Essential The Official ESPN Insider Thread (ESPN+)

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51. Tennessee Volunteers
Kevin Punter has been outstanding all season and is one of the most improved players in the nation. Punter is averaging 23 points per game while shooting better than 40 percent from deep and better than 82 percent from the foul line. Punter scored 36 points and hit six 3s against South Carolina.





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52. Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats lost on the road at West Virginia to fall to 2-6 in Big 12 play. Kansas State is a solid defensive team, but it will not last by trying to get stop after stop without being able to score. Kansas State is ninth in offensive efficiency in Big 12 games but has stayed in games on the offensive glass and at the free throw line.





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53. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins have been up and down and have proved they can score, but UCLA will have its season made or broken by its defensive effort. UCLA is 3-4 in Pac-12 play but is rated 11th in defensive efficiency in league play.





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54. Georgetown Hoyas
The Hoyas have had some tough losses but have had flashes of terrific play too. Overall, Georgetown has been good but not more than that, yet the Hoyas are getting better and are defending really well in conference play. Wins over Xavier and Creighton are promising, as is leading the Big East in effective field goal percentage defense at 44 percent.





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55. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers are a great story of a team continuing to get better and keep plugging. Clemson is ranked in the middle of the pack in offensive and defensive efficiency in ACC play but has five guys with 21 or more made 3-point field goals. The Tigers have hit more than 80 percent from the foul line in ACC play, which has been a difference-maker.





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56. Texas Tech Red Raiders
After being blown out by Oklahoma in Norman, the Red Raiders are 2-6 in Big 12 play and trending down. Texas Tech is ranked ninth in offensive efficiency and 10th in defensive efficiency in conference play, and the Red Raiders still have to go to Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas and West Virginia, with Iowa State and Oklahoma in Lubbock. Yikes.





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57. Stanford Cardinal
Coach Johnny Dawkins has been without Robert Cartwright and Reid Travis but has willed his team to a 4-3 record in Pac-12 play. Stanford has wins over Arkansas, Cal, Utah and Arizona State.



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58. Utah Utes
The Utes are 15-5 and winners of three straight. Utah had wins over San Diego State, Texas Tech, Temple, BYU, and Duke before Pac-12 play, but those wins do not seem to be appreciating in value.





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59. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
The Golden Hurricane have taken very good care of the ball in AAC play and have led the league in forced turnovers by getting opponents to cough it up on 23 percent of possessions. Tulsa has wins over UConn, Oklahoma State and Wichita State.





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60. Creighton Bluejays
While Providence's Kris Dunn is the nation's best point guard, the Bluejays' Maurice Watson is among the nation's top 10 floor generals. He is really, really good.





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61. Stony Brook Seawolves
The Seawolves have won 12 straight and are the best team in the America East. Jameel Warney is a big-time player at 6-foot-8, 265 pounds, and he will affect the game inside, on the glass and blocking shots.





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62. BYU Cougars
The Cougars have a very good offense but have not beaten the caliber of teams we expected coming into the season. The win over Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington, was big, but BYU lost two of three on a four-game road swing.





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63. Monmouth Hawks
The Hawks will make the NCAA tournament as an at-large selection as long as there are no more bad losses down the stretch in the MAAC. It is hard to imagine the committee could turn away from a team that has beaten Georgetown, UCLA, USC and Notre Dame in nonconference play.





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64. Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans
The Trojans are very good on the defensive end and beat a very good UT-Arlington team on the road.





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65. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Bilastrator believes in Bill Parcells' great quote that you are what your record says you are, but Georgia Tech is better than its record. The Yellow Jackets have lost five of six, but the ACC schedulers really stuck it to the Ramblin' Wreck.





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66. Evansville Purple Aces
Egidijus Mockevicius (pronounced "Ed Jones") is one of a handful of players averaging more than 17 points and 10 rebounds, and he is putting up 17 and 14.5, which leads the nation in rebounding. His running mate, D.J. Balentine, is averaging more than 21 points per game to form an excellent scoring tandem.





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67. Boise State Broncos
The Broncos got a big road win at Wyoming after coach Leon Rice consulted an expert and came up with drinking beet juice to combat the 7,000-foot elevation of Laramie. The juice worked, and Rice's team "beet" Oregon for its best win of the year. James Webb has been very good and is hitting more than 66 percent of his 2-point field goals.





