DFS Cash Game Breakdown 2019 Week 8

By Kyle Dvorchak

Quarterback

Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Quarterback is a thin position this week with Patrick Mahomes out, Lamar Jackson on bye, and Russel Wilson getting a massive price hike.

Watson has been on a tear in the past three weeks as a passer:

36.3 attempts per game
338 yards per game
2.3 touchdowns per game

He's also been getting it done on the ground all season. He has rushed for 30 yards or a touchdown in every game but one this season.

There are spots to pay down at running back and receiver this week which makes spending up a very obvious move at quarterback.

Running Back

Ty Johnson, Detroit Lions

At his cost ($4,900 on DraftKings and $5,200 on Fanduel), little needs to be said on why you should play him. Last week, Kerryon Johnson exited with a knee injury that would later land him on IR. In his absence, Ty was given 10 carries to J.D. McKissic's five and-most importantly-Ty caught four balls to McKissic's two.

It's clear that they want Ty to take over most of Kerryon's role while McKissic maintains his two-minute drill and third-down role.

On top of all this, Ty is a 7-point favorite at home. Fire him up as your free square this week.

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

The price inflation of Leonard Fournette continued this week but it still hasn't caught up to wear his volume says the price should be. With Christian McCaffrey on bye, Fournette officially overtook him in total touches among all backs. Fournette has 172 touches and is averaging 24.6 per game. Even his average trails only CMC.

This week he faces the Jets at home as a 6-point favorite. His bruising skill set meshes well with a large home lead but even if he Jets do get up, Fournette is eighth in running back targets at 38. No player has a higher weekly floor than Fournette except McCaffrey, who officially costs enough to consider fading him.

Wide Receiver

Keny Stills, Houston Texans

Kenny Stills is essentially the Ty Johnson of receivers this week. He will still cede some volume to the players around him but his price more than factors that in without taking into account the upside he possesses.

Will Fuller is set to be sidelined for multiple weeks and Stills has already shown what he can do as the primary deep threat for Deshaun Watson. Last week, Fuller exited in the first quarter. Stills then went out and posted his first 100-yard game as a Texan.

Stills was targeted five times and took the field for 61 of the Texans' 65 snaps. He seamlessly took over Fullers' role like a T-1000 Terminator or something from Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Note: I've never seen Invasion of the Body Snatchers so this may or may not be an appropriate analogy.

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Michael Thomas is the most quarterback-independent receiver in the NFL and the debate can be shelved for the rest of time. Here are the changes in some of his per-game stats with Teddy Bridgewater center:

+.8 targets
0 receptions
+2.6 yards

Drew Brees expects to play but has been limited in practice but in reality, the numbers say it doesn't matter. The Saints have an implied team total of more than 30 points and play indoors versus a weak Arizona defense.

Fire up Thomas no matter who takes the field at quarterback.

Tight End

Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers

Hunter Henry has picked up right where he left off after injuring his knee early in the season. Over the past two weeks, he has 17 targets and 194 yards for an average depth of target 11.4. Since returning, he is sixth in WOPR, which combines share of air yards and share of targets.

The Chargers are six-point dogs to Chicago. Their overall team passing volume should rise as they chase the Bears only furthering Herny's already impressive volume. Keep playing him until his price corrects.

Defense

Oakland Raiders

Facing the Texans may seem like a daunting task but most teams that play them have been up to the challenge. The Colts defense scored 9 points at $2,000 on DraftKings last week and showed a great example of why facing Houston is great for a cheap defense.

Deshaun Watson is sixth in the NFL at 21 sacks taken. Indianapolis got to him three times last week and forced two interceptions. Getting to the passer generates sacks and turnovers. Few teams allow that to happen more than the Texans.

Take the savings with Oakland and spend up elsewhere.