Seven weeks of NFL action are in the books. We are almost at the point in the season where we find out who are contenders and pretenders. One thing is for certain the Detroit Lions are real NFC contenders. They beat their division rival Minnesota Vikings 31-29 in a thriller. As for the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens led by Lamar Jackson put on a show in Tampa. Jackson completed 77% of his passes (17/22) for 281 yards and five touchdowns. If these two teams meet in the Super Bowl, it will be absolute cinema. Speaking of cinema, Week 8 has no teams on bye. This means there is a 13-game DFS slate to dive into. I have done the research to identify my top three cash and GPP plays at the skilled positions, top positional fade, and top stacks to help YOU win big. Without further ado, let’s talk about the Week 8 NFL DraftKings picks for the main slate.
Week 8 NFL DFS Picks for the DK Main Slate
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love (QB – GB): DK $7,100 at JAC (Cash)
Last week against Houston, Jordan Love did not play his best game. Love threw two picks, three touchdown passes, and completed 72% of his passes (24/33). Love is in a terrific bounce-back spot this week at Jacksonville. The Jaguars allow the most DK points to QBs with 25.1 (per Pro Football Reference). Green Bay are (-4) point road favorites with the second highest implied team total of (27). I expect Love to dominate with three or four touchdown passes and over 300 yards thrown.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA): DK $6,100 vs. ARI (Cash)
Welcome back Tua Tagovailoa! After missing the last four weeks with a concussion, Tua is ready to get the Dolphins offense rolling again. The Cardinals-Dolphins game has an over/under of (46) with sneaky shootout potential. Arizona gives up the fifth most DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). If Justin Herbert can throw over 300 yards in a run-heavy offense, Tua should have no issues following suit for the former number-one offense from a year ago.
Anthony Richardson (QB – IND): DK $5,800 at HOU (GPP)
The 2024 campaign has been rocky for one Anthony Richardson. Richardson showed flashes of his ceiling back in Week 1 with 27.1 DK points. Since then it’s been downhill with only one other game with double-digit DK points scored. The good news for Richardson is he plays a familiar foe this week in Houston. His poor play may push folks away but this is an opportunity to gain leverage against the field. Houston allows the eighth most DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). As (+5) point road underdogs, Richardson will need to rely on his dual-threat capabilities for a competitive game.
Drake Maye (QB – NE): DK $5,500 vs NYJ (Fade)
When Drake Maye was announced as the Patriots starting QB two weeks ago, many were skeptical. With two top-12 finishes, there is hope for Maye. Unfortunately, this matchup against the Jets is not ideal. Although New York gave up a big game to Russell Wilson last week, do not expect the same for Maye. The Jets allow the seventh-fewest DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). In a better game environment, pivot to Bo Nix for $100 more DK.
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA): DK $7,800 vs. BUF (Cash)
A great battle will ensue late Sunday afternoon in the Pacific Northwest between Buffalo and Seattle. The Bills are (-3) point road favorites but will be without the services of linebacker Terrel Bernard and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter. This bodes well for Kenneth Walker III. In Walker’s last two games, he is averaging 19 touches (14 carries, five targets), and 22.1 DK points per game. Buffalo, schedule adjusted, gives up the second most DK points per game with 30.3 (per Pro Football Reference). Looks like another Walker spike week incoming.
Javonte Williams (RB – DEN): $6,000 vs. CAR (Cash)
On Thursday night football last week Javonte Williams had his best game of the season. Williams had 14 carries for 88 yards, two touchdowns, and three receptions for 23 yards. Good enough for RB6 on the week. With Carolina coming to town this week, it is possible Williams could finish as a top-five RB. The Panthers give up the most DK points to RBs with 32.9 (per Pro Football Reference). Fire up Williams with confidence.
Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA): DK $5,900 vs. ARI (GPP)
With Tua Tagovailoa returning from injury, a lot of people are going to play his pass catchers (for good reason). This is the perfect opportunity to plug in Raheem Mostert. Arizona is traveling east and who knows which team shows up to play on Sunday. Furthermore, their defense allows the 11th most DK points to RBs (per Pro Football Reference). It would not surprise me if Mostert had a top-15 finish this week.