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68. UT-Arlington Mavericks
The Mavericks are led by 6-foot-7 sophomore Kevin Hervey, who has proved to be a load for any team he has gone up against. If UT-Arlington makes the NCAA tournament, people will know his name.
 
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*crackSTAR* said:
Five biggest NFL draft risers at Senior Bowl



hook it up...
Click to expand...
Five biggest NFL draft risers at Senior Bowl



MOBILE, Ala. -- This was one of the better weeks of Senior Bowl practices in recent memory. Phil Savage and his team deserve a lot of credit for putting together two rosters with good talent from top to bottom.

Here are the players who helped their draft stocks the most in the three practices this week.

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Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Wentz's physical tools are obvious. He's a big, strong kid with an awesome arm and good mobility. He passed the test, showing he could make all the necessary throws. What's perhaps more impressive -- or more revelatory -- is the way he carried himself. When he wasn't getting physical reps, he made a point to listen to the call in the huddle so he could still get mental reps. You can tell Wentz just loves football. Within a QB class that doesn't really have a clear-cut top guy right now, Wentz made a strong case to be the No. 1 passer off the board. (And oh by the way, he did it while being coached by the staff of the Dallas Cowboys, who pick at No. 4 overall and could be in the market to draft Tony Romo's long-term successor.) It's hard to imagine this week going much better for Wentz.

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Braxton Miller, WR/RS, Ohio State
Let's start with his size: As a wide receiver and return specialist, Miller's measurables (6-foot-1, 204 pounds) are exactly what NFL scouts are looking for. He has good length and he's lean, which enables him to move effortlessly on the field. Miller wowed with his change-of-direction ability in both individual drills and one-on-ones, looking the part of a polished wide receiver (check out the videos below). That's impressive stuff for a guy who has been playing the position for less than a year. This was an important week for Miller, who wasn't used a ton as a receiver in his final season at Ohio State (just 26 receptions) and needed to prove to NFL scouts that he was more than just a gadget player at the next level. If his tape from this week is any indication, Miller has the looks of someone who could really star at the combine next month.











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Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
We've been trying to tell you about this guy for a while. Rankins followed up his best season at Louisville with a standout performance in Mobile. On Wednesday, in particular, he was impossible for offensive linemen to handle in one-on-ones, using his violent hands, impressive first step and powerful lower-body to penetrate the backfield. In the process, he proved to any remaining doubters that he's more than just a gap-plugger. At 6-foot-2, 303 pounds, Rankins -- who tweaked his knee Thursday and will not play in Saturday's game -- displayed great movement ability for a guy his size. Combine Rankins' tape, which shows he has plenty of scheme versatility, with his performance this week, and he's starting to look more and more like a first-round talent.

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Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
Spence came to Mobile with a lot to prove after transferring from Ohio State due to two drug-related suspensions, and he was flat-out dominant the last two practices of the week. He showed terrific burst and explosiveness. You just don't find a lot of athletes who can dip and bend around the edge like him. Spence is a better pass-rusher than run defender, but on several occasions this week, he displayed the ability to stack and shed. There are obvious character concerns here -- and you can bet teams will dig into his past to see if he's worth the risk -- but solely in terms of on-field ability, Spence has top-15 talent. He might be the best pure edge rusher in this class.

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Jason Spriggs, LT, Indiana
Spriggs was the best pure left tackle prospect in Mobile. He passed the first test of the week, with his arms measuring 34⅛ inches. That gives Spriggs a lot of upside, when you factor in his quick feet and natural ability as a pass protector. He's not a road-grader in the run game -- and that's OK. NFL teams will be enticed by his athleticism after watching him hold his own in one-on-one drills against a good group of pass-rushers.
 
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954UAlreadyknow said:
McShay: Top 20 prospects at Senior Bowl
Click to expand...
Top 20 NFL draft prospects at Senior Bowl



With the Senior Bowl practices in the books, let's run through our top 20 players from Mobile, Alabama.

1. Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State: Wentz checked off every box. He has the frame (6-foot-5¼, 233 pounds). He has the arm. He can make all the throws -- even in cold, windy weather. He displayed a good demeanor with his coaches and teammates. Wentz played his way into the conversation as the first QB off the board.

2. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: Rankins showed good pass-rush skills in one-on-one drills, while also penetrating the backfield against the run. He stood out among a great group of defensive linemen.

3. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama: We already knew he could stuff the run, but this week has been a good opportunity for Ragland to show off his pass-rushing ability. An underrated athlete at 259 pounds, Ragland routinely beat RBs and O-linemen off the edge.


4. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama: Reed got double- and triple-teamed a bunch this week in team drills, but as was his M.O. at Alabama, he excelled at occupying blockers and got free to penetrate the backfield on multiple occasions.

5. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech: He moves like he's 290 pounds, but he weighed in at 325. His upper-body power was evident during bag drills. Butler needs to be more consistent, but there aren't many big guys with his skill set.

6. Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky: Spence was a guy everyone had circled to watch this week, after transferring from Ohio State to Eastern Kentucky in the wake of two drug-related suspensions. He put to rest any concerns about his on-field ability, proving he has an elite athletic skill set off the edge.


7. Austin Johnson, NT, Penn State: A massive nose tackle prospect (6-foot-4, 323 pounds), Johnson excels against the run. He showed the ability to anchor against double teams this week. He was a productive pass rusher this season (6.5 sacks), but that won't be his strength in the NFL.

8. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford: He's a road grader in the run game and very effective in pass protection. He plays with a high football IQ. He didn't always look like it this week, but he's still our top-ranked guard prospect.

9. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State: Washington weighed in a 6-foot-3, 297 pounds, and he showed good first-step quickness off the ball for his size. He has good range against the run, and is disruptive at the point of attack.

10. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame: Day showed off his trademark motor, along with the ability to make plays against the run. He's not the fastest guy off the ball, but he's a load for offensive linemen to handle on the inside.

11. Braxton Miller, WR/RS, Ohio State: Miller spent the better part of the week turning defensive backs around with incredible route-running, while also dazzling in individual agility drills. He was the best pure athlete on the field all week -- and he looked natural catching the ball, considering he's just a year removed from playing quarterback.

12. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State: Really impressed with his consistency this week. He plays with a wide base and good balance, and is strong is both the run and pass games.

13. Antonio Morrison, ILB, Florida: He played well all week, but really stood out with some big plays on Thursday, showing off his athleticism and instincts.

14. Jihad Ward, DL, Illinois: Ward isn't the best athlete, but he played with great effort. While his tape says he's a better run-defender than edge rusher, he flashed a little in one-on-one pass-rushing drills.


15. Vadal Alexander, G, LSU: He played much better at guard than tackle. He has some athletic limitations but is overpowering at the point of attack. Alexander can create a new line of scrimmage as a run blocker, and once he latches on in pass protection, it's over.

16. Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State: At 6-foot-6¾, 273 pounds, Nassib has a great frame. While he lacks elite speed, he's quick and has very effective hands. He's a natural finisher as a pass rusher. His best fit in the NFL is probably at left DE

17. Jalen Mills, DB, LSU: Mills showed off his versatility, routinely defending receivers both in the slot and outside the numbers. With natural footwork and good instincts, he ran his receiver's route on more than one occasion. Mills has an intriguing skill set, but comes with some off-field baggage.

18. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Killebrew is similar to the Cardinals' Deone Buchannon. He has the size (6-foot-1¾, 219 pounds) and skill set to be a hard-hitting in-box safety -- and he also could play LB in sub packages.

19. Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State: He has developed into a solid blocker and is a more dangerous pass-catching weapon than some might have thought entering this week. Vannett was under-utilized at Ohio State (19 catches all season; nine of which came in the final five games).

20. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma: Shepard is never going to be a burner, but what he proved this week is that he's one of the best route runners in this class. With good hands and quick feet, he has the look of a natural slot receiver at the next level.

Just missed the cut
Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota
Joshua Perry, WLB, Ohio State
Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State
Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
 
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TrillCauleyStein said:
Fantasy NBA cheat sheet: Trade away Blake
Skooby
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Fantasy NBA cheat sheet: Trade away Blake Griffin

Welcome back to another edition of the Insider cheat sheet, our weekly roundup of valuable fantasy basketball information taken from ESPN's group of NBA Insiders.

Every Friday throughout the season we'll provide a rundown of the most crucial bits of intel. You'll gain guidance from some of the biggest names in the game -- Amin Elhassan, Tom Haberstroh, Kevin Pelton, David Thorpe, Bradford Doolittle and others -- to take your fantasy teams to the next level.

