Week 8 DraftKings Picks

Each week there are millions who play Daily Fantasy Sports, and since we at Section215.com care about our readers, we have decided to provide you with some detailed insight on the best DraftKings plays.

Not everyone plays DraftKings, and there is definitely pricing differences on each site. If you have any questions on whether or not I would recommend using the players listed below on a different site, feel free to reach me @JFerrie23 on Twitter.

*Note: There is yet another London game this week!*

Quarterback

Phillip Rivers @ Baltimore ($6,600)- Last week Rivers racked up some garbage time points as the Chargers were dismantled by the Raiders. Man was I wrong about fearing the Raiders off of a bye week. Who would have thought the Raiders are actually decent? Even with the blowout, Rivers attempted 58 passes and put up 30.4 DraftKings points. Rivers and San Diego travel to the East coast this weekend to meet the Baltimore Ravens in a battle of disappointments. Baltimore ranks as the 30th worst in pass defense, and that is a matchup Rivers can exploit. In the last three weeks, Rivers has attempted 171 passes–which averages out to 57 per game. That volume should result in a great fantasy output. Although they kept Carson Palmer in check last week, Baltimore is still allowing 22.59 fantasy points per game to Quarterbacks. Rivers is my favorite Quarterback this week.

Andy Dalton @ Pittsburgh ($6,000)- Andy Dalton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month earlier this week, and will come into Week 8 criminally underpriced. On the season, Dalton has averaged 25 DraftKings points per game. It isn’t as if Dalton is doing that against cupcake teams either. He scored greater than 21 DraftKings points against Buffalo, Seattle and Kansas City. The volume is there, too. In his last three starts, Dalton has attempted 101 passes (33.6 per game). The Steelers have surrendered an average of 18.63 fantasy points per game in 2015. The Steelers also give up just over 292 passing yards per game. If Big Ben returns, this

Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay ($7,100)- To be honest, I shouldn’t have to write much here. Did you see what Kirk Cousins did to them last week? He put up over 30 fantasy points! That performance led one of the greatest vines of all-time. “YOU LIKE THAT, YOU LIKE THAT?!?!?!” Amazing stuff, Kirk. Coming off a dreadful performance against Captain Kirk, Tampa has to deal with Matt Ryan. Anyone who knows anything, knows that Matt Ryan is significantly better than Cousins. Oh, and he has Julio Jones. Try to stop that combo. Tampa has surrendered 21.39 fantasy points per game to Quarterbacks, and rank 29th in DVOA against the pass. If you pay up at QB, Ryan is an elite play.

For your consideration: Drew Brees ($6,700); Eli Manning ($6,600)

Running-Back

Todd Gurley vs. San Francisco ($6,300)- Is it time to start believing that Gurley could be the best running-back in football by the end of the season? I think it may. Last week Gurley dominated the Browns, rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns. While his price has increased, he is still a bargain. In each game Gurley was the lead back, he has 100+ yards rushing and 18-or-more DraftKings points. Sure, he will eventually have a dud, but this isn’t the week to bet against him. The 49ers are ranked 27th against Running-Backs, according to DVOA. In terms of fantasy points, San Fran allows just over 100-yards rushing per game, along with 29.74 fantasy points to Running-Backs. The 49ers defense has also allowed 20-or-more points in five of their seven games this season. Gurley is a pretty safe bet and has a relatively high floor. He is safe in all formats, and should be in all lineups.

Chris Johnson @ Cleveland ($4,600)- I feel like this is a good spot for Johnson, not just because of the price but because he follows Gurley is the column. As stated above, Gurley tore up the Browns last week. There is no doubt that Gurley’s talent is far superior to CJ2K, but even then, the matchup is still great. For the season, the Browns rank 15th in DVOA against Running-Backs, which isn’t all that bad. However, they are allowing 29.97 fantasy points per game to Running-Backs. While Johnson could have a touchdown stolen from him by Ellington or Johnson, I think the price is too hard to turn down.

Marshawn Lynch @ Dallas ($7,100)- Lynch is a little pricey this week consider he put up his first 20-point performance of the season last week. There are a few reason to consider him, though. First off, this game has one of the lowest Vegas totals of the week at 40.5. That tells me it could be a grind-it-out game for the Seahawks. Since his return, Lynch as seen an uptick in carries as well–with 17 against Carolina and 27 against San Francisco. In both of those games, Lynch reached the end zone, too. Dallas comes into this one ranked 24th in DVOA against Running-Backs, and allows 31.9 fantasy points per game to opposing RB’s. While there will be concerns about his health, remember that Lynch is going to be well-rested coming off a Thursday night game against San Fran. If you’re “all about that action, boss”, consider Lynch this week.

Doug Martin @ Atlanta ($5,500)- While he doesn’t want to be referred to as the “Muscle Hamster” anymore, he is certainly running like he did when the nickname was acquired. Fantasy owners panicked when Martin went into his sophomore slump, but it looks like he is back. Some of this is because of their trust issues with Winston, who looked like an NFL Quarterback last week. This week, Martin and company head into Atlanta. The Falcons have the 25th worst DVOA against Running-Backs this season, according to FootballOutsiders. In his last three games, Martin has 28.3, 39.8 and 23.1 DraftKings points, respectively. Those points are coming off an average of 24.6 total touches per game. Atlanta is a pretty heavy favorite at -7.5 with a 48.5 total. Don’t let that scare you off, though. Martin has been included in all facets of the game and should see a pretty heavy volume on Sunday.

