Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 8

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 8 DFS fantasy football

Just when we thought Week 7 had too many ugly matchups, Week 8 entered the chat room screaming in CAPS LOCK. This week is brutal from an offensive standpoint. Two premier offenses are on bye. Two elite and two above-average offenses are in the primetime slate. Plus, the GOAT faced Lamar Jackson on Thursday. The only “off-slate” game that won’t be sucking away a ton of talent is the latest Sunday-morning London game.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

Green Bay @ Buffalo

If this game was scheduled for last season, it would have been a must-see event. Now, we get to see a short-handed Aaron Rodgers (QB3) struggle to keep up with the top offense in football. If Allen Lazard (shoulder) misses this game, Rodgers will be forced to throw the ball to his rookie WRs.

Josh Allen (QB1) is the best QB in football right now (with my apologies to personal favorite Patrick Mahomes). Green Bay’s secondary is decent but they are about to get schooled.

It would be wise of Green Bay to run the ball frequently this week to attempt to keep it away from the Buffalo offense. It won’t work, as eventually, they will have to abandon the run to keep up. Aaron Jones (RB3) should have enough volume in both the run and pass games to be an RB2 consideration. A.J. Dillon (RB6) isn’t getting the opportunities needed to be more than a deep flex play. Maybe Green Bay can line one of them up at WR.

Devin Singletary (RB4) has actually posted respectable numbers this season despite continuing to play second-fiddle to the passing game. His price is cheap enough to make him a preferential RB2 play. James Cook (RB8) has passed Zack Moss on the depth chart. Moss wasn’t even active last week. If he suits up, he can be ignored in all formats. Heck, even fullback Reggie Gilliam (RB9) has passed Moss in value as he catches a few passes each week.

We don’t know which receivers Rodgers will have at his disposal. Allen Lazard (shoulder – WR6) is his only reliable option, but he is trending toward being out. Christian Watson (hamstring – WR11) has not been used much in the passing game yet, but his draft capital suggests that he is capable of being an alpha. Sammy Watkins (WR8) will be the de facto WR1 for Rodgers this week if Lazard is out. That alone would put him in WR3 consideration. Romeo Doubs (WR9) hasn’t done much recently but he will likely be WR2 for Green Bay this week. He could be a sneaky flex play as someone will draw the targets here. The only other options they have are Amari Rodgers (WR14) and something called Samori Toure (WR16). They can both be ignored.

Green Bay’s secondary has supposedly improved this offseason. The numbers suggest this is true until you look closer and see that Justin Jefferson and Terry McLaurin are the only legitimate WRs they have faced all year and both had huge games against them. Both Stefon Diggs (WR2) and Gabe Davis (WR3) are playable at WR1 this week, and I would not fault you for using both of them in an Allen stack. Isaiah McKenzie (WR10) has tailed off since Davis’ return, but he is also in play as a WR3. You could get cute and use Khalil Shakir (WR12) to save even more dough. He also makes a great Showdown play.

Robert Tonyan (TE2) merits consideration due to all of the WR injuries. Someone has to catch the ball here. Even with all of the WR questions, I’m not ready to deploy Josiah Deguara (TE5) or Marcedes Lewis (TE6).

As predicted entering this year, Dawson Knox (TE3) has found himself as a true TD-dependent play. It isn’t a great slate for TEs, but I feel better about the other options at a similar cost. Tommy Sweeney (TE7) has zero value without a Knox injury.

Monday Night

CINCINNATI @ CLEVELAND

In the battle of Ohio, Joe Burrow (QB2) has a huge advantage in talent, weapons, and moxie. Teams that wish to fade Allen should look here.

Jacoby Brissett (QB4) has actually had a solid season for being thrust into a starting role. Cincy is mediocre against the pass, so he will have a serviceable stat line. Unfortunately, it will still be the lowest on the slate.

Cleveland has looked foolish against the run most of the last month. Joe Mixon (RB2) will attempt to exploit this despite his vanilla tendencies. He is definitely the safest RB2 on the board. This awful defense also puts Samaje Perine (RB6) in play as a potential discount flex.

Nick Chubb (RB1) has been unstoppable this season. Regardless of the opponent, game script, or dodging his own teammates’ vultures, he has performed as a top-three RB in the league. Set him as your RB1 and smile. Kareem Hunt (RB5) has underperformed his draft equity this season, but he is always a threat to score, and his auxiliary numbers keep him flex-worthy. Just watch this weekend to see if the hot stove talk regarding him heats up as this may lead to him not playing here. If Hunt is held out/dealt, D’Ernest Johnson (RB9) would have Showdown value.

