DraftKings Week 8 Picks
This week we saw a ton of potentially season-ending injuries to some fantasy-relevant players, making things a bit murkier for DFS. Sometimes that allows you to find diamonds, other times it completely destroys a team's fantasy value.
On the plus side, this week we have a ton of amazing Running Back matchups, along with some great games with shootout potential.
There really aren't a ton of great cheap options this week that don't come with a ton of risk, but we will try and find the best middle guys that can build your lineup without having to throw too many darts.
Let's dive into Week Eight of DraftKings picks.
Quarterbacks
Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) - $7500 @ CIN
Jalen Hurts has eclipsed 20 fantasy points in the last two games after struggling a bit to start the season. Hurts did most of his damage last week running in touchdowns since the Eagles rode Saquon Barkley's coattails in his first revenge game against the Giants, which is pretty nice considering he only passed for 114 yards.
This week will be a bit different since the Eagles are now taking on an actual competent offense: Cincinnati. Joe Burrow and his receivers should be able to keep this one close against the beatable Eagles' pass defense, so we could be in for a higher-scoring affair.
Cincinnati is currently ranked 28th in defense against QBs, so Hurts has a good opportunity to shine. On the other hand, Cincinnati has been good at stopping the run game for the most part, although they've allowed solid rushing stats to scrambling Quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson, Daniel Jones, and even Dorian Thompson-Robinson). That bodes well for Hurts.
Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) - $5600 vs CAR
Bo Nix hasn't been a touchdown machine by any means, but he has put up relatively decent fantasy points over the last three weeks.
He has shown his rushing ability, running for 136 yards over his last two games, propping his fantasy stats up a bit. That said, Nix gets a great matchup against the visiting Carolina Panthers, who gave up 40 points to a Jayden Daniels-less Commanders offense.
Nix has been steadily improving, and why not give the guy a real blow-up game against a bad defense in front of the home crowd?
If you are looking for a cheaper QB option this week, Nix is worth a shot.
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks) - $7800 vs BUF
Buffalo currently ranks second-to-last in defending the run, so Kenneth Walker is probably very excited about this matchup.
Walker has been a workhorse once again this season, getting involved in both the run and pass game. Last week against Atlanta, Walker rushed 14 times for 69 yards and a touchdown and added a receiving touchdown.
Walker's dual-threat abilities have allowed him to put up solid fantasy points even if his rushing yards are scarily low, so he is a pretty solid floor player to have in your lineup.
DK Metcalf may miss some time with a knee injury, making Walker even more important to that Seahawk offense.
Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) - $6600 @ JAX
Josh Jacobs has been another Running Back with a solid floor lately, however his lack of touchdowns has really brought his fantasy value down. That hopefully will change this week against the Jaguars, who have a tough time defending the run.
Jacobs has already rushed the ball 120 times in seven weeks, and averages almost three targets a game. All that work, and only two touchdowns to show for it. We have to expect some positive regression at some point, and why not this week against the Jags?
This game could get ugly quickly, especially if the Green Bay defense shuts down Trevor Lawrence like they did to CJ Stroud last week. If that happens, the Packers will probably lean on Jacobs a bit more to run the clock.
Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) - $6300 @ LV
Patrick Mahomes and company have struggled to throw the ball this season, but Kareem Hunt seems to have not been affected all that much.
Since joining the Chiefs in Week Four, Hunt has rushed 63 times (over 20 each in his last two games) for 249 yards and three touchdowns. He also has five catches for 36 yards.
It seems as though the Chiefs are just fine with stuffing the ball down their opponent's throats as long as their passing game struggles, so this matchup against Las Vegas should be a juicy one for Hunt.
Las Vegas currently ranks 27th against Running Backs, so it should come as no surprise if Hunt gets another 20-carry day.
Wide Receivers
DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) - $6600 @ CIN
DeVonta Smith may have put up a massive stinker last week against the Giants, but as I mentioned above for Jalen Hurts, game script really didn't favor any passing offense.
