Matthew Freedman publishes comprehensive positional breakdowns for the main NFL DFS slate throughout each week.
We’ll highlight one of the top players from each position (according to our Models) and his analysis of their outlooks below, but be sure to check out the full versions of each breakdown for the best cash-game and GPP plays for Week 8.
QB Breakdown
Deshaun Watson: Houston Texans (-6.5) vs. Oakland Raiders, 51.5 Over/Under
There’s a lot to like about Watson in the big picture. For the season, he’s the No. 2 FanDuel quarterback with 24.7 points per game. He’s been a strong source of value with his +6.92 Plus/Minus.
Thanks to his Konami Code rushing ability, Watson has an incredibly high weekly floor, especially because of his usage near the goal line. Despite starting only six games as a rookie, Watson has a position-high 15 carries inside the opponent 5-yard line since 2016 (per Pro Football Focus). Dak Prescott is the only quarterback with more than Watson’s 12 rushing touchdowns over that span.
Because of his multi-dimensional scoring capability, Watson is as much of a lock as any quarterback to get a touchdown any given week, either through the air or on the ground.
>> Read the full QB breakdown here
RB Breakdown
Leonard Fournette: Jacksonville Jaguars (-6) vs. New York Jets, 41.5 Over/Under
Remember when Fournette entered the league three years ago and people assumed he was just an early-down grinder?
This season, he’s No. 7 at the position with 15.7 FanDuel points per game and No. 9 with 8.2 expected receiving fantasy points per game (per RotoViz Screener). With 38 targets, Fournette is a significant part of the passing attack.
Here’s what’s intriguing to me about Fournette: There seems to be this perception that he’s finally starting to break out. While he’s having a good season, it’s not as if he’s doing more than he did in his first two seasons.
>> Read the full RB breakdown here
WR Breakdown
D.K. Metcalf: Seattle Seahawks (-7) at Atlanta Falcons, 53 Over/Under
Metcalf is yet to have a massive game. In not any week has he had double-digit targets, 100 yards or multiple touchdowns. He’s been no better than a fantasy WR3 in any game.
He’s not a cash-game play because he truly has two-catch, 30-yard, zero-touchdown downside.
Metcalf is a limited player — but he also has a lot of potential. A classic boom-or-bust, this could be the week Metcalf booms.
>> Read the full WR breakdown here
TE Breakdown
George Kittle: San Francisco 49ers (-5.5) vs. Carolina Panthers, 42.5 Over/Under
Kittle entered the season with a lot of hype thanks to his record-setting 1,377-yard receiving campaign last year as well as the return of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. But through six games, Kittle has been a smidgen underwhelming.
- Fantasy production (per game): 10.4 FanDuel points, +1.14 Plus/Minus, 50% Consistency Rating
- Football production (for season): 34-376-1 receiving on 42 targets, 3-18-0 rushing
Still, he’s Kittle: He easily leads the team with 42 targets, 34 receptions, 376 receiving yards, 308 air yards and 190 yards after the catch. The passing offense still flows through him.
>> Read the full TE breakdown here
