Moving onto Week 8 of the 2023 season, and we are going to give you some DraftKings bargain bin plays for the week. These are plays that are on the ultra-value/ GPP contrarian side. So generally avoid these plays in cash game lineups, but in GPPs- especially big fields go for it!
You can find all of our DFS content here, and be ready for the week.
Will Levis @JAX ($5,200)
There’s something mystifying about Tennessee’s rookie quarterback Will Levis; and no I’m not talking about him taking mayonnaise in his coffee or eating unpeeled bananas. Levis came into the league like a wrecking ball in his week 8 debut against the Falcons, a game where he notched up 4 passing touchdowns, becoming only the third ever debutant to do so in their first NFL start. Since then the 2nd round pick out of Kentucky has yet to find the end zone, with back to back scoreless games against the Steelers and Bucs, tossing a single pick in both. The hype surrounding the rookie has certainly died down, but barring injury Levis is the main man in Nashville moving forward, highlighted further by former starter Ryan Tannehill asking to be released from the team on Thursday. The Titans travel to the Florida sun to face divisional rivals Jacksonville this weekend who rank 30th against opposition QBs. Against a stout rushing defense, look for the young signal caller to have more passing attempts and get back into the TD column.
Tommy DeVito ($5000)/Matt Barkley ($4700) v WAS
I am unsure what’s more shocking to me; that I am writing about any New York Giants QB in his column, or that when doing so neither are the cheapest option on the slate! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here; Tommy DeVito is not a starting calibre NFL quarterback, but at this stage of his career, he’s not meant to be. The undrafted rookie has been thrust into the limelight following injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor, and although it’s not been pretty, I think a lot of the flack he has received for his performances has been largely unmerited (The scrutiny he has gotten for his mother doing all of his laundry, cooking all of his meals and making up his bed every day is however entirely deserved…come on Tommy). DeVito recorded his first multi-touchdown performance in the 49-17 shellacking by the Cowboys, and despite both of the scores coming once the game was over as a contest, it will nonetheless be a boost to the young man’s confidence. The Giants travel to another divisional rival; the Washington Commanders, ranked dead last against opposing QBs and fresh off giving up 369 yards and 2 TDs to Geno Smith. If Tommy is ever going to put in a week winning QB performance, it’s going to be this Sunday. DeVito is on the Giants injury report – if he sits, veteran Matt Barkley is a serviceable replacement at $4700.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson v PIT ($4,500)
Those familiar with Dorian Thompson-Robinson from his college days at UCLA will recall a young quarterback, widely regarded as one of the best in the programmes’ history (sorry DTR, you were never getting ranked above Troy Aikman). Those familiar with Dorian Thompson-Robinson from only his week 4 start against Baltimore will recall a young quarterback who completed 52% of his 36 passing attempts for only 121 yards and 3 interceptions. The Browns releasing a statement on Wednesday that franchise QB DeShaun Watson required season-ending shoulder surgery was a surprise, their follow up announcement that DTR would be replacing him as the starter was truly shocking. Assumed back-up to Watson, P.J. Walker, will remain the back-up to DTR as the Browns host divisional rivals Pittsburgh this weekend. Cleveland clearly have faith in the rookie, at 6-3 they are very much still in the playoff hunt and feel DTR is the man to guide them there at the position. DTR is the cheapest option on the slate for a reason, but his rushing ability gives him a floor that could be invaluable for DFS – he’s worth a gamble.
Devin Singletary v AZ ($5,300)
Fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice, shame on you. Thankfully there was no shame for fantasy managers who rostered Devin Singletary in week 10 as the fifth year back out of Florida Atlantic delivered the kind of performance we were all hoping for the week prior. In the continued absence of de facto starter Dameon Pierce, Singletary once again led the Texans backfield and this time he made the most of the opportunity. The 30 rushing attempts and 150 yards in Houston’s win over Cincinnati were both career high for the former Buffalo Bill, and with Pierce looking set to miss his third game in a row, Singletary will once again see a majority of snaps against a very generous Arizona run defense. Don’t expect 150 yards and a score this week, but he’s great value at only $5300.
Jerome Ford v PIT ($5,200)
With rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson set to lead the Browns, this pick could either be a masterstroke of a pick or a very expensive $5200 egg on fantasy managers faces. Against the Ravens in week 10, Ford did what Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, Jahmyr Gibbs and Kenneth Walker have all failed to do this season and put up over 100 yards rushing. The achievement is made all the more impressive given It was only the second time this season a runner has put up triple digit yardage against Baltimore (Hiya Zach Moss). There is no doubting Ford’s ability as rusher and with DTR making only his second start as a professional, the sophomore back could be in for a hefty workload. Here comes the but…DTR is a rookie and although he has had a few extra weeks to get assimilated, we may see the entire Browns offense suffer as a result. It would also be remiss to overlook the rushing ability of DTR, who ran for over 650 yards and 12 TDs in his final year in college. I lean towards Ford voluming his way to a good fantasy day, and rostering him will allow you to pay up elsewhere.
Rico Dowdle @CAR ($4,600)
“I would love to see Rico get more carries, that would be great” – the words of Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy in a presser this week…but before we get too carried away, McCarthy followed up by saying “My focus is Tony Pollard as the primary ball carrier”…damn. Pollard continues to hold on to his starters spot, but 4th year back Dowdle is making a lot of noise in the Dallas backfield. The former Gamecock who joined the Cowboys after being undrafted in 2020 saw a season high in rushing opportunities last week in the blowout victory over the New York Giants. Sure, majority of Dowdle’s carries came in the 4th quarter after the game was won, but his final line of 12 rushes for 79 yards and a touchdown will be food for thought if Pollard continues to struggle. Carolina are another woeful defense that America’s Team should dispose of fairly quickly, presenting Dowdle with another chance to see some significant work closing out the game. Don’t be shocked if Rico out-snaps and out-produces Pollard in this one.