Here's what our experts are saying about the week ahead.

At 22-26, the New York Knicks (somewhat surprisingly) stand just three games out of the eighth spot of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Much of this success is due to rookie star Kristaps Porzingis, who is averaging 14 points and 7.8 rebounds a contest and would be the leader for NBA Rookie of the Year if not for Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Porzingis' major complement, obviously, is elite scorer Carmelo Anthony.

Questions have risen as to what's next for the 12th-year small forward. Do the Knicks keep him in hopes of a playoff push? Should they trade him now or in the offseason to acquire young assets to build around Porzingis? Is it best to keep Anthony as an attempt to lure a big free agent (Kevin Durant, cough, cough)?

All of this was broken down in ESPN Insider's latest 5-on-5.

Although it's difficult to predict from a fantasy perspective what a trade would mean for Melo considering these are hypotheticals (and he has a no-trade clause to waive anyway), closely monitor one team -- and one player -- in particular in the coming months: the Miami Heat and rookie guard Justise Winslow.

"I've previously made the case for Miami as a destination. If the Knicks could get Justise Winslow from the Heat, I think they'd have to consider it strongly," ESPN Insider Chad Ford said.

Kevin Pelton, another ESPN Insider, added: "I'd love a swap with Miami centered around Winslow. A small frontcourt of Winslow and Porzingis would give the Knicks a quickness advantage on virtually any opponent, and Porzingis' shooting ability would help compensate for Winslow's biggest weakness."

Winslow, owned in only 9.6 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, is known more for his defense and intangibles than offensive statistics that could bolster lineups. That said, he's played 35 or more minutes in four straight games and has seen his production increase. His main issue is usage rate (11.6), which ranks 311th in the NBA right now. There are simply too many veteran -- and more offensive-minded -- players ahead of him. The conversation shifts by going to a Knicks team in need of talent, especially if Anthony isn't around to take 18 shots a game (T-12th in the league).

Trade away Blake, add CP3
The big news in the NBA this week centered on Los Angeles Clippers big man Blake Griffin, who is expected to remain out of the lineup with a hand injury for four to six weeks after allegedly punching an assistant equipment manager. Griffin, averaging 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists a game, was set to return soon from a quad injury.

Kevin Pelton looked closer at what the new injury means for the Clippers going forward, and even went as far as to say it may be better for the Clippers with him not on the floor.

"In general, though, the Clippers seem to benefit from improved floor spacing with Griffin out," Pelton said. "While he has developed into a fine midrange shooter, Griffin still can't drag his defender to the 3-point line like [Paul] Pierce, who has made 36.2 percent of his 3-point attempts since moving into the starting lineup.

"Putting another 3-point shooter around Paul-[DeAndre] Jordan pick-and-rolls makes it more difficult for defenses to bring an extra defender into the play to cut off Paul's drives and prevent Jordan from finishing at the rim, either by fouling him or forcing him to make a more skilled play.

"None of this is an indictment of Griffin individually, but it's a reminder of the importance of floor spacing. A power forward who can make 3s can be as valuable offensively as one as phenomenally skilled as Griffin."

As ESPN Fantasy writer Tom Carpenter pointed out in his weekly rankings column, Griffin will likely be good for only 20 to 25 games once back. If you have him on your fantasy team and need to make a push for the postseason, it would be wise to listen to trade offers. Some competitors might still be high on Griffin despite the injury and give you a valuable piece(s) for the entire second half. His stock is falling, so you might as well get something in return now before it's too late.

In contrast, I love the fantasy potential of Chris Paul. With Griffin out of the lineup, his production skyrockets. Pelton points out that Paul, in Griffin's absence thus far, has posted the highest usage rate of his career (30.1), and his true shooting percentage is only slightly sacrificed. Paul is owned in almost every ESPN league, but if you need a short-term boost (in the time while Griffin is out), you could have one of fantasy's elite players. And when Griffin is back you'll still own one of the NBA's best point guards. Make the move.

Deal for Greek Freak

Another player I'd consider trading for is Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Everyone knew entering the season that his potential was limitless. This young forward has crazy length and athleticism, and he was showing glimpses of being great but didn't have it all together just yet.

In recent weeks, it's started to change.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 16.2 points on 52.3 percent shooting from the field and 8.5 rebounds in January. The Bucks are outscoring opponents by 8.3 points per game with him on the floor.