Ja’Marr Chase (hip) and Tee Higgins (WR1) both balled out last week in a stellar matchup. Now Chase is out for at least the next month. All of your lineups should have one of the following: Higgins, Diggs, or Davis. Tyler Boyd (WR5) also had a big game last week, and he deserves WR2 thought if you are going cheaper at the position. The “other” Michael Thomas (WR13) could be a Showdown play with the injury to Chase.

Amari Cooper (WR5) is a great run-it-back play in a Bengals stack, since Cincy has had struggles with WR1 this year. That said, we should point out that Noah Brown is the only auxiliary WR to do anything versus them. Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR8) should probably be faded here, and David Bell (WR15) shouldn’t even sniff Showdown lineups.

I love what Cincinnati is doing with Hayden Hurst (ankle/groin – TE1). I love even more that the sites refuse to raise his price. He is easily the safest TE on the board this week, and Chase’s injury should increase his target share.

With David Njoku (ankle) out, Harrison Bryant (TE4) may be a decent streamer this week. Cincy is middle of the road against the position, and Bryant has had success when featured previously. I’d consider some double-TE builds including him.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Kirk Cousins ($6.1k), RB Derrick Henry ($8.4k), RB Raheem Mostert ($5.9k), WR Jaylen Waddle ($6.7k), WR Adam Thielen ($6.2k), WR Josh Reynolds ($5k), TE Irv Smith ($3.5k), FLEX D’Onta Foreman ($5.3k), DST Washington Commanders ($2.6k)

FD Lineup: QB Geno Smith ($7k), RB Derrick Henry ($10k), RB Saquon Barkley ($9.5k), WR Adam Thielen ($6.2k), WR Brandin Cooks ($6.1k), WR Marquise Goodwin ($5.6k), TE Irv Smith ($5k), FLEX Raheem Mostert ($6.8k), DST Washington Commanders ($3.4k)

FB Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($7.6k), RB Derrick Henry ($7.4k), RB Raheem Mostert ($5.3k), WR Stefon Diggs ($7.1k), WR Josh Reynolds ($4.1k), WR Marquise Goodwin ($3.4k), TE Irv Smith ($3.5k), FLEX Kenneth Walker ($6k), FLEX D’Onta Foreman ($4.7k)

Quarterbacks DraftKings FanDuel
Jalen Hurts $8,300 $9,200
Kyler Murray $7,500 $8,200
Dak Prescott $6,600 $7,200
Tua Tagovailoa $6,200 $7,700
Kirk Cousins $6,100 $7,800
Matthew Stafford $6,000 $7,000
Derek Carr $5,900 $7,200
Geno Smith $5,800 $7,000
Daniel Jones $5,700 $7,500
Jimmy Garoppolo $5,600 $7,100
Andy Dalton $5,500 $7,100
Jared Goff $5,500 $7,300
Marcus Mariota $5,400 $6,900
Jameis Winston $5,300 $7,100
Mac Jones $5,300 $6,600
Ryan Tannehill $5,300 $6,700
Davis Mills $5,200 $6,500
Justin Fields $5,200 $6,500
P.J. Walker $5,200 $6,400
Taylor Heinicke $5,200 $6,400
Kenny Pickett $5,100 $6,600
Zach Wilson $5,100 $6,400
Malik Willis $5,000 $6,700
Taysom Hill $5,000 N/A

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Tua Tagovailoa is the safest option among the high-priced picks this week. Jalen Hurts is worth playing on DK as is Kirk Cousins. If you don’t use one of these three consider Geno Smith or Jared Goff. You can also punt with Davis Mills or (if he is able to start) Ryan Tannehill (ankle).

Fantasy Four-pack

Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. PIT
($8,300 DK, $9,200 FD) 
Pittsburgh has held four of the seven QBs to face them to only one passing TD. The issue for them is that they are giving up the fifth-most passing yardage and the few running QBs they have faced have had success against them. Hurts should be good for three total scores this week.

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ DET
($6,200 DK, $7,700 FD)
Tua has gone from potentially out of football forever to the second-best QB option on this slate in just three weeks. Detroit is better against the pass than the run, but that isn’t saying much since they are ungodly bad against the run. Stack Tua with either Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle and then run it back with whoever suits up at WR for Detroit.

Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. ARI ($6,100 DK, $7,800 FD) The Cardinals seem to limit opposing WR1s every week, so consider Justin Jefferson a trap this week. The rest of the defense is in deep “blank” as they try to hold in check the rest of this passing offense. Cousins will find some combo of  K.J. Osborn, Adam Thielen, and Irv Smith for a trio of passing TDs.

Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. NYG
($5,800 DK, $7,000 FD
This feels like a possible trap here for Smith with Tyler Lockett (hamstring) playing through an injury and DK Metcalf (knee) questionable, at best. Still, you cannot argue with the success he has had so far this season. He has multiple passing scores in five of seven games. He also has had success with his legs. This could be his blessing here as New York has struggled with rushing QBs this season.

DFS Sleepers

Jared Goff, Lions vs. MIA
($5,500 DK, $7,300 FD)
An excessive volume of WR injuries combined with a tough pair of opponents has probably pushed Goff out of the comfortable start category. Still, Miami is dealing with injuries of their own on the defensive side of the ball opening the door for Goff to get back into the good graces of the DFS community here.

Davis Mills, Texans vs. TEN
($5,200 DK, $6,500 FD)
This game could be a sneaky shootout as neither team plays much defense. Ryan Tannehill (ankle) may actually outperform Mills in this matchup, but his starting status is in question. Mills is just a smidge cheaper than Tannehill. He also has a more reliable WR1 in Brandin Cooks to stack with.

Running Backs DraftKings FanDuel
Christian McCaffrey $8,700 $8,500
Derrick Henry $8,400 $10,000
Saquon Barkley $8,100 $9,500
Jonathan Taylor $8,000 $8,300
Dalvin Cook
$7,600 $8,200
Josh Jacobs $7,500 $9,000
Alvin Kamara $7,100 $7,800
D’Andre Swift $6,800 $7,500
Miles Sanders $6,600 $7,400
Kenneth Walker $6,500 $8,400
Rhamondre Stevenson $6,400 $8,000
Dameon Pierce $6,300 $7,300
David Montgomery $6,300 $6,700
Ezekiel Elliott $6,200 $7,100
James Conner $6,100 $7,000
Tony Pollard $6,100 $6,300
Eno Benjamin $6,000 $7,000
Jamaal Williams $6,000 $7,500
Michael Carter $5,900 $6,600
Raheem Mostert $5,900 $6,800
Damien Harris $5,800 $7,000
Khalil Herbert $5,700 $6,700
Najee Harris $5,700 $6,600
Alexander Mattison $5,600 $5,200
Brian Robinson $5,600 $6,000
Darrell Henderson $5,500 $6,500
Antonio Gibson $5,400 $5,600
Chuba Hubbard $5,400 $6,200
Tyler Allgeier $5,400 $6,100
D’Onta Foreman $5,300 $6,400
Nyheim Hines $5,200 $5,100
Chase Edmonds $5,100 $5,700
Jeff Wilson $5,100 $5,700
Caleb Huntley $5,000 $5,200
Cam Akers $5,000 $5,500
Keaontay Ingram $5,000 $5,400
Mark Ingram $4,800 $5,000
Kenneth Gainwell $4,700 $5,300
DeeJay Dallas $4,600 $5,100
Dontrell Hilliard $4,600 $5,100
J.D. McKissic $4,500 $4,800

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry are the two best plays this week. They are also priced as such. You won’t be able to afford both of them, but try to get one of them into each lineup. An active D’Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder) would be a decent pivot as would Alvin Kamara (lack of TDs). It is just hard to rely on either of them seriously right now. Dameon Pierce is probably the safer pivot. Tony Pollard should also be a strong play with Ezekiel Elliott (MCL) likely out. Raheem Mostert gets the best matchup among cheaper options. He seems like a must-start. I also love the discount prices on D’Onta Foreman and Brian Robinson.

Fantasy Four-pack

Derrick Henry, Titans @ HOU
($8,400 DK, $10,000 FD)
Houston is allowing a league-worst 174 combo yards per game to opposing RBs. Now they have to contend with King Henry? Houston, we have a problem. That $10k price is high, but if there was ever a confluence of events that could produce 3x value to that, it is this matchup. Expect a floor of 150-2.

Saquon Barkley, Giants @ SEA
($8,100 DK, $9,500 FD)
Seattle is not as bad as Houston. They only allow 155 combo yards per game to opposing RBs. That said, they have been really putrid against pass-catching backs such as Barkley. For his part, he has scored and/or topped 100 combo yards in all but one game this season. This will be his top performance to date.

