Steezy A’s Week 8 DFS Bargain Bin
Apparently, only Chiefs WR Rashee Rice got the memo after I listed him as one of my ‘bargain bin’ guys last week; as for the others?
Let’s not speak on that.
Thankfully, it’s a new week - which means a new slate of players that can be had at cheaper than usual prices — and no bye weeks!
Week 8, here we go baby (all salaries courtesy of FanDuel).
QB: Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints ($6,600, QB26 at cost)
Coming off two straight weeks in which he’s attempted 50+ passes and passed for over 300+ yards in each of those games, Derek Carr has had a lot on his plate.
From a fantasy perspective, that has also coincided with his two best performances to date, scoring 17+ points in back-to-back weeks (standard PPR scoring leagues).
While the stat-stuffing hasn’t helped the Saints pick up dubs in the last two weeks, Carr’s Week 8 matchup is salivating on paper.
Enter the Indianapolis Colts, who have given up a WHOPPING 75 points combined in the last two weeks. To add injury to insult, starting rookie CB Juju Brents is expected to miss over a week due to a quadriceps injury he sustained last week, rendering an already suspect defense that much more vulnerable.
While the status of WR Chris Olave’s availability is unknown at this juncture, Carr will still have Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara to work with, not to mention Tayson Hill - who has 11 receptions for 99 receiving yards in the last two weeks (on 13 targets).
Given the plethora of weapons at his disposal, start Carr with confidence in Week 8.
RB: Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens ($6,600, RB24 at cost)
It’s not every week that Gus Edwards will total 80 receiving yards for both fantasy owners and the Baltimore Ravens (albeit on one catch against Detroit last week), but it’s also not every week that Edwards will go up against the Arizona Cardinals defense - hence why he’s my bargain of bargains at the running back position.
On the season, the Cardinals are allowing the 4th-most fantasy points to opposing RB’s, and if that wasn’t enough to get you hyped up about starting Edwards in fantasy, a positive game script should be.
As 8-point favorites (at the time of this writing), Edwards should also receive plenty of opportunities to score, as he’s also Baltimore’s preferred goal-line back (not including Lamar Jackson).
Here’s a fun stat for you: (shoutout to Lawrence Jackson of NBC Sports for this one)
The Cardinals have allowed at least 100 rushing yards to the opposing team’s lead back in four of their last five games.
If all goes according to plan and Baltimore is beating the same brakes off the Cardinals as they did the Lions last week, Edwards should FEAST in Week 8.
WR: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints ($6,000, WR42 at cost)
Another bargain play, another New Orleans Saint sighting (I also thought long and hard about Taysom Hill, so any Saints fan reading this - you’re welcome).
Needless to say, if you’re looking for a sneaky snack (particularly in DFS) this week, look no further than the tandem of Derek Carr and not Chris Olave, but Michael Thomas.
A true model of consistency, Thomas has yet to score below 9.3 fantasy points in any game this season, and we’re already almost eight weeks in.
Like I mentioned above with Derek Carr, the Colts defense is RIPE for strong performances from Saints skill position players, as they have been giving up points GALORE in the last two weeks.
If the Colts two-headed monster at RB in Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss can keep the Saints defense on their heels, we could have an under-the-radar shootout on our hands in Week 8 between these two teams (ala Cleveland and Indiana last week)
As I always say, chase those players, chase those matchups, and chase those points because everyone eats!
WR: Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars ($6,800, WR36 at cost)
How the mighty have fallen…. (cue the sad war music)
Just kidding.
Can we all cut Calvin Ridley some slack??? I get it, WR37 on the season and an average of 10.97 points per game simply is not going to cut it, especially for those that drafted Ridley to be their fantasy squad’s WR1.
I spoke to Jaguars Beat Reporter (Sports Illustrated) John Shipley recently and he essentially attributed Ridley’s struggles to a few things:
- Rust
- Jacksonville has had to compensate for a questionable offensive line in pass protection with quicker throws (one of the reasons why Christian Kirk is feasting)
- A plethora of options in Jacksonville’s offense alongside of Ridley
(among other things)
Shipley also told me that he expects Ridley to start turning it up for the Jaguars come playoff time, which doesn’t do fantasy owners any favors I know. But if he’s going to pop off BEFORE the NFL postseason, it’ll be in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Yes, they deserve some credit for holding Cooper Kupp to 2 receptions and 29 yards last week, but Puka Nacua went NUCLEAR with 8 receptions for 154 yards (on 12 targets).
The Steelers have also had a tendency to give up big plays and are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
If you’ve been patient with Ridley, now’s the time to unleash him.
TE: Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers ($5,200, TE16 at cost)
Quietly becoming one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets in the red zone, Gerald Everett has back-to-back weeks having scored a TD.
Against a team in the Bears (who are giving up the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends), Everett should be able to produce for the Chargers, who are DESPERATE for a win (they’ve lost three of their last five games).
Given the shallow nature of the tight end position, Everett might not be the sexiest option, but give me the starting tight end for a high-octane offense vs a young defense any week.
FLEX: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots ($6,400, RB28 at cost)
After a month of little-to-no-use in the passing game, Rhamondre Stevenson has back-to-back weeks with 5+ receptions and 6+ targets.
When he’s getting the ball, that usually means good things for the Patriots and their offense.
Given that his Patriots are the biggest underdogs of the Week 8 slate (according to DraftKings betting odds) at (+9.5), we might find the Patriots passing the ball a lot more than we’re accustomed to if they’re going to keep up with the Dolphins and their high-octane passing attack.
Sure, Ezekiel Elliot will continue to be sprinkled into the game plan as the team’s goal-line back, but just how often will the Patriots find themselves in that position?
You’re better off banking on the guy who's the primary pass-catcher in a matchup that could get out of hand in a jiffy in Stevenson.
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