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Week 7 of the NFL season is in the books, and what a week it was. We saw the Titans dominate the Chiefs, the Patriots destroy the Jets, the Bengals demolish the Ravens, and the Bucs dominate Justin Fields. This week we have 12 games on the slate and a lot of solid matchups to target. Last week the Bengals were all relatively cheap and paid off for us; this week, we appear to be looking at the Jaguars and Colts quite a bit. There is plenty of other value, so do not hesitate to ask me any questions on Twitter.
For Week 8, we will stick with the usual cash gameplan of looking for a solid floor and going from there, especially when it comes to value plays. Value this week is quite spread out. The popular moves will be paying up for Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts at quarterback while smashing in at least one of the big running backs and receivers and likely plugging in a mid-priced tight end. There are always many ways to build in cash, but following the roster rates is a great way to be a successful week in and week out. These value plays can help fill in the roster rate gaps and get you to those green screens.
This article will take a look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, when you look at value plays for GPP, you are somewhat swinging for the fences. Here I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, be that pass attempts, targets, or carries. So, let's look at the cash value plays for Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season.
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Week 8 Quarterback Cash Game Value Plays
Carson Wentz, IND vs. TEN | DK: $5,700, FD: $7,200
The 2021-22 season started a little rough for Wentz as he suffered two sprained ankles (yes two), but now looks healthy and continues to bring a solid floor to your weekly DFS lineups. Over the last four weeks, he has scored at least 17 fantasy points while throwing two touchdowns in each game. Of late, he has even shown some mobility on the ground, adding a rushing touchdown last week. Additionally, Wentz appears healthy and ready for this weekend's huge AFC South clash versus the Titans.
He will take on a Titans team that shocked many when they shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but I do not worry about that. The Titans had an excellent game for sure, but over the last four games, which includes the Chiefs game, they rank 24th versus opposing quarterbacks. On average, they are allowing over 300 passing yards per game, 1.5 passing touchdowns per game, and over 20 fantasy points per game.
The Titans' defense has holes in it, and Wentz should be able to exploit them. The Colts come into Sunday's action with an implied team total of 27. That's pretty darn shabby, and points should be aplenty. The game as a whole is one of two games that have a game total of over 50 this Sunday. The offense should not be a problem, and Wentz's price and consistent production should lead to a significant cash game value.
Trevor Lawrence, JAX at SEA | DK: $5,500, FD: $6,700
I know the Jags are bad, and why would I want to roster them? Well, here we only care about fantasy production, and Lawrence has been fantasy relevant of late. Over his last three games against the Bengals, Titans, and Dolphins, he has seen his production improve in a big way. Lawrence has four total touchdowns over the three games. He has thrown for 270+ yards in each of the last two games and brings a 20+ yard rushing floor weekly. Lastly, the Jags are coming off a bye week and have a solid matchup versus the Seahawks.
Lawrence will take on a Seahawks defense that ranks 14th over the last four games versus opposing quarterbacks. On average, they are allowing 284.5 passing yards per game, 1.5 passing touchdowns, and nearly 20 fantasy points per game. Those numbers should be higher as the Saints did not try to throw the ball with Jameis Winston. The Seahawks defense is ripe for the picking, and Lawrence should be in line for another 20+ point game at a very affordable price.
Week 8 Running Back Cash Game Value Plays
Damien Harris, NE at LAC | DK: $6,100, FD: $6,900
Harris is coming off a massive week against the Jets, where he ran for 106 yards and scored two touchdowns. That's his second straight week with 100+ rushing yards, and he has now scored at least one touchdown in three consecutive games. In addition, Harris has received 14 or more carries in each game, bringing excellent cash game consistency to your lineups.
This week Harris takes on a Chargers' defense that has struggled tremendously versus the run. They are ranked 29th on the season and over the last four games on average, allowing 130 rushing yards per game and 30 or so fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
With Rhamondre Stevenson being a healthy scratch of late, Harris has seen all the work in the running game. He is still not a significant piece of the passing game but gets a few targets each week. Harris should be in line for 15+ more touches this week in a game that should remain close with a spread of 4.5. Harris brings a ton of cash game consistency to your builds, especially if saving a bit from the solid plays of James Robinson and Darrell Henderson priced right above him.
Kenneth Gainwell, PHI at DET | DK: $5,000 FD: $5,900
This may be too risky for cash for most, and maybe they would instead take the discount on teammate Boston Scott. For me, I trust Gainwell taking over as the RB1 for the Eagles with Miles Sanders going on the IR. Gainwell is coming off a week with five carries and four receptions on eight targets while also finding the end zone. Gainwell has scored 15+ fantasy points in two of his last four games, and in each of those games, he had 9+ touches. Touches should not be a problem this week versus the Lions.
He will be taking on a Lions defense that can be exploited on the ground and in the air. Over the last four games, they rank 30th versus opposing running backs. Opposing backs are averaging 114 rushing yards, five receptions, and over 30 fantasy points per game over that four-game stretch. The Eagles are 3.5 point favorites this Sunday with an implied team total of 26. They should be able to move the ball at will, and Gainwell should flourish with double-digit touches. Expect a big weekend from Gainwell at quite the discount.