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ LAR ($8,700 DK, $8,500 FD) McCaffrey looked pretty dang good with no practice and just reading the playbook on a cross-country flight. Imagine what he can accomplish for San Francisco once he gets a week of practice in. The Rams are very good against the run, but San Fran will go out of its way to showcase its new toy this week. He will finish with right around 24 points here.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. WAS
($8,000 DK, $8,300 FD)
I’m not sure what effects Sam Ehlinger will have on Taylor and the ground game, but he can’t be any worse to the team’s goals than Matt Ryan had been. Washington is decent against the run, but no team has allowed more RB receiving TDs this season. Taylor got a lot of targets last week, if this continues he will definitely score here.

DFS Sleepers

Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. CHI
($5,900 DK, $6,800 FD)
Pollard will not have to split touches with Ezekiel Elliott (MCL) this week. This is nice because either one of them would be in for a big game if the other wasn’t present. Chicago is allowing 146 combo yards per game to opposing RBs. Now, all of that will go to Pollard. 

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ DET ($5,900 DK, $6,800 FD) The Lions are allowing a league-worst 1.7 total TDs per game to opposing RBs. Meanwhile, Mostert holds a 2-to-1 touch advantage over his clear backup, Chase Edmonds. Over the last four games, Mostert holds a 360-to-69 yards from scrimmage advantage. This is Mostert’s backfield, and this week Mostert is a must-start.

Wide receivers DraftKings FanDuel
Cooper Kupp $9,600 $9,300
Justin Jefferson $9,100 $9,000
Davante Adams $8,600 $8,500
Tyreek Hill $8,500 $8,700
A.J. Brown $7,700 $8,200
Deebo Samuel $7,500 $7,300
DeAndre Hopkins $7,400 $7,900
Michael Pittman $7,200 $7,100
CeeDee Lamb $7,000 $7,500
Amon-Ra St. Brown $6,900 $7,200
Jaylen Waddle $6,700 $7,800
DK Metcalf $6,600 $7,000
Tyler Lockett $6,500 $7,600
DeVonta Smith $6,300 $6,900
Adam Thielen $6,200 $6,200
Brandon Aiyuk $6,100 $6,700
Chris Olave $6,000 $6,900
Terry McLaurin $6,000 $6,800
Brandin Cooks $5,900 $6,100
Michael Thomas $5,700 $7,000
Diontae Johnson $5,600 $6,300
Jakobi Meyers $5,600 $6,600
Robert Woods $5,400 $5,700
Curtis Samuel $5,300 $5,600
DJ Moore $5,300 $6,200
Allen Robinson $5,200 $5,600
Drake London $5,100 $5,600
Rondale Moore $5,100 $5,500
Josh Reynolds $5,000 $6,500
Michael Gallup $5,000 $5,800
Hunter Renfrow $4,900 $5,600
Chase Claypool $4,800 $6,000
Darnell Mooney $4,900 $6,100
Elijah Moore $4,700 $5,000
George Pickens $4,700 $5,500
Wan’Dale Robinson $4,700 $5,900
Alec Pierce $4,600 $5,800
Darius Slayton $4,600 $5,700
DJ Chark $4,600 $5,000
Corey Davis $4,500 $5,500
Mack Hollins $4,500 $5,600
Parris Campbell $4,500 $5,600
Treylon Burks $4,500 $5,000
DeVante Parker $4,400 $5,800
Marquise Goodwin $4,400 $5,600
Tre’Quan Smith $4,400 $5,300
Jarvis Landry $4,300 $5,500
Kalif Raymond $4,300 $5,600
Noah Brown $4,300 $5,500
Garrett Wilson $4,200 $5,400
Jahan Dotson $4,200 $5,700
K.J. Osborn $4,200 $5,300
Nico Collins $4,200 $5,300
Ben Skowronek $4,100 $5,300
Greg Dortch $4,100 $5,000
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,000 $5,300
Olamide Zaccheaus $4,000 $5,300
Robbie Anderson $4,000 $5,300
Tyquan Thornton $3,800 $5,700
Braxton Berrios $3,700 $5,200
Marquez Callaway $3,700 $5,000
Richie James $3,700 $5,200
Rashid Shaheed $3,600 $5,100
Cedrick Wilson $3,300 $5,200
Damiere Byrd $3,300 $5,100
Dee Eskridge $3,300 $5,000
Laviska Shenault $3,000 $4,800
Van Jefferson $3,000 $5,400

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – I am spending up at RB this week, so I will likely only have one high-priced WR in my lineup. Both Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams (illness) are OK plays but are expensive. I’d rather roll with one of the Dolphins or one of the Eagles. Adam ThielenBrandin CooksDJ Moore, and Terry McLaurin are my favorite WR2 options. If you need to go cheaper, there use one of the Lions or Giants. They can also be used at WR3. You can also consider Marquise Goodwin or one of the Saints in that spot.

