DFS Flex Targets DraftKings 2018 Week 8

By Armando Marsal

The flex position really adds a unique dynamic to lineup construction as you can plug in a receiver, running back, or even a tight end. Using the flex position wisely can allow you to differentiate and create unique lineups. Every week calls for different situations, so depending on what the slate gives you and pricing, will determine on how you utilize this position. As usual, I’ll go over some players that I am targeting in the main slate this weekend that can be plugged into the flex spot.

Running Back

Phillip Lindsay $5,200 at Kansas City Chiefs

Lindsay has been pretty reliable on a weekly basis this season, averaging 13.1 DKFP per game, and scoring single digit fantasy points just once. He is averaging 12.9 touches and 2.9 targets per game. This week he faces off against a Chiefs defense that is yielding 33.6 DKFP per game (3rd most) and has surrendered 709 rushing yards (7th most), 49 receptions (2nd most), 511 receiving yards (2nd most), and nine total touchdowns to opposing backs. The game environment here against a high-powered offense like Kansas City’s should really play in Lindsay’s favor. He already faced off against the Chiefs this season and rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, adding two catches for 10 yards, scoring 15.9 DKFP. We would like a little more out of him at this price tag, but there is a pretty safe floor for Lindsay in this matchup, as well as some upside, so I do not mind taking a shot on him this week.

Jalen Richard $4,200 vs. Indianapolis Colts

With Marshawn Lynch on IR, the running back situation for the Raiders is a bit cloudy. Doug Martin, who has been atrocious for some years now, is expected to get the early down work, with Richard handling the pass catching duties. I like this matchup for Richard this week for a couple of reasons. For starters, the Colts are running the fourth most plays per game and should have no trouble scoring against the Raiders, making this a potentially favorable game script for a pass catching back like Richard. The Colts have also allowed 49 receptions to opposing backs this season, which is tied for second most with the Chiefs. Richard is second on the team behind tight end Jared Cook with 37 targets (16 percent), and now that Amari Cooper is no longer on the team, Richard could see an increase role in the passing game. There is not a ton of upside here for Richard, but he should be able to pay off this reasonable price tag and he does create some wiggle room for you to pay up for some of the high priced players in good situations.

Wide Receiver

Emmanuel Sanders $6,500 at Kansas City Chiefs

Sanders has turned in back-to-back strong performances, eclipsing 100 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown in each of his last two games. This week he draws a really good matchup against the Chiefs who have surrendered the sixth most receiving yards (1,255) and third most receptions (103) to opposing wide outs. He is expected to see one-on-one coverage from Kendall Fuller, who Sanders has a 10 percent advantage rating against, per PFF. Sanders leads the team with 61 targets (24 percent) and also accounts for 18.8 percent of the red zone targets, making him a high-volume pass catcher in a good spot. The last time these two teams met, several weeks back, Sanders caught 5-of-7 targets for 45 yards, which is great, but he has some strong performances against the Chiefs in recent years, so it is certainly a matchup he can exploit. I like Sanders this week a good amount, as he offers a nice combination of a floor, with some upside and comes at a fair price. Not to mention, the potential positive game environment.

Christian Kirk $4,500 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Kirk comes with plenty of risk because the rookie has not been consistent at all this season when it comes to fantasy production. He has topped 13 DKFP three times this season and fewer than nine DKFP the rest of the games. That said, since Josh Rosen became the starter, Kirk has accounted for 18 percent of his passes and has scored double-digit fantasy points twice in that four game stretch. One of those nice performances came against the 49ers, where he scored a season-high 18 DKFP. He draws a plus one-on-one matchup against Greg Mabin, who grades out well below average on PFF, a matchup that Kirk has a 21 percent advantage rating in. The 49ers have been generous to receivers this season, allowing nine touchdowns and they are yielding slightly over 40 DKFP per game to the positon. In tournaments, Kirk is someone I will be considering due to the favorable matchup, low price, and big play ability.

Tight End

C.J. Uzomah $3,500 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Uzomah is coming off of a below average performance, but should bounce back nicely this week against Tampa Bay. The Bucs come into this week allowing the most DKFP per game to tight ends (20.1), while also having surrendered 40 receptions (4th most), 538 receiving yards (2nd most), and four touchdowns (2nd most) to the position. Keep in mind, they already had a bye, so these numbers could be worse had they played seven games like most other teams. With the injuries to Bengals tight ends this season, Uzomah has seen more opportunity on the field, playing in 72 percent of the offensive snaps and is accounting for seven percent of the target share. This is a potential smash spot for Uzomah and he comes in at a low price, making him an enticing option this week.

Good luck to all this week. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal