*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* The NBA enters the weekend with nine games on the schedule Friday. Not only are there plenty of elite players to choose from for your lineup, but there are also a lot of value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where […] The post NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18 appeared first on...

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA enters the weekend with nine games on the schedule Friday. Not only are there plenty of elite players to choose from for your lineup, but there are also a lot of value plays to consider. 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.

POINT GUARDS

De’Aaron Fox, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,500

The Kings didn’t have one player average at least 30 minutes per game last year but had five players log at least 30 minutes in their opener against the Jazz. Fox was one of them, finishing with 21 points, found rebounds, seven assists and three steals across 38 minutes. While it’s unlikely he’s going to play that much on a nightly basis, there is a real chance that he could see more playing time this season. This should be a high-scoring game against a Pelicans team that played at the fastest pace (101.6 possessions per game) in the league last year, potentially setting up Fox for a valuable performance.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,800

The Clippers badly needed to add depth to their backcourt over the summer and they did just that, with Gilgeous-Alexander being one of their prized acquisitions at 11th overall in the draft. It was encouraging to see him play 28 minutes in their opener against the Nuggets and he took advantage of his opportunity, scoring 11 points to go along with two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Patrick Beverley will continue to start at point guard, but he likely won’t see a normal stater’s allotment of minutes and isn’t a great offensive player. The Clippers get to face a thin Thunder roster that could be without Russell Westbrook (knee) again, making Gilgeous-Alexander someone to consider at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

Buddy Hield, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600

Hield logged 32 minutes Wednesday and should continue to see added playing time with Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) injured. He had a balanced performance, scoring 19 points and recording six rebounds, one steal, one block, and one three-pointer. Maybe the stat that is the most exciting about his prospects for Friday is the 18 shot attempts that he had in that game Wednesday. Considering the pace at which this game will likely be played, Hield could be in line for another offensive outburst.

Rodney Hood, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Hood played so poorly after being traded to the Cavaliers that some people forget how well he played for the Jazz at the start of last year. Across 39 games before he was traded, Hood averaged 16.8 points and 2.6 three-pointers. He attempted 14.2 shots per game with Jazz, but only 9.5 per game with the Cavaliers. Now with LeBron James in LA, Hood is in line for more scoring opportunities this season. His 12 points in their opener weren’t great, but he did attempt 13 shots and had to face a good defensive team in the Raptors. Don’t count on him for much outside of scoring, but he could still be a viable option if you want to save money at shooting guard.

SMALL FORWARDS

Cedi Osman, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,400

Osman was a trendy player to take in the later rounds of season-long drafts due to his likely expanded role this season. He provided glimpses of his upside last season by averaging 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the three games in which he played at least 30 minutes. The Cavaliers gave him 33 minutes Wednesday, resulting in him posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. The fact that it came against the Raptors is even more impressive. This might be an opportunity to take advantage of by plugging him into your lineup before his price starts to climb.

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

The Kings have a ton up depth up front but still decided to bring in Bjelica over the summer. They were intent on giving him extended run Wednesday and he finished the game with 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. Their top pick in the draft Marvin Bagley only played 12 minutes and veteran Zach Randolph didn’t see the floor at all. Their rotations still appear to be very much up in the air, but it might be worth taking a chance that Bjelica sees added minutes again Friday based on this matchup.

POWER FORWARDS

Jerami Grant, OKC at LAC
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Patrick Patterson started at power forward for the Thunder in their opener, but he only played 19 minutes and was 2-for-9 from the field. Grant wasn’t much better offensively, finishing with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting. However, he did play 29 minutes and chipped in three blocks. He’s a better defender and more athletic than Patterson is at this stage of his career, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Grant continue to get more minutes than Patterson. If he can hit a few more shots, Grant could provide value at this price based on his ability to contribute defensively.

Ersan Ilyasova, MIL vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Bringing in Ilyasova and his ability to stretch the floor was a key move for the Bucks. He didn’t start in their opener, but he played 29 minutes and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a three-pointer. With opposing defenses focusing on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe, Ilyasova could get a lot of open looks. While Grant is also a viable cheap option, Ilyasova has the higher upside between the two.

