It’s finally here- Week 8 of the 2023 season, and the third DraftKings main slate. We are back offering you DFS advice to try and help you navigate your way to victories throughout the season. The players selected here are based on their price, their ability to hit value and likely ownership. The selections are leaning more towards GPP slates, rather than cash (50/50) slates. But let’s get into it
Tua Tagovailoa v NE ($7,700)
The Dolphins signal caller came crashing back to earth last week with a rather pedestrian performance in Philadelphia. Tagovailoa only threw for 216 yards and a single touchdown as Miami suffered only their second loss on the season at the hands of the Eagles in a matchup many were predicting as a potential Super Bowl preview. Tua has struggled in matchups where the Dolphins enter as underdogs, thankfully this week they entertain the New England Patriots as 9.5 point home favourites. Question marks surround the fitness of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert…don’t sweat it, they’re all playing and Tua will be a high-end QB1 again this week for your fantasy roster. EDIT: Since submission Hill has declared he is ‘fit’ and should be playing on Sunday. Not written up in the WR section, but worth consideration.
C.J. Stroud @CAR ($6,300)
Despite coming off his team’s bye week and posting 2 mediocre stat lines in weeks 5 and 6, the No.2 overall pick out of Ohio State has been priced up $300 for the Texans visit to Carolina. His last game against New Orleans saw the rookie throw his first career interception as well as post his first game under 200 passing yards…but don’t let that or the price bump put you off. Stroud is a special talent and gets fellow rookie Tank Dell back in the lineup for the contest against a very beatable Panthers defense. The bye week may have cooled the love on C.J. but my candle for him burns as bright as ever, he’s a great start at $6300.
Joe Burrow @SF ($6,000)
Another week, another Joe Burrow price drop. We are getting to the stage where I just don’t understand the DraftKing’s pricing on Joey B anymore. Sure, the Bengals have been disappointing on offense at times this season, but for the first time since week 4 Cincinnati and all of Burrow’s weapons are fully healthy. Expect plenty of targets for Ja’Marr Chase and a “get right” performance from Tee Higgins. The 49ers defense has been stout all season, but is still giving up almost 240 yards per game to opposing QBs. The line has shifted to San Fran (-4) due to the expected absence of Brock Purdy. This will be a close football game with a decent O/U of 43.5 – there are points to be had here for Burrow, and at a season low $6000, he’ll be in plenty of my lineups with Chase and/or Higgins.
Also consider Kirk Cousins @GB ($6,900), Dak Prescott v LAR ($6,100) & Desmond Ridder @TEN ($5,100)
Alvin Kamara @IND ($7,300)
Since returning from suspension, Alvin Kamara’s rushing stats have been nothing to write home about. The 7th year veteran is plodding away at 3.8 yards per carry, putting up 261 yards from his 69 opportunities on the ground in the 4 games he’s been back…ho hum. Where Kamara has really been making waves is in the Saints passing game. The 5-time Pro Bowler has seen 39 targets in his 4 games, hauling in an impressive 35 of these for 177 yards. Kamara has scored only 1 touchdown since rejoining the Saints after his ban, but is averaging 21.7 fantasy points per game in the DraftKings PPR format. He’s a cheat code at this point, and with Derek Carr continuing to refuse to throw catchable balls to his wide receivers, Kamara will remain a must start in your lineups.
Isiah Pacheco @DEN ($6,100)
Despite his 16 point outing in week 7, Kansas City’s sophomore running back wasn’t particularly effective in the 31-17 victory at home to the Chargers. He ran at his lowest yards per carry on the season at 2.5, with his 13 carries only resulting in 32 yards. Pacheco salvaged his day with 4 receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown late in the game. The Chiefs’ lead rushers down day may put off some fantasy managers from rostering him this week, but Mahomes and co. travel to Mile High to face Denver and their league worst rushing defense. Pacheco feels like a steal at $6100 this week – he’ll see plenty of work, and I’ll be expecting him to at least double his YPC from last time out.
Breece Hall @NYG ($5,900)
I have Breece Hall ranked at my RB 7 this week, yet here he is priced down $100 from before the Jets bye, at a mere $5900…the 14th most expensive back on the slate. Hall IS the Jets offense, so much so that team-mate Dalvin Cook has been in talks with ownership about a trade out of the Big Apply. The dynamic sophomore rusher totaled 93 all purpose yards in the Jets unexpected upset victory over the Eagles in week 6, scoring the game winning touchdown late in the 4th quarter. Hall is a stud and appears to have complete ownership of this backfield. His pricing this week is far too low, get on board before the inevitable regression to the mean next week.
Also consider Tony Pollard v LAR ($7,500), D’Andre Swift @WAS ($6,300) & Joe Mixon @SF ($5,800)
Chris Olave @IND ($6,400)
Is there a more frustrating wide receiver to own in re-draft right now than Chris Olave? The sophomore superstar for the Saints saw a massive 15 targets last week in New Orleans’ defeat at the hand of Jacksonville, but could only turn those team-leading looks into 7 receptions for 57 yards. Derek Carr looks frustrated in this offense, the former Raider has thrown 105 times in his last 2 outings, connecting on only 65 of those attempts for 654 yards and 2 scores. The Saints travel to Indianapolis to face a Colts team who bled 39 total points to a Cleveland Browns offense littered with backups. Olave has only found the end zone once this season, expect plenty more targets from Carr, and with a little luck, his second score of the season.
