It’s time for the week eight edition of “Buy or Leave Dry”. As we do every week, we take a look at some players to use and avoid when constructing your daily fantasy (DFS) teams for DraftKings and FanDuel. Week seven was a tough week for us. However, we are back at it looking to make some money here in week eight.
Quarterback
BUY: Jameis Winston Buccaneers VS Raiders
Salary DraftKings $5,700 FanDuel $7,400
Jameis Winston is coming off a 269 yard three touchdown performance in San Francisco last week. It is the third time this season that the second year quarterback has thrown for three or more touchdowns in a game. Week eight against an Oakland Raiders defense allowing 302 yards per game in the air (last in the NFL) presents a great opportunity for a fourth such performance. Oakland heads to the east coast for the fifth time in eight games. They are 4-0 in the first four. Expect all the travel to catch up with the young Raiders and for Winston and the Bucs to have a big day on Sunday. Winston is a great play this week at his low salaries.
LEAVE DRY: Dak Prescott Cowboys VS Eagles
Salary DraftKings $5,800 FanDuel $7,100
Things could not be going any better for Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. He has been very impressive along with fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott in leading Dallas to a 5-1 record to start the year. Prescott has thrown for seven touchdowns for nearly 1500 yards with only three total turnovers. Sunday night the Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles in a huge NFC East showdown. The Eagles defense will present Prescott with his toughest challenge to date. Philadelphia ranks first against opposing fantasy quarterbacks and have only allowed 204.3 passing yards per game. Prescott does get some help as Dez Bryant is expected to play for the first time since week three. However, look for Dallas to attack the Eagles 14th ranked rushing defense with Elliott and try to limit any mistakes through the air. The price is still good on Prescott, but I suggest going elsewhere this week.
Other options to use at quarterback include Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and Josh McCown.
Running Back
BUY: Christine Michael Seahawks @ Saints
Salary DraftKings $7,300 FanDuel $7,800
Christine Michael has been a workhorse for the Seattle Seahawks. Michael has topped 20 fantasy points in three of his last four games and has a huge chance to do it again this week. Michael and the Seahawks travel to New Orleans to face a Saints defense ranked 32nd against fantasy running backs in 2016. With C.J. Spiller recently waived by Seattle, Michael should see even more run on Sunday. C.J. Prosise will get some third down looks, but Michael will still dominate the snaps. The Seahawks running back is on the higher priced side, but a 25-point performance is certainly in play this week.
LEAVE DRY: Devonta Freeman Falcons VS Packers
Salary DraftKings $6,500 FanDuel $6,900
Devonta Freeman and the suddenly struggling Falcons host the Green Bay Packers this week. Freeman has been good this year, averaging 15.8 fantasy points per game (DraftKings). Tevin Coleman is out this week so a lot of people will jump on the Freeman this week. The Packers bring the number one ranked defense against the run to Atlanta. Green Bay has allowed a miniscule 71.8 yards a game on the ground. With the potential of high ownership due to the Coleman injury and the stout Packers run defense, Freeman is a “leave dry” this week.
Other options at running back include Ezekiel Elliott, Spencer Ware and Devontae Booker.
Wide Receiver
BUY: Mike Evans Buccaneers VS Raiders
Salary DraftKings $8,100 FanDuel $7,900
The second half of our weekly QB/WR stack is Mike Evans. Last week the Blake Bortles/Allen Robinson stack disappointed, so it’s time to get back on track. The star Buccaneer receiver has scored in every game but one and has caught no less than five balls in any game this year. Evans has 75 Targets through six games with 40 receptions. As mentioned with Jameis Winston, the Raiders possess the worst pass defense in the league and rank 30th against opposing wide receivers. The salary for Evans is the second highest on DraftKings and rightfully so. He is the player you want to build your DFS lineup around this week. Evans will be a top two DFS wide receiver week eight.
LEAVE DRY: Kelvin Benjamin Panthers VS Cardinals
Salary DraftKings $7,200 FanDuel $7,300
The Carolina Panthers come off their bye week with a home game against what should be a very angry Arizona Cardinals team. This is a rematch from last year’s NFC Championship game which Carolina won in blowout fashion 49-15. The Cardinals who are coming off a disappointing 6-6 tie with the Seattle Seahawks will have a lot more than revenge on their mind. The Cardinals have aspirations of winning the NFC and representing the conference in the Super Bowl. If that is too happen, they need to rebound and take advantage of a 1-5 Panthers team clearly having a Super Bowl hangover. Benjamin has been the Panthers top threat along with tight end Greg Olsen. However, Arizona is allowing only 193 yards per game in the air and rank fourth in the league in points against at 14.9 per game. Avoid Benjamin this week as he will be most likely shadowed by Patrick Peterson.
Better Options include Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and T.Y. Hilton.
Tight End
Buy: Travis Kelce Chiefs @ Colts
Salary DraftKings $4,900 FanDuel $5,700
It’s been a down year for Kelce. The Chiefs tight end turned reality star is averaging 46 yards per game with just two touchdowns. The Colts rank 27th against opposing tight ends this year and if Kelce is ever going to get back on track, this is the week to start. Take advantage of low ownership and his reduced salary.
LEAVE DRY: Jack Doyle Colts VS Chiefs
Salary DraftKings $3,500 FanDuel $4,900
We go to the same game as our “buy” for our “leave dry”. Jack Doyle has been surprisingly good this season with four touchdowns. He has been a safety net for Andrew Luck. His ownership has risen each week and so has his production. The Chiefs however, are 5th against tight ends and with Donte Moncrief set to return Doyle will lose some targets. Look for other options.
Defense
Buy: Browns VS Jets
Salary DraftKings $2,500 FanDuel $4,200
Call it a hunch play if you would like, but for the price the Browns defense could be very sneaky. Nick Mangold is most likely out for the Jets and the Browns have shown the ability to rush the quarterback with 12 sacks this season. The ownership will be low but with Ryan Fitzpatrick and his turnover potential at quarterback, the Browns could produce a solid DFS stat line this week.
Leave Dry: Bills VS Patriots
Salary DraftKings $2,800 FanDuel $4,400
Tom Brady is back. Rob Gronkowski is back. That’s not good news for the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots will be ready to hand Buffalo a little payback for the early season 16-0 defeat. Look for the Pats to run it up against the Bills. Stay Away.
Scott Burke- DFS writer, all-around sports junkie.
Follow on twitter @scot557
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