Welcome to the NFL DFS Week 8 plays article. I will be discussing some Studs and some value plays to be considered around the industry for this weekends DFS action. Below will be some popular plays and should be on peoples radar for their cash game lineups.
QuarterBack
Studs
Matt Ryan vs. TB (DK $7,100) (FD $8,000) –
Matt Ryan has not played up to expectations this season, but that can change this week. He has a great matchup against the Bucs defense that have surrendered 300+ passing yards and seven passing touchdowns in the last two games. This was against the Redskins and Jaguars. Ryan has yet thrown for 300+ yards and multiple touchdowns in a single game this season. If there’s a game he can do accomplish that, it would be this one. In the last four games against the Bucs, Ryan is averaging 258 yards per game and has thrown nine touchdowns. He’s the most appealing high-end quarterback this week.
Other Studs: Aaron Rodgers (DK $7,500) (FD $9,000)
Values
Philip Rivers at BAL (DK $6,600) (FD $8,500) –
Rivers if much more of a value on DraftKings than he is on FanDuel. Whenever a quarterback plays against the Ravens, I have a tendency of plugging him in my lineups. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging 300.7 passing yards per game, 12.8 passing yards per completion, and have thrown 13 touchdowns against the Ravens defense. Rivers is averaging 350 passing yards per game and has thrown for 330+ yards in four consecutive games. He has thrown for two or more touchdown passes in all but one game. The run game for the Chargers is inexistent and they rely heavily on Rivers’ arm. He’s averaging 44.4 pass attempts per game. This game has the second highest over/under of the week, which is a good indication that points are expected to be scored.
Other Values: Eli Manning (DK $6,500) (FD $7,300), Ben Roethlisberger (DK $7,700) (FD $8,200), Andy Dalton (DK $6,000) (FD $8,100), and Ryan Fitzpatrick (DK $5,200) (FD $7,400)
Running Backs
Studs
Devonta Freeman vs TB (DK $8,000) (FD $9,100) –
Last week was the first time in five games that Freeman did not score a touchdown or record at least four catches. In fact, he was targeted just three times which is the lowest amount of targets he’s received in a single game this season. However, he still topped 100 total yards and caught two passes. This week he faces the Bucs who have not allowed more than 82 rushing yards or a touchdown in the last three weeks. However, in their first three games, they allowed 100+ rushing yards in each game and five touchdowns. They’re also yielding 3.5 receptions per game, 6.1 yards per receptions, and have allowed two receiving touchdowns to opposing backs. The Falcons opened as a seven point favorite which bodes well for Freeman as backs that are favorite have a higher chance to score a touchdown. If you’re looking to pay up for a running back, Freeman is your best bet. He has the best matchup and has been the most productive back in recent weeks.
Other Studs: Le’Veon Bell (DK $8,300) (FD $8,900) and Marshawn Lynch (DK $7,100) (FD $8,300)
Values
Todd Gurley vs. SF (DK $6,300) (FD $8,100)
Gurley has now rushed for more than 125 yards in three consecutive games. He finally scored his first NFL touchdown last week and also scored his second. He’s also averaging over five yards per carry in the last three games. This is another good spot for Gurley as he takes on the Niners who surrender 100.6 rushing yards per game and 4.14 yards per carry to opposing backs. The Niners have also yielded seven rushing touchdowns in seven games this season. The Rams are heavy favorites at home which bodes well for Gurley as it means his likelihood of scoring a touchdown are much higher. He remains at a reasonable price on both sites and could once again be the best play at his position this week. He has a high ceiling as well as a high floor. You can feel comfortable with him in both cash games and tournaments.
Other values: Justin Forsett (DK $6,100) (FD $6,900), Frank Gore (DK$4,800) (FD $7,700), Chris Johnson (DK $4,600) (FD $7,300), and Jonathan Stewart (DK $4,100) (FD $6,600)
Wide Receivers
Studs
Julio Jones vs TB (DK $9,200) (FD $9,200) –
Once again I’m rolling with Julio Jones this week. He’s the most expensive wide receiver and could lead to a low ownership percentage even though he could easily finish as the week’s number one wide receiver. Jones is averaging 12.7 targets per game and has been targeted fewer than 10 times in just one game. The Bucs are surrendering 179.7 receiving yards per game and 13.5 yards per reception. They’ve also allowed at least one touchdown in every game and have yielded 10 touchdowns to opposing receivers. The Falcons are favored by seven and have an implied points total of 27. With Hopkins likely being highly owned once again this weekend, Jones makes a great pivot play in a great spot.
Other Studs: DeAndre Hopkins (DK $9,100) (FD $9,000), Odell Beckham JR (DK $8,700) (FD $8,700), Antonio Brown (DK $7,800) (FD $8,400), and Keenan Allen (DK $7,700) (FD $8,000)
Values
Stefon Diggs vs. CHI (DK $4,800) (FD $6,700) –
Diggs has received 28 targets in the last three games and is averaging 9.3 targets per game. At $4,800 on DraftKings, he make a really great value play. Diggs has topped 20 points in consecutive games on DraftKings, and has scored double digit fantasy points in all the games he played. He has a good matchup ahead of him too as he takes on the Bears defense. Opposing wide receivers are averaging 138 receiving yards per game and have scored 11 touchdowns. Diggs has been the best receiver for the Vikings this season and continues to see plenty of looks. At this price it’s almost impossible for him to miss value based on volume alone. Chances are his ownership will be higher than last week, but at this price it may be difficult to not consider Diggs.
Other Values: Mike Evans (DK $6,800) (FD $7,800), Alshon Jeffery (DK $6,400) (FD $7,700), Martavis Bryant (DK $5,300) (FD $7,200), and Eric Decker (DK $5,200) (FD $6,400)
Tight End
Studs
Martellus Bennett vs. MIN (DK $4,900) (FD $5,700) –
Bennett currently sits at the number two spot as far as targets is concerned at the tight end position, even though he’s had a bye week. He’s averaging 8.8 targets per game, but has been targeted 11 or more times in three straight games. He faces a Vikings defense that have surrendered 100+ yard games in back to back games against opposing tight ends and have allowed three touchdowns. Bennett could be low owned and still provides a safe floor along with upside. He’s a high volume tight end and should be considered in tournaments this week.
Other studs: Tyler Eifert (DK $5,300) (FD $6,000) and Greg Olsen (DK $6,500) (FD $6,400)
Values
Delanie Walker at HOU (DK $4,100) (FD $5,400) –
Walker is someone who usually gets overlooked. However, if you look at the numbers he’s a solid play. He’s averaging 7.6 targets per game, but has been targeted nine or more times in three of his last four games. He has scored fewer than 12 points just once this season on DraftKings and has seven or more catches in three of his last four games. Being that the tight end position is so volatile, players like Walker make great plays as he is consistent and reliable.
Other values: Ladarius Green (DK $3,000) (FD $5,300) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (DK $2,800) (FD $5,200)
