Wow! What a week we had in Week 7, as there were plenty of big performances from players in last week’s article. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of some of the plays on your way to a successful week. Let’s take a look at the hits and misses from last week.
At quarterback, Tom Brady (18.5 DKP) and Matt Ryan (17 DKP) were both serviceable, but the game didn’t end up in a shootout that many had expected. Carson Wentz (32.02 DKP) continued his stellar play on Monday night against the Redskins. Tyrod Taylor also exceeded value at home against a reeling Tampa Bay defense. Running back featured an absolute monster outing from Ezekiel Elliott (43.9 DKP), with Mark Ingram (24 DKP) also producing well. Matt Forte (13.2 DKP) turned in an acceptable performance, while Orleans Darkwa (7.8 DKP) was our risky play at the position, who wound up failing to replicate his Week 6 game.
At receiver, Julio Jones (24.9 DKP) and Jarvis Landry (22.3 DKP) both produced big lines, but it was Amari Cooper (47 DKP) stealing the show at the position. Eric Decker (0 DKP) dropped a dud, but it sounds like many owners were left scratching their heads after that outing. Rob Gronkowski (8.1 DKP) couldn’t produce a big line, but Evan Engram (18 DKP) easily exceeded expectations at home against Seattle.
The Steelers (10 DKP) were a solid option at defense, with the Dolphins (6 DKP) being a bit of a disappointment at home against the Jets. Let’s try and keep the momentum going and take a look at some top plays for Week 8 on DraftKings.
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Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz (PHI): $7,200 vs. SF
We are just at the halfway point of the regular season, but Wentz is starting to build a compelling case for MVP. He’s averaging 22.1 DKP per game and is coming off of another incredible outing at home in primetime against the Redskins. A juicy matchup awaits in Week 8, as the 49ers and their lousy pass defense come into Philadelphia.
San Francisco is ranked 31st in terms of fantasy points allowed per game to opposing quarterbacks, which has led to a bloated implied team total of 30 points for Philadelphia. A blowout could certainly dampen Wentz’s output, but I think he will have a big hand in the scoring yet again this week.
Kirk Cousins (WAS): $6,400 vs. DAL
Cousins continues to get it done at the quarterback position, as he’s averaged 27.53 DKP over his last four contests. The fact that he’s been able to produce like this while continuing to receive little help from his wide receivers is nothing short of incredible. On deck is a divisional matchup with the Cowboys, who rank in the bottom third of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed per game to opposing quarterbacks.
The total of this game currently sits at 50.5 points, which suggests plenty of scoring could come in Washington this week. Cousins is a top three value at the position in terms of dollars per projected point, as he’s the ninth most expensive option at quarterback.
Tyrod Taylor (BUF): $5,900 vs. OAK
Taylor is my top value at the quarterback position this week, as he projects inside the top 10 among all quarterbacks in terms of expected output, yet is priced as the 16th most expensive option. Taylor doesn’t possess massive upside, but his ability to utilize his legs helps to provide a stable floor. At this price, we need around 17.7 DKP to hit value, which is within the realm of possibility this week in a plus matchup against the Raiders.
C.J. Beathard (SF): $5,100 @ PHI
If you’re looking for a cheaper option to roll the dice on in tournaments, give Beathard a look on the road against the Eagles. Beathard is not an elite quarterback, but given the overall expected environment of this game, I think he’s viable in large-field tournaments. The 49ers are awful on defense, which tends to get them behind early, thus forcing them to throw a bunch.
In fact, the 49ers are throwing the ball 64% of the time which is tough to ignore in terms of potential volume for Beathard. The Eagles are beatable via the pass, as they rank 27th in terms of fantasy points allowed per game to quarterbacks. This is a high risk, high reward play that could wind up paying dividends in Week 8.
Running Backs
Le’Veon Bell (PIT): $9,300 @ DET
Bell is averaging a whopping 28.9 touches per game, and he’s going to be tough to fade yet again this week. Not only is the volume a major plus for Bell, but he also draws a great matchup against the Lions, who rank 30th in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing running backs. When constructing lineups, there’s nothing wrong with mixing in some chalky plays, especially one who carries such a high floor like Bell does.
Kareem Hunt (KC): $7,500 vs. DEN
This is a brutal matchup for Hunt, but his price dropped so much that I think you have to consider using him in tournaments. He’s slowed up a bit (“just” 17.1 DKP per game over last four games) after a torrid start to his rookie season, but the volume continues to be there, as he’s averaged 23.25 touches over the last four weeks. If the Chiefs hope to have any chance in this divisional showdown, I can’t see them trying to find success through the air, which should translate to heavy usage for Hunt.
