Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill (TEN) $26 @ IND
Only once this season has Ryan Tannehill thrown multiple touchdowns in a game, and it was against the Colts. In Indianapolis this week, that could happen. Part of the reason for that is the Colts defense. They have allowed only 0.3 rushing touchdowns per game running backs this season. That is the 5th fewest in the NFL. The popular plays this week will be the running backs on either side of the AFC South battle. I prefer to pivot to the passing game and go with Tannehill. He also pairs nicely with a WR later on in the article for an affordable stack.
Mac Jones (NE) $22 @ LAC
There are a few great QB plays near the minimum $20 this week. The foremost among them is rookie Mac Jones. With only 5 rush yards per game, Jones does not have a great ground floor. So this is less of a 50/50 or cash play, and more for GPPs or tournaments. In those types of formats, you are looking for a ceiling and in fantasy football that means touchdowns. In addition to this article, I write a piece called the Goal-Line Guide. In that, I attempt to predict weekly TD production, separated by running and throwing. For Week 8, the Patriots passing game has the highest Goal-Line Grade. There is upside in this matchup against the Chargers. At only $22 Jones can easily be stacked with his own teammates, or with opposing players. Not only is Jones cheap, but the New England pass-catchers are mostly underpriced themselves.
Running Back
Najee Harris (PIT) $25 @CLE
Going from a rookie QB to a rookie RB. Right off the bat to start his NFL career, Najee Harris is certainly involved in the offense. Over the last four games, Harris has at least 20 touches in all of them, including two games with at least 30 touches. He is certainly being utilized in all aspects of the game. Volume like that in both the running and passing game is great. Especially for only $25.
Darrell Henderson (LAR) $23 @ HOU
Last week, I recommended Darrell Henderson and that did not work out well. So what to do expect to go right back to the well. In a game theory move, selecting a player after a bad game usually goes counter to what the majority of DFS will do. If people are scared off by Henderson’s single-digit fantasy performance in a smash matchup, his rostership may be lower than expected in Week 8. Once again, the Rams are double-digit favorites and their projected implied total is over 30 points. Process over results says to go with an RB who plays for a heavy favorite.
D’Andre Swift (DET) $22 vs PHI
That last line in the Henderson paragraph does apply, but the opposite could also be true. An RB who plays for an underdog can be viable if they catch passes, and DAndre Swift certainly does. Swift has at least 4 receptions in every game this season. He is coming off of a season-best 8-catch- 96-yard performance. And none of that includes all the rushing attempts. Swift has carries the ball at least 11 times in all but two games this season. A safe reception floor with TD upside for a ceiling. Those two aspects together make Swift a viable play in any type of DFS contest.
Wide Receiver
Mike Williams (LAC) $29 vs NE
One of the games I really want to target for stacking is Patriots @ Chargers. I made reference to the Goal-Line Guide in the QB section, but one more nugget here. The two highest Goal-Line Grade from Week 8 belong to both of the teams in this game. New England and the Chargers could both put up the points, especially through the air. While the Patriots options are rather inexpensive, that is not the case for the Chargers. But that makes for a good strategy pay down for one team, in order to pay up for elite options on the other side f the stack. Mike Williams has certainly had elite production this season. Among wide receivers on the Sunday main slate, Williams is 4th in fantasy points per game. Look for him to continue in Week 8.
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A.J. Brown (TEN) $24 @IND
AJ Brown is back. In back-to-back games, Brown saw 9 targets in each match. Last week he produced a season-best 23.3 fantasy points. Yet, his price has not risen back to his pre-injury levels. This is a perfect week to play not only Brown but also to stack with his QB. Combined the Titans QB-WR stack will only take up 25% of the Yahoo budget. High upside with the ability to afford other elite options.
Emmanuel Sanders (BUF) $20 vs MIA
The Bills have the highest projected implied total of the week at 31.5 points. I want in on the offense and Emmanuel Sanders may be one of the best ways to do so. There are a few things working against Sanders that may keep his rostership low. First, looking through the game logs, his worst game of the season (5.8 fantasy points) came against Miami in Week 2. Sanders is also priced at a season-high $20. However, his production has trended upwards since that Dolphin game. Sanders has double-digit fantasy points in 4 straight games, including 4 touchdowns in that stretch.
DeVonta Smith (PHI) $16 @ DET
I swear I do not have rookie fever. But truthfully after nearly half a season of experience, the first-year players have now become pros in the league. As they gain more practice and playing time, rookie get more and more accustomed to the speed of the NFL game. That will allow them to better produce on Sundays as they gain a mental mastery of the NFL game. Strangely enough, DeVonta Smith scored a TD in his NFL debut. However, he has failed to find the end zone since. Smith is certainly due.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts (ATL) $21 vs CAR
Speaking of rookies here is yet another one. Frankly, it is strange where all of the elite tight ends are not in the Sunday main slate. For Week 8, the highest-priced TE is listed at $21, much lower than we normally see at the top of the position. Rookie Kyle Pitts is among the tight ends at that price. Considering his last two weeks, he is well worth it. Pitts has scored over 19 fantasy points in back-to-back weeks, thanks to the first two 100-yard games of his career.
Hunter Henry (NE) $19 @ LAC
With pricing down at certain positions, I think this is actually a great week to spend up at TE. I mentioned earlier that paying down for Mac Jones at QB was a good play. To pair with the Patriots passer, I think the TE is the way to go. The Chargers have allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. So you can play Hunter Henry even at a season-high $19.
Deep Dive
Van Jefferson (LAR) $11 @ HOU
I mentioned the Rams lead back in the RB section. But perhaps you prefer to invest in the passing game. Rather than pay all the way to the top of the WR list at $36, there is a great opportunity close to the minimum price. Van Jefferson should be line to see more targets as his role expands in the Rams offense.
Defense
San Francisco 49ers $14 @ CHI
Looking at Football Outsiders Offensive Line Ranking, the Bears are last in the league in adjusted sack rate. When targeting a fantasy defense, the ability to create pressure on the QB is important. Not only will it lead to sack production, but it could also force the QB to make mistakes and create turnovers. There is good value so no need to pay up this week at defense. I like the 49ers on the road for only $14.
Washington Football Team $13 @ DEN
Another road defense. Perhaps not a coincidence as it may be part of the Yahoo pricing, to slightly lower the cost of a DST if they are playing on the road. However, I am mostly focused on matchup. For instance, if a team like the Broncos has had some QB struggles, then it does not matter to me that game is in Denver. Teddy Bridgewater was on the injury report with a shoulder injury. He will play, but how effective will he be? Bridgewater has thrown 5 interceptions over the last three weeks, after 0 picks in his first four matches. There is also the Broncos o-line to consider. According to Football Outsiders Denver is ranked 25th in adjusted sack rate. While Washington has not gotten consistent sack numbers so far this season, that could really change this week.
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