Diontae Johnson @CLE ($5,000)
The Steelers week 9 victory over Tennessee saw Diontae Johnson record his highest yardage of the season and score his first touchdown in 668 days (of course I was facing him in my League of Record), but it was back down to earth with a mighty bump for the 5th year wideout, as he managed only 1 reception for 4 yards in Pittsburgh’s win over Green Bay last Sunday. Johnson has been priced down to just $5000 for this week’s matchups, and that’s just too low for a player of his ability. In the 3 games Johnson has been fully fit this season he is averaging over 6 receptions for 85 yards – even against a very robust Cleveland defense, Johnson presents week winning upside that others in this price range simply cannot. Pat Freiermuth may suit up for Pittsburgh but D.J. is the main man for the Black and Yellow and will remain Kenny Pickett’s go-to target.
Jayden Reed v LAC ($4,000)
There are arguments to be made that the 2nd round rookie out of Michigan State is already the best receiver on this Green Bay Packers offense. Romeo Doubs may lead the team on targets and receptions, but it is Reed who stands above all others in receiving yardage – with the 23-year old posting a season high 84 yards in the Packers week 10 loss in Pittsburgh. Reed and Love are beginning to gel nicely as we surpass the halfway stage of the year, with the wideout seeing 14 targets from his quarterback in the last 3 weeks. Reed has eclipsed 80 receiving yards twice this season, with both efforts coming since week 8. Green Bay welcomes an LA Chargers team to Lambeau on Sunday, fresh from allowing Jared Goff to torch them for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns last time out. Reed is an excellent dart throw against a bottom-5 pass defense this weekend.
Michael Wilson @HOU ($3,400)
Kyler Murray’s return was heralded by many as the potential turning point for the Cardinals season, and whilst the former No.1 overall pick clearly has a little rust to shake off, it was clear to anyone with eyes that this Cardinals team are a different prospect with their franchise QB under centre. Murray picked up where Dobbs and Tune left off, hyper targeting tight end Trey McBride, but perhaps less noted was the continuation of rookie Michael Wilson’s target share in this Cardinals passing offense. Wilson saw 6 targets in Murray’s return, behind only the aforementioned McBride and fellow wideout Rondale Moore. Undoubtedly, moving forward Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown will command more than the 4 looks he received against the Falcons, but we have seen Wilson’s potential already this season in his 7/76/2 performance in week 4 – he has huge upside potential for a bargain price of only $3400.
Tyler Conklin @BUF ($2,900)
Veteran tight end Tyler Conklin has caught each one of his 13 targets from Zach Wilson in the Jets previous 2 games at home to the Chargers, and in Vegas against the Raiders, posting 136 yards in the process. Three of Conkiln’s best performances this season have come in losses for Gang Green, and with a road match-up against division rivals Buffalo this weekend, I am projecting his services will be required once again as the Jets play catch-up against a Bills outfit who’s playoff hopes dangle by a thread. Conklin sits second on the team in targets, receptions and yards, trailing only superstar wide receiver Garrett Wilson in all 3 categories. With Michael Carter released there will be more short-yardage targets available in this offense, and whilst most of those (hopefully) go to Breece Hall, Wilson will no doubt garnish his tight end with a few more looks moving forward.
Pat Freiermuth @CLE ($2,500)
Disclosure – Freirmuth is yet to be activated from IR – check his status ahead of Sunday’s game
Should Freiermiuth be activated ahead of the Steelers divisional clash in Cleveland, he will offer some much needed reinforcements to a passing offense that hasn’t surpassed 200 yards since week 7. The 3rd year pass catcher out of Penn State has been plagued with injuries this season, and when healthy has yet to replicate the form that made him a late-round fantasy darling in 2022 – that said, he is a position minimum $2500 this weekend and is too talented to not roster at that price. It is rare to get a free square at tight end, but should Freiermuth suit up Sunday, he will be in a high percentage of my lineups.
Miami Dolphins v LV ($3,200)
Ok, at $3200 the Dolphins are not exactly a bargain pick per se, but they are priced in the middle of the pack on the slate and represent great value against a Raiders team lead by rookie Aidan O’Connell. In their last 5 outings, the Dolphins have only allowed 1 passing game over 200 yards (Jalen Hurts in week 7) and 1 rushing game over 100 yards (Carolina in week 6) – as the season progresses, and with Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey both healthy, this Miami unit is developing into one of the NFL’s top defenses. If the Dolphins can slow down Josh Jacobs and force O’Connell to throw, they could have a very productive fantasy day in South Beach on Sunday.
New York Jets @BUF ($2,600)
If you can’t find the budget to roster Miami, stick around in the AFC East and give some consideration to the Jets as they take on another member of this division as they travel to Buffalo to face the Bills. At this price tag it feels like fantasy managers are being baited by the platform. The Jets are one of the best defenses in the league and Sauce Gardner will be stuck to Stefon Diggs like glue for the entire game, limiting Josh Allen’s passing options. Only the Browns have committed more turnovers than the Buffalo Bills, so there are fantasy points to be had for this Jets DST in upstate New York on Sunday afternoon. The Bills fired Ken Dorsey on Tuesday, with QB Coach Joe Brady taking interim charge at the OC position. How will that move pan out, who knows – but the Bills are not as invincible as they once were giving the Jets sneaky value at the position at a bargain price.
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Image Credit: Tim Fuller – USA TODAY Sports
