Week 8 offers plenty of recognizable options for NFL DraftKings lineups, but tournament and GPP players may need a few less-popular picks to stand out. Popular players can still be valuable, especially when their price and matchup are appealing. The challenge is balancing those selections with lower-owned players who offer comparable upside.
These suggestions use DraftKings pricing and focus on players who could provide value without appearing in as many lineups as the week’s most popular choices.
## Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence, and Joe Burrow are expected to attract plenty of attention. Each is a reasonable option, but there are alternatives for managers seeking a different route.
### Geno Smith, Jets vs. Raiders ($5,200)
Smith is coming off his second-best fantasy performance of the season against Miami. His top outing came against Detroit, when he threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns. In Week 8, he gets another favorable matchup at home against the Raiders.
At $5,200, Smith offers a way to save salary while building around a quarterback with recent evidence of strong fantasy production. He is also a natural option to pair with Jets receiver Garrett Wilson.
### Drake Maye, Patriots vs. Dolphins ($6,500)
Maye has a favorable matchup, but his salary is higher than Prescott’s, and he will be without A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson. That combination could limit his popularity, particularly because there is no clear top receiver to pair with him.
Miami allowed a big fantasy performance to Smith and the Jets last week. However, the Dolphins stayed competitive and eventually won that game, a scenario that may not necessarily repeat against New England. A potential blowout is a risk, but that uncertainty could help keep Maye’s ownership down.
## Running Backs
Bayshul Tuten, Chase Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson, Javonte Williams, Bucky Irving, Bijan Robinson, and Jonah Coleman are expected to be among the popular running backs. Their matchups and prices make them understandable choices, but Jaylen Warren and Derrick Henry offer alternatives to consider.
### Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Browns ($6,600)
Cleveland’s run defense has generally kept running back fantasy totals down, but the numbers deserve some context. Before last week, the Browns had allowed only one rushing touchdown; Tony Pollard then scored three against them. Their low touchdown total had helped their overall defensive results, even though they had allowed 4.4 yards per rush, the 10th-highest figure in the league.
The Browns have also allowed six running backs to reach at least 88 total yards, with four topping 110. Warren was among those players in Week 4, when he rushed 17 times for 93 yards and added 33 receiving yards on three catches from six targets. A touchdown would have made that performance even stronger.
Cleveland won the earlier meeting, but this rematch is in Pittsburgh. Warren could again play a significant role in the Steelers’ offense.
### Derrick Henry, Ravens at Bills ($7,200)
Lamar Jackson’s return is an important factor for Henry. Henry scored seven touchdowns across four games with Jackson, but had none in three games with Tyler Huntley.
The matchup against Buffalo is challenging. The Bills have allowed just 3.8 yards per carry, and their offense could create a game script that puts Henry’s workload at risk if Baltimore falls behind and needs to pass. Buffalo has also allowed more fantasy points to running backs through the air than on the ground.
Henry’s salary makes him a risk, but Jackson’s return improves the outlook. He may also draw less attention than he would in a more favorable matchup.
## Wide Receivers
Zay Flowers, Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, and Drake London are expected to be among the most popular receivers. Bengals and Ravens combinations could be especially common.
### Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Raiders ($6,300)
Wilson is a candidate for a rebound in a favorable matchup. Omar Cooper Jr.’s strong start as a rookie has reduced Wilson’s usage over the last couple of games, but Wilson remains the Jets’ No. 1 receiver.
The Raiders have struggled against the pass, allowing the fifth-highest average yards per pass attempt and ranking seventh in yards allowed per completion. After two disappointing outings, Wilson could be less popular than usual. Pairing him with Smith also creates a Jets stack with a potentially lower-owned quarterback.
### Demario Douglas, Patriots at Dolphins ($4,400)
Choosing a receiver to pair with Maye is difficult, but it can also be inexpensive. With A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and Mack Hollins unavailable, New England’s wide receiver options include Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism. Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon are also available at tight end.
The tight ends are expected to attract more attention, which could leave the Patriots’ receivers with lower ownership. Williams and Chism are possible alternatives, but Douglas has shown a stronger connection with Maye.
## Tight Ends
Hunter Henry, Brenton Strange, Cade Otton, and Trey McBride are expected to be the most popular tight ends. Beyond that group, ownership may be more spread out.
### T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Lions ($4,600)
Hockenson could draw reasonable interest, though he may be less popular than cheaper tight ends with appealing matchups. Detroit has struggled against the position, allowing the most fantasy points, receptions, yards, and touchdowns to tight ends by a wide margin.
### Eli Raridon, Patriots at Dolphins ($3,300)
Raridon caught three of four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown against Chicago last week. His low salary and New England’s need for available pass catchers make him a budget option to consider.
Miami has also struggled to defend tight ends, allowing the second-most fantasy points to the position. Raridon offers a less expensive way to get exposure to the Patriots’ passing game.
## Defense and Special Teams
Finding a cheap defense with a favorable matchup that is also low-owned can be difficult. In many lineups, there is little reason to avoid a popular defense if it provides salary savings. Managers looking for a pivot may instead consider spending more.
### Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($2,900)
Michael Penix Jr. has played well recently, but facing Tampa Bay on the road is a test. The Buccaneers are coming off a dominant performance against Carolina and Bryce Young, with their defense and special teams scoring 27 DraftKings points.
Tampa Bay has also been strong against the run, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs. If the Buccaneers can slow Bijan Robinson and push Penix into more passing situations, their defense could be in position to produce another solid fantasy result.
