DFS Hunter Report Week 8 2018

By Dave Hunter
Dave Hunter

I had a poor showing in Week 7, only putting up 121.66 points as my highest output lineup on DraftKings – not nearly close to my 200-point goal I set for myself in 2018. I’ll keep plugging away, as I hope you will too. Week 8 presents opportunities I’m excited about, so let’s get to it.

As I mention every week, I’ll be basing my weekly write-ups off DraftKings salaries, keeping in mind all suggestions are not equal and some players I like more for tournament or cash lineup builds over others.

 

QUARTERBACK

 

Top Level


Aaron Rodgers, GB @ Los Angeles Rams ($6,400) – The matchup isn’t great by any means against the Rams on paper, so if you’re strictly a DFS-matchup guy or gal then you may want to look elsewhere; however, I expect this to be a high-scoring game, agreeing with the Vegas 57-point total for the game. Rodgers is feeling much better and he’ll have a good compliment of weapons to use with Randall Cobb expected back in action. He’s a good cash game play.

Other Choices: Patrick Mahomes, KC vs. Denver Broncos ($7,000); Andrew Luck, IND @ Oakland Raiders ($6,300); Andy Dalton, CIN vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,200); Mitchell Trubisky, CHI vs. New York Jets ($6,100); Ben Roethlisberger, PIT vs. Cleveland Browns ($6,100)

 

 

 

Value


Alex Smith, WAS @ New York Giants ($5,000) – I like Smith to potentially earn 4-5 times value in Week 8, so a 20/25-point game is coming if you’re an optimist like me. The Giants don’t stop the pass very well, as evident by Matt Ryan’s performance on Monday. Of course, Smith is no Matty Ice. Still, if you’re looking for a contrarian value play, Smith is your guy. This sort of play slots in tournament lineups only, as Smith is a definite risk.

Other Choices: Baker Mayfield, CLE @ Pittsburgh Steelers ($5,700); Matthew Stafford, DET vs. Seattle Seahawks ($5,600); C.J. Beathard, SF @ Arizona Cardinals ($4,900)

 

 

 

 

 

RUNNING BACK

 

 

 

 

Top Level


Saquon Barkley, NYG vs. Washington Redskins ($8,800) – Barkley is worth every dollar if you’re looking to pay up at RB. Watching his performance on Monday Night Football was pure pleasure for me, enjoying the outrageous skill level. The Redskins are good against the run, but they won’t be able to stop Barkley as a receiver. Expect big production from the young rookie, finding the end zone at least once. Barkley, along with James White, share the top spot in RB targets with 61. That ranks 13th overall in the NFL, more than receivers Robert Woods, Michael Thomas and Keenan Allen. Wowzers!

Other Choices: James Conner, PIT vs. Cleveland Browns ($7,500); Joe Mixon, CIN vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($7,300); Kareem Hunt, KC vs. Denver Broncos ($7,100)

 

 

 

Value


Tarik Cohen, CHI vs. New York Jets ($5,800) – At this point you got to consider Cohen a top RB in fantasy, whether you’re playing DFS or seasonal ball, assuming PPR scoring. We’re only concerned about the DFS end, right? Again, like Saquon Barkley above, it’s the receiving ability that’s putting Cohen on DFS radar. And, what about the sub-$6K price tag, even after giving owners excellent numbers for three weeks in a row? Me like-y. You do run the risk of Cohen sharing giving up too many touches to Jordan Howard, although it doesn’t seem that it’s hurt Cohen’s game over the last few weeks of play. Cohen is good to go for any lineup… cash, tournament, whatever.

Other Choices: Marlon Mack, IND @ Oakland Raiders ($5,400); Phillip Lindsay, DEN @ Kansas City ($5,200); Doug Martin, OAK vs. Indianapolis Colts ($4,400); Jalen Richard, OAK vs. Indianapolis Colts ($4,200)

 

 

 

 

Over-Value


Christian McCaffery vs. Baltimore Ravens ($7,000) – Argument could be made that this is the time to roster McCaffery, with his salary dropping $700 from Week 7; however, I don’t like the matchup, facing one of the better rushing defenses in the NFL. It will be difficult for McCaffery to pay off value in this game. There are better options out there for you.

Other Choices: None

 

 

 

 

WIDE RECEIVER

 

 

 

Top Level


A.J. Green, CIN vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($8,000) – Green has become Mr. Reliable in the DFS world. This is only the second time his salary has hit the $8K mark, and it’s important to note that Green has a fantastic matchup facing the Bucs, who have not been guarding the passing-yardage flood gates at all. Green is 10th overall in the NFL in targets with 69. I’m not thrilled with Green’s 58% catch rate; however, he can’t be ignored this week if you want an in-play “safe” option at WR. Also, there’s potential for a 25-point day from Green here.

Other Choices: Antonio Brown, PIT vs. Cleveland Browns ($8,500); Davante Adams, GB @ Los Angeles Rams ($7,900); Mike Evans, TB @ Cincinnati Bengals ($7,800); JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT vs. Cleveland Browns ($7,400); Brandin Cooks, LAR vs. Green Bay Packers ($6,800); Robert Woods, LAR vs. Green Bay Packers ($6,800); Tyler Boyd, CIN vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,700)

 

 

 

Value


Marquise Goodwin, SF @ Arizona Cardinals ($5,000) – Goodwin has been underwhelming and has fallen far below early-season expectations. Some of that could be due to the Jimmy Garoppolo injury, although C.J. Beathard is playing decent ball for the most part considering. Goodwin is a sneaky option if you’re looking for a value-play at WR. There’s boom potential this week for Goodwin and a low ownership percentage in tournament play that will be advantageous. Obviously, you don’t want to set your lineup around Goodwin, but he’s a nice fill-in with solid upside in a last place divisional battle.

Other Choices: T.Y. Hilton, IND @ Oakland Raiders ($6,300); Allen Robinson, CHI vs. New York Jets ($5,600); DeSean Jackson, TB @ Cincinnati Bengals ($5,300); Taylor Gabriel, CHI vs. New York Jets ($5,100); Demaryius Thomas, DEN @ Kansas City Chiefs ($4.900); Chris Godwin, TB @ Cincinnati Bengals ($4.500); Larry Fitzgerald, ARI vs. San Francisco 49ers ($4,400)

 

 

 

 

Over-Value


Tyreek Hill, KC vs. Denver Broncos ($8,600) – I’m not paying almost $9K for Hill, regardless of the offensive system he’s in and even with Patrick Mahomes tossing him the ball. To pay off he needs to be at least have a 30-point day for me. I don’t expect it to happen. I’d rather play Antonio Brown or A.J. Green for a similar price tag.

Other Choices: Golden Tate, DET vs. Seattle Seahawks ($6,000); Cooper Kupp, LAR vs. Green Bay Packers ($6,000)

 

 

 

 

TIGHT END

 

 

 

Top Level


Travis Kelce, KC vs. Denver Broncos ($6,800)

 

 

 

 

Value


Trey Burton, CHI vs. New York Jets ($4,800)

Evan Engram, NYG vs. Washington Redskins ($4,300)

O.J. Howard, TB @ Cincinnati Bengals ($3,900)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over-Value


Jared Cook, OAK vs. Indianapolis Colts ($5,000)


Good luck in Week 8! Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter: @TheRolyPolyBoy