Fantasy Four-pack

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins @DET
($8,500 DK, $8,700 FD
Detroit has allowed 11 different WRs to reach double-digit PPR points already this season. This suggests that both Hill and Jaylen Waddle could blow up this week. Since you should also have a lot of exposure to Raheem Mostert, choose only one of the two in your stacks.

Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. SF
($9,600 DK, $9,300 FD)
Facing the Niners isn’t a death knell for Kupp. He was targeted 19 times versus them just a couple of weeks back. Over their last three meetings, Kupp is averaging 11-121. The knock is that he has only scored in one of those games. Consider this a floor game for Kupp, which will still be right around 20-24 points.

Davante Adams, Raiders @ NO
($8,600 DK, $8,500 FD)
Adams (illness) finally took a hit to his run of either scoring or topping 100 yards in every game as he finished with only 95 scoreless yards last week. This week, he faces a Saints team that has been demolished by an alpha receiver in each of its last four games. As long as his illness doesn’t affect his play, expect a huge game here. 

A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. PIT
($7,700 DK, $8,200 FD)
No team has allowed more receiving yards to opposing WRs than Pittsburgh. Plus, 12 different receivers have reached double-digit PPR points against this defense already. If you play Jalen Hurts, stack him with Brown and run it back with Pat Freiermuth.

DFS Sleepers

Adam Thielen, Vikings vs. ARI
($6,200 DK, $6,200 FD)
For whatever reason, WR1s have struggled to step up against Arizona. That said, subordinate WRs have embarrassed them. Coming off of a bye, I hate to write off Justin Jefferson, but Thielen just seems to be ready for the spotlight this week. In their last four games, Thielen has only four fewer targets than Jefferson and Thielen has actually outscored him. It seems crazy that their prices are nearly $3k apart. 

Marquise Goodwin, Seahawks vs. NYG
($4,400 DK, $5,600 FD)
I think most casual players did not know that Goodwin was still in the league. I admit that I had forgotten about him as well. DK Metcalf (knee) is questionable, at best, for this weekend, and while he is more likely to play, Tyler Lockett (hamstring) also is not 100 percent. If either or both are limited or out we will see Goodwin as the top target for Geno Smith in a game that could devolve into a shootout.

Tight ends DraftKings FanDuel
George Kittle $5,700 $6,900
Taysom Hill N/A $6,500
Darren Waller $5,400 $5,500
Zach Ertz $5,100 $6,000
Dallas Goedert $5,000 $5,900
T.J. Hockenson $4,900 $6,300
Tyler Higbee $4,200 $6,000
Kyle Pitts $4,000 $5,600
Pat Freiermuth $3,900 $5,700
Mike Gesicki $3,800 $5,400
Dalton Schultz $3,700 $5,100
Irv Smith $3,500 $5,000
Hunter Henry $3,400 $5,100
Juwan Johnson $3,200 $5,200
Tyler Conklin $3,200 $4,800
Will Dissly $3,200 $4,800
Foster Moreau $3,100 $5,000
Jonnu Smith $3,100 $4,500
Logan Thomas $3,000 $5,000
Cole Kmet $2,900 $4,600
Austin Hooper $2,800 $4,700
Chris Myarick $2,800 $4,600
Mo Alie-Cox $2,800 $4,600
Noah Fant $2,800 $4,700
Jordan Akins $2,600 $4,600
Adam Trautman $2,500 $4,400

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Simply put this week at TE is, “Yuck!” The best play this week is Zach ErtzDallas Goedert and T.J. Hockenson (knee) could be in play, but they are less appealing options. Based on pricing, the three I recommend using are Dalton SchultzPat Freiermuth, and Irv SmithJordan Akins and Chris Myarick are the only punt plays worth considering.

Fantasy Four-pack

Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ MIN
($5,100 DK, $6,000 FD)
Over their last five games, Minnesota has allowed an average of 5-61 to the position to go along with four TDs allowed. Ertz is currently third in targets and receptions at the position. Expect a solid week with another score here.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. PIT
($5,000 DK, $5,900 FD)
Pittsburgh is middle of the pack against the position, but they have faced only a pair of quality TEs this season. Goedert has six or more targets in four of six contests this season. This volume should make him a strong third leg to an Eagles stack.