ESPN Insider Bradford Doolittle believes the major production as of late has a lot to do with improved shot selection.

"What has happened is that Antetokounmpo has basically stopped taking shots outside of the paint," Doolittle said. "According to NBA.com/stats, through December, Antetokounmpo took 70 percent of his shots in the lane. During January, that percentage has jumped to 77. "The shots that have disappeared have been midrange jumpers, though he's still not doing much behind the arc, either. Nevertheless, the renewed effort to attack the rim has sent Antetokounmpo to the line more often and improved his overall efficiency. Antetokounmpo also seems to be improving his ability to make plays for others when he collapses the defense."

Doolittle sees this type of production continuing the remainder of the season, and so do I. His court time and overall usage rate have steadily been increasing. With less and less of a chance for Milwaukee to make the playoffs, expect coach Jason Kidd to play the young core more than initially expected. Giannis has a strong all-around game that is getting better by the day. Trade for him now, particularly if you are in a keeper-league format.

Breakout candidates
When teams hit the All-Star break with poor overall records, they tend to shift to long-term building mode. That is to say their young core players will receive more minutes and more opportunity to prove themselves on the court. Results don't matter. Development does.

As ESPN Fantasy writer Joe Kaiser points out in his piece on second-half breakout fantasy players, the Timberwolves -- boasting the fourth-worst record in the NBA -- will be one of those organizations.

"Only the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets have worse records than the Timberwolves at the midpoint of the season, and you can expect Minnesota to utilize the second half of 2015-16 to assess as much of its young core as possible," Kaiser said. "That bodes well for [Zach] LaVine, the bouncy second-year swingman who has a good chance to be a big part of the team's future. LaVine set a team record with 35 points off the bench Wednesday against Oklahoma City, and that came after a 21-point outburst against Cleveland. He already has a 25.8 usage rate this season, so you can count on him to put up big numbers if his minutes rise during the final months."

The ultra-athletic LaVine is owned in only 43 percent of ESPN leagues at the moment. That could change quickly with him able to pad his statistics as the season progresses. Another intriguing candidate worth picking up for the second half, per Kaiser, is Sacramento rookie center Willie Cauley-Stein (38.9 percent ownership).

Cauley-Stein has played at least 29 minutes in five straight games, providing key contributions in rebounding (9.8), blocks (1.6) and steals (1.6) during that period. For fantasy lineups in need of stronger defensive statistics, he could be your guy with increased court time.
 
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TrillCauleyStein said:
Daily Fantasy Basketball: Best Buys for Jan. 30
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Daily Fantasy Basketball: Best Buys for Jan. 30

Each day, we'll provide you with the players to target in your daily leagues, from the high-priced studs to the solid midrange values to the cheaper, riskier players with upside.

In general, you want to use safer options in your cash games and rely on some riskier, high-upside options in your bigger tournaments. If you can average five to six points per $1,000 of salary on DraftKings, you'll typically end up with some cash in your pocket.

Note: We're sending out these Insider tips early in the day, and much can change after these are posted. Be sure to follow this Twitter list of NBA reporters, bloggers and announcers for late-breaking injury updates and lineup changes.
Point guard

High-priced studs

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors ($10,600) @ PHI: Curry averaged 64.6 fantasy points in the three games leading up to this past Wednesday's "disappointing" 39.5-point performance against Dallas. The Warriors have been and will be massive favorites in many games this season -- and the fourth-quarter fade angle hasn't held Curry back from being the top asset in fantasy basketball. Philly pushes the ball at a high pace, helping offset any fear of lost possessions. Only DeMarcus Cousins has a higher ceiling today.

John Wall, Washington Wizards ($9,400) @ HOU: Wall is mired in an enduring shooting slump, but awesome Vegas ingredients -- the expected point total is 218 points as of noon today, per Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook -- inspires real interest as the pivot from Curry among the elite tier at the position.

Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors ($8,700) vs. DET: Wrist injuries, matchup metrics -- Lowry scoffs at our fade arguments. Fourth in the league in minutes and facing a Pistons club on the second leg of a back-to-back, Lowry's floor and ceiling projections are a close approximation to Wall's, yet he comes at a discount.

