As we approach the halfway point of the NFL regular season, the excitement in the air is palpable! With only a limited number of full DFS slates left, Week 8 presents a thrilling opportunity for fantasy football enthusiasts. This week features a captivating 12-game main slate, and we’re here to dissect it and help you craft those winning lineups for GPP tournaments.
In the world of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), the key to success lies in discovering edges over your competition. With a finite salary cap, creativity becomes essential. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the optimal lineups and best picks for Week 8 DFS slates on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
DraftKings DFS Picks Week 8: NFL DFS picks for GPP tournaments
Sunday Main Slate, $50,000 salary
QB: Bo Nix, Broncos at Ravens ($5,900)
Bo Nix is fresh off a career day, throwing for 284 yards and racking up 29.8 fantasy points against a struggling Carolina defense. Now, he faces the dynamic Baltimore Ravens, who often jump to quick leads, forcing opponents into a pass-heavy game plan. This bodes well for Nix, as Baltimore allows the most passing yards per game and the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Expect Nix to be throwing and scrambling throughout the game, keeping the Broncos competitive.
RB: De’Von Achane, Dolphins at Bills ($6,700)
Could De’Von Achane be considered the Dolphins’ WR2? Absolutely! In three games with Tua Tagovailoa this season, Achane has posted a 17-percent target share, outpacing Jaylen Waddle in targets each time. With a quarter of his routes run from the slot, Achane’s dual-threat ability as a running back and receiver makes him an enticing play at $6,700.
RB: Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders at Giants ($6,300)
Brian Robinson Jr. is coming off a fantastic performance against the Giants, where he torched them for 133 yards in Week 2. The Giants’ rush defense has been abysmal, allowing over five yards per carry. With the quality of New York’s offense and the resurgence of Washington’s defense, expect Robinson to receive plenty of carries and potentially break off a long run against this porous front seven.
WR: A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Jaguars ($8,100)
A.J. Brown is virtually unstoppable in man-to-man coverage. With an astonishing 5.35 yards per route run against man coverage this season, he’s set to face a Jacksonville defense that struggles against receivers. Even if they adjust their strategy, Brown is still poised to thrive against a secondary that allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts.
WR: Jakobi Meyers, Raiders at Bengals ($5,300)
Don’t underestimate Jakobi Meyers! In three games without Davante Adams, he has averaged 0.27 targets and 1.84 yards per route run. With a solid 17.2-point performance in Week 8, Meyers is primed for another strong outing against a Bengals defense that has been vulnerable to explosive plays. Expect the Raiders to lean on Meyers as they abandon the run against a suspect secondary.
TE: Evan Engram, Jaguars at Eagles ($5,300)
With Christian Kirk out for the season, Evan Engram is set to become the focal point of the Jaguars’ passing game. After Kirk’s injury last year, Engram averaged impressive fantasy points per game. This week, he could see a significant increase in targets, especially if Brian Thomas Jr. is also sidelined. Engram is a prime candidate to excel in PPR formats.
FLEX: Mason Tipton, Saints at Panthers ($4,000)
Mason Tipton is a gritty play this week, stepping up as the Saints’ full-time WR2. Against a Panthers defense that allows 7.5 yards per pass play and over two receiving touchdowns per game, Tipton’s presence on the field could lead to surprising production. He ran a route on 44 of 50 dropbacks last week, making him a value pick.
D/ST: New England Patriots, at Titans ($3,000)
The Titans may have shown some signs of life last week, but their offense remains lacking in talent. Facing a more formidable New England defense, this matchup is likely to be low-scoring, making the Patriots a solid play for your DFS lineup.
FanDuel DFS Picks Week 8: NFL DFS picks for GPP tournaments
Sunday Main Slate, $60,000 salary cap
QB: Bo Nix, Broncos at Ravens ($7,200)
Bo Nix carries over to our FanDuel lineup as part of a Broncos stack. We expect Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to build an early lead, forcing Nix into a high-volume passing role. With Baltimore being the biggest pass-funnel defense in the league, Nix has a fantastic opportunity to shine.
RB: Alvin Kamara, Saints at Panthers ($8,800)
The Carolina Panthers are a dream matchup for any struggling offense. They rank among the worst defenses in the last decade, particularly against running backs. With Carolina allowing the most rushing yards and fantasy points per game to RBs, this could be a vintage Kamara week.
RB: De’Von Achane, Dolphins at Bills ($7,800)
Achane carries over from DraftKings, showcasing impressive receiving usage. With Tua Tagovailoa at the helm, Achane’s upside is immense, and his price hasn’t fully adjusted yet. He’s a must-start this week.
WR: Puka Nacua, Rams at Seahawks ($8,100)
Puka Nacua made a triumphant return in Week 8, posting a 7/106/0 stat line despite limited snap counts. With a full week of practice, Nacua should reclaim his role as a key target in the Rams’ offense, making him a valuable asset this week.
WR: Chris Olave, Saints at Panthers ($7,100)
Chris Olave stepped up significantly last week, drawing 31 percent of the targets without Rashid Shaheed. With the Panthers’ defense ranking last in yards per pass play, Olave is primed for a big game, especially with Derek Carr back in action.
WR: Courtland Sutton, Broncos at Ravens ($6,000)
Courtland Sutton has been a consistent presence in the Broncos’ offense, clearing 85 percent route participation in every game this year. With a likely negative game script against Baltimore’s pass-friendly defense, Sutton is set to connect with Nix frequently.
TE: Cole Kmet, Bears at Cardinals ($5,200)
Cole Kmet may be touchdown-dependent, but he has a place in DFS lineups. If the Bears’ offense clicks against a weak Arizona defense, Kmet could find himself in the end zone, making him a sneaky play.
FLEX: Michael Pittman Jr., Colts at Vikings ($5,800)
With Joe Flacco starting, Michael Pittman Jr.’s fantasy outlook brightens significantly. The Vikings’ defense allows the most fantasy points per game to receivers, making this matchup a golden opportunity for Pittman to rebound.
D/ST: New England Patriots, at Titans ($4,000)
New England’s defense is also featured in our FanDuel lineup. The Titans remain a unit to target in fantasy, and the Patriots should have no trouble containing them this week.
With so many exciting matchups and players to consider, Week 8 is shaping up to be a thrilling one for DFS players. Happy drafting, and may your lineups bring you victory!