Zay Flowers @AZ ($5,600)
The rookie wide receiver out of Boston College continues to impress and has emerged as the clear No.1 wide receiver for Lamar Jackson. Flowers leads the team in targets, receptions and yards but has only found pay-dirt once so far on the season. Mark Andrews continues to dominate red-zone opportunities for the Ravens but against a very weak Cardinals secondary, Flowers can be considered a good bet for a touchdown in Arizona this weekend. Lamar Jackson was clinical last week against the Lions, completing 21 of his 27 passing attempts for 357 yards and 3 touchdowns – even as a rookie Flowers has proven himself to be the best technical receiver on this offense. Start him with confidence at only $5600 this Sunday.
Drake London @TEN ($5,100)
Another week, another plus matchup for the Falcons leading receiver. London once again led the team in targets, receptions and receiving yards as Atlanta toughed out a 16-13 victory over NFC South rivals Tampa Bay, thanks to a walk off field goal from Younghoe Koo. The Falcons passing game continues to surprise, and dare I say impress, and despite Desmond Ridder failing to register a passing touchdown; the 250 yards put up against a resolute Buccaneers defense is encouraging to see. London now gets to take on the Tennessee Titans who will be without star safety Kevin Byard, who was traded midweek to Philadelphia. The matchup was already a tasty one for the USC alum, with Byard no longer in the mix, expect London to have much more freedom to get free down field. He’s a steal at $5100.
Also consider Christian Kirk @PIT ($5,900), Jordan Addison @GB ($5,700) & Marquise Brown v BAL ($5,200)
Dallas Goedert @WAS ($4,600)
In the last 3 weeks Dallas Goedert has sprung to life in the Eagles passing game. Through weeks 1-4 Goedert recorded only 88 yards on 13 receptions, with no touchdowns…since then, the towering tight end has exploded for 236 yards on 18 grabs, adding 3 scores into the mix. Jalen Hurts has been playing through a knee injury, which may go some way to explaining a more pass-heavy approach of late for Philly. Goedert, like all other Eagles pass catchers, is playing behind the seemingly unstoppable A.J. Brown; but the 6th year tight end has seen more total targets than No.2 WR DeVonta Smith since week 5. Goedert has elite TE upside and a mid-range price tag. If you’re looking for a high floor/high ceiling, he’s a safe pick at $4600.
Taysom Hill @IND ($4,000)
Taysom Hill truthers of the world unite! Publicly, I stand on the hill (pun intended) that goes against everything the Saints do with their QB/RB/TE hybrid…but when nobody is looking I am adding him off waivers in re-draft and sneaking him into DFS lineups where I can. It feels as if in the last 2 weeks, the Saints have decided to go against the grain and use designated tight end Taysom Hill as an actual tight end. Hill has seen 13 targets from Derek Carr, turning those into 11 grabs for 99 yards; a respectable output at the position. Where Tayson stands apart is his rushing ability, last time out Hill added 18 yards on 5 carries as well as an all important TD run from the 1 yard line. Expect solid TE usage from Hill moving forward, sprinkled with the massive upside of rushing work near the goalline.
Also consider Dalton Schultz @CAR ($3,900) & Trey McBride v BAL ($2,800)
Seattle Seahawks v CLE ($3,400)
Cleveland HC Kevin Stefanski has confirmed that DeShaun Watson will once again sit for the Browns with his shoulder injury, meaning that P.J. Walker will make his second start of the season as the Seahawks come to town. Walker managed to complete only 47% of his passing attempts in Indianapolis last week, for a measly 178 yards. Since stepping in to relieve Watson in week 6, the career back-up has thrown 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, fumbling once. To add to Cleveland’s woes, running back Jerome Ford has been nursing an ankle injury all week, only returning to any form of practise on Friday. Cleveland are 4 point underdogs in Seattle, with an implied team total of only 17 points. This looks set to be a low scoring affair with the opportunity to create some turnovers – ideal for those rostering the Seahawks DST.
Houston Texans @CAR ($3,300)
I would love to present a long, well thought out structured analysis as to why to roster the Texans DST this week as they travel to Carolina to take on the 0-6 Panthers; but I’ll cut it down to just that last bit…Houston gets to take on the 0-6 Panthers. The Texans are a middle of the pack defensive unit, allowing less than 1 touchdown per game to opposition QBs and rank a lofty 2nd in points allowed against wide receivers. If Houston can get out to an early lead and force Bryce Young in to passing, expect the rookie to make some mistakes and the Texans DST to flourish.
Also consider Jacksonville Jaguars @PIT ($2,800) & Minnesota Vikings @GB ($2,500)
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Image Credit: Jim Rassol – USA TODAY Sports