Solid values

Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans ($7,100) vs. BKN: No matter Tyreke Evans' status, Holiday is underpriced and well positioned to exceed value. It helps that the he's facing what is likely the weakest point guard depth chart in the league.

Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers ($6,400) vs. SA: This one is all about tournament usage, as Irving has rarely met cost over the past two weeks, but still can produce a slate-shifting box score.

Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies ($6,200) vs. SAC: The Kings are 29th against point guards on DraftKings and run at the fastest pace in the league. These are attractive ingredients for a high-floor outcome.

Cheap with upside

Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs ($5,300) @ CLE: Irving is 47th among point guards in real defensive plus-minus. The stage is big and the matchup is nice, but we do find Parker's floor still fairly low, thus I'm more interested in using him in tournaments than in cash competition.

Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets ($4,200) vs. WAS: The Wizards push the ball at a fast pace and this is one of the better Vegas climates of the season. Most importantly, the price is still entirely reasonable.

Cory Joseph, Toronto Raptors ($3,700) vs. DET: Drake's buddy is the rare punt play with steady minutes.
Shooting guard
High-priced studs

James Harden, Houston Rockets ($10,100) vs. WAS: The Wizards are 29th against shooting guards on DraftKings, while this fast-paced environment is ideal for Harden's skill set. I'm not fading him for playing heavy minutes and his high usage last night, as Harden still claims a massive margin in projected floor and ceiling among shooting guards.

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors ($8,000) vs. DET:Leading the league in drives, DeRozan earns steady numbers at the line and via a volume of shots. The Pistons' starters played massive minutes last night, while the rested Raptors starting backcourt is primed to exceed value.

Solid values

Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors ($7,300) @ PHI: The Sixers struggle against shooting guards, as ESPN Fantasy editor Martenzie Johnson points out in today's tipoff post. Say it with us: Nik Stauskas.

Will Barton, Denver Nuggets ($5,900) @ IND: The Pacers rank 19th against shooting guards on DraftKings and Barton is back to earning steady trips to the free throw line, a great sign of a high-usage role.

Cheap with upside

Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs ($4,400) @ CLE: Quietly shooting 50 percent from 3-point range in 2016 -- he was just 30 percent from beyond the arc through December this season -- Green can reasonably meet cost.

Wayne Ellington, Brooklyn Nets ($3,300) @ NO: This is all about cheap minutes (28.1 over the past five games) and some nice matchups in New Orleans.
Small forward
High-priced studs

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,500) vs. SA: I've been off James for a few weeks now, as his ceiling is quite compromised with Irving and the full complement of role players in place at this point of the season. It's mostly about Irving's naturally high-usage role, thus I feel we'll rarely see James top 60 fantasy points going forward. For this specific fade, ESPN Stats & Info found that James' usage percentage was just a lowly 10 percent with Kawhi Leonard ($8,200) covering him in their most recent matchup on Jan. 14, and 62 percent against all other defenders. We're also fading Leonard to a degree, given his task of chasing James all day, pushing interest to the guy below.

Paul George, Indian Pacers ($8,900) vs. DEN: I'm fading Danilo Gallinari, given George's elite defensive plus-minus rating -- the Pacers allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position -- but believe George can fairly easily top James' output today.

Solid values

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings ($6,800) at MEM: I'm not too worried about the matchup metrics here: the Grizzlies are 15th against small forwards this season. Meanwhile, Gay is playing heavy minutes on the fastest offense in basketball.

Cheap with upside

Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors ($4,800) @ PHI: This is purely a narrative play (and also a potential blowout), as I'm guessing it's possible Iggy earns extra exposure to build a nice box score against his former team.

Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons ($4,000) @ TOR: With at least 30 minutes in consecutive games, Johnson is underpriced if he can make it three in a row.
Power forward
High-priced studs

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings ($11,400) @ MEM: I've been calling Cousins a giant Russell Westbrook for a while, and now FiveThirtyEight confirms this is one of the rarest usage seasons of all time for a big man. We can see pivoting to some of the names below, but no one has as high of a usage pattern or ceiling in place.

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans ($9,800) vs. BKN: Davis was upgraded to questionable after missing the last game with a concussion. It's easy to love Davis' price and matchup, as the Nets rank 26th against power forwards on DraftKings. Ryan Anderson ($6,900) becomes a must-start if Davis is ruled out, and can still exceed cost even if the Brow is active.

Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors ($8,800) vs. PHI: With multiple days rest and a meeting with the young Philly frontcourt up next, Green is the ideal pivot from Cousins today in all-day tourneys.

Solid values

LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs ($7,200) @ CLE: Given rest and matchup advantages, I'd rather roster Aldridge than Kevin Love ($7,100) in this same pricing tier.

Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets ($5,800) @ IND: The Pacers rank in the bottom-third in defending power forwards on DraftKings, suggesting Faried can meet value if he earns more than 25 minutes today.

Cheap with upside

Nene Hilario, Washington Wizards ($4,600) @ HOU: With nearly a fantasy point per minute over the past four games, meeting cost in a great pace and point setup shouldn't be so difficult for Nene.

Patrick Patterson, Toronto Raptors ($3,800) vs. DET: The only selling point is the fact Patterson has averaged 25.6 minutes per game over the past five. We'll want to identify a few assets like Patterson in order to stack some of the high-dollar superstars.
Center
High-priced studs

Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies ($7,500) vs. SAC: The Kings allow the highest shooting percentage in the restricted area. The Kings' fast-paced agenda only helps heighten Gasol's inherently lofty offensive ceiling. I'm riding with Gasol over Andre Drummond ($8,600) and Dwight Howard ($7,500), given the matchup and pace ingredients.

Solid Values

Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets ($7,100) @ NO: The Pelicans have allowed the 10th-highest shooting percentage in the restricted area and rank 27th against centers on DraftKings. Both Gasol and Lopez have spectacular offensive scoring potential tonight.

Jose Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors ($6,200) vs. DET: It's a close call between Jahlil Okafor ($6,100) and Valanciunas, but the higher floor for the veteran drives more value in cash games.

Cheap with upside

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers ($5,300) vs. DEN: Both Turner and Ian Mahinmi, ($5,000) profile as profitable players today. The Nuggets struggle in rim protection, with Turner claiming the truly high offensive ceiling.

Boban Marjanovic, San Antonio Spurs ($3,700): You know you want to. Tim Duncan is out. The Boban is in. In just 15.1 minutes per over the past four, Marjanovic has produced 21.9 fantasy points per game, suggesting he doesn't even need much exposure to exceed value.
 
Skooby

Skooby

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Seahawks said:
Could you post this article @Skooby

Ranking Denver's D among Super Bowl units
Click to expand...
Where Broncos rank among best Super Bowl defenses



As is usually the case leading up to the Super Bowl, most of the attention in recent days has focused on the opposing quarterbacks. Is there one great game left in Peyton Manning, and will this be the last time we ever see him on a football field? Is Cam Newton about to win the MVP, and where on earth did he get those pants? While the quarterbacks have been generating headlines, though, the defenses should not be forgotten. Denver's unit, in particular, carried the Broncos to the Super Bowl, ranking as the NFL's best defense this season in Football Outsiders' rankings, while the Panthers finished second overall.

Using Football Outsiders' DVOA rankings (you can find the methodologies here), we can analyze the five best defenses to make the Super Bowl going back to 1989. So while the database does not include stalwarts such as the 1985 Bears or the the great Steelers and Dolphins defenses of the 1970s or the Packers of the 1960s, this Broncos team did make the cut.

These rankings reflect regular-season performance only, though our commentary here will discuss each team's postseason fortunes. With that in mind, here are the best defenses we've ever measured among Super Bowl teams.



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1. 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (DVOA: -31.8%)
You know your defense is something special when they name an entire scheme after your team, and the Tampa 2 scheme that coordinator Monte Kiffin developed in Tampa Bay is still used throughout the league today. Though the Bucs had been a great defense for several years under Kiffin and Tony Dungy, it wasn't until Jon Gruden replaced Dungy as head coach in 2002 that the Bucs could field an offense good enough to win a championship.

Still, it was the defense that was dominant for these Bucs. Led by stars such as Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice, Shelton Quarles, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch, the Buccaneers led the league in points, yards, yards per play and turnovers. They were especially dominant against the pass, giving up only 10 touchdown passes while collecting 31 interceptions, both tops in the league.

Led by that defense, the Buccaneers went 12-4 and won the NFC South. They opened their playoff run with a 31-6 beatdown of San Francisco, then traveled to Philadelphia to beat the Eagles 27-10 in the conference championship before crushing the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. In the process, they limited Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and then-MVP Rich Gannon to a combined 54 percent completion rate, with two touchdowns and nine interceptions. Those two touchdowns both came with the Bucs up by at least three scores in the second half of the Super Bowl.