Alexander Mattison (RB – LV): DK $5,600 vs. KC (Fade)
Going into the season this was supposed to be Zamir White’s backfield. Alexander Mattison had other plans. On the season, Mattison has scored double-digit DK points in five of seven games. Mattison will have to wait another week before his next double-digit output because the Chiefs are tough against opposing RBs. Kansas City are the stingiest team allowing just 14 DK points per game (per Pro Football Reference). For $100 more DK I would rather play Rachaad White.
Wide Receivers
Jayden Reed (WR – GB): DK $6,700 aty JAC (Cash)
Last week was a disappointment for Jayden Reed. Reed had two catches for 10 yards off of four targets. It’s been a while since Reed had a blowup game. Jacksonville could not have come at a better time on the schedule. They allow the third most DK points to WRs (per Pro Football Reference). Reed is currently the WR6 on the season. After this game, Reed may be top four. Get him in your lineup(s).
Tank Dell (WR – HOU): DK $6,300 vs. IND (GPP)
Last week in Green Bay Tank Dell burned folks with a goose egg off of four targets. Dell has been hot and cold in matchups this season. Although Dell has been playing the Nico Collins role, he is hard to trust from week to week. The Texans are 5.5-point home favorites with a (25.5) implied team total. Indy is 14th versus WR (per Pro Football Reference) but I believe Stroud will feed Dell into a top 12 finish this week.
Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL): DK $5,800 at TB (Cash)
The last time Atlanta played Tampa Bay, Darnell Mooney played the game of his life. Mooney had nine catches for 105 yards off of 16 targets and two touchdowns. I do not expect Mooney to pop off like that again this time around, but he should have a good game. Tampa Bay is giving up the sixth most DK points to WRs (per Pro Football Reference). The only concern here is Baker Mayfield keeping up if the Falcons get a lead early on.
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS): DK $6,900 vs. CHI (Fade)
Really hate to put Terry McLaurin here because he has been awesome this season. Unfortunately, McLaurin has two things working against him this week. One is the health status of Jayden Daniels. If Daniels is unable to play, it downgrades the entire offense. Two, Jaylon Johnson will be guarding McLaurin. Chicago gives up the sixth-fewest DK points to WRs (per Pro Football Reference). They have allowed just three receiving touchdowns all season. I prefer Tyreek Hill for $100 more DK.
Check out all of our Week 8 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers (TE – LV): DK $6,100 vs. KC (Cash)
From Sam LaPorta last year to Brock Bowers this year, it is so awesome seeing rookie tight ends thriving. In Bowers’ last three games, he is averaging 12 targets, nine receptions, 90 yards, and 19.7 DK points per game. The matchup against Kansas City is juicy. Schedule adjusted, the Chiefs give up the most DK points to TEs with 18 per game (per Pro Football Reference). This Sunday is also “National Tight End” Day so I am expecting a big performance from Bowers.
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB): DK $4,600 at JAC (Cash)
I guess one can say Green Bay is the team to load up on this week. Tucker Kraft has really taken advantage of his opportunities. Kraft has scored double-digit DK points in three out of the last four weeks. After this game, it will be four out of the last five weeks that Jacksonville has surrendered the sixth most DK points to TEs (per Pro Football Reference).
Grant Calcaterra (TE – PHI): DK $3,200 vs. CIN (GPP)
With Dallas Goedert ruled out for another week, Grant Calcaterra will be TE1 for Philadelphia. Calcaterra did not do much last week simply due to Saquon Barkley’s returning home narrative. This week’s matchup against the Bengals is exploitable. Cincinnati, schedule adjusted, gives up the fourth most DK points to TEs. Calcaterra will certainly get overlooked on this special day because there are so many good TEs around the league.
Trey McBride (TE – ARI): DK $5,500 at MIA (Fade)
This may be only time all season Trey McBride is listed here. McBride has scored double-digit DK points in the last 3 weeks (10.1, 17.6, 11.3). I absolutely love the talent, but hate his matchup against Miami. The Dolphins give up the second-fewest DK points to TEs, (per Pro Football Reference). Just think this is a James Conner game.
Top Stacks
1. Packers-Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft
2. Texans-C.J. Stroud, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell
3. Lions-Jared Goff, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown
4. Bills-Josh Allen, Amari Cooper, Dalton Kincaid
5. Colts-Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman
Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!