National Football League

FanDuel NFL: Wide Receivers Week 8

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) prepares for a game against the San Diego Chargers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

FanDuel NFL: Wide Receivers Week 8 is a column highlighting the best player, most affordable, and best value options for your FanDuel NFL lineups focusing on salary versus expected points. The intention of this article is to help you build your FanDuel NFL lineup for the most likely big payday each week.

I like to lean on FantasyPros for weekly point projections, the information is a result of consensus from many fantasy football experts. I check the point projection results, which update daily, with the salary set by FanDuel for players each week. This week, there are six teams on a ‘bye’, including the Steelers, 49ers, Dolphins, Rams, Ravens, and Giants. So, we can already cut the following players from our lineups:

To help you optimize your FanDuel NFL lineups each week, we’re focusing on the Most Points, Best Affordable, and Most Value options. This article will focus on the Wide Receiver position. Here’s a brief description of each category:

Now, let’s take a look at the players everyone’s targeting:

Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) makes a catch against the Miami Dolphins in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Most Projected Points – WR

Once again this week, Julio Jones ($9,200 / 18.1) is the top projected wide receiver for FanDuel NFL. However, before we immediately concede to Jones as the top option, let’s also consider the second best projected option, Mike Evans ($7,900 / 17.7). Evans is actually the top wide receiver in the NFL with 18.4 FanDuel NFL points per game. Jones is a close second, with 18.1 FanDuel NFL points per game.

This week, Jones faces a Packers defense who’s mediocre in 2016. Green Bay’s pass defense is giving up 261 yards per game, 17th in the NFL. That’s not great, but not bad either. Jones will also be in Atlanta, which improves his potential. But, Evans is facing an Oakland Raiders pass defense ranked dead-last in the NFL, 308.6 passing yards per game (32nd). Evans is also playing at home, improving the Buccaneers odds as well. Between the two, I like Evans more, and you’re saving $1,300 for another big play in other lineup spots.

Like Jones, A.J. Green ($8,500 / 16.3) is facing a mediocre pass defense in the Washington Redskins (16th in the NFL). One major wrinkle with Green is that he’s playing early Sunday morning in London, England. The games in London tend to be somewhat unpredictable. It’s hard to gauge how the players respond to the unique circumstances. Green should be a decent play against the Skins, but I’d prefer to fade him this week.

Rounding out the top five, are T.Y. Hilton ($7,800 / 15.9) and Brandon Marshall ($7,400 / 14.7). Hilton is up against a Kansas City Chiefs pass defense who’s been up and down this season. The Colts are playing at home, which should improve Hilton’s odds against the Chiefs.

Marshall, has the enviable task of playing the Cleveland Browns. While everyone in Cleveland is smiling ear-to-ear each day about the Cavaliers and Indians, the Browns are miserable this year. Cleveland is 29th in passing yards, giving up 297.1 yards per game. The Browns have giving up 18 passing touchdowns already this year, the worst in the NFL. Marshall feels like a steal for only $7,400 against the Browns this week. He’s a great play.

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) against the New York Jets at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Best Affordable – WR

Larry Fitzgerald ($7,000 / 14.7) is 10th among all wide receivers in the NFL with 14.6 FanDuel NFL points per game. Fitzgerald is having an amazing season, his 13th in the NFL. Michael Floyd was expected to step up this season, but is struggling. It appears Carson Palmer is now targeting Fitzgerald often, likely because he’s clear his most trusted wideout.

This week, Larry is playing against a Carolina Panthers pass defense that, to the surprise of everyone, is now 28th in the NFL. After shutting down everyone’s passing game in 2015, and going to the Super Bowl, for some inexplicable reason, Panthers management decided to scrap their defensive backfield for cheaper options. The bet is not paying off in 2016. This week, Fitzgerald should have a great week against a weak Panthers pass defense, and on a very reasonable $7,000 salary.

Michael Crabtree ($7,100 / 13.5) is a touchdown machine this season. Michael has six TD’s in seven games. Each week, FanDuel seems to assume Crabtree is going to take a step back, as he’s still a very reasonable $7,100 salary. However, the Oakland Raiders are playing in Tampa Bay this weekend against a pretty good Buccaneers passing defense (13th in the NFL). If you don’t like Fitzgerald, Crabtree is your next best affordable option.

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) celebrates a first down reception in the second half against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Texans 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Most Value – WR

Emmanuel Sanders ($6,600 / 13.4) only has three touchdowns this year, and he’s due this week. Although, Emmanuel has still piled on plenty of yards each week, getting 80+ yards in four of the seven Denver Broncos games this season. In week 8, the Broncos are at home against a San Diego Chargers passing defense ranked 26th in the NFL. The Chargers often engage in shootouts, which would be a great situation for Sanders. This is a great week to use Sanders value.

Wrapping up, among the top five options, Mike Evans and Brandon Marshall are the best options, and affordable. But Larry Fitzgerald is a great option at only $7,000. And the best value of the weekend is Emmanuel Sanders. Good Luck FanDulers!