Thomason: Sleepers & Daily Fantasy Value Plays For Week 8
By Jack Thomason--
(CBS) Let's check out the Week 8 sleepers and daily fantasy value plays.
Quarterback
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers (vs. Raiders) — Winston did what he was supposed to last week, despite the commitment to the running game. He threw for 269 yards and three scores against the 49ers. The Raiders' defense ranks 26th in pass DVOA and has allowed a league-worst 302.1 passing yards per game and the fifth-most passing touchdowns (13.) At his price, Winston is a no-brainer. (FanDuel: $7400; DraftKings: $5700)
Brock Osweiler, Texans (vs. Lions) — Yea, I'm going there. We know he's a horrible NFL quarterback, but our game is about value, matchups and points. Osweiler should hit on all three this week. Darius Slay, Detroit's top cornerback, may be out, and the Lions rank 32nd in DVOA while giving up a league-worst 18 touchdowns through the air. If Osweiler can't do it here, he isn't going to do it any time. He has, however, taken advantage of some good matchups to this point, and he should do so this week at home. (FD: $6600; DK: $5400)
Running back
Giovani Bernard, Bengals (vs. Redskins) — Jeremy Hill re-aggravated his shoulder injury last week, and Bernard has out-snapped him the last three weeks anyway. While Hill crushed the Browns for 192 yards and a touchdown on just 11 touches, Bernard did his own damage, piling up 87 yards and a score on 18 touches. The Redskins present a juicy match up (31st in run DVOA) with or without Hill in the lineup, and we already know Hill's playing at less than 100 percent. Bernard makes a good play at his price. (FD: $6200; DK: $5200)
Jacquizz Rodgers, Buccaneers (vs. Raiders) — Not sure what's really needed to be said here. In his two starts, Rodgers has rolled his way to a monstrous 292 yards on an incredible 62 touches, with Doug Martin out. Next in line in a string of great matchups for Rodgers is a Raider defense allowing 128.3 rushing yards per game, fifth-worst in the NFL. I like Rodgers to continue on his hot streak, even if Tampa Bay lightens his load some. (FD: $6600; DK: $5800)
Receiver
Davante Adams, Packers (at Packers) — While Jordy Nelson has scored five touchdowns on the year, he's failed to look like the player we've known in the past. Adams has been the beneficiary, scoring five touchdowns of his own in five-and-a-half games played. I still believe Nelson will see the Falcons' top corner, Desmond Trufant, which should allow for Adams to take advantage of lesser coverage. Plus, the Falcons are going to have to account for Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery too. I like Adams in what Vegas in projecting as the highest-scoring game of the week, with 52 points. (FD: $6600; DK: $4900)
Russell Shepard, Buccaneers (vs. Raiders) — This is going real deep, but with Vincent Jackson going on injured reserve, Shepard was second on the team in targets with six. He tallied five receptions for 77 yards and added a touchdown to his stat line last week. The Raiders are the common theme in this week's post; only the lowly Jaguars couldn't take advantage of their awful defense. In a week with six teams on bye, a player value this low as a WR3 could be a sneaky way to load up in other positions. I can see Shepard going overlooked by many. (FD: $4500; DK: $3300)
Tight end
Vernon Davis, Redskins (at Bengals) — During the two games Jordan Reed has missed, Davis has played 97 percent of the snaps and posted eight catches, 129 yards and a score on 10 targets. Kirk Cousins will continue to involve Davis over the middle of the field and in the red zone. The Bengals defense ranks 28th against tight ends in DVOA, which makes Davis a great play before the Washington goes on a bye and Reed returns. (FD: $4500; DK: $2900)
Jack Doyle, Colts (vs. Chiefs) — There's no reason to go away from Doyle at this point. He's the No. 2 receiver for Andrew Luck and amassed 10 targets last week, snagging nine of those for 78 yards and a score. In points-per-game this season, Doyle is a top-10 tight end, in both PPR and half-point PPR formats. That's with having shared time with Dwayne Allen, who's now injured. Until his price reflects his opportunity, Doyle remains a must play even in tougher matchups. (FD: $4900; DK: $3500)
Just missed: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Alex Smith, Matt Asiata, Devontae Booker, Michael Thomas (NO), Russell Shepard, Gary Barnidge and C.J. Fiedorowicz.
Jack Thomason is 670 The Score's fantasy football expert and co-host of "Chicago's Fantasy Football Today," which can be heard every Sunday during football season from 8-9 a.m. CT on WSCR-670 and 670thescore.com/listen. Follow him on Twitter @jthomason77 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.