George Kittle, 49ers @ LAR
($5,700 DK, $6,900 FD)
Since his return in Week 3, Kittle is fourth among TEs in yards and fifth in targets and receptions. That said, the Rams are the best team in the league against the position so keep your expectations in check.

T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. MIA
($4,900 DK, $6,300 FD
The Lions have dealt with a pile of WR injuries, and Miami has its own issues with health in its defensive backfield. This combination should set up for Hockenson (knee) to continue to post solid numbers. Just check his injury status prior to locking him in.

DFS Sleepers

Irv Smith, Vikings vs. ARI
($3,500 DK, $5,000 FD)
Arizona continues to have zero strategies for shutting down TEs. Smith will score and should be the third leg of your Vikings stack with Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen.

Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ PHI ($3,900 DK, $5,700 FD) You cannot succeed against Philly on the outside, so expect Freiermuth to be the most successful pass-catcher for Pittsburgh this week.

The best fantasy football gamble of Week 8

This one is all about the matchup itself, so understand the risk at play.

Every week, at least one player becomes my fascination of whether he’s worthy of a fantasy football start as a streamer. The decision can be a mental wrestling match, but for the purpose of brevity, only one player can be chosen as the fantasy football gamble of the week.

The best fantasy football gamble for Week 8

Tracking my predictions: 2-5-0
Win: Player produces ≥ 75% of projected fantasy points
Loss: Player produces >75% of projected fantasy points
Tie: Player is ejected, leaves with an injury, or lands on COVID-19 list after publishing

2021 record: 8-9-1
2020 record: 5-10-1

I’ve made a couple of unlucky calls this year, but last week’s choice of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan was so bad that I cannot help but feel like I jinxed him all the way to the pine. In all reality, it wasn’t that poor of a prediction, since he was only 3.9 percent away from qualifying as a win.

No one entered last week thinking Ryan was the future of the Colts’ seemingly never-ending quarterback search, but few people could have seen him getting perma-benched after Week 7 on a team that has been a mess from top to bottom and left to right. While I’m not going to pretend like he hasn’t lost something from a physical standpoint, it’s still an unfortunate way to see a respectable career come to an untimely demise. Barring a bizarre trading scenario midseason or his 2023 release leading a desperate team seeing if there’s one last gasp in him, we’ve likely witnessed the end of Ryan’s time in the NFL.

Regardless, we still need to march on, so this week’s inclusion is another with tremendous risk but an equally exploitable matchup.

TE Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals

As mentioned, it should be abundantly clear to anyone considering Smith this week that the matchup is the driving force here. For his part, Smith as at least four targets in every game since Week 1’s two-look shutout, and he hasn’t seen more than six passes come his way following an eight-target Week 2.

The results just haven’t been there. A 62 percent catch rate is adequate, though Smith hasn’t done anything with the receptions. He posted a 4-42-0 line in Week 5, which was followed up with an impressively bad seven-yard performance on four catches in Week 6. Smith scored a TD to salvage some value in that one.

Minnesota returns from its bye week to face an Arizona defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points per game to the position in PPR scoring. No team has allowed more receptions, and only Seattle permitted more yardage in the first seven weeks of the season.

The Seahawks rank as the easiest defense to exploit after giving up three rushing touchdowns to the position, which is due to facing “tight end” Taysom Hill. Remove those TDs and Arizona is by far the weakest unit vs. pass-catching tight ends. Six players have scored 10 or more fantasy points against the Red Birds, and four of them were good for 17 or more points in PPR.

Kirk Cousins has arguably the top receiver in the game in Justin Jefferson, a proven veteran WR2 in Adam Thielen, and an underrated third outlet in K.J. Osborn, not to mention a capable checkdown in Dalvin Cook. Arizona’s defense of the receiver position has been technically neutral but extremely adept at preventing touchdowns. The last 63 catches by WRs have resulted in exactly one trip into the end zone.

Receivers have posted the 12th-most receptions and 13th-most yards per games in the last five weeks vs. the Cards. The matchups on the outside and shading to slow Jefferson should lead to more action for Smith, and the strength of this defense — the limitation of touchdowns for receivers — is an encouraging sign for the typically judicious Cousins to direct red-zone passes Smith’s way.

Tight end is a volatile position. Between injuries, bye weeks, and erratic play, it’s typically frustrating to find midtier plays from week to week. If streaming the position is your thing by choice or necessity, Smith is among the more favorable gambles of Week 8.

My projection: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD (15.9 PPR fantasy points)