Jay Ajayi (MIA): $5,900 @ BAL
Week 8’s Thursday Night Football is shaping up as an ugly one, as the total sits at just 37.5 points. The Ravens have been tough against the pass as of late, having allowed an average of just 174 passing yards and one touchdown per game over the last four weeks. While they’ve been tough against the pass, they’ve struggled mightily against opposing rushing attacks, as evidenced by the 170 rushing yards allowed per game over the last four games.
Touches haven’t been an issue for Ajayi, but the production has lacked as he has yet to record a touchdown. If there were ever a time for the Dolphins to lean on Ajayi in the hopes of getting him going, it’s Week 8.
Matt Forte (NYJ): $4,200 vs. ATL
You’re targeting Forte in the hopes that he continues to be featured in the passing game out of the backfield, as his value has mostly been shot outside of that. Still, there’s some decent upside relative to his price in a full point per reception scoring format. This is a plus matchup against the Falcons, and I don’t mind targeting Forte in tournaments this week as a result.
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green (CIN): $8,600 vs. IND
The Colts have allowed an average of 321 passing yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game over the last four weeks, and this puts Green squarely on the radar as a result. Green saw just five targets last week in a loss to the Steelers, but I expect that number to correct itself in a big way this week. You can’t go wrong with either Antonio Brown or Julio Jones in this top tier, but I’m siding with Green in Week 8.
Keenan Allen (LAC): $7,300 @ NE
Allen has top 10 upside this week, as the Chargers travel to New England to face the Patriots. While some of the defensive woes look to be clearing up, the Chargers will no doubt be forced to sling the ball a bunch this week, which should lead to heavy volume for Allen. Despite not being a major touchdown threat, Allen carries a high floor in a full point per reception format and he is a strong option as a result.
Demaryius Thomas (DEN): $5,900 @ KC
This is fairly dependent on the status of Emmanuel Sanders, as his absence allowed the Chargers to key in on Demaryius Thomas last week. This is a good matchup against the Chiefs, who have allowed an average of 288 passing yards and 2.8 touchdowns per game over the last four weeks. Thomas carried top 15 upside at the position this week; I just prefer utilizing him if there’s another reliable threat available to take away some attention.
Ted Ginn (NO): $4,700 vs. CHI
This isn’t a good matchup on paper, but with the Saints at home, it might not matter as Ginn possesses game-changing speed. Not only has Ginn proved to be still able to burn opposing defenses, but he’s also drastically improved his catch rate. This is still too risky of a play for cash games, but Ginn’s price is still ripe for tournament play in Week 8.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce (KC): $6,800 vs. DEN
Kelce continues to be an inconsistent fantasy asset, as he recorded just 33 receiving yards on four catches in Week 7. He did score a touchdown that wound up salvaging his night, but it indeed would be nice to see more consistent usage.
We know he’s talented and when given the chances, Kelce can produce big outings. A stiff test awaits in Week 8, but the Broncos have proved to be vulnerable to opposing tight ends this season, ranking 28th in fantasy points allowed per game.
Kyle Rudolph (MIN): $4,500 @ CLE
The Browns continue to be susceptible to opposing tight ends, as they allowed nine catches and 85 receiving yards to the Titans’ tight ends in Week 7. Rudolph has been utilized quite a bit over the past three weeks, as he’s received 25 targets over that span. While he’s scored just one touchdown in those three contests, he’s a good bet to change that this week in a juicy matchup.
Defense/Special Teams
Minnesota Vikings (MIN): $4,000 @ CLE
The Vikings are nearly double-digit favorites for the final game in England for the 2017 season, and they are a top target across all formats as a result. The total sits at just 37.5 points, and with the Browns continuing to be in disarray, I don’t see them busting out anytime soon.
Cincinnati Bengals (CIN): $3,600 vs. IND
The Colts allowed a whopping 10 sacks last week, and while the Bengals aren’t the Jaguars defensively, I still love this matchup. Cincinnati is currently favored by 10.5 points, with the total sitting at just 41. This is looking like a good week to spend up on defense, with the Bengals checking in as a top three projected option at the position.
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Adam Sutton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Adam, follow him @DraftStars_Adam. You can find more of Adam’s work at DraftStars.net
