RADIO
All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard.
Welcome back to our weekly Must Avoids and Injuries series for our NFL DFS Premium Subscribers. Below, you'll find our expert's top players to avoid (at their price-point) in DFS this week. We'll be adding the injured players to be wary of closer to game day.
We're looking at the matchups and injury situations (among other factors) to make sure you're thoroughly informed before you start building your lineups for FanDuel and DraftKings.
Featured Promo: Want a free RotoBaller Premium Pass? Check out these sports betting promo offers from the top sportsbooks! All new sign-ups get a free bonus offer on their first deposit, and a free year of RotoBaller's Premium Pass for all sports ($450 value)! Sign Up Now!
Week 6 Recap
The somewhat-shaky results from the last few weeks had me questioning my process a bit, but I stuck to it and it paid off in a big way in Week 6. Teddy Two Gloves came crashing back down to earth, Ingram II tallied just 20 rushing yards before departing due to injury, MVS had a terrible output, and Jimmy Graham had a very nondescript day (3-for-3 on "Avoid Jimmy Graham" weeks). The only miss came on the Bonus QB Avoid in Philip Rivers, who went bonkers in the comeback effort after the Colts trailed 21-0 early on in the contest.
- Teddy Bridgewater (216 passing yards, two interceptions, 48 rushing yards) Hit
- Philip Rivers (371 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, one interception) Miss
- Mark Ingram II (five carries, 20 rushing yards) Hit
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (three catches, 32 receiving yards) Hit
- Jimmy Graham (five catches, 34 receiving yards) Hit
Week 6: 4-1
Season: 17-13
Must Avoids - Week 7
Drew Brees ($7,700 FD, $6,100 DK) vs. Carolina Panthers
Brees is not the same quarterback that we've come to know over the last two decades, simply put. He ranks 18th in fantasy points per dropback and 20th in fantasy points per game among qualified quarterbacks. He's also QB22 for the year in season-long leagues. Believe it or not, there are even more significant reasons to stay away from Breezy in Week 7. His top target, Michael Thomas, suffered a setback in practice and is looking unlikely to return to the fold. It goes without saying, but Brees' fantasy prospects take a huge hit without the record-setting All-Pro receiver. Additionally, the Panthers Defense has been solid against the pass (13th in pass DVOA) but terrible against the run (26th in rush DVOA), meaning it's wise for the Saints to attack them on the ground with Alvin Kamara. They're allowing just 6.1 yards per pass attempt, which is the lowest figure in the NFL. The Saints have a high 29 point implied total, but this is sure to be much more of a Kamara/Murray game.
Update: Emmanuel Sanders has been ruled out.
Bonus QB Avoid: Andy Dalton ($7,200 FD, $6,000 DK) vs. Washington Football Team
The Cowboys' offensive line is in complete disarray and Dalton is not what anyone would call a "mobile quarterback." The Washington Defense ranks sixth in pass DVOA and their pass-rush ranks in the top-12 in Hurry %, Pressure %, and total sacks (sixth in Sack %). Their secondary ranks fourth in interception rate at 4%. The Cowboys should score some points in this one as they have a 24.75-point implied total, but the success is not likely to come from the arm of the Red Rocket.
Damien Harris ($5,800 FD, $4,500 DK) vs. San Francisco 49ers
After an impressive showing in Week 4 (17-100), a lot of people got duped into thinking the Patriots actually picked a lead back to lean on and that it was "DAMIEN HARRIS SZN" moving forward. However, he totaled just seven touches for 33 yards in his next game while James White and Rex Burkhead received 12 and five touches, respectively. Belichick's gonna Belichick, and that's something we all should have ingrained in us by now. Harris just hasn't received the consistent usage that we're looking for in a DFS running back as he is averaging just 16.5 snaps per game and has only one target through two games. The 49ers Defense has been stout against the run as they rank seventh in rush DVOA and allow the second-least fantasy points per opportunity and second-least fantasy points per game to the position. With an uncertain role, a low floor, and limited upside, you can certainly do better for your "value RB" DFS selection(s) in Week 7.
JuJu Smith-Schuster ($6,500 FD, $5,500 DK) vs. Tennessee Titans
You may be thinking, "Hasn't the hate on JuJu gone too far?" Which naturally leads to the question "Is this the spot to take advantage of his depressed price tag and rostership?" My answer is no, to both of those questions. Here is the lengthy list of JuJu's brutal season-long stats and ranking among qualified receivers: 79.4% snap share (45th), 162 routes run (43rd), 28 targets (50th), 17.1% target share (50th), 133.5 air yards (97th), 11.2% air yards share (91st), one deep target (101st), 8.4 yards per reception (95th), 1.2 yards per route run (80th), 0.82 target separation (100th), and 0.37 fantasy points per route run (54th). He's averaging 32.3 receiving yards per game and has seemingly fallen behind rookie sensation Chase Claypool in terms of Big Ben's preferred targets. Additionally, Diontae Johnson will make his return and they also have deep-threat James Washington in the mix. The Titans Defense has been very suspect against the pass this year, but we simply can't trust JuJu to put up a usable DFS day when he's showing such terrible form. He's averaging just 3.33 receptions and 25.7 receiving yards per game over his last three contests.
