You came here to read about some of my picks for the Week 8 NFL slate on DraftKings, right? Cool. Let’s do that instead of a dumb intro that half of you don’t read anyways.
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Quarterback
Stud
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets, $8,100 — So to be honest, I’m a bit torn on this one. Yes, the Chiefs team total is set at a massive 33.5 points, according to the DraftKings Sportsbook. Normally, you wouldn’t fade a quarterback in this situation. Where I get a bit iffy is how competitive this game will be and the need for Mahomes to do much. Sure, when this game starts and the score is even, Mahomes will do his thing. I just don’t know how necessary it will be in the second half. Ownership is trending toward a chalky Mahomes, especially with plenty of wind issues on this slate. He checks off all the boxes in this matchup and the Jets’ secondary is far from one you want to fear. I could simply be overthinking it here, but I would be remiss if I didn’t list Mahomes in this spot.
Other Option – Russell Wilson ($7,800)
Value
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans, $6,200 — I listed Burrow in this spot last week and I’m coming back again for another round. This week more than ever, we’re going to have to get a bit creative with our lineups. Maybe you don’t want to take the chalky quarterback whose team is favored by almost 20 points. Or maybe you don’t want to mess with a quarterback in one of the many games with wind issues. That has me landing on Burrow in his matchup against the Titans. This game does have a LITTLE wind concern, but not enough to have me fading. The Titans have quietly been a team to target against and opposing quarterbacks are averaging 22.1 DKFP and 282 passing yards per game with 15 total touchdowns thrown. The Titans also rank near the bottom of the league in pass rush, which is always a plus for Burrow. When Burrow is working with a clean pocket, he has a 74.2% completion percentage, 7.6 YPA and seven of the nine touchdowns he’s thrown.
Other Option – Jimmy Garoppolo ($5,400)
Running Back
Stud
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers, $7,500 – After originally taking Cook off the Vikings’ injury report, the team listed him as “questionable” for this game. No one is fooled here and we should see Cook taking the field for the first time since Week 5. This is one of the games that is expected to see 40 mph gusts, so it should further bump Cook into a great spot. The Packers’ run defense has been among the worst to begin with, struggling to defend on the ground and through the air to opposing backs. We know the Vikings love to run the ball to begin with, so this weather wrinkle is not a situation I want to miss out on. The Packers are allowing an average of 94.6 rushing yards and 63.3 receiving yards, making this a can’t miss spot.
Other Options – Jonathan Taylor ($6,600), Jamaal Williams ($6,100)
Value
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams, $5,200 – Gaskin is awfully cheap for being in the lead role in the Dolphins’ backfield. He’s handled the bulk of the carries after the team quickly soured on Jordan Howard ($4,000), averaging 16.5 carries and 4.5 targets since Week 3. The Rams’ run defense isn’t bad by any means, but with Tua Tagovailoa ($5,600) making his first start, we should see more groundwork from the Dolphins than usual. Gaskin also commands a 14.7% target share, which is good for third on the team. With all this in mind, $5,200 is hardly a salary to scoff at.
Other Options – Le’Veon Bell ($4,600), Justin Jackson ($4,800)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers, $7,100 – It’s tough to feel good about most of the expensive receivers because of the wind concerns. This game does not have that problem, so Lockett is my favorite expensive receiver to pay up for. His matchup is the cherry on top, as he’ll be seeing CB Jamar Taylor in coverage. Since getting back into the mix in Week 5, Taylor has been targeted against 12 times, allowing eight receptions for 129 yards and 16.1 YPR. Nearly half of those yards have come after the catch against Taylor, making this a really enticing matchup to target.
Other Options – Tyler Boyd ($6,600), Cooper Kupp ($6,500)
Value
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, $5,800 – On the other side of the ball, I absolutely love this spot for Aiyuk. Deebo Samuel has been ruled out and the Niners will also be down two running backs in Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. Aiyuk has already been carving out a nice role in this Niners offense but he’ll be thrusted into the WR1 role for this game. He should be matched up against CB Quinton Dunbar, who has allowed 19 receptions on 33 targets for 245 yards and 13 YPR. Aiyuk matched George Kittle ($7,000) with 28% target share last week and we could easily see that mark here against a putrid Seahawks secondary.
Other Options – Mike Williams ($4,400), Rashard Higgins ($4,200)
Tight End
Stud
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, $5,800 – It’s been extremely difficult to run against the Steelers this season, so the Ravens may be forced to throw the ball more than they’d prefer. That could be good news for Andrews, who is second on the team in target share at 20.8%. The Steelers have held their own against opposing tight ends, but we just recently saw the Browns target them 11 times which turned into seven catches for 70 yards. Andrews also dominates in red-zone targets at 38.1%, which is over double what anyone else on the team has. With the lead red-zone man in Mark Ingram ($4,800; ankle) listed as doubtful, Andrews could be the guy in this one.
Other Options – Darren Waller ($5,600)
Value
Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans, $3,400 – Sample is a bit inconsistent for normal usage but he sets up well in his Week 8 matchup. The Titans have not been strong against opposing tight ends, allowing an average of 15.4 DKFP, 59 receiving yards and four touchdowns scored. Sample is running a route on 80% of his snaps and is by far on the field more than anyone else at this position. Sample is also second on the team in red-zone targets at 19.5% and the expected loss of Joe Mixon once again should further help his case.
Other Option – Harrison Bryant ($3,200)
Defense/Special Teams
Stud
Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. Miami Dolphins, $3,800 – It’s hard not to want to target the rookie Tagovailoa in his first start. The Dolphins’ offensive line allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick to be under pressure on 30% of his dropbacks in which he took 10 sacks and threw four of his seven interceptions. Granted, Tagovailoa is a lot more mobile than Fitz is, but having to deal with Aaron Donald, who has nine sacks to his credit already, is not an appealing endeavor.
Other Option – Buffalo Bills ($3,300)
Value
Green Bay Packers D/ST vs. Minnesota Vikings, $2,900 – I don’t need many reasons to target against Kirk Cousins ($6,000) but with bad weather and a flimsy offensive line, I’m sold. Cousins has been under pressure on 39% of his dropbacks, leading to an adjusted completion percentage of 68.6% with three interceptions and 7.3 YPA. Mix in his wild throws with some really strong winds and it’s hard not to like the Packers under the $3K range.
Other Option – Detroit Lions ($2,500)
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