DraftKings Daily Fantasy Football Helper for Week 8
Wide Receivers
High-Cost Option: DeAndre Hopkins $8,700
After burning some people last week playing second fiddle to Nate Washington's garbage time heroics, DeAndre Hopkins gets a terrific matchup against one of last year's weakest cornerbacks in Blidi Wreh-Wilson. After losing Arian Foster for the season, look for Houston to continue their pass-heavy attack -- Houston ranks top-six in passing play percentage -- as they've already learned leaning they can't rely on the inept backfield of Alfred Blue and Chris Polk to shoulder the load. Pat Thorman has been doing a terrific job analyzing snaps and pace of play and has shown Houston to lead the league in snaps per game, providing Hopkins the type of volume that makes it worth paying up for him. Hopkins has historically torched the Tennessee defense, as he combined for 14 receptions for 333 yards and a pair of touchdowns against them last year. Fade at your own risk.
Mid-Cost Option: Martavis Bryant $5,300
Two games back and Martavis Bryant has already racked up 182 receiving yards and scored 3 touchdowns behind Pittsburgh's hodgepodge quarterback mix under center. Most likely getting an upgrade at the quarterback position this week if Big Ben is given the green light, Bryant could be in store for another productive outing. Bryant has been moving all over the formation but should be matched up with Dre Kirkpatrick most of the day, Cincinnati's former first-round pick who has had an up and down year to date. It's only been two games, but the 6'4" Bryant is averaging 25.2 fantasy points per game and has seen 57.1% of the team's red zone passing attempts go his direction. This may be the cheapest that we see Bryant and Antonio Brown ($7,800) for the remainder of the season, and both are worthy of play with Big Ben back under center.
Low-Cost Option: Marvin Jones $4,200
20 targets over his last two games warrants the type of volume we're looking for low-cost gambles, and Marvin Jones fits the bill to a tee. Jones is another piece to target in this high scoring Pittsburgh-Cincinnati rivalry game and has a good matchup against Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake who has been targeted heavily. Jones is coming off his best game of the season where caught 9 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown and will look to continue that success against a Pittsburgh secondary yielding the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
GPP Wildcard: Jeremy Maclin $6,200
Facing the Lions in London, Jeremy Maclin may not be at the forefront of everyone's brain when constructing lineups. His injury status (concussion) has been led to believe that it won't be an issue this week, and factoring both that and the travel situation could make Maclin a bit of a contrarian play. The Lions are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and have just been recently burned badly by Stefon Diggs (26.7 fantasy points) and Alshon Jeffery (31.7) the last two weeks. Cornerbacks Rashean Mathis and Darius Slay haven't been necessarily keeping opposing offensive coordinators up late at night, and Maclin will be a much needed return to an offense seeking a post-Jamaal Charles identity.
GPP Bonus Wildcard: Danny Amendola $3,600
If looking for some salary relief and an underused player this week, Danny Amendola could potentially pay off in GPP's. Amendola has seen nine targets each of the last two games en route to averaging 21.6 fantasy points. Despite the return of Brandon LaFell, his six drops last week shouldn't worry Amendola owners, as Amedola still outsnapped LaFell 85% to 72% of the team's offensive snaps. The Dolphins primary slot defender, Brice McCain has been struggling with injury and should be a mismatch that Brady and Amendola could look to exploit. At only $3,600 we only need 11 fantasy points to hit our 3x value with Amendola.
