Week 8 FanDuel Picks
Cash Game Quarterback
Joe Burrow, Bengals ($7,700) vs. Eagles
I don’t see a clear-cut cash game QB. But it’s Burrow who pops up No. 1 in FD $ per point – albeit by a slim margin.
Burrow’s offense arrives in good health and with a pass-heavy approach. Entering the week, only six QBs had attempted more passes. Their pass rate: is nearly 61%.
The Eagles have a talented unit, but they haven’t proven consistent to date. They’re 16th or worse in pressure rate, time to throw, and pass defense DVOA.
Tournament Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($7,000) vs. Cardinals
Tua passed the concussion protocol on Friday, confirming his status as Miami’s QB1 vs. Arizona.
The Dolphins – averaging a league-high 65.5 plays per game – are implied for a solid 25 points against a thin Arizona defense. The Cardinals sit 29th in pass defense DVOA, 31st in sack rate, and 31st in PFF’s coverage grades.
Also in my player pool: Kyler Murray, Jameis Winston
Cash Game Running Backs
Breece Hall, Jets ($7,900) at Patriots
Hall delivered in this space last week. Encouragingly, he again held a workhorse role for fill-in OC Todd Downing.
Now, given the timing of his Week 7 game, Hall remains underpriced for Sunday’s favorable matchup.
Consider: New England has allowed 163 rushing yards per game since Week 4. On the year, the Pats have allowed the second most FanDuel points per game to RBs.
Javonte Williams, Broncos ($6,000) vs. Panthers
Here’s another discounted RB option.
Williams, fresh off a season-best performance against New Orleans, draws the best matchup on the board.
The Panthers have allowed a league-high 933 rushing yards on a league-high 198 attempts faced. Their pass rate over expected against (bottom chart) is among the lowest league-wide.
Denver should ride the run game in this one – particularly with the Panthers missing Andy Dalton and Diontae Johnson. Carolina’s implied for only 14.5 points.
Also in my player pool: Derrick Henry, Kenneth Walker
Tournament Running Backs
D’Andre Swift, Bears ($7,500) at Washington
I’m expecting Jayden Daniels to sit out Sunday’s contest. If so, that’ll tilt the projected game script in favor of more running for the Bears.
They’re already installed as three-point road favorites.
Here’s the real reason to back Swift: excellent usage. Prior to a Week 7 bye, he posted games of 24, 23, and 21 touches. Now he gets Washington’s 20th-ranked rush defense DVOA. They’ll also be without stud DL Jonathan Allen.
J.K. Dobbins, Chargers ($7,400) vs. Saints
Since starting hot, Dobbins has finished as a top-12 fantasy RB in only one of his past four outings.
That stretch includes several tough matchups, though. And the Saints run D certainly hasn’t been intimidating, allowing 5.5 YPC and the fifth most fantasy points to RBs.
Dobbins’ usage looks strong, too. The past two weeks have turned up two of his highest snap shares and carry shares.
Also in my player pool: Kenneth Walker, Javonte Williams, De’Von Achane, David Montgomery
Cash Game Wide Receivers
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins ($7,600) vs. Cardinals
Hill’s priced like he’s playing alongside another backup QB. Instead, the Fins will welcome back Tua Tagovailoa from a multi-week absence.
Now, Hill popped up on the injury report with a toe. But HC Mike McDaniel expressed optimism that the star WR will play against a beatable Arizona defense.
Given his upside, Hill’s certainly in play for tournaments as well.
Trey Palmer, Buccaneers ($4,000) vs. Falcons
Palmer projects for a nice target boost with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans sidelined.
Not only that, but Palmer is another underpriced asset on this slate, as he played on Monday night.
As a bonus: Atlanta will be without key defenders in S Justin Simmons and LB Troy Anderson.
Also in my player pool: DJ Moore, Brian Thomas Jr., Cedric Tillman
Tournament Wide Receivers
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($9,100) at 49ers
There’s a certain cap-friendly TE we’ll talk about in the next section. But given that advantage – plus the discounted name directly below – Lamb can fit into lineups.
Sure, he’s underperformed to date. But this same pattern surfaced last year, and he proceeded to explode post-bye week. Coming off the Week 7 bye, Lamb figures to be heavily involved as 4-point road underdogs.
Deebo Samuel, 49ers ($8,000) vs. Cowboys
The 49ers will be without Brandon Aiyuk – and likely Jauan Jennings – against Dallas.
In most cases, that’d shift a ton of ownership over to Deebo. But his bout with pneumonia might turn off a good chunk of DFS players. We currently project Samuel at a 14% ownership rate.
Back at practice on Thursday/Friday, he should play a sizable role vs. Dallas. Just check Shark Bites leading up to game time, as we may get clues about hsi usage.
Also in my player pool: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Xavier Worthy, Davante Adams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
Cash Game Tight End
Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($4,000) at Seahawks
I don’t know why FanDuel priced Kincaid at 4K. But given the extreme discount, he’s a lock-and-load option against Seattle.
Despite some ups and downs, the second-year man still projects as the biggest TE value to date.
Tournament Tight End
David Njoku, Browns ($5,500) vs. Ravens
Njoku saw three of Jameis Winston’s four targets after he entered the game in Week 7. It’s a small sample, but there’s reason to believe Njoku’s volume will remain strong against Baltimore. The Ravens have allowed the most catches and yards to enemy TEs.
Cleveland also enters the weekend as big home underdogs (+8.5). Plus, you’re not paying any sort of premium for him at $5.5K.
Also in my player pool: Brock Bowers, Travis Kelce
Defense
*At defense, I’m generally looking to spend down across formats.
Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee Titans
I know the Lions are without star EDGE Aidan Hutchinson. But I can’t overlook the sack and turnover upside against Mason Rudolph.
Last week vs. Buffalo, he posted two turnover-worthy plays, per PFF. He managed just 5.3 YPA.
Down DeAndre Hopkins, the Lions have a clear personnel edge in the secondary. Calvin Ridley has caught more than three balls only once all season (Week 2). And the O-line remains vulnerable.
Entering Week 8, Tennessee has allowed the league’s second-highest pressure rate (43.9%).
Also in my player pool: Texans, Broncos