NFL DraftKings Plays: Week 8

The DraftKings Week 8 slate is this year’s day to celebrate the tight end position. National Tight Ends Day last year saw many at the position find the end zone. In 2024, 17 players at the position scored touchdowns. Now, that will not factor into the analysis, but do not be surprised if you see more two-tight-end lineups than usual today.

This week also sees many teams on byes, including the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, and Las Vegas Raiders. So, even without the two games on Monday night or the morning international game, this is still a thin slate.

More Week 8 Fantasy Football Fun!: | Sneaky Starts | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire | Weekly Sleepers & Streamers | Starts & Sits | Skrip’s Week Winners | NFL DFS | NFL Player Props | IDP Analysis | Bold Predictions | Survivor Picks | NFL Injury Report | Dynasty Trade Targets | Weekly Rankings | Dynasty Risers and Fallers

I have said it before, but capitalizing on the spots people are ignoring is the best way to separate yourself from the pack. There are some chalk plays I want in my lineups. That is the key to winning lineups: balancing the two and getting everything right. And that is what some people overlook, at least in the big tournaments, it is tough to make a decent profit. However, it is still possible to have successful DraftKings slates every week. And below are eight players to elevate your DraftKings lineups.

Week 8 DraftKings Main Slate Plays

Quarterback

Favorite Play: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos ($6K)

Absolutely zero reason to get cute here. Bo Nix is coming off a 40-point performance on DraftKings against the New York Giants. Now, he gets to take on a Cowboys secondary that is severely banged up. DaRon Bland is the only starter in a secondary that was already having problems. The game’s projected total is the highest of the week, unsurprisingly given who they’re facing. The Cowboys are giving up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Nix is one of the top plays on today’s slate, and I would not be surprised to see another 30-point performance on DraftKings.

Contrarian Play: Justin Fields, New York Jets ($5K)

In a surprise twist, Justin Fields is starting for the Jets again. Tyrod Taylor will miss this game with a knee injury. And many DraftKings users will overlook this spot completely, and they have a reason to. Fields has not been good as of late. He has had 8.9 fantasy points combined in the last two weeks. However, Fields tends to struggle against the good defenses in the leagues, but has had three QB1 finishes against weak ones. And Cincinnati certainly falls in that weak category. The team is giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to the position. Obviously, having Fields in your lineup is a massive risk without Garrett Wilson and even Josh Reynolds. I am trusting Fields against the defense that is bottom five in both estimated points added against the run and the pass. It is risky, but DraftKings is not the place to play scared.

Running Back

Favorite Play: Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens ($6K)

I will admit putting Derrick Henry in lineups was easier about three days ago. However, doing so went from the easiest thing I have ever done to extremely easy. This salary point for a player with odds of -270 to score a touchdown needs no further explanation. I will give one though, the Chicago Bears give up the 11th most fantasy points to the position. And even though the team does not get Lamar Jackson back, they will get Patrick Ricard back. His addition will be a boost in the run game along with Tyler Huntley. He will be in a ton of lineups today, but he almost has to be a lock in tournament lineups. And in cash games, he should be on 100% of your rosters. A ton of the top running backs have great matchups today, so mixing and matching in lineups should be in play as well.

Contrarian Play: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints ($5.7K)

It is hard to be contrarian at running back today. Every running back outside of Quinshon Judkins has a fantastic spot and is set up to break the DraftKings slate. Kamara is a better contrarian play because I actually like his prospects today against the Buccaneers. They have allowed the fourth-most targets to the position, and we just saw Jahmyr Gibbs torch them on Monday Night Football. The only potential problem is that Spencer Rattler is not targeting Kamara like quarterbacks in the past have. Even with that fact, Kamara is still sixth in targets at the position with 29. With the Saints being underdogs by three points in this one, Kamara should have ample opportunity, especially if Devin Neal is not ready for a decent snap share. To be honest, I am okay with almost anyone at running back today. Rachaad White, Breece Hall, and D’Andre Swift are other players who should and will get attention.

Check out all of our Week 8 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings

Wide Receiver

Favorite Play: Ja’Marr Chase ($8.1K)

On this episode of Set It and Forget About It, we have Ja’Marr Chase. Sauce Gardner is going to miss this game with a concussion. That was the only concern I had for Chase. Now, he will get to face a secondary that has been beaten routinely throughout the season. Do not let the number 25th in fantasy points allowed against receivers fool you. They are allowing the fourth-most estimated points added through the air this season. Chase’s ceiling is unlike anyone else’s on this slate. After a staggering 23 targets for him, anything can happen against the Jets.

Contrarian Play: Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans ($3.4K)

Troy Franklin would be the easy answer here, so while I will mention him, I won’t pick him. Instead, I want to highlight Chimere Dike, who broke out last week against the Patriots. Dike had 16.9 DraftKings points, which included a 38-yard touchdown from Cam Ward. Now, he gets to face a secondary that is giving up the second-most fantasy points to receivers. No, Calvin Ridley and the team being 14.5-point underdogs is the perfect case scenario for Dike. He is the ideal salary saver if you want to spend your salary on running back, along with someone like Ja’Marr Chase.

Tight End

Favorite Play: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles ($4.2K)

Naturally, I am choosing someone who did not score on National Tight End Day in 2024. Goedert finds himself in an ideal scenario to change that for 2025. No A.J. Brown for the Eagles, Goedert will be essential to the game plan if the Eagles hope to get revenge on the New York Giants. Goedert finished as the TE1 for the week just two weeks ago in the team’s first matchup against the Giants. He is +160 to score a touchdown, and his receiving line is set at 52.5, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities for a repeat performance.

Contrarian Play: Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears ($3K)

Loveland is the forgotten member of the 2025 class at the position. However, an injury to Cole Kmet opens up a potential window to showcase his skills. The Ravens allow the 10th most fantasy points to the position. Loveland played 91% of snaps after Kmet had to exit with an injury. A potential heavy workload could be in line for Loveland in a game with a high-point total. I like Loveland as a speculative salary-saver play this week.

Final Thoughts

This slate feels murky, thanks to all of the great plays at running back. Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey, and Saquon Barkley all have great matchups. The second tier of running backs could also challenge this tier. That is just how many great matchups there are this week at the position.

Overall, there is a ton to like, and plenty of spots to pick. I always say to be creative, and do not be afraid to leave salary on the table. DraftKings for the NFL is not like MMA or NBA, where that salary is advantageous to use it all. However, do not be afraid to hit the salary limit either, and best of luck with DraftKings Week 8’s slate.

Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!