RADIO
Week 7 of the NFL season is in the books, and now we shift our focus to Week 8 and what value plays we can find on the main slate in DFS competitions.
In this weekly piece, I will examine some undervalued sneaky targets. By selecting these players, you will have more flexibility in other positions to secure a high-end player elsewhere in your lineup. No matter what competition you are playing in DFS, finding a budget player with a safe floor and room for upside is the recipe for success.
I will include the DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) prices for each player in the main slate competition. However, when discussing which players are valued, I will focus primarily on their DraftKings price compared to other players on that platform. Even though both platforms have a few minor differences in scoring, a value is usually playable on any format given their relation to other highly priced players at their position.
Quarterback NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 8
Kirk Cousins, ATL at TB | DK: $6.2K FD: $7.1K
Kirk Cousins is coming off one of his worst outings of the season, but he is shaping up to be a solid volume play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The last time he faced this team, he threw for an incredible 509 yards and four scores.
While that production will most likely not happen again, the Buccaneers have allowed the most points to opposing quarterbacks on DraftKings. Cousins has no rushing upside, but given his past performance against this defense and the many weapons in the Atlanta offense, he has a path to a top finish this weekend.
Tua Tagovailoa, ARI at MIA | DK: $6.1K, FD: $7K
The 26-year-old is set to return to practice this weekend and could return on Sunday to face the Arizona Cardinals. Tagovailoa scored 22.0 PPR points in the opening week as he threw for 338 yards and a score. In Week 2, he tallied 145 yards and a score before leaving early with a concussion.
Given his injury history and the state of the Miami offense, Tagovailoa carries a lot of inherent risk. With the former first-round pick sidelined, the Dolphins did not eclipse 20 total points once and were held to 10 or lower on three occasions.
Arizona has allowed the 29th-most points to opposing QBs this season. Tagovailoa could return and enjoy a monster performance at his lowest price all season.
Caleb Williams, CHI at WSH | DK: $6K, FD: $7.4K
Another value at the QB position I love this week is Caleb Williams. The first overall pick had a rocky start to his NFL career but has begun to get back on track. Over his past two games, Williams tallied six passing scores with an average of 265.0 passing yards and 45.0 rushing yards per game.
#Bears Caleb Williams averaged 7 attempts per touchdown in Week 6 against the Jaguars. He led the league in Week 6, with Jordan Love & Jared Goff behind at 8 attempts per touchdown.
For context, Williams ranked 30th with 34 attempts per TD in Weeks 1-5 out of 36 QBs. pic.twitter.com/9uXoG5n6jR
— Corbin (@corbin_young21) October 15, 2024
The Commanders are coming off an excellent outing but have struggled to contain high-octane offenses. With how well the Bears have been playing lately, Williams could enjoy a big afternoon in the DMV.
Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 8
Javonte Williams, CAR at DEN | DK: $6K, FD: $6K
Who saw that coming? After another disappointing start to the season, Williams enjoyed one of the best games of his career last Thursday. He found the end zone twice and tallied 111 all-purpose yards.
shoutout the 26.9% of people that started Javonte Williams 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LXpNdxqAXv
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 18, 2024
He was deployed as the clear lead back, which is an excellent sign for his production as he was beginning to lose opportunities to Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.
Facing the Carolina Panthers, who boast the worst run defense in football, expect another big game from Williams.
Chase Brown, PHI at CIN | DK: $5.8K, FD: $6.6K
Chase Brown had a modest showing last weekend but further cemented himself as the lead runner in the Cincinnati backfield. He saw 15 carries to Zack Moss’s six and has now seen more attempts in each of the past three games.
Since Week 4, Brown has averaged an impressive 14.8 PPR points per game and has caught at least two passes in each game during this stretch while seeing double-digit rushing attempts.
He faces a tough Philadelphia run defense that has allowed the fifth-lowest points to opposing RBs, but given his current spot on the depth chart and performance, he should outperform every other RB at his price.
