NFL DFS Cash Games – Week Eight Checkdown

Another awesome week of NFL DFS Cash Games for the Win Daily Team in Week Seven – even the sample lineup from last week’s Checkdown crossed the pay-line in DraftKings single entry cash games! Let’s get right back to it for the Week Eight Checkdown for your NFL DFS Cash Games.

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My articles will be mainly meant for DraftKings, but you can certainly use this information for other DFS websites. Please check back in on Saturday/Sunday morning for potential NFL DFS Cash Games updates.

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Some notes on what I believe to be the “optimal” roster build for NFL DFS Cash Games. I’ll include this in all the Checkdown articles moving forward. For Week Eight, please see below for my notes on roster construction:

• There are a lot of mid-tier options at the WR position, but at first glance, I strongly suggest locking in one “stud” top-tier WR.
• I do think you need to build around Saquon Barkley. At first glance, I was going to fade the top-tier RBs, but I’m not nearly as confident in the running backs outside of Barkley.
• Just because someone is not included in this write-up, does not mean you cannot play them in cash. These are all just my preferred plays for an optimal cash game build.

NFL DFS Cash Games Quarterbacks

1. Russell Wilson ($7,200) – Top play at the QB position on paper for Week Eight. If Matt Ryan were to miss this game with an ankle injury, I will fade Russell at this price due my concerns with the Falcons’ ability to keep this game close without Ryan.
   
2. Deshaun Watson ($7,100) – Oakland is terrible at defending the pass. The Texans don’t really have a strong running game so they will need a lot of production from Watson in the game with the highest total on Vegas’ board. Watson should be a lock for that 300-yard passing bonus on DraftKings.
   
3. Matthew Stafford ($6,100) – Solid price, good matchup. I was honestly a bit shocked to see an opening total of 50 points for this Giants at Lions matchup in Week Eight. The Lions have been having a tough time moving the ball via the run, so I’m confident the Lions’ will rely on Stafford and these talented pass-catchers to beat up on a weak Giants’ secondary. Hopefully this game can shootout like Vegas predicts.
   
4. Derek Carr ($5,000) – I touched base on the Texans’ secondary last week when writing up Jacoby Brissett. They are riddled with injuries and have given up the sixth most DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks this year.
   
   I have no doubt the Texans’ will be scoring points in this game which should lead to a great gamescript for DFS players interested in Derek Carr. Incredible price for a QB in what should be the highest scoring game on the slate. Using Carr opens up a lot for the rest of your NFL DFS Cash Game roster.
   
5. Mitch Trubisky ($4,900) – This is gross, but the price is incredible. The Chargers’ defense is in shambles and I’m quite confident Trubisky can hit 3x value on this slate, easily.

NFL DFS Cash Games Running Backs

1. Saquon Barkley ($8,900) – As of now, I’m going to pass on using Christian McCaffrey ($9,200) at his price. I didn’t use any Barkley in Week Seven DFS as I was a bit nervous to pay a top-tier price for a running back coming off of a significant injury.
   
   Barkley looks like he is a full go moving into Week Eight against a Lions defense that has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Look for Barkley to get much more involved in the passing game as well this week, which greatly increases his value.
   
2. Leonard Fournette ($7,800) – The Jets’ defense has been respectable, but I’ll keep going back to Fournette while he’s priced under $8k. The dude is averaging damn near 25 touches per game and it doesn’t appear that Fournette’s volume is going to decrease. In cash games, volume is key, so lock-in Fournette with confidence.
   
3. Chris Carson ($7,000) – The Falcons’ defense is broken. Carson should have a heavy workload (per usual) on the road in Atlanta in Week Eight. Week Seven was disappoint for Carson but he will bounce back this week.
   
4. Le’Veon Bell ($6,900) – Le’Veon Bell is an absolute workhorse and is another one of those few running backs who is averaging over 22 touches per game. At this price, Bell appears to be a no-brainer for NFL DFS Cash Games in Week Eight.
   
5. Nick Chubb ($6,600) – Nick Chubb under $7k? Yea, I’ll play him.
   
6. Josh Jacobs ($5,800) – I’d rather play Derek Carr and an Oakland pass-catcher, but this is simply a value play. Jacobs has been getting a ton of volume lately and continues to run a few routes in the passing game (which hopefully will increase). The Texans bleed receptions to opposing running backs and have been allowing over 26 DraftKings points per game to opposing backs over the past month.
   
   Jacobs should be a lock for 25+ touches again in Week Eight but he’s priced like a running back in a timeshare. Take advantage of that if you need some salary relief at the RB position.
   
7. Latavius Murray ($5,800) – Murray is coming off of arguably the best game of his NFL career (or at least since he left the Raiders) and should be able to build on that in Week Eight against a weak Arizona Defense. Murray is a lock-button if Alvin Kamara is ruled out.
   
8. Devonta Freeman ($5,500) – Matt Ryan appears to be active for this game at home against the Seahawks so I have a lot of faith in Atlanta at least moving the ball on offense. Freeman is still priced at a great spot for a guy who can easily end up with five or more catches and 100 all-purpose yards. Excellent value for cash. No Matt Ryan.
   