CENTERS

Myles Turner, IND at MIL
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,800

Turner only played 20 minutes in the Pacers first game of the season, but that was mostly because they destroyed the Grizzlies. Even with his limited playing time, Turner finished with eight points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Coming off signing a hefty contract extension, he’s clearly their main man in the middle. Expect this game to be much more competitive and for Turner to outproduce his prince point.

Alex Len, ATL at MEM
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100

It’s hard to look as bad as the Hawks did in their first game. Playing without John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon certainly didn’t help a roster that is severely lacking talent, to begin with. They were destroyed 126-107 by the Knicks, of all teams. Len only played 21 minutes, which could partly be attributed to the score. With Collins and Dedmon both out again Friday, Len has the opportunity to get a significant workload. Across three games in which Len played at least 30 minutes last year, he averaged 17.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.

The post NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18 appeared first on Lineuplab.

*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 […] The post NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – TE/DEF/ST appeared first on...

*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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

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.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

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

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.

The post NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – TE/DEF/ST appeared first on Lineuplab.

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* The NBA takes a step back from the 11-game slate Wednesday with only three games on the schedule Thursday. Even with so few options, there are still some great value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the […] The post NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18 appeared first on...

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA takes a step back from the 11-game slate Wednesday with only three games on the schedule Thursday. Even with so few options, there are still some great value plays to consider. 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.

POINT GUARDS

Goran Dragic, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000

The Heat were extremely shorthanded Wednesday with James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, and Wayne Ellington all sidelined. Dragic was one of the players who stepped up in their absence, scoring 26 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists and one block in 32 minutes versus the Magic. There is a chance that all four players will sit again Thursday, which would again leave Dragic with an added role in the offense. He might lose a few assists without as many quality players around him, but he should make up for that with added scoring.

Cameron Payne, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,600

Payne enters this season as the backup at point guard to Kris Dunn. Payne had a few decent games last year when given extended playing time, but a lot of those performances came when Dunn was injured. Even though his playing time will be somewhat limited, the Bulls are extremely thin at point guard outside of him and Dunn. In 23 minutes per game last year, Payne averaged 8.8 points, 4.5 assists, one steal and 1.4 three-pointers per contest. His upside isn’t great, but if the Bulls get down big on the road against the far superior Sixers, Payne could be productive in garbage time.

SHOOTING GUARDS

J.J. Redick, PHI vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100

The Sixers are going with an odd strategy of using Markelle Fultz as the starting shooting guard to begin games, but then starting Redick there for the third quarter. Fultz ended up playing 24 minutes under that arrangement in their season opener, but he didn’t play well. Redick, on the other hand, scored 16 points and hit two three-pointers in 29 minutes. Fultz is going to have his growing pains, so expect Redick to edge him out in playing time, at least for now. The Bulls are not a good defensive team, so Redick might be able to light them up from behind the arc.

Justin Holiday, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bulls entered the preseason with the intention of starting Jabari Parker at small forward and Lauri Markkanen at power forward. Once Markkanen went down with an elbow injury, it opened the door for Parker to slide to power forward and for Holiday to enter the starting five. Parker has since been moved to a sixth man role off the bench, but Holiday remains a member of the starting unit. He won’t get a ton of shots playing alongside Zach LaVine and Bobby Portis, but he should get enough playing time to be worth considering at this cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

Josh Richardson, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,200

Not only did Dragic benefit from the Heat’s lack of depth Wednesday, but Richardson finished the game with 21 shot attempts. He wasn’t very efficient and was only 2-for-10 from behind the arc, but he still scored 21 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Should the Heat have the same injury concerns Thursday, look for Richardson to play a vital role in their offense.

Otto Porter Jr., WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,600

Porter doesn’t get a lot of headlines playing with John Wall and Bradley Beal, but he’s a fine player in his own right. He doesn’t always get a lot of shot attempts, but he’s been efficient with a field goal percentage of at least 50.3% in both of the last two seasons. Not only does he provide added value on the glass, but he also averaged 1.5 steals last year and has recorded at least 1.4 steals per contest in each of the last three seasons. Don’t count on him to provide as much scoring as Richardson, but Porter is still a viable option for your entry.

