The Chiefs return to the DraftKings main slate, while the Rams and Aaron Rodgers get to take turns in Los Angeles. Those are just two monster tilts that weigh heavily on deciding NFL DFS GPP lineup construction in Week 8, and you can bet several players from those teams have high projected ownership percentages in Week 8.
This weekly missive dissects themes affecting DraftKings ownership in GPPs/tournaments. We'll reference UFCollective projections and predict chalk and contrarian plays.
Week 8 Rankings:
Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker
NFL Week 8 DFS Ownership: Quarterback
Pat Mahomes ($7,000) makes his triumphant return to the Sunday featured slate and draws the highest ownership projection at UFCollective. ... Jameis Winston ($6,000) could contend for the top chalk QB play as the cheaper alternative, since Bucs QBs combined have scored on par with Mahomes and rewarded people at lower cost.
With the Lions coming off a run-heavy Week 7, Matthew Stafford ($5,600) should go low-owned even at his lowest price of the season. This comes at an interesting time since he's home at the dome during his most efficient stretch of performance this season, averaging more than nine yards per throw over his past three games.
WEEK 8 DFS CASH LINEUPS: Yahoo | FanDuel | DraftKings
NFL Week 8 DFS Ownership: Running Back
Todd Gurley ($9,800) smashes at close to $10K every week and thus will continue at crazy-high roster rate. ...Kareem Hunt ($7,100) tore it up on Sunday night football and could join Gurley at upwards past 25 percent owned. ... On the other side of that Broncos-Chiefs tilt, Phillip Lindsay ($5,200) could surge well into double-digit roster rate with Royce Freeman ruled out.
It will be interesting to see if Raheem Mostert ($3,800) sees a similar surge to Lindsay if Matt Breida ends up being ruled out, though his situation typically needs to be monitored into Sunday. ... Nick Chubb ($4,700) saw 20 combined runs and targets last week but projected negative game script could swing him from chalk in Week 7 to contrarian in Week 8.
WEEK 8 DFS GPP LINEUPS: Yahoo | FanDuel | DraftKings
NFL Week 8 DFS Ownership: Wide Receiver
UFCollective tabs A.J. Green ($8,000) as a favorite for top chalk play receiver this week. A matchup with the Bucs pass defense will do that. ... Robert Woods ($6,800) saw a nice market share as the Rams stormed into major positive game script. The receiving volume disappointed as a result, but DKers will likely come back.
Brandin Cooks ($6,900) likely goes far lower owned than chalky teammates Gurley and Woods, but Cooks could still go medium-owned in a great spot. ... Carolina allows top 10 yards-per-pass figures for both the season and the past three games. However, after a strong Week 7 finish the Panthers could steer John Brown ($5,900), Michael Crabtree ($4,800), and Willie Snead ($4,200) contrarian.
MORE WEEK 8 DFS: Values | Stacks | Lineup builder
NFL Week 8 DFS Ownership: Tight End
Travis Kelce ($6,800) shapes up as obvious tight end chalk with his well-known history of ripping Broncos defense. ... David Njoku ($4,600) should go at least medium owned after hitting a low price yet again last week, and we continue to secure that floor in DK cash lineups.
Jimmy Graham ($4,700) could offer contrarian exposure with high upside in that Packers-Rams projected barn burner and makes for an interesting swing in GPPs. ... C.J. Uzomah ($3,500) could end up relatively low owned for a starting TE facing the Bucs.