9. Ty Johnson ($4,900) – Kerryon Johnson to the IR – Welcome to Ty Johnson chalk week. I’m confident he’ll get the majority of the work, but I’m a bit nervous that J.D. McKissic will be heavily involved as well. I think there is 100% a case to fade Ty Johnson this week but it’s not necessary in cash games.
   
10. Carlos Hyde ($4,700) – There isn’t a whole lot of value targets at the running back position this week, but Hyde seems to be one of the few. I have Hyde projected for 18 carries, 75 yards, and a touchdown. That will be more than enough to hit value in cash games.

Wide Receivers

1. DeAndre Hopkins ($8,100) – Top WR on the slate. Hopkins is starting to heat up and should feast yet again in Week Eight at home against the Raiders.
   
2. Michael Thomas ($8,000) – Thomas is averaging over 23 DraftKings points per game and over 10 targets per game. How do you not play him?
   
3. Chris Godwin ($7,100) – Godwin is averaging the most DraftKings points per game at the wide receiver position. If you would have told me that prior to the season starting, I would have said you’re crazy. Yet, here we are. Godwin continues to be 100% cash viable although I still haven’t fully bought in. Pivoting to Evans if I play any Bucs’ wideouts.
   
4. Tyler Lockett ($7,000) – I love attacking Damontae Kazee and this Falcons’ secondary. Lockett should have no issues having his way with them on Sunday.
   
5. Kenny Golladay ($6,400) – I think Kerryon Johnson’s injury is going to push the Lions towards passing the ball more. Golladay should see a lot of DeAndre Baker in coverage and that is music to my ears. Golladay is one of my favorite wide receiver plays on the slate.
   
6. Mike Evans ($6,600) – I’m off of Godwin and on to Mike Evans. Evans should feast in this matchup against Adoree Jackson and Malcolm Butler while Logan Ryan deals with slowing down Chris Godwin. $500 discount off of Godwin is too much to ignore.
   
7. Allen Robinson ($6,000) – Just keep playing him at a discount. Robinson is the only bright spot on the Bears’ offense and continues to rake in the targets from whoever is under center. Robinson lines up all over the field so there are no concerns of an all-day matchup against Casey Hayward.
   
8. John Brown ($5,900) – Attack the Eagles’ secondary every week. John Brown is always one play away from breaking the slate and also provides a solid floor needed in cash games. I have Brown projected for 110 receiving yards and a touchdown. He should have no problems getting the ball often on Sunday.
   
9. Larry Fitzgerald ($5,400) – Fitzgerald is only in this writeup because of the $700 discount from his $6,100 price tag he carried in Week Seven. P.J. Williams is suspended for one more game so this isn’t my usual “pick on P.J.” week, but the price is right for Fitzgerald this week.
   
10. Courtland Sutton ($5,300) – I have no idea what it will take for Sutton to be priced up in the $6k range where he belongs. Sutton is owning the Broncos’ air yards and red zone targets and that doesn’t appear to be stopping any time soon. Sutton offers us a very nice value at the WR position.
    
11. Zay Jones ($3,000) – I’m confident newly acquired Zay Jones will finally be active on Sunday against the Texans. Jones has had a few weeks to acclimate himself with the Raiders’ offense and should be their second best option in the passing game (assuming Tyrell Williams is out) behind tight end, Darren Waller. If he suits up, this is a great buy-low week on Zay Jones.

Tight Ends

1. Darren Waller ($5,900) – Keep playing Waller, he is an absolute stud and should be heavily active in this shootout against the Texans.
   
2. Austin Hooper ($5,500) – Hooper has gone for double-digit DraftKings points in all but one game this season. Hooper enters this week in an excellent matchup against the Seahawks. I will downgrade him a bit if Matt Ryan is ruled out but he is certainly cash viable without Ryan.
   
3. Evan Engram ($5,300) – Nice discount for a top-tier tight end. The Lions have had troubles all season long with opposing tight ends.
   
4. Zach Ertz ($5,100) – I know he hasn’t done a whole lot this year, but Ertz should never be priced under $6k. This is a great price for one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
   
5. Hunter Henry ($4,900) – Great price, great matchup. Henry will continue to be a top target for Phil Rivers’ and this Chargers’ passing game. I don’t love his ceiling this week, but I do have him projected for 75 yards and a score.
   
6. Jonnu Smith ($2,800) – Jonnu Smith opens up the world for our cash game roster construction now that Delanie Walker has been ruled out.

Defense/Special Teams

1. Los Angeles Rams ($3,800)
2. San Francisco 49ers ($3,700)
3. Tennessee Titans ($3,200)
4. Indianapolis Colts ($2,900)
5. New York Jets ($2,600)

NFL DFS Cash Games – Sample Lineup

QB: Derek Carr
RB: Le’Veon Bell
RB: Chris Carson
WR: Michael Thomas
WR: Allen Robinson
WR: Zay Jones
TE: Hunter Henry
FLEX: Nick Chubb
DST: New York Jets