For your consideration: Le’Veon Bell ($8,300); Justin Forsett ($6,100); Jonathan Stewart ($4,100)

Wide Receiver

Julio Jones vs. Tampa Bay ($9,200)- I can’t just mention Julio above and then not put him in this column. Julio is an elite Wide Receiver, and should’ve score twice last week. I still don’t understand how we miss these plays with instant replay. But then again, we don’t understand what is and isn’t a catch. Jones should have to worry about that as he should be able to create space against the Bucs defense, which is ranked dead-last in DVOA against opposing number one receivers. I’m not saying he could go for 150+ yards and two touchdowns, but I am. He honestly should, too. With 12 targets per game and a brutal defense on the other side of the ball, Julio should lose no sleep over this matchup (or any really). If you pair him with Ryan, it could be expensive, but that what your bargain buys are for!

Stefon Diggs @ Chicago ($4,800)- Diggs has been the man since he came on the scene for the Vikings. Last week he made a beautiful diving reception into the end zone for his first touchdown of the season. This week, Diggs gets another favorable matchup against the Bears. Chicago is ranked 31st against the opponents top receiver, according to DVOA. I believe Diggs is their top receiver based on volume and production at this point. In his last three games, Diggs is averaging 9.3 targets per game. Even if you see Diggs as the second option, the Bears rank 25th in DVOA in that category. The matchup is favorable, the price is cheap, and Diggs is seeing volume.

Antonio Brown vs. Cincinnati ($7,800)- Antonio Brown’s wish may come true this weekend. The Steelers may have Big Ben back under center, which means Browns becomes a viable option in the offense again. Even with his talent, Brown struggled without Roethlisberger in the lineup, and you can’t blame him. It isn’t like Mike Vick and Landry Jones are good Quarterbacks. When Big Ben went down against the Rams, Brown had averaged 31.8 DraftKings points per week. That is amazing production. Even though the Bengals come into this undefeated, they aren’t covering WR1 well. According to DVOA, the Bengals ranked 29th against WR1–which makes this an elite matchup at a low-price for the extreme upside of Brown. Make sure to follow the injury reports to see if Ben Roethlisberger is going!

Steve Smith Sr. vs San Diego ($6,100)- I feel like Steve Smith Sr. is getting better with age. Is that possible? Maybe. It could also be the fact that he is the only real threat on the outside for Baltimore. This week, Smith will see a favorable matchup as San Diego struggles against WR1–ranking 30th in DVOA. Along with that, only Kansas City is allowing more fantasy points per game to Wide Receivers than the Chargers. When he has played, Smith has seen at least seven targets per game. At that price and in a favorable matchup, I would heavily consider Smith in tournaments, and maybe even cash.

For your consideration (I really like WR this weekend): Alshon Jeffery ($6,400); Odell Beckham Jr. ($8,500); Nate Washington ($3,600)

More from Section 215

Tight-End

Jason Witten vs. Seattle ($5,200)- Okay, you probably think that this is an insane suggestion consider the Quarterback and opponent, but it really isn’t. Seattle has actually struggled to keep opposing Tight-Ends in check this season. As a matter of fact, they are third in fantasy points surrendered to Tight-Ends at 18.84 points per game. The high fantasy output also matches their low ranking in DVOA against the Tight-End–which is 31st in football. The play not jump off the page, but Cassel has to throw to someone. Last week Cassel targeted Witten eight times. I bet he gets similar–if not more targets this weekend.

Delaine Walker @ Houston ($4,100)- Slowly but surely, Walker is moving back into the TE1 market. The poor fantasy production and a week with injury has hurt Walker this season. However, he has been watching the volume climb as of late. In the last two weeks, Walker has 19 targets with 15 of those being hauled in for a catch. Last week, Mettenberger targeted his Tight-End nine times, for seven catches and 55-yards. While that isn’t elite production, the volume is there. If you have watched Houston the past few weeks, or really the season, you would know it isn’t going well. Houston is actually decent against Tight-Ends, as they rank 11th in DVOA, but I think their defense stinks. Also, Mettenberger has to throw to someone, and Tennessee doesn’t have a ton of options. I think Walker is a tournament play because of Mettenberger at Quarterback.

Ladarius Green @ Baltimore ($3,000)- The Phillip Rivers’ passing show heads to Baltimore this week and I would expect Ladarius Green to be a huge part of it. While the volume as a whole is shaky, that is due to the return of Antonio Gates. If you’ve followed the injury reports this week, you’ll know that Gates is suffering from a MCL issues, which could be a multi-week problem. That will put Green in a decent spot as the Ravens are 18th in DVOA against Tight-Ends. Even if the matchup isn’t phenomenal on paper, Green has done damage when he has received the opportunity. I am playing Green in all-formats as he is cheap and the Rivers’ run offense just throws the ball a ton.

For your consideration: Martellus Bennett ($4,900); Tyler Eifert ($5,300)

Next: Section215.com Podcast: Bye Week Discussion

Defense

Seattle @ Dallas ($3,700)– Seattle is one of the chalk plays this week, but for good reason. The total in this game is low and the opposing QB is Matt Cassel.

Rams vs. San Francisco ($3,200)– Last week the Rams proved to be the top defense with a threat on special teams. The 49ers can’t seem to put together solid back-to-back performances, and the Rams have four double-digit fantasy point games. They’re looking for their fifth this week, and that appears likely.

For your consideration: Denver ($2.900); Panthers ($3,200)

Best of luck this weekend, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask in comments or on Twitter!

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