DraftKings' Arena Football League (AFL) contests are back in Week 8 with a full three-game slate. RotoWire will be providing lineup suggestions for each of the 13 weeks of the AFL regular season, the two weeks of the playoffs and the ArenaBowl.
DraftKings AFL lineups consist of one Captain spot, which sees the player's salary and fantasy points both multiply at a rate of 1.5x, and five Flex positions. The lack of positional specifications means that one could potentially compose a lineup consisting of players from just one position. However, for our purposes, we'll strive to highlight players from at least the top two fantasy-producing positions, quarterback and wide receiver.
Note: Please keep in mind that these are merely recommendations on certain players and are not intended to constitute a lineup that fits under DraftKings' $50,000 salary cap. In fact, the cumulative salary of the players suggested weekly will often check in well over that figure.
For a full overview of the basics of playing AFL DFS contests on DraftKings, review our DFS 101 primer here: https://www.rotowire.com/arena/article.php?id=45291
Week 8 AFL Plays
Captain: Arvell Nelson, QB, WAS vs. ALB ($15,900):
Another week and another Captain's slot recommendation for Nelson, who's displayed tremendous upside throughout the first seven weeks of the season. The veteran continues to do damage through both the ground and air, with the most recent example coming in Week 7 against the Soul. Nelson tallied six passing touchdowns and added a score on the ground, giving him
DraftKings' Arena Football League (AFL) contests are back in Week 8 with a full three-game slate. RotoWire will be providing lineup suggestions for each of the 13 weeks of the AFL regular season, the two weeks of the playoffs and the ArenaBowl.
DraftKings AFL lineups consist of one Captain spot, which sees the player's salary and fantasy points both multiply at a rate of 1.5x, and five Flex positions. The lack of positional specifications means that one could potentially compose a lineup consisting of players from just one position. However, for our purposes, we'll strive to highlight players from at least the top two fantasy-producing positions, quarterback and wide receiver.
Note: Please keep in mind that these are merely recommendations on certain players and are not intended to constitute a lineup that fits under DraftKings' $50,000 salary cap. In fact, the cumulative salary of the players suggested weekly will often check in well over that figure.
For a full overview of the basics of playing AFL DFS contests on DraftKings, review our DFS 101 primer here: https://www.rotowire.com/arena/article.php?id=45291
Week 8 AFL Plays
Captain: Arvell Nelson, QB, WAS vs. ALB ($15,900):
Another week and another Captain's slot recommendation for Nelson, who's displayed tremendous upside throughout the first seven weeks of the season. The veteran continues to do damage through both the ground and air, with the most recent example coming in Week 7 against the Soul. Nelson tallied six passing touchdowns and added a score on the ground, giving him seven total trips to the end zone in three of the past four games. One of those outings came against the same Empire squad he'll face Saturday, with Nelson cutting through them for 41.1 fantasy points (standard scoring) on the strength of a 240-yard passing performance in Week 6. Albany checks in last in total defense with 256.1 yards allowed per game, a figure that includes the most passing yards per game surrendered (249.0). They've also allowed the second-most rushing yards (81) on the campaign, a relevant number to consider when evaluating Nelson. Given that game script should also work in his favor, I see Nelson as the top candidate for the Captain's position again in Week 8.
Flex: Tommy Grady, QB, ALB at WAS ($10,000):
Nelson's opposite number isn't a bad option in his own right Saturday night. Grady boasts a 12:2 TD:INT over two prior meetings versus the Valor this season, along with an average of 247.5 passing yards per contest. The prolific gunslinger has made a minimum of six passing touchdowns the norm recently, hitting or exceeding the mark in four of his last five games. The Valor have already facilitated excellent fantasy production for him this season (average of 33.9 fantasy points over two games) and should once again pave the way for him Saturday. Washington continues to struggle defending the pass, allowing the most passing touchdowns (36), second-highest passer efficiency rating (117.5) and tying for the highest average yards per attempt (8.1) surrendered. Given that the game will likely be a wire-to-wire battle, Grady lines up for yet another return worthy of the five-figure investment.
Flex: Joe Hills, WR, BAL at CLB ($8,400):
Hills exploded for a 13-134-4 line against the Empire in Week 7, leading to a massive haul of 53.7 fantasy points at a salary of $7,800. The $600 boost in price this week is justifiable and possibly not enough, considering Hills will have a crack at the vulnerable Destroyers secondary in Week 8. Columbus' poor pass defense metrics include allowing the most passing yards (1,696) and highest passer efficiency rating (117.8), and the Destroyers have also snagged the fewest interceptions in the league (three). Additionally, they've yielded the second-most completions (148)) and highest completion percentage (65.5), and Hills already generated a solid 6-93-1 line (21.3 fantasy points) against them in Week 3. Given his explosive effort against Albany, it's likely a safe bet that quarterback Shane Boyd looks his way again plenty in Week 8.
Flex: Randy Hippeard, QB, AC at PHL ($8,200):
Hippeard hasn't consistently generated the same statistical fireworks as some of his fellow quarterbacks, but he's been offering solid value and is coming off a season-best effort in Week 7. Hippeard racked up 289 yards and six touchdowns versus the Destroyers while adding a seventh score on the ground, leading to 43.86 fantasy points. Hippeard also had a trio of four-touchdown efforts leading into that contest, and he boasts an impressive 28:5 TD:INT for the campaign. It's also worth noting the Soul allowed six total touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) to Hippeard in Week 1, and Philadelphia comes in allowing the second-most passing touchdowns (34) and third-highest passer efficiency rating (111.6). With just a $600 boost in salary over last week and an attractive matchup, Hippeard makes for a rock-solid mid-tier play at quarterback that can also be paired with his top wideout Lamark Brown ($7,800).
Flex: Shane Boyd, QB, BAL at CLB ($7,200):
Boyd is yet another potential bargain at the quarterback position in Week 8. The veteran's price has actually dropped $200 over last week despite a 261-yard, six-touchdown effort against the Empire that netted 32.44 fantasy points. Boyd had a couple of quiet games prior to that contest, which has kept his price modest overall. However, he touched up the vulnerable Destroyers defense for a season-high 287 yards and five touchdowns back in Week 3, leading to a season-best 37.18 fantasy points. Given Columbus' numerous vulnerabilities defending the pass already detailed in Hills' entry, Boyd has the potential to check in as one of the best fantasy-point-per-dollar values of the week.
Flex: BJ Bunn, WR, PHL vs. AC ($5,400):
Bunn is our bargain-bin suggestion this week, as the young wideout has shown a knack for the end zone over the last pair of contests. Bunn tallied two touchdowns apiece in Weeks 6 and 7, leading to fantasy-point totals of 26.4 and 18.5, respectively. The Blackjacks have been a tough defense in terms of average passing yards allowed per game (league-low 198.9), but they've also yielded the most completions (150). Bunn certainly appears to have the trust of veteran signal caller Dan Raudabaugh, particularly near the goal line, which could allow him to offer a strong return on his modest price.
