NFL Week 8 DFS tournament picks

To win a DFS tournament, it is essential to build a unique roster that embraces the randomness within each NFL game. We must identify players and game scenarios the rest of the field is overlooking so that when these low-rostered plays hit, rosters soar past the competition and into first place.

Tennessee Titans wideout A.J. Brown was our top play last week, as he smashed the Kansas City Chiefs for an 8-133-1 receiving line and 30.3 DraftKings points.

Unfortunately, Allen Robinson failed in his matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ pass-funnel defense. The Chicago Bears‘ passing game is completely broken — just like my bankroll after stacking Justin Fields with Robinson last week. Still, we look on to Week 8.

 Here are this week's DFS tournament picks. Be sure to check out PFF's projected DFS rostership percentages and DFS lineup optimizer to help you rack up those massive scores.

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WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (5% projected rostership)

The Eagles' passing offense has been a rollercoaster this season but now gets a matchup against a feeble Lions secondary that was just obliterated by Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. The Jalen Hurts–DeVonta Smith connection is due for a ceiling game, and this is the perfect week for one.

Detroit Lions defense vs. WRs | 2021 (rank among 32 NFL defenses)

Smith saw a team-high nine targets last week, while no other Eagles wide receiver saw more than four. The rookie is the clear alpha in this passing attack. This is a clear “bet on talent in a plus-matchup” play.

Philadelphia wide receivers boast the easiest strength of schedule rating for this week. Additionally, PFF’s WR/CB matchup chart gives the rookie wideout one of this week’s higher-rated matchups.

RB James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (4% projected rostership)

James Robinson Szn is back, folks. The star running back has seen true bell-cow usage over his last two games, handling 88% of the Jaguars' running back carries and 83% of the running back targets while playing 76% of snaps.

His low projected rostership — at a very affordable $6,600 on DraftKings and $8,200 on FanDuel — is staggering. 

The Jaguars running back has posted 19.1, 24.7, 20.6 and 25.4 DraftKings scores over his last four games. We have not even seen a true ceiling game yet, which could come against a slumping Seahawks defense that has given up several notable scores to opposing running backs: 

• Alvin Kamara: 179 total yards and one touchdown
• Najee Harris: 127 total yards and one touchdown
• Darrell Henderson: 99 total yards and one touchdown
• Alexander Mattison: 171 total yards
• Derrick Henry: 237 total yards and three touchdowns
• Jonathan Taylor: 116 total yards

This is an absolute dream spot for Robinson. Fire him up and lock him into your rosters on Sunday.

 RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (8% projected rostership)

The fantasy community simply hates Mixon — it is the only possible reason for him to come in below 15% rostership at $6,900 on DraftKings and $7,600 on FanDuel in a matchup against this putrid Jets defense.

The Jets' run defense has been eaten alive by big plays this season, as they've given up the second-most touchdowns (11) and the third-most explosive rushing plays of 10 or more yards (26) through seven weeks. 

The following running backs have smashed them:

• Damien Harris: 115 total yards and two touchdowns
• Cordarrelle Patterson: 104 total yards
• Derrick Henry: 177 total yards and one touchdown
• Melvin Gordon: 81 total yards and one touchdown
• Christian McCaffrey: 187 total yards

Everyone will want to play Ja’Marr Chase as the exciting hotshot rookie. However, the Bengals are 10-point favorites, which means this contest is shaping up to be a run-heavy game.

Teams are blowing out the Jets every week and barely need to throw the football against them — they have faced the second-fewest wide receiver targets in the NFL.

PFF fantasy analyst Andrew Erickson ranked Mixon the overall RB2 for this week.

QB Carson Wentz (2% projected rostership) and WR Michael Pittman Jr. (5% projected rostership), Indianapolis Colts

The Chiefs must have forgotten that they were supposed to be playing a football game last week. Barring the Titans' shutdown performance against Patrick Mahomes, Tennessee’s secondary has been roasted by wide receivers this season. 

Tennessee Titans defense vs. wide receivers | 2021 (rank among 32 NFL defenses)

Enter Wentz and company, who are absolutely rolling and are in search of their third straight victory. This is a must-win game for the Colts if they are to have any shot at winning this division, while the Titans are at risk of being a little too satisfied with their back-to-back wins over the Bills and Chiefs.

Wentz can toast this Titans secondary deep, as he has been one of the league’s top deep ball passers this season.

Carson Wentz: PFF passing statistics and rank on passes thrown 20 or more yards downfield | 2021

Expect Wentz to attack this matchup with his favorite downfield weapon in Pittman. The alpha wide receiver’s quote from earlier this week says everything you need to know about their connection:

Carson Wentz and Michael Pittman Jr. are the next great duo on the deep ball ???? pic.twitter.com/QYhQDnaxAk

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 27, 2021

The Colts' duo is a phenomenal cheap stack that allows you to jam the other high-priced running backs into your roster. Additionally, they provide leverage against the chalky Jonathan Taylor if most of the Colts' touchdowns flow through the air rather than the ground.