Here are my DraftKings value plays for Week 8. They are listed in descending price order, not a ranking of who to play out of each group. YOU ultimately make the decision on these players and whether to put them in your lineup. These are not necessarily must plays (some are in my opinion) but players you can squeeze for extra value to save money on the rest of your roster. Be sure to check out the Fantasy Knuckleheads Podcast that airs live every Tuesday at 10pm (Value plays) and Thursday at 10pm (Lineups).
Quarterback
Tony Romo - $7400:
Apart from the first two weeks, Romo has thrown for at least 2+ touchdowns in each game as the Cowboys continue to shock the NFL as one of the best teams in the league. Going up against hapless Redskins secondary, without DeAngelo Hall, Romo is in line for a big week at a bargain price.
Tom Brady - $7200:
Since the debacle against the Chiefs on Monday night in Week 4, Brady has been lighting it up, averaging over 300 yards and three scores over the last three weeks. With Gronk getting healthier each week, the emergence of Brandon LaFell and Vereen catching balls out of the backfield, Brady is well on his way back to being a fantasy stud. The matchup against a decimated Bears defense is extremely compelling as well as they are the 25th ranked defense against quarterbacks in DraftKings this season.
Jay Cutler - $7000:
Other than last week, Cutler has put up no less than 17.4 points on DraftKings all year long, including four games of 20+ points. Because of his bad week against the Dolphins, Cutler’s price has dropped considerably and has a good chance to bounce back in a shootout against Brady and the Pats who are dealing with their own fair share of injuries on the defensive end.
Cam Newton - $6600:
If not for the matchup, Cam at this price is in must-play territory. He seems much healthier and has ran the ball at least six times in each of the past three weeks including 17 carries for 107 yards against the Bengals two weeks ago. Cam is most effective when defenses have to focus on Cam the dual-threat QB as opposed to the pocket passer he was limited to earlier in the year. Tough play for this week, but if the pricing continues, Cam is a HUGE value moving forward.
Carson Palmer - $6500:
In his three starts this year, Carson has thrown for 250+ yards and two scores in each game and has yet to drop below 17 points on DraftKings. The Arizona offense is clearly upgraded with Carson under center and that should continue in a potential shootout with the Eagles.
Matt Stafford - $6500:
Without Calvin Johnson, Stafford is not the same quarterback and it has shown. Stafford’s value this week is predicated entirely on his matchup as the Falcons defense has continued to struggle. Definitely a risky play, but could be worth it under the lights in London.
Running Back
LeSean McCoy - $5800:
Though the Cardinals are the best defense against running backs this season on DraftKings, they do give up their fair share of receptions to running backs. On DraftKings, free catches are still catches and McCoy is still one of the best running backs in the league. Definitely a tournament play rather than a 50/50, but McCoy could have a nice day and supplement decent yardage with a potential score and free receptions.
Jerick McKinnon - $4900:
McKinnon’s role in the offense continues to increase from week to week and he just gashed a very good Buffalo run defense for over 100 yards on just 19 carries in Week 7. McKinnon is explosive and it seems the Vikings are finally letting the training wheels off. Going up against a Bucs defense that allows the 4th most points to runnings backs on DraftKings, McKinnon could be in store for a HUGE day.
Joique Bell - $4800:
Matchup, matchup, matchup. The Falcons are THE worst defense against running backs on DraftKings, especially those who catch passes out of the backfield. Though Reggie Bush has said that he expects to be active this week, the Lions will try to limit him and let his health improve for the stretch run, leading to more touches for Joique. Even if Bush does play and get his share of touches, Joique will still have a real nice day against this defense with upside for much more if Bush is limited.
Ben Tate - $4600:
The loss of Alex Mack was apparent last week against the Jaguars as the Browns O-line was unable to create lanes for Tate like they had in the previous two weeks. The good news is that Tate is clearly still the guy in this running attack and has a fantastic matchup against the Raiders who give up the 3rd most points to running backs on DraftKings. The risk is there, but the reward could be huge and if Tate can’t succeed with this matchup, he may not see this list again for the rest of the year.
Tre Mason - $4400:
I do not recommend playing Mason this week because of a tough matchup against the Chiefs, but going forward, Mason could be a great play. Fisher loves to ride one back as much as he can and Mason has established himself as the guy that should be given that opportunity going forward. Mason is an explosive runner and if he can start to catch the ball out of the backfield, Mason could be huge in DK going forward.
Bryce Brown - $3400:
As far as punt plays go, Bryce Brown is the best option based solely on projected touches. The matchup is tough going up against the Jets who are still a top-10 defense against the run even including the huge games Oliver and Vereen have had against them. If you need to save money, Bryce is the best play in this price range.
Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant - $6900:
This price is an absolute joke for a top-5 wideout. Like I mentioned with Romo, the Redskins’ secondary is not very good and I expect Romo to get Dez going early and shred the Skins all day long. He’s a must play on DraftKings this week.
Brandon Marshall - $6100:
The Bears simply are not as bad as they looked last week and when both are healthy, the passing attack runs through the Cutler to Marshall bromance. Despite the health concerns and inconsistency of this offense so far, Marshall is still a top WR, especially in PPR formats. I’d prefer to wait a week and hope that this offense improves, but this could be the last time we see Marshall at this much of a bargain.
Alshon Jeffrey - $6000:
Most of what I said for Marshall rings true for Jeffrey. This offense can succeed with both of them playing big roles each and every week. They are the easily the best duo of wide receivers in the game from a talent perspective (production goes to Nelson and Cobb for the time being) and I don’t see their prices staying this low for much longer.
Steve Smith - $5600:
Though his targets have gone down from earlier in the year, Steve Smith is still a top PPR wideout this year and his price is far too low. In the first matchup, Smith torched the Bengals to the tune of seven catches for 118 yards and a score. The past two weeks Flacco hasn’t needed to rely on his most consistent pass-catcher, but he will need to lean on him heavily in Round 2 of this tough divisional matchup.
Jeremy Maclin - $5500:
Coming off a Week 6 where he just simply was not needed in a blowout against the Giants and then a bye week, Maclin’s price on DraftKings has dropped considerably to its lowest point all year long. The Cardinals bleed points to wide receivers, allowing the 3rd most points against them this season. Other than that Week 6 blowout, Maclin has been targeted no less than 10 times in any week and Foles will need to dial Maclin’s number a lot to hang with the 5-1 Cardinals. Must play this week.
Michael Floyd – $4900:
In the three games that Carson Palmer has started, Floyd has put up at least 13.7 points in each and has scored a touchdown in each of the past two weeks since he returned. Not to mention, the Eagles are ranked 26th against wide receivers this season on DraftKings. I see a big day coming from Palmer’s favorite deep threat and his price will start climbing steadily for the rest of the year.
Davante Adams – $3500:
Like Brown, Adams is the best bet as a punt play if you need to save money elsewhere. Adams has cemented his role as the #3 wide receiver in an explosive Packers passing game and Rodgers will get him involved to make more space for Nelson and Cobb.
Tight End
Jordan Reed - $4000:
Reed’s price dropped a full thousand from last week and that just doesn’t make sense. Reed has been the most targeted receiver for the Redskins over the past two weeks and has dominated the intermediate passing game, which is great for PPR as it is the perfect blend of chunk yardage mixed with catch opportunities. And despite how well the Cowboys have played this season, they have given up the 2nd most points to tight ends this season on DraftKings. High floor, higher upside.
Travis Kelce - $3800:
Kelce’s price dropped almost as much as Reed’s and this one actually makes complete sense. From a talent perspective, Kelce could be a top-5 tight end, but Andy Reid refuses to get him the ball regardless of how terrible is receivers are playing. Kelce saw ZERO targets in the first half but essentially won the game for the Chiefs with his play on the last drive biting off big chunks of yards on his two targets to put them into field goal range. Tourney play with massive upside, but as much as I trust Kelce, I don’t trust Reid enough to warrant a 50/50 play until I see a commitment to include Kelce in the passing game.
Zach Ertz - $3200:
THANK YOU DRAFTKINGS FOR FREE MONEY. This has to be a joke, right? Coming off a three catch for 47 yards and a score performance against the Giants (all in the first half when the game was actually a game), Ertz’s price dropped going up against a team that is notorious for bleeding points to the tight end dating back to last season. Right now, the Cardinals rank 27th against tight ends on DraftKings this season, but that includes playing the 49ers in Week 3 without Vernon Davis and last week against the Raiders who simply ignore Mychal Rivera. Like Maclin, if the Eagles want to win this game, they have to take advantage of this matchup and feed the beast that is Zach Ertz. Must play.