This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Each week, RotoWire will provide picks and values for FantasyDraft lineups. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of one quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, one tight end, two flex spots and one defense. The scoring is standard point-per-reception.
To roster some top-tier players in tournaments, you need some lower-priced sleeper options.
Here are our fantasy football value picks for Week 8 on FantasyDraft.
QUARTERBACK
Zach Mettenberger, $10,200 vs. HOU
Recency bias in fantasy sports is a huge thing; this will always cause people to stray from what they recently remember. For what Mettenberger's price and matchup are, the recency bias of him not playing well will help his value in tournaments as a lower owned option. Titans quarterbacks have been inconsistent this season, but there has been a trend. In the two games in which they struggled, it came against two very talented defenses in the Dolphins and Bills. In the three in which they were successful, it came against the lesser talented Colts, Browns and Bucs defenses. In Week 8, Mettenberger faces a Texans defense that has been woeful with the exception of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Houston has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, which gives Mettenberger a top-tier matchup for a low-tier price. In one start this season, the former LSU quarterback threw for 187 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions against the Falcons.
RUNNING BACK
Danny Woodhead, $10,200 vs. BAL
Woodhead continues to be underpriced for his production, and his ownership percentages continue to be low. The Chargers' running back has at least 12.1 FantasyDraft points in all but one game this season, which gives him one of the highest floors for any player, let alone a value running back. Woodhead's pass-catching abilities make him a play in cash games each and every week, and Week 8 is no exception. The Chargers face the Ravens, who have given up 37 catches for 352 yards to opposing running backs, which is among the most in the NFL. With the Chargers throwing more often than any team in the NFL, Woodhead has ample opportunity to catch passes, making him a top play this week in terms of value.
Darren McFadden, $8,700 vs. SEA
McFadden is the definition of a tournament play. He has high upside as a lead back, with Joseph Randle losing his job, but he also has a low floor against the Seahawks. His price makes him an attractive option in tournaments because he needs just over 15 fantasy points for good value, which he has had in each of the last two games. McFadden also holds value as the third down back for the Cowboys, as he has caught 11 passes in the last two games. While not usable in cash games, McFadden has upside and will be very low owned considering the matchup, but remember the Seahawks allowed two rushing touchdowns to Jonathan Stewart two weeks ago.
WIDE RECEIVER
Ted Ginn Jr., $6,600 vs. IND
Ginn has quietly been a value each week on FantasyDraft, scoring 13 fantasy points in four of his last five games. He is Cam Newton's top target in the receiving game after Greg Olsen, with 6.2 targets per game and he should see a variety of targets again in Week 8 against a Colts team that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. Ginn also has added value as a punt returner and out of the backfield on end-around plays. He is the ultimate cheap tournament play as well, being on of the faster deep threats in the league. At just $6,600, he makes for an excellent tournament combination if you have Cam Newton as a quarterback.
Stevie Johnson, $6,400 vs. BAL
With Antonio Gates likely out, Johnson is expected to see a larger role in the Chargers' passing attack. In five games this season, Johnson has at least three catches in each, and has four or more catches in four games. Johnson has five or more targets in each game this season as well, making him a safe option in a good matchup. Luckily this week comes against the Ravens, who have allowed 45.83 PPR points per game to opposing receivers, second most in the NFL.
TIGHT END
Crockett Gillmore, $6,000 vs. SD
Gillmore's price would indicate that he's a pure punt play at tight end, but his statistics have shown that he has value at the minimum price of $6,000 on FantasyDraft. Gillmore has played in five games this season and has at least six fantasy points in each of the last four, and has double-digit fantasy points in two of these games. In Week 8, Gillmore faces a Chargers team that has been very good through the air against wide receivers but not tight ends. Opposing tight ends are averaging over 12 PPR points per game against the Chargers, which would be more than worth the price of Gillmore's $6,000 salary. If you need a minimum-priced tight end, Gillmore is worth selecting.
DEFENSE
49ers, $4,000 vs. STL
The Niners defense has been awful this season. They are allowing almost 24 points per game, they have no defensive touchdowns, and they only have had double-digit fantasy points twice. They are also just $4,000 on FantasyDraft and have an excellent matchup against Nick Foles and the Rams offense. With a defense costing just $4,000, the rest of your lineup can be filled with players that average $12,000 in cap space. As a bonus, the 49ers matchup gives them upside that not many defenses have this week. The Rams have allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing defenses, including three double-digit games and at least a sack in every contest. Despite the Niners' troubles, they still get to the quarterback with 14 sacks in seven games. If you do not want to spend on defense, the Niners can provide salary relief for the rest of your lineups.