Jared Cook ($6,100 FD, $4,300 DK) vs. Carolina Panthers
I'm staying away from Cook even if Michael Thomas is inactive once again in Week 7 (especially on FanDuel, where he is the fourth-most expensive tight end). He has somehow become even less involved in the offense with the target-hog Thomas out as he has just three targets and two receptions in each of the last two games. He did luck into a long touchdown reception in Week 5 on a play where he simply ran past three Chargers' defenders who were defending the air, but it's really hard to count on that happening again. His usage just hasn't been present as his 12.1% target share ranks 28th among qualified tight ends and his 57% snap share ranks 36th. The 33-year-old veteran's yards after catch skills have also diminished significantly as he ranks 42nd at his position. The Panthers Defense has been solid against tight ends this season, coming in at 10th in DvP and having allowed just two touchdowns on 47 targets. Emmanuel Sanders' role has increased in recent weeks and while Thomas may be held out again, there are still just way too many mouths to feed in this offense to have any faith in Cook producing for DFS lineups this week.
Update: Emmanuel Sanders has been ruled out and Michael Thomas is still questionable. Without those two, Cook is viable as a cheap tight end on DraftKings. I still wouldn't touch him at his salary on FanDuel
Injuries to Be Wary Of - Week 7
Joe Mixon (OUT) - Foot
Mixon couldn't show enough in practice and won't play in Week 7, meaning Giovani Bernard gets a spot-start. Trayveon Williams will back him up.
Austin Hooper (OUT) - Appendicitis
Hooper underwent surgery for appendicitis on Friday. David Njoku and Harrison Bryant will step in, with Njoku being the more attractive (but still extremely risky) DFS target.
John Brown (OUT) - Knee
Brown's absence opens up some additional opportunity for Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis, who could both be worth looks as low-rostered DFS dart-throws.
Emmanuel Sanders (Q) - COVID19
Sanders wasn't present during the open portion of practice on Friday. He has been placed on the COVID19/Reserve list and won't be active in Week 7.
Aaron Jones (Q) - Calf
Jones didn't practice on Friday after not appearing on the injury report all week. This is never a good sign and puts his Week 7 status in serious doubt. Jamaal Williams and potentially A.J. Dillon would enter the DFS conversation if Jones were to sit.
Michael Thomas (Q) - Ankle/Hamstring
The record-setting receiver was looking to be on track to play in Week 7, but he suffered a new hamstring injury that showed on the injury report for Wednesday. His status now looks uncertain-at-best for Week 7's contest against the Panthers Defense.
Dawson Knox (Q) - Calf
The Bills' starting tight end missed Week 6 and also didn't practice on Wednesday. He's on the wrong side of questionable for Week 7.
Curtis Samuel (Q) - Knee
Samuel didn't play in Week 6 and was just a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. He's fully questionable and shouldn't be in your DFS player pool anyway.
Baker Mayfield (Q) - Ribs
Mayfield got yanked in the third quarter in Week 6's blowout due to his existing rib injury and poor performance. He was limited on Wednesday and coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Mayfield would start in Week 7 "as long as he's healthy."
Keenan Allen (Q) - Back
The Chargers' star receiver was a limited practice participant on Wednesday and should be starting in Week 7.
Sam Darnold (Q) - Shoulder
Darnold has been out since getting his shoulder turf-slammed in Week 4 against Denver. He is practicing in full this week and should return as the starting quarterback in Week 7.
Jonnu Smith (Q) - Ankle
Smith practiced in full on Thursday and is on track to start in Week 7.
K.J. Hamler (Q) - Hamstring
Hamler hasn't played since Week 4 but has gotten limited practices in this week and has a chance to return to the fold in Week 7.
Noah Fant (Q) - Ankle
Fant got a limited practice in on Wednesday (full practice on Thursday) and looks to be on track to return in Week 7.
Marvin Jones Jr. (Q) - Knee
Jones Jr. should be ready to roll in Week 7's juicy matchup against the Falcons Defense but he hasn't had any impact this season.
Robert Tonyan (Q) - Ankle
Green Bay's starting tight end missed practice on Wednesday (limited practice on Thursday) and his status needs to be monitored heading into the weekend.
Jordan Akins (Q) - Ankle/Head
Akins isn't looking likely to return quite yet, making Darren Fells a potentially-appealing DFS value tight end.
Mo Alie-Cox (Q) - Knee
The "Alie-Cox TE1 SZN" has died down quite a bit as he missed Week 6 with an injury and totaled one catch for 13 yards in the previous two games. His status for Week 7 is up-in-the-air.
Sammy Watkins (Q) - Hamstring
Watkins has a hamstring strain and will most likely be inactive for Week 7. Hardman and Robinson are the primary benefactors.
Jamison Crowder (Q) - Groin
Crowder has been battling a groin issue but got a limited practice in on Wednesday and should be ready to roll in Week 7.
Carlos Hyde (Q) - Shoulder
Seattle's backup running back missed two games before the team's Week 6 bye and he should be ready to resume his secondary role in Week 7.
Logan Thomas (Q) - Neck
Thomas didn't practice on Wednesday, which puts his status in doubt for Week 7. Keep an eye on his status.
Please note that in no way can we guarantee DFS success. Be sure to examine the latest injury updates, Las Vegas projected game totals, and late scratches before finalizing your lineups to ensure the players you are choosing are active on game day.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
