This article is part of our Draftster NFL series.
It's hard to believe but we're nearing the halfway point of the NFL season already. Draftster also moves on to the third week of their Single Entry Championship that already has six qualifiers for the final in December. Please note the following rankings do not include Thursday's matchup between Denver and San Diego or Sunday's matchup between Detroit and Atlanta due to it being played in London.
Quarterback
1. Aaron Rodgers (GB) at NO - $9,000
2. Drew Brees (NO) vs. GB - $8,100
3. Andrew Luck (IND) at PIT - $8,600
4. Tony Romo (DAL) vs. WAS - $7,100
5. Nick Foles (PHI) at ARI - $6,900
6. Russell Wilson (SEA) at CAR - $8,500
7. Tom Brady (NE) vs. CHI - $8,300
8. Jay Cutler (CHI) at NE - $7,200
9. Ryan Tannehill (MIA) at JAX - $7,000
10. Carson Palmer (ARI) vs. PHI - $6,800
11. Joe Flacco (BAL) at CIN - $6,300
12. Cam Newton (CAR) vs. SEA - $7,300
13. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) vs. IND - $5,800
14. Mike Glennon (TB) vs. MIN - $5,500
Notable Byes: Colin Kaepernick (SF), Eli Manning (NYG)
Aaron Rodgers (GB) at NO - $9,000
This process is remaining generally the same: Rinse, repeat. Rodgers completed 19-of-22 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's victory over Carolina. Rodgers set the tempo early, hooking up with Jordy Nelson on a long touchdown pass in the sixth play of the game. The Packers superstar quarterback now has 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last four games.
Russell Wilson (SEA) at CAR - $8,500
Following the departure of Percy Harvin, Wilson put the Seahawks on his back last Sunday to the tune of a record setting performance. Wilson became the first player in NFL history to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in a game. St. Louis effectively shut down Marshawn Lynch, but seemingly forgot about the Seahawks second leading rusher in Wilson. Until the Seahawks can develop a consistent downfield passing game, Wilson may be leaned upon for his dual-threat ability on a regular basis.
Nick Foles (PHI) at ARI - $6,900
A bit of a disappointing name in 2014 gets a nice price drop in Week 8. Foles will enter this week as the 10th ranked QB, which is $2,100 less than the top priced option, with arguably equal upside. Foles will face the Cardinals, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. On top of that, the Cardinals are also ranked 31st in pass rush. Fresh off a bye, Foles should have no problem getting on a roll Sunday.
Running Back
1. DeMarco Murray (DAL) vs. WAS - $8,300
2. Arian Foster (HOU) at TEN - $8,700
3. Le'Veon Bell (PIT) vs. IND - $7,500
4. Matt Forte (CHI) at NE - $9,000
5. Jamaal Charles (KC) vs. STL - $8,000
6. Marshawn Lynch (SEA) at CAR - $7,200
7. LeSean McCoy (PHI) at ARI - $6,700
8. Andre Ellington (ARI) vs. PHI - $6,300
9. Lamar Miller (MIA) at JAX - $6,700
10. Ahmad Bradshaw (IND) at PIT - $6,100
11. Eddie Lacy (GB) at NO - $5,700
12. Chris Ivory (NYJ) vs. BUF - $4,700
13. Giovani Bernard (CIN) vs. BAL - $6,400
14. Shane Vereen (NE) vs. CHI - $6,600
Notable Byes: Frank Gore (SF), Andre Williams (NYG)
Value: Tre Mason (STL) - $3,200, Bryce Brown (BUF) - $3,200, Trent Richardson (IND) - $3,100 (Q)
DeMarco Murray (DAL) vs. WAS - $8,300
How Murray isn't maximum priced this week is beyond me. Murray set the NFL record with seven straight 100-yard games to open the season. He has averaged 29.5 touches in his last three games and has four touchdowns in his last four outings. Murray has been the most consistent running back in the NFL and he's officially being labeled matchup proof at this point. He now faces a Washington defense that allows an average of over 100 yards per game to running backs.
Andre Ellington (ARI) vs. PHI - $6,300
With most doubts about his health finally in the past, Ellington posted his best game of the year Sunday with 160 total yards from scrimmage. Ellington received a season-high 24 carries for 88 yards in addition to six receptions for 72 yards. This is now back-to-back weeks of Ellington hauling in six receptions. The Cardinals take on the Eagles in Week 8, a team that is ranked in the bottom third in nearly all defensive categories.
Chris Ivory (NYJ) vs. BUF - $4,700
Though I typically don't trust Jets players when it comes to setting a daily fantasy lineup, Ivory's production last Thursday shows signs that he may be the go-to option in a weak offense. Ivory had 21 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Patriots. Coming into 2014, the Jets backfield was a bit of a question mark with Chris Johnson and Ivory expected to both see action. As it seems now, it has shifted to Ivory as the main back in the running game, with Johnson being the main back on most passing downs. Ivory does have a tough matchup this week against a stout Bills rush defense, but the volume and his goal-line carries could easily lead him to making value.
