As the fantasy football season rolls on, situations change quickly week to week. Whether injuries, totals, game scripts, etc. the NFL landscape is constantly evolving. To help diagnose those changes weekly for fantasy football, I’ll highlight them using our amazing split tool.
Emmanuel Sanders WR and Jared Cook, TE, New Orleans Saints
With Michael Thomas ruled out, Drew Brees will lean on Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook in a game where the Saints will have to light up the scoreboard. Brees can carve up this pass defense that’s ranked 22nd in DVOA against short passing. Without Thomas this season, Sanders and Cook have seen their numbers jump across the board. Kansas City has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards (780) to the tight end position. Sanders should find room on the outside versus Bashaud Breeland and Charvarius Ward. Since Breeland’s return in Week 5, the duo has combined to allow a 55% catch rate and eight receiving touchdowns (81 targets).
Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers
With Deebo Samuel out, Kendrick Bourne has seen an increase in his usage. In this five-game sample, Bourne is averaging 9.8 DraftKings points per game without scoring a touchdown. If Bourne finds the end zone this week, he’s a cheap ($4,100) option to make lineups work that has 15-18 point upside. The Cowboys have allowed the most receiving touchdowns (22) and the second-most fantasy points per game (28.2) to opposing wide receivers.
Keelan Cole, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Gardner Minshew under center has meant great things for Keelan Cole this season. With Minshew throwing passes, his DraftKings scoring rises 5.8 points per game. With Jimmy Smith out and numerous other corners questionable, look for Marlon Humphrey to stay out on the boundary to guard D.J. Chark. Cole can feast this week.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson has become an integral part of the Detroit passing attack. Hockenson ranks ninth in red-zone targets (15) and seventh in targets inside the 10-yard line (9). Hockenson takes on a Titans pass defense ranked 32nd in DVOA against the tight end position. Hockenson can crush this secondary this week regardless of who is throwing him the rock.