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Ben Rolfe analyzes optimal DFS cash game value plays for Week 8 of the NFL season. These players are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports cash games.
Just two teams on bye this week means we have a 12-game slate once again in Week 8. This slate is absolutely loaded with talent and good matchups, presenting us with plenty of opportunities to take advantage this week.
This week we have seven games with a projected total over 45. The Seahawks Falcons game is up at 54, which could be far too high if Matt Ryan is gimpy or Matt Schaub is starting. We can also discount the game in London as far as I am concerned. We had two entertaining games in the Tottenham Stadium, but Wembley has been known to be more of a slog on natural grass, with the under hitting in the last four Wembley contests. The five games with totals below 45 can still offer us options, especially if those low totals mean players get priced down a little bit.
This article will take a look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, usually when you look at value plays for GPP you are swinging for the fences somewhat. 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. Let's take a look at the cash value plays for Week 8 of the 2019 NFL season.
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Week 8 Quarterback Cash Game Value Plays
Ryan Tannehill, TEN vs. TB | DK: $5,100, FD: $6,900
Tannehill did a solid job in his first week as the Titans starter. This week the matchup should be even easier, as he faces a Buccaneers team allowing over 20 FPPG to opposing QBs. The Titans have weapons and Tannehill is the best QB they have right now for getting the most out of those weapons. This could be a big week against a very shaky secondary in the Buccaneers.
Derek Carr, OAK @ HOU | DK: $5,000, FD: $6,900
This could be a fun game. Both defenses have a lot of trouble defending the pass and we could see monster numbers from both QBs. With Josh Jacobs banged up the Raiders are going to have to rely more on the passing game to move the football. This should be the week that Carr breaks the 20-point barrier for the first time this season.
Week 8 Running Back Cash Game Value Plays
Latavius Murray, NO vs. ARI | DK: $5,800, FD: $6,200
This is one of those situations where you kind of want Alvin Kamara to be active Sunday, because it will drive people away from Murray who could be a sneaky good play this week. Murray was super effective last week returning 35 fantasy points. While Kamara will take some of that workload I still expect to see plenty of Murray this week. The Cardinals allow 18 FPPG to opposing RB1s, which is the role I see Murray having this weekend regardless of the Kamara situation.
Sony Michel, NE vs. CLE | DK: $5,200 FD: $6,500
It was a mixed Week 7 for Michel, who put up solid points thanks to a three-touchdown day. On a yards per carry basis, he was fairly mediocre, but the volume and goal-line carries saw him put up a respectable return. Michel has only seen single-digit carries in one game this season, and this week draws a defense allowing 20.7 FPPG to opposing RB1s.
Michel is a better value on DraftKings than FanDuel.
Ty Johnson, DET vs. NYG | DK: $4,900, FD: $5,200
This pick is all about opportunity for Ty Johnson, who is expected to take the bulk of the work vacated by Kerryon Johnson. So far Ty has not returned great numbers on the season, but the opportunity for a RB1 workload at a bargain-basement price relatively is impossible to pass up.
Week 8 Wide Receiver Cash Game Value Plays
Kenny Stills, HOU vs. OAK | DK: $4,700, FD: $5,700
Stills might well be the highest owned player on the slate this week, but it is going to be hard to pivot away from him. With Will Fuller out last week, Stills saw five targets, pulling in four receptions for 105 yards. He should remain the secondary option to DeAndre Hopkins this week, and that is a valuable position against a secondary allowing close to 15 points against RB2s this season.
Corey Davis, TEN vs. TB | DK: $4,400, FD: $5,500
We finally saw the real Corey Davis last week. After being set free from his ball and chain, he demonstrated his talent with Tannehill under center. This game has the feel of a back-and-forth slugfest in which neither team can move the ball with the run game. We could easily see both QB throw over 40 times in this game and Davis could see double-digit targets.
Cole Beasley, BUF vs. PHI | DK: $4,200, FD: $5,600
I really like Beasley as a sneaky PPR high floor type play in this format. The Philadelphia Eagles Defense has its problems down the field, but I also expect Beasley to be able to exploit one of the worst pass defenses in the league underneath. Beasley saw another six targets last week and should get close to that in Week 8 as well.
Week 8 Tight End Cash Game Value Plays
Noah Fant, DEN @ IND | DK: $2,900, FD: $4,500
Fant is driving me and many other fantasy owners nuts with his inconsistency. The target share has been good this season, but Fant actually leads the league in drop%. The Colts allow an average of 15 fantasy points to opposing tight ends so this is the now-or-never moment for Fant this season for me.
Jonnu Smith, TEN vs. TB | DK: $2,800, FD: $4,900
This all depends if Delanie Walker is active. If he is not then I cannot get enough of Smith this week. Three targets, three receptions and 60 yards after taking over from Walker last week should all rise with a full week in the offense as a starter. Smith is a very talented tight end, who can make defenses pay if given the chance. The Buccaneers may present that chance, as they allow an average of 19 fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.
