As the NFL approaches the midpoint of its season, factors such as injuries, bye weeks and depth chart changes all have an impact on fantasy football, DFS included. Some players have their prices decline due to poor production, but given the right opponent, they can still be fantasy stars.
With many teams on bye this week, the field of players to choose from is the smallest it has been this season. Still, with fewer options, it can be more challenging to differentiate your lineup from your competition. Some of these players are not just great values, but may not be in too many others DFS lineups. Here are your best values in DFS for Week 8 of the 2017 NFL season.
QB – Andy Dalton $5700
Andy Daltons gets a matchup in Week 8, as he faces a Colts defense and secondary giving up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Colts have given up so many points while playing a relatively mediocre group of quarterbacks, a group that includes DeShone Kizer, Brian Hoyer and Blake Bortles.
Dalton has four passing touchdowns, plus one rushing, and no interceptions in his three career starts against the Colts. Dalton has been inconsistent and turnover prone this season, however, against the Cleveland Browns (who are similar to the Colts in the sense they are both terrible), Dalton had 286 yards passing, four passing touchdowns, 22 rushing yards and no turnovers. Look for Dalton to spread the ball around and have a productive game against the Colts.
RB – Chris Thompson $5800
One of the biggest fantasy surprised this season, has to be the stellar fantasy production from Chris Thompson. Thompson gets the Cowboys this weekend and should continue to produce. The Cowboys allow 50.17 yards receiving to running backs this season, but the group has struggled against primarily receiving back, giving up nine receptions to Shane Vereen in Week 1 and 59 yards to Andre Ellington in Week 3. Thompson is better than both of those backs.
Three times, the Cowboys have allowed running backs to average 10.50 yards per reception or more this season. That number bodes well for Thompson who averages a sizzling 15.9 yards per reception. Thompson had 92 total yards against the Cowboys in two games last season, but his role in Washington’s offense this season is much greater than it was last year. Look for his expanded role to be on display in Week 8. The Redskins don’t have many other options out of the backfield other than Thompson right now.
WR – Marquise Goodwin $3800
With a chance to use his speed to get behind a subpar Eagles secondary, Marquise Goodwin is a great value this week in DraftKings. The Eagles give up an average of 182.86 yards to wide receivers this season, the fifth-highest average in the NFL this season.
Goodwin has been underrated this season. He ranks 28th in the NFL in receiving yards and fifth in yards per reception at 17.5. Although he does not have a touchdown this season, on 20 receptions, he scored three touchdowns on 29 receptions last season. In addition, Goodwin is developing consistency in his game. Last year, playing Goodwin would be a high-risk, high-reward situation, but with over 60 yards receiving yards in three of his last five games, Goodwin is showing he can be more than just a big play threat.
TE – Tyler Kroft $3000
For the value, Tyler Kroft is arguably the best option at tight end this week. Kroft faces the Colts on Sunday. The Colts have given up a touchdown to a tight end in four of their seven games this season. In two of the three games they did not allow a touchdown, the Colts did give up over 60 yards receiving to the position. We’re banking on that trend continuing in this spot.
Kroft has been productive since moving into the starting tight end role for the Bengals. He has 157 yards and three touchdowns in four games. In the last three games, Kroft has 14 receptions at a catch rate of 87.5% percentage. If you are looking for value at tight end, look no further than Kroft.
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