
