POWER FORWARDS

Bobby Portis, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700

The Bulls made a somewhat surprising decision late in the preseason to start Portis ahead of Parker. Portis was ticketed to provide a ton of energy off their bench, but the Bulls decided to move Parker to a bench role after they struggled mightily on the defensive end at the start of the preseason. Portis is instant offense, posting the second-highest usage rate (26%) on the team last year. LaVine is going to take a ton of shots, but Portis might be the second best offensive weapon among their starters.

Markieff Morris, WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,000

The Wizards added Dwight Howard over the summer, but he’s battling a back injury and is listed as questionable for this contest. Even if he does take the floor, he may not be completely healthy. The Wizards don’t have a ton of quality size up front behind Howard and Morris with their backups including Jeff Green, Ian Manhimi and Jason Smith. Morris might be forced to spend some additional time at center in this game, giving him added opportunities to provide value. He’s going to take a back seat offensively to Wall, Beal, and Porter, but he still chipped in 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 27 minutes per game last year.

CENTERS

JaVale McGee, LAL at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500

The Lakers made several additions during the offseason, one of which was adding McGee to their very shallow group of centers. McGee is expected to start, but he likely won’t see traditional starter’s minutes. Expect the Lakers to deploy a lot of small lineups. With that being said, McGee is still going to play more than the 10 minutes a game he averaged last year with the Warriors. He also has the opportunity for a lot of easy buckets catching passes from LeBron James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball. McGee is also a great source for blocks, making him someone to target in tournament play at this cheap price.

Bam Adebayo, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,900

The Heat were a bit of a mess at center last season. Hassan Whiteside was expected to be their anchor in the middle, but he averaged only 25 minutes a game. That opened up the door for Adebayo to get extra minutes. Whiteside did play 33 minutes in their opener Wednesday, but Abebayo still logged 22 minutes due to all of their injuries. He chipped in nine points, eight rebounds, and a steal, helping him stay in the discussion as a value play option Thursday. However, I do prefer McGee to Adebayo if you want to save money at center.

The post NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18 appeared first on Lineuplab.

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%. If you’re playing the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS for Week 7, some of the key players who won’t be available at wide receiver include Antonio Brown, Davante Adams, Julio Jones, and Tyreek Hill. With so much of the top […] The post NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – Wide Receivers appeared first on...

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

If you’re playing the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS for Week 7, some of the key players who won’t be available at wide receiver include Antonio Brown, Davante Adams, Julio Jones, and Tyreek Hill. With so much of the top talent not at your disposal, the week might be more difficult to navigate than most. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly 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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

Adam Thielen vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,600

There has been no slowing down Thielen. He’s posted at least 100 receiving yards in all six games and with four touchdowns, he’s already matched his mark from all of last season. His 81 total targets also lead the NFL, nine ahead of the player with the second most, Antonio Brown. Add in his league-leading 712 receiving yards and Thielen has not only been one of the most reliable receivers in DFS, but he’s also been one with an extremely high upside.

It’s pretty easy to make an argument for Thielen to be in your lineup every week. The Jets doesn’t exactly provide an imposing matchup after they allowed Andrew Luck to throw for 301 yards against them with T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle on the sidelines. Thielen will eat up a significant portion of your budget, but he’s been worth every penny through the first six weeks.

Robert Woods vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $7,000

While Todd Gurley was chewing up the Broncos defense on the ground last week, Woods was hurting them in the receiving game with seven catches on 10 targets for 109 yards. It marked the second time this season that Woods received at least 10 targets in a contest and the third time in the last four weeks where he posted at least 100 yards. The Rams offense has been more explosive, helping Woods average 87.3 yards per game compared to 65.1 last season.

