The best DraftKings cash games plays at each position on Week 8’s main slate. Using a combination of the players described in detail and the other options listed could make for a great Week 8 lineup.
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers ($6,400)
The way QB’s are priced in Week 8 justifies spending up for a high-ceiling quarterback. Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes are great plays here, but it’s hard to pass up Aaron Rodgers as he continues to look better each week coming off a knee injury. Rodgers’ yards per attempt has increased every week since Week 3. It also looks like Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb are coming back this week, providing Rodgers with more trustworthy options in the highest over-under of the week. The only top-15 QB’s in scoring the Rams have played this season are Kirk Cousins (31.7 points) and Phillip Rivers (17 points), so their points per game allowed to QB’s aren’t as impressive as the numbers suggest.
Other options: Jared Goff ($6,000), Patrick Mahomes ($7,000)
Running Back
Kareem Hunt ($7,100)
Kareem Hunt looks like one of the few locks this week on the main slate. Since becoming involved in the passing game in Week 4, Hunt has averaged 27.4 points per game. Over that period, Hunt has also been receiving 4.5 targets and 3 red-zone carries per game. These opportunities in the highest scoring offense in the league are invaluable. He also has a plus matchup against Denver, who has allowed the second-highest yards per attempt and rushing yards per game. Hunt is $2,700 cheaper than Todd Gurley and only $100 more than Christian McCaffrey.
For more Week 8 DFS advice, see our Optimal FanDuel Lineup and FanDuel Value Plays.
James Conner ($7,500)
Ignoring a tough matchup against Baltimore in Week 4, James Conner has averaged 26.1 fantasy points per game this season. Like Hunt, James Conner receives valuable opportunities (5.8 targets, 3.2 red-zone touches per game) in a top-5 scoring offense. David Johnson in a new role makes a lot of sense here as well. Pairing either of them with Hunt provides your two running backs with a floor of about 35 touches and 2 touchdowns. It’s hard to fit Gurley in with any two of Hunt, Conner, or Johnson, and pairing him with Kerryon Johnson or Phillip Lindsay is a riskier and more expensive pairing.
Phillip Lindsay ($5,200)
Last week, one Denver running back played a season-high in snaps and another played a season-low. The player who had a season-high was Lindsay (59%), while Devontae Booker was the one with a season-low (11%). Ignoring his Week 3 performance (ejection), Lindsay has received consistent work all season. In these games, he never had less than 11 points or 10 touches. Lindsay will absorb Royce Freeman’s 1.4 red-zone touches per game in the second highest over-under of the week.
Other options: David Johnson ($6,700), Todd Gurley ($9,800), Isaiah Crowell ($3,700), Kerryon Johnson ($5,300)
Wide Receiver
Odell Beckham Jr. ($7,500)
Through 7 weeks, Odell Beckham Jr. is 2nd in targets, 4th in red-zone targets, and 5th in fantasy points per game among the wide receivers on the main slate. People are shying away from the Norman matchup, but Beckham has proved multiple times he can beat Norman’s coverage even when Norman was in his prime (15.9 points per game against him since 2015). Beckham’s $7,500 price tag gives you the ability to lock in two high volume running backs while not having to take dart throws at the rest of wide receiver. Antonio Brown is also a great play instead of Beckham if you decide to not play James Conner.
Michael Crabtree ($4,800)
It looks like Michael Crabtree will be primarily covered by James Bradberry this week. Bradberry gave up 20.5 points to Alshon Jeffery last week and even 12.8 to Josh Doctson the week before. Crabtree is averaging 9.1 targets per game and 58.4 receiving yards per game, so we at least get a solid floor for $4,800. Carolina’s top-10 run defense will force Baltimore to beat Carolina through the air.
Golden Tate ($6,000)
Golden Tate is averaging 9.5 targets and 17.6 fantasy points per game through 7 weeks, which makes it surprising he is only priced at $6,000 this week. He should provide a high floor (lowest total this year is 9 points) but provides exciting upside against a Seattle Seahawks secondary that has been burned by Emmanuel Sanders and is now without safety Earl Thomas. Tate is a low-risk option for his price but could provide a great return on investment in what could be a surprisingly high scoring game.
Other options: Antonio Brown ($8,500), Demaryius Thomas ($4,900), Robert Woods ($6,800), Doug Baldwin ($5,500)
Tight End
C.J. Uzomah ($3,500)
There isn’t a surefire play at tight end this week, but C.J. Uzomah does make sense at a position that relies so heavily on touchdowns outside of the elite options. Uzomah will be facing off against Tampa Bay in Week 8. Tampa Bay is allowing the most points (19.6 per game) to opposing tight ends this season. They have also provided season-high totals to Austin Hooper (22.1) and Vance McDonald (21.2), and the lowest total a primary tight end has had against them this season is 8.4. Uzomah allows you to pay up for a couple elite options at running back and wide receiver.
Other options: David Njoku ($4,600), George Kittle ($5,500)
D/ST: Whatever fits
Defenses have very little separation in points scored per week, so going with a cheaper option with a safe floor seems to be the best strategy for cash games. Pittsburgh ($2,300) stands out as the best value playing against Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense. Tampa Bay D/ST had their highest total this season against Mayfield last week, while Baltimore and Los Angeles also had solid weeks against the number 1 pick. Baltimore ($2,800), Indianapolis ($2,900), and Arizona ($3,200) are more expensive options worth considering if you have extra money left over.
No Comment! Be the first one.