Week 7 of the 2021 NFL is thankfully behind us. Unfortunately, week 7 was not one of our best weeks. Our top stack of Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill only secured 22.4 combined DKFP. Fortunately, our bring-back of “King” Derrick Henry totaled 102 all-purpose yards and threw for a TD to notch 16.4 DKFP in week 7. Bears TE Cole Kmet gave us 9.4 DKFP hauling in 5 of 6 targets for 43 yards while continuing to prove he is DFS relevant. Sadly our defensive pick, The Philadelphia Eagles, secured us 1.0 DKFP while notching only 1 sack and no interceptions.
But this is a new week, and we are back with more GPP and cash contest picks for week 8 of the 2021 NFL season. So now, let’s get to our DraftKings NFL Week 8 Picks for the Sunday Main Slate.
Top Stack
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (-14) O/U 49
Josh Allen (QB) Buffalo Bills ($8,100)
We all know what Josh Allen is capable of. Since his rookie year in 2018, he trails only Lamar Jackson in rushing yards by a quarterback (1,776) and leads all quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns with 27. But it’s what Allen has done with his arm over the past two seasons that has truly tapped into his upside. Since last season he ranks top five in passing yards (6,267), passing touchdowns (52), and QB rating (106.1). This week he faces a Miami Dolphins team that he has feasted on since 2018. In seven career games, he’s racked up 1,731 passing yards with 19 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for an additional 375 yards and three scores. Fact and point, Josh Allen is monster. Therefore play him – it’s Halloween.
Stefon Diggs (WR) Buffalo Bills ($8,100)
This season, Stefon Diggs has yet to have a breakout game, averaging only 16 DKFP/GM, compared to the 21 DKFP/GM he averaged last season. I truly BILLieve coming off the bye week that the Bills get their number one wide-out going. It couldn’t come at a better time, as Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the third most DKFP/GM to opposing wide receivers. Stefon Diggs, much like Josh Allen, has feasted on the Dolphins as a Bill. In three career games, Diggs owns a 19-289-2 receiving line and has averaged 21 DKFP/GM. It is also worth noting that tight end Dawson Knox (hand), who had averaged 4.5 targets/GM, is out this week. Extra potential targets, coming off the bye and facing a defense that has issues with strong passing attacks makes Stefon Diggs my favorite wide receiver this week on DraftKings in GPP and cash contests.
Bring It Back With
DeVante Parker (WR) Miami Dolphins ($4,900) or Jaylen Waddle (WR) Miami Dolphins ($5,600)
DeVante Parker is my preferred bring-back option this week due to his discounted price, but it is worth noting that he is questionable with a hamstring and shoulder injury. Parker has been influential in the lineup this season, averaging 14.2 yards per reception with a 17-241-1 receiving line. In twelve career games versus the Bills, Parker has compiled 55 receptions for 748 yards and four touchdowns.
Jaylen Waddle has been sensational in his rookie year. He has compiled 384 receiving yards with three touchdowns and ranks 6th (1st amongst rookie wide receivers) in total receptions with 44. He has three games with at least seven receptions this season, which bodes well for DraftKings PPR scoring. Additionally, the Bills should be leading this game, meaning the Dolphins will be throwing to keep up. And if DeVante Parker is ultimately ruled out, I feel confident in locking in Jaylen Waddle in my Buffalo Bills stacks.
Running Back
Khalil Herbert Chicago Bears ($5,400)
I know what you’re thinking, “A Chicago Bear in a DFS lineup!!? He’s gone mad”. And while you may be right, I just can’t stay away from that $5,400 price tag on DraftKings. Especially for a guy projected in the lead-back role. Herbert looked great last week against a stout Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed a league-low 51.3 rushing yards per game. Herbert rushed 18 times for 100 yards in the game and caught all five targets for 33 yards, finishing with a respectable 21.3 DKFP.
However, this week he faces a banged-up San Francisco 49ers defense that may be without three starters, and that just allowed Jonathan Taylor of the Colts to rush for 107 yards and a touchdown versus them last Sunday. So I’m choosing to focus on the discounted running backs this week on DraftKings, allowing me to pay up for elite passing attacks. And Herbert is by far my favorite value running on the board. Herbert will be well represented in my GPP lineups for week 8.
Tight End
Dan Arnold Jacksonville Jaguars ($2,800)
Talk about a total streamer play this week and mark my words; Dan Arnold will be chalky. But it’s tough to stay away from that price, especially since he has seen 13 targets over the past two weeks. He faces off with a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed 13.4 DKFP/GM to opposing tight ends. And with the Jaguars implied for nearly three touchdowns, all Arnold needs to do is fall in the end-zone to pay off his price. I’ll take that gamble at $2,800 this week on DraftKings.
Defense
Washington Football Team ($2,100)
The Washington Football Team defense has certainly underperformed compared to last year. This year they rank 16th in sacks with 15, whereas last year, they finished the year with 47, which was sixth-most in the NFL. The good news is they are still getting the turnovers, ranking 8th this season with 11 turnovers. This is still a defensive line dominated by first-round draft picks Chase Young (2020), Montez Sweat (2019), Daron Payne (2018), and Jonathan Allen (2017). This week they face a Denver Broncos offensive line that has allowed the fourth-most sacks on the season. If this isn’t a get right spot for Washington’s defense, then I don’t know what is.
These are some of the players we will have in our GPP and cash lineups for DraftKings NFL 2021 Week 8 contests. Good luck, and may your screens always be green.
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