If anyone was concerned that the addition of Brandin Cooks would have a negative impact on Woods’ production, those concerns can be put to bed. Woods could be even more involved Week 7 with Cooper Kupp out with a knee injury. The 49ers are tied for the eighth-most passing yards allowed per game (279) and have allowed 14 passing touchdowns compared to just one interception, potentially setting up Woods for a big game.

Brandin Cooks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100

It’s hard to deem Cooks’ campaign with the Patriots last year as a disappointment, but his 57% catch rate was the lowest mark of his career. He had a chance to shine as their top wide receiver, especially with Tom Brady throwing passes his way. The Rams have more talent at wide receiver, but their depth hasn’t slowed down Woods, who is averaging career-highs in yards per reception (18) and receiving yards per game (84.2).

Even though Woods is going to get plenty of targets, the absence of Kupp is going to benefit Cooks, as well. With how porous the 49ers secondary has been this season, both of the Rams’ top two receivers are strong plays this week. If you are looking for any sort of a differentiator between the two, Woods has three touchdowns compared to just one for Cooks. Regardless, both players warrant cash contest consideration.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

Michael Crabtree vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $5,100

Crabtree was a huge addition for a Ravens team that severely lacked talent at wide receiver last year. He might be in the later stages of his career, but he entered 2018 with at least eight receiving touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. The Ravens have wasted no time making him an important part of their offense, giving him a team-high 55 targets. He’s coming off of his best game with the team, catching six of nine targets for 96 yards and a touchdown against the Titans.

Crabtree might not have the big-play ability that fellow receiver John Brown does, but he’s tied with tight end Nick Boyle for the most red zone targets (six) on the team. This could be one of the Ravens more productive offensive performances of the season since the Saints have allowed the third-most passing yards per game (298), making Crabtree an excellent option to target.

Jarvis Landry vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $7,300

The change at quarterback from Tyrod Taylor to Baker Mayfield hasn’t helped Landry’s value in the early going. Across the first three games of the season, Landry caught 20 of 37 targets for 278 yards. In three games since, he’s only hauled in 11 of 29 targets for 115 yards. The low point came in Week 6 because even though he received nine targets, he only had two receptions for 11 yards.

If there was ever a game for Landry and Mayfield to get on the same page, this is it. Mayfield is battling an ankle injury, but he’s expected to take the field. The Bucs have allowed the most passing yards per game (356) and are tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (16) despite already having their bye week. Landry’s recent inconsistencies make him more of a tournament play than a cash play, but he does have a path to significant production Sunday.

Taylor Gabriel vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,700

Gabriel’s career with the Bears started off with a whimper, recording 89 total receiving yards through the first three weeks. However, he was one of the main beneficiaries of the Bears 48-point explosion in Week 4, catching all seven of his targets for 104 yards and two touchdowns. To put that performance into perspective, he had one touchdown all of last season with the Falcons. The good news is that he followed up that strong outing with another big game in Week 6, hauling in each of his five targets for 110 yards.

The Bears have a good defense, but it’s no easy task facing the Patriots when Brady has a full complement of weapons. They may give up more points than they are accustomed too, potentially forcing Mitch Trubisky to throw the ball more in an effort to keep pace. With Gabriel’s explosive speed, he has the potential to turn any reception into a significant gain. At this price, he’s hard to pass up based on his upside.

Jermaine Kearse vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,100

The Jets have what they hope to be their quarterback of the future in Sam Darnold. He’s had some expected highs and lows through the first six games, but it’s clear that he’s quickly developed a good relationship with receiver Quincy Enunwa, who received 37 targets across the Jets first four games. However, Enunwa hasn’t been healthy the last two weeks, opening the door for Kearse to catch nine of 10 targets for 94 yards in Week 6.

Enunwa has already been ruled out for Week 7 and the Jets could be even thinner at receiver with Terrelle Pryor dealing with a groin injury. If Pryor can’t play either, that’s going to leave Kearse and Robby Anderson with expanded roles. Even if Pryor does play, this is still a favorable matchup for Kearse to provide value. The Vikings have been stout against the run, but they’ve been susceptible to giving up yards through the air.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Michael Thomas vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $7,900

Thomas was a monster over his first three games, recording 38 receptions on 40 targets for 398 yards and three touchdowns. However, in the following two contests, he posted a combined eight catches on nine targets for 121 yards. This is not a great opportunity for him to put up a rebound performance since the Ravens are tied for the fewest passing yards allowed per game (188) in the league. If you want to pay up at wide receiver, go with Thielen over Thomas.

