DFS Deep Dive: Week 8
Each week you’ll be able to read a single position group on this website, but if you’d like access to the entire Deep Dive, along with an exclusive Members-Only video talking through core plays and stacks for each week, then you need to subscribe through our YouTube Members section, choosing the Golden Deckchair package, which works out to the equivalent of less than $2 per week, at that price it'll pay for itself! Once you’re subscribed you’ll have access to our Discord with the full write-up available there.
Eight weeks into the season we're getting rave reviews from our members who are creating profitable lineups based on the writeups they're reading.
Join here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRrin34m2cIGdRBU4gg0rog/join
AJ Brown $8000 vs Commanders
The Commanders struggle against outside receivers, allowing the fifth-most fpts to the position, which might be slightly inflated by AJ Brown’s week 4 performance where he scored 41.5 points against them, catching nine targets for 175 yards and two touchdowns. There is no reason to think Brown can’t do it again.
Usage Suggestions: Fine for all formats. Stack with Hurts and Samuel in GPPs.
Adam Thielen $6600 vs Texans
The Texans are allowing the eighth-highest catch rate to opposing wide receivers, and now come up against volume-hog, Adam Thielen. Thielen has scored 30+ DK points in three of his last four games, a simply astounding result for a player who looked washed last year.
Usage Suggestions: We can play Thielen in cash games and in tournaments look to use him either as a Texans stack bringback or as a correlation with Nico Collins.
Brandon Aiyuk $7000 vs Bengals
In games without Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk’s receptions per game jump from 4.5 to 5.4 and his fantasy points jump by a full point too. Nothing too astounding, but a solid uptick for a player who is having a great season. Aiyuk has been quiet for the last three weeks with three sub-12 point games but now gets a prime matchup in one of the highest-ceiling games of the week.
Usage Suggestions: A fine play in all formats. As mentioned before, stacking with Purdy and Chase makes sense, but a less common one will be Burrow as the QB and Aiyuk as the bring-back.
Zay Flowers $5600 vs Cardinals
Flowers is the clear rookie WR2 and it wouldn’t be surprising if he ended up as the rookie WR1 by the end of the season. As Josh Norris said on our channel this offseason, Flowers can be the key to unlocking Lamar Jackson and we’re certainly seeing it. The Cardinals allow a league-high 74% catch rate to WRs and their 13.2 yards per reception is ninth-highest.
Usage Suggestions: Lamar double stacks with Flowers and Andrews is an obvious way to go but sometimes the obvious ways are best. To variate I’d be fine using Gus Edwards or Nelson Agholor on top of one of those pieces. Flowers is also cash game viable.
Christian Kirk $5900 vs Steelers
The Steelers allow a league-leading 31.1 points to opposing slot receivers, with no other team allowing more than 26. Kirk has been excellent this year and has scored 15 or more DK points in four of his last six games.
Usage Suggestions: A strong play in cash games. For tournaments, there isn’t an obvious bring-back candidate.
Nico Collins $5500 vs Panthers
The Panthers defense is struggling and allows the seventh-highest yards per reception (13.7) something Nico Collins can take advantage of with his big-play ability. Collins is in a great spot and while it’s been a few weeks since his last blow-up game, this is a great time for another.
Usage Suggestions: At $5500 I’m okay with Collins in cash games. In tournaments, Collins will provide leverage off Dameon Pierce or could be paired alongside him and Thielen.
Jordan Addison $5700 vs Packers
The Vikings are using Addison well in Justin Jefferson’s absence, moving him around so his vulnerabilities against press coverage aren’t on show. At $5700 we’re hoping for 15-18 points ideally, something which Addison has achieved in two of his last three games.
Usage Suggestions: I’d rather find the money for Kirk in cash games, but in tournaments, it’s a solid play and I’d be tempted to find ways to game-stack this game as it might fly under the radar. Pairing Addison with Doubs ($4900) is the most tempting way.
Josh Downs $4800 vs Saints
Downs is coming in hot off 125 yards and a touchdown performance where he continued to earn targets at a very high rate for Gardener Minshew. The Saints are a tough defense but the volume alone should be fine for Downs.
Usage Suggestions: Maybe a little thin for cash games… but I’d understand it. As for tournaments, pair with either Kamara or take a dart throw on Olave who really could do with a big game.
Curtis Samuel $4200 vs Eagles
As mentioned earlier, I like this game for Samuel if he plays. When the teams last met Samuel scored 18.2 points. Samuel has 27 targets in his last four games.
Usage Suggestions: I’m okay…ish with Samuel in cash but prefer him in tournaments.
That's all for the free part of this column, if you'd like to access more, come and join our growing community where all my writeups are in full as well as the Exclusive Members Only YouTube Video - DFS Clinic & Discord access for all your lineup questions.
Join here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRrin34m2cIGdRBU4gg0rog/join