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2. 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers (DVOA: -29.0%)
dikk LeBeau is one of the best defensive coordinators in NFL history, and the 2008 Steelers might have been his best unit. They were relatively light on Pro Bowlers, with linebackers James Farrior and James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu being their only representatives. Even without a lot of name recognition, they still led the NFL in points, yards, yards per play and yards per rush, and were second in sacks.

The Steelers went 12-4 and won the AFC North that year, but their journey to a Super Bowl win was hardly dominant. They beat San Diego in their first playoff game 35-24, but only after the Chargers jumped out to 7-0 and 10-7 leads. The Steelers then reeled off 21 straight points before the two teams traded scores in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh then beat Baltimore 23-14 in an AFC Championship Game that was very much in doubt until Polamalu intercepted Joe Flacco in the fourth quarter and returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown. The Steelers blew a 20-7 lead in the Super Bowl vs. Arizona, but then got a last-minute touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes to secure a 27-23 win.

Though there were some anxious moments along the way, Pittsburgh's run defense was sensational in the postseason, giving up only 40.3 yards per game and 2.5 yards per carry.



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3. 2013 Seattle Seahawks (DVOA: -25.9%)
With current Falcons head coach Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator, and a trio of Pro Bowlers (Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor) patrolling the secondary, the Seahawks' Legion of Boom led the NFL in points, yards, yards per play, passing yards, interceptions and total turnovers.

A 13-3 record was good enough to win Seattle an NFC West championship and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Seahawks squashed a New Orleans rally to beat the Saints 23-15 in the divisional round, then beat San Francisco 23-17 in a game that was decided by a tip-drill interception in the final minutes. Seattle then crushed Denver 43-8 to win Super Bowl XLVIII. Facing two future Hall of Famers in Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, plus then-rising star Colin Kaepernick, the Seahawks allowed only two touchdown passes while collecting five interceptions.



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4. 2015 Denver Broncos (DVOA: -25.8%)
In Gary Kubiak's first year as head coach and Wade Phillips' first season as defensive coordinator, the Broncos have had an amazing season, leading the league in yards, yards per play and sacks. And they've done it against one of the most difficult defensive schedules in the league, with 11 of their 16 regular-season opponents finishing in the top half of Football Outsiders' offensive rankings. The first two quarterbacks Denver has faced this postseason, Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady, have played in nine Super Bowls, winning six. The Broncos held them to one touchdown, two interceptions and seven sacks.



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5. 2000 Baltimore Ravens (DVOA: -23.8%)
Best known as the defense that carried Trent Dilfer to a Super Bowl, these Ravens were very good against the pass, but off-the-charts great against the run. They allowed only 970 rushing yards and 2.7 yards per carry, both the best numbers of any team in any non-strike season in the Super Bowl era. Though the team had three defensive Pro Bowlers (Sam Adams, Ray Lewis and Rod Woodson), its biggest stars might have been on the sideline. Brian Billick's defensive staff included Marvin Lewis, Jack Del Rio, Rex Ryan and Mike Smith, all of whom went on to become successful head coaches. As a group, they have won 307 games and counting.

Held back by their offense and sharing a division with a very tough Tennessee Titans team, the Ravens went 12-4 but were still only a wild-card team. And then their defense, which already had been historically great, kicked its game up several notches. They beat Denver 21-3 in the wild-card round; defeated their division rival Tennessee 24-10 in the divisional round; throttled Oakland 16-3 to win the AFC championship; and then smashed the Giants 34-7 to win Super Bowl XXXV. They surrendered only one offensive touchdown in four playoff games, and allowed Gus Frerotte, Steve McNair, Rich Gannon and Kerry Collins (plus backups Jarious Jackson and Bobby Hoying, who played because the Ravens kept knocking starting quarterbacks out of games) to complete less than half their passes, with no touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Their run defense was still great too, allowing only 3.1 yards per carry.

As you might have noticed, the four prior teams that made it to the Super Bowl with defense as good as Denver's all walked away with Lombardi trophies. Given the limited physical talents of Peyton Manning in 2016, it likely will be up to the Broncos' defense to bring another championship back to Colorado.
 
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