Cole Beasley vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $3,900

The Cowboys have a tremendous running back in Ezekiel Elliott, but their lack of talent at wide receiver has led them to average the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (172). However, they had an unexpected 40-point performance against the Jaguars last week in which Beasley hauled in nine of 11 targets for 101 yards and two touchdowns. That was especially surprising since it came on the heels of a one-catch, eight-yard game in Week 5. He’s still cheap on DraftKings, but his price on FanDuel is outrageous.

The post NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – Wide Receivers appeared first on Lineuplab.

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* Wednesday brings the first full day of NBA action with 11 games on the schedule. Let’s examine some cheaper value plays who could help lead you to a winning entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the […] The post NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/17/18 appeared first on...

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Wednesday brings the first full day of NBA action with 11 games on the schedule. Let’s examine some cheaper value plays who could help lead you to a winning 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.

POINT GUARDS

Trey Burke, NY vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,600

Burke’s tenure with the Knicks last season was a pleasant surprise, posting 12.8 points, 4.7 assists and 1.1 three-pointers per game. He also shot a staggering 50.3% from the field, but expect that to drop this season based on his 40.4% shooting percentage for his career. The Knicks named him their starting point guard for opening night and they’ll be searching for scoring with Kristaps Porzingis still recovering from a torn ACL. Burke had a 25.1% usage rate last year and could start of the season on a high note.

Patty Mills, SA vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,600

The Spurs have been decimated at point guard. First, Dejounte Murray was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Then, Derrick White went down with a heel injury. Rookie Lonnie Walker IV is also injured and Tony Parker is now in Charlotte, leaving Mills with the potential for significant playing time. Last season, Mills averaged 12.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.3 three-pointers across 19 games in which he logged at least 30 minutes. His upside isn’t off the charts, but he’s cheap enough to be worth considering for your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

Caris LeVert, BKN at DET
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,800

The Nets are dealing with their own injury concerns with Allen Crabbe, DeMarre Carroll and Shabazz Napier all ruled out for Wednesday. To make matters worse, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is questionable with a hip injury. Even if Hollis-Jefferson does play, the door is open for LeVert to get extended run. Over nine games in which LeVert logged at least 30 minutes last year, he averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and six assists.

Jeremy Lamb, CHA vs. MIL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,700

The Hornets dealt away Dwight Howard over the summer, which left a significant hole in their offense since he had the third-highest usage rate (24.2%) on the team last year. Although he doesn’t play Howard’s position, Lamb will be one of the players tasked with filling the scoring void created by his departure. Lamb will also move into the starting lineup this year, which is great news considering he averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 three-pointers across 18 starts last year.

SMALL FORWARDS

Tauren Prince, ATL at NY
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,100

This matchup between the Hawks and the Knicks might be one of the least exciting ones on the slate. These are both two bad teams working their way through a rebuilding process. Neither team has a lot of potent scorers, but don’t overlook Prince’s potential. He came on strong after the All-Star break last year, averaging 19 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.2 three-pointers across 23 games.

Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,000

The sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Isaac was limited to 27 games last year due to injury. Although he only averaged 20 minutes per contest, he showed his incredible defensive upside by averaging 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. He still has a ways to go offensively, evident by the fact that he shot 37.9% from the field last year. With that being said, he could do enough defensively and on the boards in this game to warrant consideration.

POWER FORWARDS

Kelly Olynyk, MIA at ORL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $6,100

The Heat are dealing with plenty of injuries Wednesday with Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Wayne Ellington and Dion Waiters all listed as either doubtful or out. The Magic have a talented frontcourt made up of Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Mohamed Bamba, and Isaac, so the Heat are likely going to rely heavily on Olynyk in this game. In 12 games in which Olynyk logged at least 30 minutes last year, he averaged 16.8 points, eight rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.7 steals.