This week is much more favorable, and I decided to pair Hurts with his WR2 to save some salary. Smith had started the season with three straight seven-catch games (all for over 75 yards), but an injury made him miss time.
With both AJ Brown and Smith fully healthy again, the Eagles' offense should be able to move the ball against the susceptible Bengal defense. Figuring Cinci will put their best defenders on Brown, Smith should have a good fantasy opportunity.
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals) - $6500 vs PHI
I went with the same logic on this Tee Higgins pick. Instead of spending up for Ja'Marr Chase, I went with the much cheaper, yet somehow dominant WR2 for the Bengals.
Higgins has been averaging nine targets per game (five games) since returning to the Bengals' lineup, scoring three times in that span. He also has gone over 75 yards in the last three games.
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense are always dangerous, especially against a struggling Eagle pass defense, so we may be in for a lot of offense.
Figuring the Eagles will try and contain Chase mostly (same logic as Smith/Brown), Higgins should at least see plenty of targets and is always a threat to score.
Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins) - $7000 vs ARI
Let's be honest, Tyreek Hill was almost downright droppable without Tua (not that I would). But now it appears as though Tua is ready to play again, and figuring is fully healthy, Hill might be a fantasy star once more.
Hill started the season with a seven-catch, 130-yard and one touchdown performance against Jacksonville, but it's been all downhill from there. Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley apparently weren't the answer, which could be why Tua feels he needs to play.
Arizona currently struggles against WRs, so it couldn't really be a better matchup for Hill and Tua. Some may sit on the sidelines to see how the Dolphins look, but I think Hill is worth the risk.
Rashod Bateman (Baltimore Ravens) - $4300 @ CLE
If you need a super cheap option at WR this week, Rashod Bateman is a pretty solid option worth looking at.
Bateman has caught four passes in each of his last three games. Now that is a bit scary, but he turned those receptions into two touchdowns and yardages of 58, 71, and 121 respectively.
This week the Ravens take on Cleveland, who has been better at stopping the run (6th best against RBs) than the pass (27th against WRs). Now it still is Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry running the ball, but Bateman is in a nice spot for a big stat game.
Bateman seems to be a deeper threat type of player, so most of his catches should bring in big yards and potential home run touchdown plays.
Tight Ends
David Njoku (Cleveland Browns) - $5100 vs BAL
Things should be interesting moving forward with David Njoku, who just lost DeShaun Watson to an achilles tear and already lost Amari Cooper to trade.
Njoku had his best game yet this season last week, catching 10 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. Getting 14 targets in a game you lose your QB and are without your top WR should at least still give confidence in his usage.
The Browns also just announced Jameis Winston as the starter, which I actually like for Njoku. Winston might be rusty coming out of the gate, but he has been known to sling the ball a ton....which of course bodes well for Njoku as well.
The Browns take on the Ravens this week, but even though it's a tougher matchup, Baltimore can be beaten through the air.
Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders) - $6100 vs KC
You'll have to pay up for him, but Brock Bowers by far has the best matchup and the most usage of any Tight End on the list this week.
He has recorded at least eight receptions in the last three weeks, and that should continue with Davante Adams being officially gone. It seems like his not being on the field tremendously helped Bowers, and he now faces a Chief defense that has allowed the most yards to opposing Tight Ends.
I doubt this one will be close, which should bode well for Bowers and the amount of targets he will get.
Unless KC completely shuts down Bowers in an attempt to make Las Vegas throw to their bad receivers, he should be in for a huge day.
Defense
Denver - $3700 vs CAR
At home against one of the worst offenses in the NFL is a no-brainer.
Now of course anything can happen in the NFL, but Denver has put up huge fantasy points defensively in 5-of-7 games so far and should improve those numbers against Carolina.
Andy Dalton has not played well after a great first start, and now talks of going back to Bryce Young are being heard.
Both Dalton and Young have struggled in that Carolina offense, so frankly I don't think it'll matter who is under center.
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