NFL DFS Week 8 First Look: Josh Jacobs and Dalvin Cook are Elite Plays

There’s a full slate of games on the calendar this Sunday. This NFL DFS first look article gives an early overview of the main slates on DraftKings and FanDuel, and breaks down some of the best options at each position.

NFL First Look: Week 8 NFL DFS Picks

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Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts, PHI vs. PIT ($8,300 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel)

With Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes off the slate, pursuing Hurts’ huge ceiling is a necessity for GPPs. The dual threat quarterback ranks fifth in yards per pass attempt (8.2) and first in carries per game at his position (13.3). Notably, Hurts leads all quarterback in redzone carries by a huge margin, with 27 attempts compared to Allen, who ranks second with 13. Hurts ranks third in DraftKings points per dropback (0.69) and has scored at least 24 DraftKings points in four of his six starts this season.

This Sunday, the Eagles are hosting a Steelers’ defense that is yielding the seventh most yards per pass attempt (7.2). Not only does Philadelphia have the largest implied team total on the slate (27.5 points), this is the highest implied team total Hurts’ has ever had as a starter. For the last five occasions the quarterback has played behind an implied team total of at least 25 points, he has put up 27.4 DraftKings PPG.

Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs. DET ($6,200 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel)

Tagovailoa is a sharp choice in this elite spot vs. the Lions. Detroit is allowing the second most yards per pass attempt (7.7) and they are the worst graded unit on PFF. This contest’s total is the highest on the slate (50.5 points) and the Dolphins’ implied team total is tied for the second highest total on the board (26.5 points). Tagovailoa has been very efficient this season, boasting a 9-3 touchdown to interception ratio and ranking second in yards per attempt (8.6). The Alabama product has a strong chance to throw over 300 yards and multiple scores this Sunday and is the best quarterback value on the slate.

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Running Backs

Josh Jacobs, LV vs. NO ($7,500 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel)

Despite Jacons’ season-high price tags on both sites, we need to keep prioritizing him this weekend. Jacobs has earned 23 carries per game in his last three starts – including 10 redzone rushes – while playing 84.1% of the snaps. That is the highest snap rate of any running back since Week 4. Jacobs has also run a route on 57% of his team’s dropbacks and gained a target on an elite 26% of those routes. This absurd role has led to a jaw dropping 174 scrimmage yards and 36.8 DraftKings PPG during this run.

Jacobs faces the Saints this Sunday in a contest that sports the third highest total on the slate (48.5 points). The Raiders are 1.5-point favorites in this matchup and their implied team total is the third largest on the board (24.5 points). Jacobs is a near lock for over 100 yards and to find the pay dirt at least once, and is an especially strong option at less than $8K on DraftKings.

Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. ARI ($7,600 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel)

Cook is simply underpriced for his upside. The back has received 15.7 carries per game this season – which is 75.2% of the Vikings’ running back carries – while playing 70.2% of the snaps. Nine of his carries have come in the redzone and as a receiver, Cook has run a route on 50% of dropbacks and has obtained a target on 13% of those routes. On tap for this Sunday is a matchup with the Cardinals that carries the second highest total on the slate (49 points). The Vikings’ implied team total is tied for the second largest on the board (26.5) and they are 2.5-point home favorites. For the last 12 occasions Cook has competed as a home favorite, he has surpassed 20 DraftKings points seven times.

Kenneth Walker, SEA vs. NYG ($6,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel)

While Walker is a terrific target option on both sites, the rookie is a free square at only $6.5K on DraftKings. As the Seahawks’ featured back the last two weeks with Rashad Penny (ankle) on IR, Walker has handled 22 carries per game – which is 84.62% of the Seahawks’ running back carries – while playing 71.2% of the snaps. Specifically, his redzone usage has been mouthwatering, leading the league with 11 redzone attempts over the last two weeks. As a three-point home favorite against this Giants’ defense that is surrendering the most yards per rush in the NFL (5.7), Walker should surpass 20 DraftKings points with ease.

Wide Receivers

Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET vs. MIA ($6,900 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel)

St. Brown was removed from this past Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys due to a possible concussion. However, he was eventually confirmed to have not suffered a concussion and is expected to be available for Week 8. The receiver’s price tags have dropped to very reasonable levels since this debacle, making St. Brown undoubtedly the best bring back option for Dolphins’ stacks. This season, the wideout has obtained a target on 33% of his routes, including six redzone targets. Miami is giving up the seventh most yards per pass attempt (7.2) and St. Brown is amassing 25.6 DraftKings PPG in the three full games he has played this season.

DJ Moore, CAR vs. ATL ($5,300 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel)

Priced under the average cost of a roster spot on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Moore is a great bargain. With P.J. Walker under center this past Sunday – who has already been confirmed to start again in Week 8 – Moore racked up a team-high 10 targets, resulting in a season-best 19.6 DraftKings points for the receiver. Overall, in the four games Moore has played with Walker getting the start, the wideout has seen a target on 31% of his routes, including three redzone targets and four targets over 20 yards. The Falcons’ are allowing the third most yards per pass attempt (7.6) and the high volume should continue for Moore with the Panthers as 4.5-point road underdogs.

Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG vs. SEA ($4,700 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel)

In the likely event that both Kadrius Toney (hamstring) or Kenny Golladay (knee) are out again this Sunday – neither practiced at any capacity last week – Robinson will be one of the best values at receiver. With Toney and Golladay absent this past Sunday, Robinson saw a target on 27% of his routes, while running a route on 78% of his team’s dropbacks. Overall, Robinson has gained a target on a terrific 30% of his routes this season. As for his matchup, the Seahawks are giving up the fifth most yards per pass attempt (7.3) and this tilt’s total ranks fourth on the slate (45 points). Particularly for DraftKings’ full PPR scoring system, Robinson will be an easy choice if the Giants’ remain thin at receiver.

Tight Ends

Tyler Higbee, LAR vs. SF ($4,200 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel)

Coming off a quiet showing vs. the Panthers, Higbee’s salaries on both DraftKings and FanDuel have dropped to levels that make him tough to overlook with tight end extremely thin for this slate. This season, Higbee ranks fourth among tight ends in target share (22.6%) and ninth in redzone targets (6), while running a route on 80% of his team’s dropbacks. Of his six starts, Higbee has garnered double digit targets on three occasions, including a season-best 17.3 DraftKings points effort against the same 49ers’ defense he will face again this Sunday.

Pat Freiermuth, PIT vs. PHI ($3,900 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel)

Freiermuth’s compelling role is simply not reflected in these current price points and he makes a ton of sense as a cheap bring back for Hurts’ stacks. In his six games this season, Freiermuth has been target on 25% of his routes, including three redzone targets and three targets north of 20 yards. With this usage that is among the best in the league at his position, Freiermuth has supplied at least 12 DraftKings points in four of his six starts.

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