Injuries equal opportunities. Always. This week we're seeking several WR backups stepping into starting roles. We can safely assume some of them will offer WR4 value, and one or two likely will crack the top 30. My first Pro Football Network article Friday highlighted two of them: Tennessee's Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Josh Reynolds: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/julio-jones-aj-brown-ruled-out-is-nick-westbrook-ikhine-or-josh-reynolds-a-flex-option-2021-nflwk-4/.
Don't get stuck starting a low-ceiling guy at flex. Take your shot. Go for the cheap score. Find a respectable-volume receiver in a decent offense against a vulnerable defense. The Titans should net 3+ TDs. Derrick Henry is expected to dominate. But he's not getting 50 carries. Or at least he better not, since he's on pace to crush the all-time single-season record for rushing attempts.
As for my DFS 50/50 Lineup of the Week, your doubts are deserved. I'm a sad 1-2 on the year. Last week Tyreek Hill and Sterling Shepard combined for less than 10 points, with Shepard getting knocked out early. That proved to be the difference. Bad luck, but no excuses. Last week I started eight high-ceiling players and Chase Edmonds. This week I'm scaling it back to six high-ceiling guys and three cheap, solid-floor players. As always, FanDuel pricing. For other DFS Apps, you could downgrade QB to any number of goood-floor quarterbacks like Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins. If you need more budget flexibility, the ultra-cheap Matt Ryan is a reasonable bet for top-16 numbers.
QB Jalen Hurts ($7,900) -- On the field, there are serious questions about his franchise-QB potential. In fantasy, he's done everything fantasy managers could have hoped for. Facing a very beatable Kansas City defense in a potentially high-scoring contest, I love Hurts in a game that could elevate his franchise reputation.
RB Derrick Henry ($10,200) -- Whenever things line up perfectly--like an elite RB facing an awful defense--it often feels like a trap game. But there's no good reason to talk ourselves out of starting him, despite his huge price tag.
RB Nyheim Hines ($5,300) -- The price is right. Jonathan Taylor is questionable and Hines is averaging just north of five targets per week.
WR Tyreek Hill ($8,200) -- Two bad games in a row for no apparent reason. Rebound effect, folks. Rebound effect.
WR D.J. Moore ($7,300) -- Couldn't decide between Moore and the comparably priced Calvin Ridley. Went with Moore on the assumption Sam Darnold has to throw deep into the fourth quarter.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. ($6,600) -- A nice price for a team's #1 receiver, especially given OBJ's mostly untapped upside.
TE Zach Ertz ($4,700) -- While I try to avoid chasing points (starting players coming off surprisingly good performances), Ertz is an affordable top-5 offensive option for a Philly team that should need plenty of TDs.
FLEX Olamide Zaccheaus ($4,800) -- 10 targets in two games and no Russell Gage today. Probably the most affordable starting WR today.
DST Bills ($5,000) -- While Houston's offense has been surprisingly decent, Buffalo's defense has huge-play potential against a rookie QB and a mostly anemic running game.
Good luck today. Also, I'm working today--as in, working the fantasy circuit for PFN. So I'll be around to give my two cents on any comment you toss out.
Don't get stuck starting a low-ceiling guy at flex. Take your shot. Go for the cheap score. Find a respectable-volume receiver in a decent offense against a vulnerable defense. The Titans should net 3+ TDs. Derrick Henry is expected to dominate. But he's not getting 50 carries. Or at least he better not, since he's on pace to crush the all-time single-season record for rushing attempts.
As for my DFS 50/50 Lineup of the Week, your doubts are deserved. I'm a sad 1-2 on the year. Last week Tyreek Hill and Sterling Shepard combined for less than 10 points, with Shepard getting knocked out early. That proved to be the difference. Bad luck, but no excuses. Last week I started eight high-ceiling players and Chase Edmonds. This week I'm scaling it back to six high-ceiling guys and three cheap, solid-floor players. As always, FanDuel pricing. For other DFS Apps, you could downgrade QB to any number of goood-floor quarterbacks like Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins. If you need more budget flexibility, the ultra-cheap Matt Ryan is a reasonable bet for top-16 numbers.
QB Jalen Hurts ($7,900) -- On the field, there are serious questions about his franchise-QB potential. In fantasy, he's done everything fantasy managers could have hoped for. Facing a very beatable Kansas City defense in a potentially high-scoring contest, I love Hurts in a game that could elevate his franchise reputation.
RB Derrick Henry ($10,200) -- Whenever things line up perfectly--like an elite RB facing an awful defense--it often feels like a trap game. But there's no good reason to talk ourselves out of starting him, despite his huge price tag.
RB Nyheim Hines ($5,300) -- The price is right. Jonathan Taylor is questionable and Hines is averaging just north of five targets per week.
WR Tyreek Hill ($8,200) -- Two bad games in a row for no apparent reason. Rebound effect, folks. Rebound effect.
WR D.J. Moore ($7,300) -- Couldn't decide between Moore and the comparably priced Calvin Ridley. Went with Moore on the assumption Sam Darnold has to throw deep into the fourth quarter.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. ($6,600) -- A nice price for a team's #1 receiver, especially given OBJ's mostly untapped upside.
TE Zach Ertz ($4,700) -- While I try to avoid chasing points (starting players coming off surprisingly good performances), Ertz is an affordable top-5 offensive option for a Philly team that should need plenty of TDs.
FLEX Olamide Zaccheaus ($4,800) -- 10 targets in two games and no Russell Gage today. Probably the most affordable starting WR today.
DST Bills ($5,000) -- While Houston's offense has been surprisingly decent, Buffalo's defense has huge-play potential against a rookie QB and a mostly anemic running game.
Good luck today. Also, I'm working today--as in, working the fantasy circuit for PFN. So I'll be around to give my two cents on any comment you toss out.