James Robinson, JAX at SEA | DK: $6,600, FD: $8,200
Too many, Robinson's price tag makes him too pricey for a value, but for me, he is still a value as he should be priced higher. The FD price is not too bad, but his DK price is far too low, especially for cash games. Robinson has 15+ carries in four straight games while also showing some production in the passing game. He has rushed for 70+ yards while scoring at least one touchdown in each of the last four games as well.
Robinson takes on a Seahawks defense that ranks 31st on the season versus the run. They are allowing 111 rushing yards on average while also allowing well over 30 fantasy points per game. The Jaguars are coming off a bye week, meaning Robinson should be pretty fresh compared to most weeks. They are 3.5 point underdogs, which also means the game should be close, resulting in plenty of rushing attempts yet again for Robinson. This week, he makes for a great cash gameplay and is far too cheap on DK, which makes him a great value.
Week 8 Wide Receiver Cash Game Value Plays
Michael Pittman Jr., IND vs. TEN | DK: $5,300, FD: $6,600
I had to triple-check when I saw this price tag on Pittman. He has been the clear WR1 for the Colts this season and has been worth every penny each week. Pittman has been targeted at least four times in all but one game this season with seven or more targets in four of seven games. In addition, Pittman has double-digit fantasy points in five of his last six games and should be in line for another big game this week versus the Titans.
He faces a Titans defense that ranks dead last on the season versus opposing wide receivers and 31st over the previous four games. They allow well over 200 receiving yards per game to receivers, plus at least one touchdown and over 45 fantasy points per game. The Titans' defense has struggled tremendously versus the passing game, and I am looking for the Colts to have a big game on Sunday. That means Pittman should see his usual workload, resulting in a great fantasy game at a very friendly price tag.
Diontae Johnson, PIT at CLE | DK: $6,700, FD: $7,500
Like Robinson above, Johnson is pricey for most value articles, but he is too cheap for his production, making him a value. Week in and week out, Johnson is targeted early and often in the Steelers' passing game, and that should not change this Sunday. In the four games Johnson has played in total, he has over ten targets in each game. Johnson has put up 70+ receiving yards in four straight games, with touchdowns in three of five games and double-digit fantasy points in every game. Johnson has one of the best cash game floors (not named Cooper Kupp) every week for wide receivers.
This week he takes on the Browns and a defense that ranks 29th over the last four games versus opposing receivers. Over those four games, they are allowing nearly 200 receiving yards and 45 fantasy points per week. Johnson has averaged almost 15 fantasy points per game against the Browns in the previous two years, and I do not see that changing this week. So keep playing Johnson in cash games, especially with such a low price tag.
Tee Higgins, CIN at NYJ | DK: $5,200, FD: $6,300
Suer Ja'Marr Chase has been excellent, but let's not forget about Higgins. Chase is great for tournaments with his high ceiling, but we want that floor for cash games, and Higgins brings a fantastic floor to your cash game lineups. Higgins has been targeted five or more times in all five games this season, with double-digit targets in two of his last four games. This heavy target share has resulted in 10+ fantasy points in four of five games.
This week, Higgins has another great matchup versus the lowly Jets. This Jets team ranks well versus the passing game, but that could be primarily due to teams being up big and running the football a lot. The Bengals have shown they can run and pass just fine this season and should be doing plenty of both this week. They are 10.5 point favorites with an implied team total of 27. There will be plenty of fantasy goodness to go around on Sunday, and the floor Higgins brings to the table is outstanding for your cash games.
Week 8 Tight End Cash Game Value Plays
Dan Arnold, Jax at SEA | DK: $2,800, FD: $4,900
It's just another week where we can go YOLO at TE if we feel the need. Last week we were blessed with Foster Moreau and a few others. For now, with no injury news, we are still with the Jags and Arnold. Arnold has five or more targets in back-to-back games and has two or more catches in each game this season. He has just not found the end zone, and that could happen at any time. If he finds the end zone, his value goes through the roof.
He'll face a Seahawks defense that is allowing five receptions and nearly 15 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends over the last four games. Look for Arnold to be an excellent safety valve for Lawrence and hopefully find his way to the end zone for a big week at a super low price.
Adam Trautman, NO vs. TB | DK: $2,700, FD: $4,500
I know Juwan Johnson is in the red zone machine, but Trautman is starting to get him, and that could turn into a blow-up game sooner than later. He has seen five targets over the last two games, catching all of them for 79 yards. He still has not found the end zone but should see his fair share of targets again this week against the Bucs.
He faces a Bucs' defense that ranks 22nd versus tight ends over the last four weeks. On average, they are allowing nearly 55 yards on seven catches with 16 fantasy points per week to tight ends. The Saints will be throwing a lot to keep up with the Bucs and have an implied team total of 23. Trautman may be better left for tournaments, but I do not hate the discounted cash game price.
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