Wide Receivers
1. Jordy Nelson (GB) at NO - $9,000
2. Antonio Brown (PIT) vs. IND - $8,100
3. Dez Bryant (DAL) vs. WAS - $7,900
4. Randall Cobb (GB) at NO - $7,400
5. Jeremy Maclin (PHI) at ARI - $7,300
6. Alshon Jeffery (CHI) at NE - $6,000
7. T.Y. Hilton (IND) at PIT - $7,100
8. Mike Wallace (MIA) at JAX - $6,500
9. Vincent Jackson (TB) vs. MIN - $6,400
10. DeSean Jackson (WAS) at DAL - $4,300
11. Brandon Marshall (CHI) at NE - $6,200
12. Julian Edelman (NE) vs. CHI - $6,200
13. Steve Smith Sr. (BAL) at CIN - $5,800
14. Michael Floyd (ARI) vs. PHI - $6,400
Notable Byes: Michael Crabtree (SF), Rueben Randle (NYG)
Value: A.J. Green (CIN) - $3,600 (Q - Toe)
Jordy Nelson (GB) vs. CAR - $9,000
Nelson's line last week looked a little down but that was simply due to lack of volume in the second half as the Packers already had the game well in hand. Regardless, Nelson finished with four receptions, 80 yards and a touchdown. The Packers head to the Superdome this Sunday night in a matchup against the Saints which projects to be the highest scoring game of the week. Nelson should be in line for double-digit targets from the best quarterback in football.
T.Y. Hilton (IND) at PIT - $7,100
In the last four weeks, Hilton has averaged 131.3 yards per game along with 7.4 receptions. The only knock to Hilton right now is his lack of red zone targets and the fact he only has one touchdown on the season. However, with Reggie Wayne's status for Sunday up in the air, Hilton could be in line for even more work which would make him a virtual lock for 100 yards. To make it even better, he faces a weak Pittsburgh secondary that is trending downward.
DeSean Jackson (WAS) vs. TEN - $4,300
Despite some solid performances of late, Jackson's price hasn't went up on Draftster. In fact, it has dropped another thousand dollars. That comes with some merit, though, after Jackson posted an underwhelming three reception, 49 yard performance Sunday against the Titans. Jackson provides some of the biggest boom or bust potential in the NFL so the associated risk is always there.
Tight End
1. Rob Gronkowski (NE) vs. CHI - $7,200
2. Greg Olsen (CAR) vs. SEA - $6,700
3. Martellus Bennett (CHI) at NE - $4,500
4. Owen Daniels (BAL) at CIN - $5,200
5. Dwayne Allen (IND) at PIT - $5,200
6. Jordan Reed (WAS) at DAL - $4,500
7. Zach Ertz (PHI) at ARI - $4,600
8. Jimmy Graham (NO) vs. GB - $5,500
9. Jason Witten (DAL) vs. WAS - $3,800
10. Jordan Cameron (CLE) vs. OAK - $4,400
Notable Byes: Vernon Davis (SF), Larry Donnell (NYG)
Rob Gronkowski (NE) vs. CHI - $7,200
With Julius Thomas playing Thursday and Jimmy Graham banged up, Gronkowski is now atop my tight end rankings for the first time this year. Gronkowski has averaged 6.5 receptions and around 75 yards over the last three weeks. His touchdown numbers are down, but he remains the same constant red zone threat of the past. The Bears haven't done much right in terms of defense over the past two years and rank near the bottom in pass defense.
Owen Daniels (BAL) at CIN - $5,200
With Joe Flacco starting to air it out more in Baltimore, Daniels numbers are starting to come to climb. Since taking over for the injured Dennis Pitta, Daniels has been decently consistent, averaging 4.5 receptions and 45 yards. The numbers aren't anything eye-popping, but his arrow may be trending upward after a six-reception, 58-yard performance with a touchdown. The Ravens face the Bengals, who are dead last in the league in points against tight ends. I am calling Daniels a lock for a touchdown on Sunday.
Jimmy Graham (NO) at GB - $5,500
Placing Graham this week has become quite tough, as his health is still a major concern. He played last Sunday but mostly as a decoy, seeing only two targets and no catches. However, with a matchup looming against Green Bay, he becomes a very attractive option if at near full health. You will need to monitor his status and his shoulder through the week.
Kicker
1. Dan Bailey (DAL) vs. WAS- $4,100
2. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) vs. CHI - $4,100
3. Steven Hauschka (SEA) at CAR - $4,000
4. Mason Crosby (GB) at NO - $3,800
The Kicker selection will change week-to-week based on highest over/under total. In most cases, you will want to select the lowest priced kicker with the highest over/under. With Vegas lines being high across the board and Draftster tightening up kicker prices, the best options remain the most consistent kickers in the NFL.
Defense
1. Miami (at JAX) - $4,100
2. Cleveland (vs. OAK) - $4,000
3. Seattle (at CAR) - $4,000
4. Kansas City (vs. STL) - $3,800v
On the opposite end of the spectrum from kickers, defenses are selected based on the lowest over/under totals in a given week. The Miami/Jacksonville game comes in with the second lowest total of the week at 43. With the Dolphins defense putting up double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four weeks, they offer an elite option this week.
Last week's lineup:
QB: Cam Newton (15.30)
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw (22.80)
RB: Giovani Bernard (28.70)
WR: Alshon Jeffery (2.90)
WR: Golden Tate (34.40)
TE: Jason Witten (4.70)
FLEX: Lamar Miller (16.30)
K: Matt Bryant (1.00)
D: Buffalo (10.00)
TOTAL: 111 points
This is one of those weeks that I would prefer not to talk about. After two of my best weeks on Draftster, I followed it up with one of my worst. Newton never stood a chance and never got going with his legs, which is something I was banking on. Bernard and the Bengals got shutout and destroyed by the Colts. Jeffery remains a mystery to me, as Jay Cutler attempted 34 pass attempts, yet Jeffery only hauled in two receptions on seven targets. Witten, my value tight end, never got anything going. I had a few bright spots in Tate and Bradshaw, but the positives are greatly shadowed by the negatives. I hope to get back on track in Week 8, as I will once again be chasing qualifiers.
