Who Should I Start at Quarterback in Week 8?

Aaron Rodgers
$7,500 DK $8,800 FD
Over/Under: 53 Falcons – 3
Expected Ownership: 10%

Aaron Rodgers is my top tournament play for Week 8. With so much criticism lately, he’ll be overlooked. I disagree with anybody saying he is washed up, and I fully expect him to silence the critics this week. The only reason he will get some ownership this week is because the Packers have been throwing the ball 50 or more times with no true running game. I expect that trend to continue with Eddie Lacy and James Starks out. This game has the highest Over/Under of the slate, and with the Packers being a three-point dogs, I think we can safely project Rodgers for 50 or more passing attempts once again. It is only a matter of time before he has that big 400 yard, three-touchdown performance Fantasy players have been waiting for, and there’s a good chance it happens in Week 8.

Derek Carr
$5,900 DK $7,800 FD
Over/Under: 49 EVEN
Expected Ownership: 8%

Derek Carr is way too cheap considering the matchup, especially over on DraftKings. I really think he bounces back this week after an ugly showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has a very good possibility to be high scoring, and I think Carr could realistically throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns. I love stacking him with Amari Cooper this week.  

Jameis Winston
$5,700 DK $7,400 FD
Over/Under 49 EVEN
Expected Ownership: 15%

Winston should be one of the most popular quarterbacks in Week 8 considering his great matchup and cheap price tag. Oakland has allowed the seventh-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, the ninth-most Fantasy points to running backs, and the fifth-most Fantasy points to wide receivers. This means Winston, Jacquizz Rodgers and Mike Evans are all in play this week, and I even don’t mind stacking all three in cash. I already said I think this game is a shoot out, so Winston should show up big here at home.

Who Should I Start at Running Back in Week 8?

Ezekiel Elliott
$7,200 DK $8,500 FD
Over/Under: 43 Cowboys – 4.5
Expected Ownership: 8%

There’s a number I want to talk about: 569. That’s the number of rushing yards Zeke has in his last FOUR games. He is getting a monster workload this season, averaging 24 carries in that same four game span. He is also coming off a new career high in rushing yards last week against a team that was supposed to be a run-stopping defense. What makes it even better is that Elliott continues to go overlooked and under owned every single week. Due to pricing, injuries opening up value, and other running backs in great spots, Fantasy players simply aren’t starting him. That is likely to happen once again in Week 8, and I fully expect him to munch some invisible cereal on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Spencer Ware
$6,800 DK $7,400
Over/Under 50 Chiefs -3
Expected Ownership: 20%

Spencer Ware is coming off a big game last week against the Saints and is in another great spot this week. The Chiefs have the third-highest team total on the slate, and the Indianapolis Colts have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. To make things better, Jamaal Charles has already been ruled out this week. It’s the Spencer Ware show this Sunday.

Devontae Booker
$3,700 DK $5,600
Over/Under 43.5 Broncos -4
Expected Ownership: 40%

Booker is going to be the highest owned player this week of any position. There is absolutely no reason to fade him in this type of situation. Booker got 17 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown. It is realistic to project him for at least 20 touches as a home favorite against the Chargers. San Diego has given up the sixth-most Fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Editor’s Note: C.J. Anderson is out for the year. If you need a replacement for your season long leagues, check this out.

Who Should I Start at Wide Receiver in Week 8?

Julio Jones
$9,600 DK $9,200 FD
Over/Under 53: Falcons – 3
Expected Ownership: 28%

All signs point to another monster week for Julio Jones. The Falcons have the highest team total on the slate. Additionally, Green Bay could be missing three cornerbacks this week, so good luck trying to stop Julio. There is enough value to afford him, so just plug him in and don’t overthink it.

Mike Evans
$8,100 DK $7,900 FD
Over/Under: 49 EVEN
Expected Ownership: 30%

I mentioned this before, but it’s worth noting that Mike Evans is averaging the most fantasy points per game by any wide receiver. In fact, he is currently WR5 on the year, and that is with having had his bye week already. Evans is a target hog, and is coming off a two-touchdown performance last week. There is little reason to think he doesn’t continue his dominance against an Oakland defense that struggles to stop anything.

DeAndre Hopkins
$7,400 DK $7,600 FD
Over/Under 46 Texans – 2.5
Expected Ownership: 8%

If there was ever a spot for DeAndre Hopkins to have a monster game, this is that spot. Hopkins has 27 targets in his last two games, and we can expect the touchdowns to eventually come. This week, he gets a favorable matchup at home against a Detroit Lions defense that allows the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers per game. Lastly, they could be missing Darius Slay, so keep an eye on that. But either way, Hopkins and Will Fuller are both in play.

Who Should I Start at Tight End in Week 8?

Jimmy Graham
$6,100 DK $6,700 FD
Over/Under 48: Seahawks – 2.5
Expected Ownership: 15%

Revenge anyone? Jimmy Graham gets to head back to the Superdome for the ultimate revenge game. Graham is averaging nine targets over his last four games and has at least five catches and 50 yards in those games. To make things juicier, the Saints struggle to defend tight ends, so good luck stopping Jimmy. He is an elite play if you’re paying up for tight end in Week 8.

Gary Barnidge
$3,300 DK $5,000 FD
Over/Under: 44 Jets – 2.5
Expected Ownership: 8%

Barnidge is my favorite cheap tight end this week. Josh McCown is expected to start for Cleveland, which is obviously a big boost for  Barnidge. While McCown was the starter last season, Barnidge caught six touchdowns to go along with 641 yards. He is too cheap to pass on. 

C.J. Fiedorowicz
$2,900 DK $4,900 FD
Over/Under: 46 Texans – 2.5
Expected Ownership: 5%

Fiedorowicz is another cheap tight end that I think is worth a look if you’re trying to save money and pay up elsewhere. He has 229 yards and two touchdowns over his last four games, and Detroit has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. You can do much worse than C.J. at that price.

My Core:

Rodgers/Carr/Winston
Ware/Zeke/Rodgers/Booker
Julio/Evans/Cooper
Graham/Barnidge

My Top Stacks for Week 8:

Aaron Rodgers + Randall Cobb

Aaron Rodgers + Randall Cobb + Ty Montgomery
Aaron Rodgers + Randall Cobb + Ty Montgomery + Julio Jones

Derek Carr + Amari Cooper + Mike Evans

Sample Tournament Lineups for Week 8

For tournaments, I am a multi-entry player so I am not afraid to get exposure to some players that may seem risky but with upside. If you’re only playing one tournament lineup, be aware that some of these plays may not fit the single-entry formats.

Best of luck this week everyone. If you want to discuss plays and strategy, hit me up on twitter @jon_Kelly_ Also, if you use my lineup to win some money then tweet at me with a screenshot and let me know!

Categories: 2016 Fantasy Football DFS, Daily Fantasy Football

Tags: Week 8, Week 8 DFS Lineup Advice, Week 8 DFS Lineups, Week 8 DFS Picks