De'Von Achane, ARI at MIA | DK: $6.2K, FD: $6.8K
The sophomore back had a nice bounce-back outing last weekend as he eclipsed double-digit PPR points for the first time since Week 2.
The Miami offense may only improve this weekend as it could welcome Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) back. With Tagovailoa, Achane caught seven passes in the first two games and scored over 20.0 PPR points in each.
If Tagovailoa does not play, Achane is best left out of your lineup. However, if he does suit up, a potential RB1 is sitting at screaming value.
Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 8
Rome Odunze, CHI at WSH | DK: $5.1K, FD: $5.5K
The rookie has had trouble getting consistent looks in a crowded wide receiver room. However, when he got the ball, he made a significant impact (14.5 yards per catch) and could be called upon quite often when facing the Washington Commanders.
While Jayden Daniels (ribs) may not suit up, this game will still be a high-scoring affair, as Marcus Mariota proved he was more than capable of leading the Washington offense last weekend.
Odunze boasts a strong 13.2 aDOT (the best on the team) and has seen 29.8% of the team’s air yards. The Washington product is a big play away from being a steal at his price and facing the eighth-easiest matchup for wideouts puts Odunze in a great position to do so.
Jaylen Waddle, ARI at MIA | DK: $5.4K, FD: $5.9K
Waddle had one of the worst games of his NFL career last weekend, catching just one of his two targets for 11 yards. However, brighter days are ahead, as Tua Tagovailoa could return to the field on Sunday.
From Weeks 3 through 7, Waddle averaged just 6.2 PPR points per game and was a complete non-factor in the offense.
However, when Tagovailoa is on the field, Waddle has averaged an impressive 14.1 yards per reception compared to just 10.4 yards per reception without him.
Facing an Arizona secondary that has allowed the seventh-most points to opposing wideouts, Waddle and the entire Miami offense could be in for a significant bounce-back. This is a must-win game for it if it wants to stay afloat in the playoff race. Expect the Miami offense to return to its productive status.
Rashod Bateman, BAL at CLE | DK: $4.3K, FD: $5.7K
Rashod Bateman was a sleeper pick through most of the season due to how often he runs routes and how deep they usually are. However, on Monday evening, Bateman finally was able to showcase his breakaway ability as he caught four passes for an impressive 121 yards (including a 49-yard TD reception).
Bateman has an impressive 2.37 average yards per route run and a 13.5 aDOT, both of which are among the highest marks at the position.
RASHOD BATEMAN BREAKOUT GAME 🌬️🌬️🌬️
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/byuAcZ6eWT
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 22, 2024
With how well the Baltimore run game has performed, Bateman could continue to see big plays as the defense focuses on limiting Derrick Henry.
Bateman is a high-risk, high-reward option on most weeks, but facing the Browns, who have allowed the fifth-most points to opposing wideouts this season, he is much more likely to pay off.
Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 8
Kyle Pitts, ATL at TB | DK: $4.4K, FD: $5.7K
Kyle Pitts has enjoyed an impressive stretch of games since dropping 0.0 PPR points in Week 4. Since then, Pitts has scored double-digit points in every game and led all Atlanta pass-catchers in yards and receptions last weekend.
Facing the Buccaneers, who have allowed the sixth-most points to opposing tight ends and struggled to contain Mark Andrews last week (four catches, 41 yards), Pitts should continue to make an impact in the Atlanta offense. He has top-3 potential at his position and is priced outside the top 10.
Hunter Henry, NYJ at NE | DK: $3.8K, FD: $5.3K
The 29-year-old was a safety valve for Drake Maye last week, as he caught eight of nine targets for 92 yards. In Maye’s first start, Henry saw five targets his way but only brought in three of them for 41 yards and a score.
Given the lack of production at the WR position in New England, Maye should be expected to continue to find his tight end all afternoon.
He has a difficult matchup against the New York Jets, who have shut down opposing tight ends quite well this season, but Henry will be a value at his price simply based on volume.
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