P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,900

The Rockets roster has a lot of big names, including James Harden, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony. One player who doesn’t always get the credit that he deserves is Tucker, whose ability to defend multiple positions and shoot three’s goes a long way towards helping them be successful. He’s expected to open the season as a member of the starting five with Anthony and Eric Gordon set to come off the bench. The Rockets will also be somewhat shorthanded up front with Marquese Chriss out with an ankle injury. Tucker might not score a ton of points, but he could provide enough in other areas to be an option at near the minimum price.

CENTERS

Jarrett Allen, BKN at DET
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,700

The Nets need Allen to make significant improvements this season. They were one of the worst teams in the league at defending opposing centers last year despite Allen averaging 1.2 blocks in only 20 minutes per game. With Ed Davis and Kenneth Faried as his backups, expect Allen to see more playing time if he can stay out of foul trouble. Facing Andre Drummond is no easy task, but the potential for increased playing time certainly works in Allen’s favor.

Alex Len, ATL at NY
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,600

The Hawks are the walking wounded up front. Not only will they be without one of the keys to their future in John Collins, but Dewayne Dedmon will also sit out Wednesday. The door is open for Len to log plenty of minutes after seeing inconsistent playing time with the Suns last year. Len shined when given an opportunity, averaging 17.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks over three games in which he played at least 30 minutes.

The post NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/17/18 appeared first on Lineuplab.

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%. The running back position isn’t very deep for Week 7 because not only are four teams on a bye, but Saquon Barkley, David Johnson, and Kareem Hunt also won’t be available for the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS because they […] The post NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – Running Backs appeared first on...

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

The running back position isn’t very deep for Week 7 because not only are four teams on a bye, but Saquon Barkley, David Johnson, and Kareem Hunt also won’t be available for the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS because they play in primetime games. Let’s dig into the position to see where you can gain the edge for 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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

Todd Gurley vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $9,800

Gurley dominated the Broncos last week, rushing 28 times for 208 yards and two touchdowns. After posting 13 rushing touchdowns in 2017, he already has nine through the first six weeks. He’s also been heavily involved in the passing game, receiving at least five targets in five of six games and posting two receiving scores.

It’s pick-your-poison when it comes to trying to defend against the Rams. Quarterback Jared Goff has shown significant improvement and they have a trio of excellent wide receivers, although Cooper Kupp likely won’t play in Week 7 due to a knee injury. Gurley is often put in great positions to score touchdowns and has one of the highest floors at any position in DFS, as a result. Don’t expect the 49ers to be able to slow him down.

Ezekiel Elliott vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $8,100

The Cowboys pulled off a surprising 40-7 drubbing of the Jaguars on Sunday. Elliott played a key role in their victory, rushing 24 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. That marked the third time in the last four weeks that Elliot has rushed for at least 100 yards. He also converted his only target into an 11-yard score.

Outside of Week 6, the Cowboys offense hasn’t been very good this season. Elliott has been limited to four total touchdowns, as a result, but he’s been heavily involved with 117 carries and 23 receptions on 30 targets. His involvement in the passing game has provided a significant boost to his value after he had just 26 receptions on 38 targets across 10 games last year. The Redskins defense isn’t exactly a favorable matchup, but Elliott gets enough volume in the offense to still be worth considering in cash tournaments.

Christian McCaffrey vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,700

The Redskins stymied McCaffrey last week, holding him to 20 yards on eight carries. The Panthers were playing catchup after being down 14-0 after the first quarter, which was a big reason why McCaffrey had so few carries. Luckily, he’s a significant part of their passing game and finished the contest with seven catches on eight targets for 46 yards.

It was encouraging to see McCaffrey get so many targets even with tight end Greg Olsen returning from injury. Although McCaffrey did have an outlier performance where he rushed for 184 yards on 28 carries in Week 3, the majority of his value comes from his pass-catching abilities. The Eagles have been stout against the run, but they are tied for the fourth-most receptions allowed to opposing running backs (41).

