Initial Thoughts: Week 8 Value Plays
Monday Night Football with the Ravens likely stomping the Jaguars is coming up, but with Baltimore favored by 10 let’s turn our attention to Week 8. It was another injury filled Sunday, with a lot of big names going down with injury. In addition, players like DeMarco Murray solidified their marks as high-upside value picks. Taking a look ahead to Week 8, here are my Initial Thoughts on NFL Week 8 Value Plays (using Week 7 prices).
Initial Thoughts: Week 8 Value Plays
Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles (FD: $5,800 and $7,000) – Ingram left the game after a 91 yard performance last night with a right heel injury. I’m no doctor, but it looked like an injury that could cost him a couple of games, as he couldn’t put any weight on his foot. If it does, you could make an argument for both Saints Running Backs in Week 8 vs. the porous St. Louis Rams defense that gave up 253 yards to DeMarco Murray. I still have my doubts about Darren Sproles being a consistent option in New Orleans, but you can’t deny his upside. If Ingram sits, Sproles would surely exceed his $7,000 price tag. Pierre Thomas totaled over 100 yards in the blowout to the Colts with 5 receptions, and would be in line for a sizable workload increase if Ingram sits.
Alfonso Smith and LaRod Stephens-Howling (FD: $4,700 and $4,500) – Beanie Wells is not doing much to silence those critical of his durability this season. After missing 1 game already, he’s again on the injury list after spraining his surgically-repaired knee on Sunday vs. the Steelers. Alfonso Smith and LSH would fill in based purely on the depth chart. Though neither possesses near the talent that Beanie Wells does, they are among the cheapest players available on all of FanDuel. The workload will have to go to someone if Beanie is out, and both had Touchdowns this week. I like LSH for his explosiveness, though Alfonso Smith would likely get more consistent touches.
Shaun Hill (FD: $6,000) – With Felix Jones going down last week, the next most fragile player in the NFL remaining was Matt Stafford. He didn’t wait an entire week to go down in the 4th quarter with knee and ankle injuries. Early reports are suggesting that Stafford could be fine, but keep Shaun Hill on your radar if not. Hill was a viable back-up all of 2010, averaging around 15 points per game and possessing 25 point upside.
Ryan Torain and Roy Helu (FD: $6,600 and $5,000) – Initial reports are that Tim Hightower has torn his ACL. Those burned by Ryan Torain the last two weeks are going to be reluctant to play him again this week vs. Buffalo, but with Hightower out, there’s not much to worry about here. Sure, it’s Shannahan and Helu (or maybe even Clinton Portis) could step in, get 30 carries and no one would be surprised. That said, Torain seems a safe bet with upside vs. Buffalo in Week 8.
Knowshon Moreno (DS: $5,502) – Lost in the Tebow comeback, was McGahee getting penalized for 15 yards and a fractured hand for a stiff arm he threw in Week 7. He was immediately in pain, and looks likely to be out several weeks. Moreno will not only step in, but will be a better fit with the spread offense the Broncos will surely turn to after watching game tape after week 7. Keep an eye on Lance Ball, but Moreno is the safe pick for Week 8.
Demaryius Thomas (FD: $4,500, DS: $4,197) – Tebow’s favorite target of the day seemed to be Demaryius Thomas. He had some bad drops, and Tebow missed him on a deep route, but he also had a TD. Not only is Demaryius Thomas the likely candidate to replace Brandon Lloyd, he might have more upside than Lloyd long-term. Keep a close eye on Lloyd in Week 8 vs. Detroit.
Week 9
Byes: Falcons, Bears, Packers, Jets, Raiders, Buccaneers
Michael Bush (FD: $6,100, DS: $6,238) – Though DMC hasn’t been ruled out yet, he did leave in the first quarter and never returned Sunday. Michael Bush entered this season as the top handcuff pick in season-long drafts, and with good reason. In McFadden’s absence, Bush racked up just shy of 100 yards, and would continue to produce in Week 9 if McFadden has to sit.
Cameron MacMillan
RotoGrinders.com Fantasy Content Manager