We’re finally starting to see some real separation between players’ salaries, but some of the higher-priced options remain worthy of paying a premium. As always, we made it a point to find enough inexpensive targets to warrant a ‘stars-and-scrubs’ approach.
Based on our expected Week 8 DFS game flow analysis and Week 8 Games to Target published earlier, we can carry our thoughts into actual lineup positions. The long list of players that fit the requirements set forth by the projected flow of the game was cut dramatically by the requirements set forth by salaries.
Below are Sporfolio’s DFS Week 8 Plays:
Quarterback
Russell Wilson – Russell Wilson makes his way onto our radar yet again, and it’s easy to see why. His heroics continue to carry his team, even if he tossed an uncharacteristic three interceptions, last week. The reality is that Wilson actually isn’t on our list because of his talent — although it helps. He’s here because of the likely gameplan. The Seattle Seahawks are dealing with injuries to basically every running back on the roster, and it will lead to Wilson carrying the bulk of the offense yet again. We’ll take the added volume to a player who is already contributing elite numbers.
Patrick Mahomes – It’s easy to expect the game script of the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets to quickly become one-sided and lean on increased rushing attempts by the Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes actually fits as a ‘contrarian’ play of sorts. It’s odd to write that about the most expensive quarterback on the slate, but such is the case with the most likely game flow. Still, in order for the Chiefs to be in position to start running the ball, they would have had to find offense early. That still runs through Mahomes, and he is one of the better plays in a weekend where many of the quarterback options are questionable.
Kirk Cousins – It’s certainly possible that the return of running back Dalvin Cook forces the Minnesota Vikings to run the ball more on offense, but the matchup with the Green Bay Packers forces the Vikings’ hand in the other direction. Green Bay will score, and it will force Minnesota to take to the air — just like we saw on Opening Day. Including the playoffs, Cousins has played seven games against the Packers. In that span, he has fifteen touchdowns, five interceptions, and averaged 297 passing-yards-per-game.