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

Tarik Cohen vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $5,100

Cohen got off to a quiet start this year but had his breakout game Week 4 when he not only rushed for 53 yards on 13 carries, but he also caught seven of eight targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. His speed and ability to catch passes out of the backfield makes him a tough cover for opposing defenses. The Bears had a bye for Week 5, but Cohen was productive again last week against the Dolphins, catching seven of nine targets for 90 yards and another touchdown.

Cohen does have to split backfield duties with Jordan Howard, but Howard has seen his percentage of snaps decrease each of the last three games, bottoming out at 51% in Week 6 compared to 49% for Cohen. If the Bears defense has trouble slowing down the Patriots, Cohen would likely be more involved in a high-scoring game as he’s a far superior pass catcher. He’s a bit risky, but there is plenty of upside here if the game flow falls in his favor.

Carlos Hyde vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $4,700

The Browns had their doors blown off by the Chargers last week as they were down 21-6 at the half and ultimately lost 38-14. As a result of the early lopsided score, Hyde finished with a season-low 14 carries for 34 yards. He also failed to receive a target for the first time this season, although he’s never logged more than three targets in any contest this season.

Maybe the most concerning part of Hyde’s poor performance was that he averaged just 2.4 yards-per-carry. That marked the third game this season where he has averaged less than three yards-per-carry. On the plus side, he has already scored five touchdowns. The Bucs haven’t given up a ton of rushing yards, but opposing offenses have only rushed the ball against them 112 times, fourth-fewest attempts in the NFL. They give up a lot of yards through the air, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Hyde at least finds himself in a favorable position to reach the end zone in this contest.

Kenyan Drake vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,900

Drake is involved in a frustrating timeshare for fantasy purposes with the ageless Frank Gore. Drake hasn’t logged more than 14 carries in any game this season, as a result. His best performance came in Week 5, but that was mostly attributed to his seven catches on 11 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. The passing game is one area that he has been able to separate himself from Gore, receiving 31 targets compared to Gore’s five.

Don’t expect things to shift any in terms of his workload this week, but that doesn’t mean Drake can’t provide value. The Lions have allowed three running backs to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season and have allowed the third-most rushing yard per game (145.8), overall. His upside isn’t off the charts due to Gore’s presence, but Drake is still someone to consider in tournament play.

Peyton Barber vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $3,800

The Bucs running game has been horrendous. Entering Week 6, Barber had rushed for 33 yards or fewer in three straight games and rookie Ronald Jones is still very much a work in progress. Barber finally showed signs of life in Jameis Winston’s return as the starting quarterback Sunday, rushing 13 times for 82 yards and catching all four of his targets for an additional 24 yards.

Barber still has a long way to go before you can feel very comfortable rolling with him in your lineup. However, it was encouraging to see him get 13 carries coming out of the bye week compared to only one for Jones. Barber appears to have a hold on the lead back job, for the time being, and gets a favorable matchup Week 7 against a Browns team that is tied for the sixth-most yards-per-carry allowed (4.7) and has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (1382.).

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Mark Ingram vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,900

Alvin Kamara was a man possessed during Ingram’s four-game suspension. That didn’t matter for Ingram’s first game back, though, as he received 16 carries compared to just six for Kamara. Kamara was only on the field for 47% of the team’s offensive plays after being on the field for at least 71% of them in each of the previous four weeks. Some of that had to do with the Saints getting up big in that game, while some of it also might have been the Saints seeing an opportunity to give Kamara a little rest. Expect him to be much more involved Sunday. This isn’t a great matchup for the Saints’ running backs, either, with the Ravens allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game (82.8).

Alex Collins vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,800

After averaging 4.6 yards-per-carry during his breakout campaign last year, Collins is only averaging 3.6 yards-per-carry this season. He did come away with two touchdowns last week, but Javorius Allen has been their preferred goal-line back. Allen has also been on the field for 47% of the team’s offensive plays this season compared to 43% for Collins. The Saints have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (71.4), leaving Collins with very little upside.

The post NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – Running Backs appeared first on Lineuplab.