This article first appeared on RotoBaller.com
[sc name=”Author Matt Terelle”]
Hey there RotoBallers! Last week brought us several low-scoring slugfests with the Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliot-led explosion leading the way in one of the few high-scoring games. Hopefully you employed the Zeke-Dak Prescott–Dez Bryant triple stack and surrounded them with the right guys.
In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 8 slate. These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
Generally, I will try to outline a top option at each position along with a value option with a chance to at least hit value. Let’s get to it!
[sc name=”Google Inline Ad”]
Quarterback Picks for Yahoo DFS
Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins vs. DAL, $32
Cousins got off to a slow start this season but he appears to be hitting his stride as we near the middle of the season. The veteran quarterback is coming off one of his best games of the year this past Monday night, throwing for 303 yards and three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles. Cousins is in a great spot in Week 8 as the leaky Cowboys’ pass defense will come to town in a divisional clash. Dallas has been extremely generous to opposing quarterbacks this season, ranking 20th in pass defense DVOA and allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Up until last week, the Cowboys had allowed either 300 passing yards or multiple touchdowns to a quarterback in four straight games. Cousins, for the price, is one of the better quarterback options on the slate.
C.J. Beathard, San Francisco 49ers vs. PHI, $20
As mentioned above, the Cowboys had a streak of four straight games of allowing either 300 passing yards or multiple touchdowns broke in Week 7. The quarterback who failed to light them up for the first time since Week 1? None other than C.J. Beathard. That being said, Beathard was under siege against a Dallas defensive line that has been effective at rushing the passer, which led to him getting hit often and rushing several throws. He should find the pocket a little calmer against the Eagles in Week 8. While Dallas’ defensive line ranks ninth in adjusted sack rate according to Football Outsiders, the Eagles are just 18th. Beathard should have more time to throw against Philly which will allow him ample time to carve up an Eagles secondary which has been handing out QB1 weeks in fantasy like candy on Halloween. Despite him being more trick than treat last week, Beathard is a solid choice for those who like to pay down for their quarterback in cash and isn’t a bad GPP option, either.
Running Back Picks for Yahoo DFS
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills vs. OAK, $29
McCoy broke loose against the Buccaneers in Week 7, notching two touchdowns while piling up 122 all-purpose yards. Of course, I ignored my gut instinct and pivoted from him to Chris Ivory for the “savings” in several spots. Ugh. Either way, the Bills’ passing game is extremely shorthanded. Jordan Matthews, the team’s top option, is trying to catch passes with one hand while rookie Zay Jones has been a huge disappointment, converting just 7-of-32 targets on the year. I’m no mathematician, but that’s not #good. If the Bills want to win, they will need to continue to ride McCoy and the arm of Tyrod Taylor, to a lesser extent. Oakland’s defense isn’t anything special against the run or the pass, meaning the Bills should be able to give McCoy a healthy allotment of touches this week.
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints vs. CHI, $22
Ingram has been a man possessed since the Saints jettisoned Adrian Peterson to the Cardinals two weeks ago. In his two games since the trade, Ingram has piled up three touchdowns and 219 rushing yards. Despite Ingram being a locked-in RB1 going forward, Yahoo has been slow to raise his price, leaving him in the low 20s. The Saints should absolutely decimate the Bears at home in the Superdome, which means Ingram should see plenty of work in the second half when they shift into clock-killing mode. The Bears’ offense attempted just seven passes against the Panthers last week in a game which was the football version of when you got an apple as a kid on Halloween. Ingram remains a must-play until his salary comes up to match his recent production.
Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo DFS
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons @ NYJ, $31
Jones finally broke out in Week 7, torching the Patriots for nine catches, 99 yards, and one touchdown. His 13 targets in that game was a season-high for the elite receiver. With Atlanta’s offense continuing to struggle this season, hopefully they will continue to lean on Jones going forward. Jones is in another great spot in Week 8 as he is expected to be shadowed by Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne. Claiborne been passable in coverage this season, earning a 72.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, but he can’t hang with Julio. Jones is expensive but he’s a bit of a discount over A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, and Antonio Brown this week.
Bennie Fowler, Denver Broncos vs. KC, $10
To be able to fit Julio Jones, you are going to have to pay down somewhere. Plugging Fowler in as your WR2 is the perfect place to do so. With Emmanuel Sanders not expected to play in Week 8, Fowler should be a full-time player for a second consecutive week. He’s coming off a solid game against the Chargers where he caught five passes for 45 yards. According to Pro Football Focus, Fowler should run the majority of his routes from the slot. For those not aware, the Raiders shifted Amari Cooper to the slot for several of his routes in Week 7 en route to his 211-yard, two-touchdown torching of the Chiefs. Kansas City’s slot corner, Phillip Gaines, has a 33.7 grade from PFF.
Tight End Picks for Yahoo DFS
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys @ WAS, $19
Last week, Witten scored for the first time since Week 2 as he hung a 4-54-1 line on a 49ers’ defense that has been tough against tight ends. As of now, we don’t know Josh Norman’s status for Week 8, but if he returns to shadow Dez Bryant, expect Dallas to funnel extra targets to Witten in the middle of the field. Washington has been tough against outside receivers but their pass defense ranks just 28th in DVOA against the tight end position. Witten is a solid option for all formats and won’t break the bank like some of the top options.
Tyler Kroft, Cincinnati Bengals vs. IND, $13
Tyler Kroft has been doing his best Tyler Eifert impersonation this season, reeling in three touchdowns and seeing at least four targets in every game that Eifert hasn’t played in. Kroft should be able to keep it going in Week 8 when the Colts come to town. Indianapolis hasn’t been very good against the tight end this season, allowing the 13th-most fantasy points to the position and ranking just 24th in DVOA. Kroft is a great value play this weekend.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo DFS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. CAR, $11
The Bucs don’t appear to be a great defense at first glance but they have plenty of upside as an almost minimum-priced option on Yahoo. Cam Newton has struggled with turnovers this season, ranking second in the league with 10 interceptions. The Panthers’ offensive line has also been quite leaky, ranking 25th in adjusted sack rate according to Football Outsiders. Tampa Bay’s pass rush is last in the league but hopefully the Carolina o-line will allow them to get to Newton a few times Sunday. The Buccaneers’ defense has underperformed this season but are starting to get healthy and will enjoy facing Carolina at home.
