The NFL keeps rolling with the punches as multiple games have had to be rescheduled due to positive COVID-19 tests. Also, throw in regularly booked bye weeks for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers to further diminish player options for fantasy managers. Make sure you are closely tracking game and player status before Sunday, Monday and now Tuesday kickoffs.
As always, hit me up with any fantasy football questions on Twitter @AndyMc81 using #AskAndy. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Tim Patrick, WR, Broncos
Yahoo! League ownership: 19%
Draft Kings salary: $4,400
I don’t like chasing one-off performances in fantasy football. However, Tim Patrick’s last two outings have produced a touchdown in each contest, 10-total receptions, and a high teens fantasy point average. Combine that with all the injuries Denver is grinding through and it would be foolish to ignore Patrick.
Heading to New England Monday, the Patriots defence is no longer the scary juggernaut it once was. Star cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive for COVID-19, and as a whole, New England's offence has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to wide receivers. If you’re looking for a wide receiver that is readily available on waivers and a bargain DFS play that is on a hot streak, then Tim Patrick might be the man to slide into a lineup.
Evan Engram, TE, Giants
Yahoo! League ownership: 86%
Draft Kings salary: $4,600
Are the New York Giants playing terrible football right now? Yes! However, those paying attention can see the build-up to an Evan Engram breakout game coming.
The uber-talented, yet often injured, tight end had double-digit targets (10) for the first time in 2020 and hauled in six of them. There have also been multiple reports since training camp of the growing chemistry between him and quarterback Daniel Jones. Remember that both players are learning an entirely new offence on the fly under a new head coach.
New York’s NFC East rival the Dallas Cowboys can score a ton, and that’s paired with a civ like defence. The Browns posted 49-points on the Cowboys last week. The Giants don’t possess the weapons of Cleveland, but in the likelihood that they are forced into a shootout, there’s no doubt that Engram will be the main focus.
This is an opportunity for a smash spot in DFS contests to take advantage of lower ownership as well as a buy-low trade window in season long leagues.
Justin Jackson, RB, Chargers
Yahoo! League ownership: 38%
Draft Kings salary: $4,300
Hopefully, you grabbed Justin Jackson off the advice of my Tuesday waiver wire article when he was available in 94 per cent of most fantasy leagues. Even though that ownership has shot up to 38 per cent, Jackson is still flying under the radar compared to his backfield teammate Joshua Kelley.
Jackson shook off the rust from a multi-week quad injury this past Sunday and is the better pass-catcher of the two. If the Saints stout run defence stuffs Kelley then it could present an opportunity for the 2018 seventh-round draft choice to up his workload.
Looking forward, the Los Angeles Chargers schedule is certainly a friendly one for the offence as they battle the Jets, Dolphins, Jaguars and Raiders before their bye.
Cleveland Browns Defense
Yahoo! League ownership: 18%
Draft Kings salary: $2,700
Cleveland hosts a Colts team with the 21st ranked offence and a quarterback in Philip Rivers who hasn’t thrown more than one touchdown in a game this season. The Browns defence leads the NFL in turnovers and is ninth in sacks. I feel the Browns are a smart DST streamer for Week 5 because of their low ownership and cheap DFS price tag against a pretty bland Indianapolis attack.
Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
Yahoo! League ownership: 45%
Draft Kings salary: $5,900
There’s always the threat of rollercoaster performances from a rookie quarterback, but Justin Herbert has officially been named as the ongoing starter for the Chargers. Fantasy wise Herbert’s been a QB-10 since taking over in Week-2 and delivered his first career multi-touchdown effort (3) in the loss to Tampa Bay on Oct. 4.
Los Angeles takes on a New Orleans defence giving up the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs. Herbert’s scrambling creativity and impressive 72.0-completion percentage are positive signs that the Oregon Ducks alum can keep trending upward.
