This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
With six teams on bye, the routes to success are less than they've been at any point this season. To help in the matter, only one of those bye teams has a bad defense and the Titans still aren't among the worst. That means Week 8 has a lot of favorable matchups even if there aren't as many games. Exploiting bad matchups is your No. 1 goal in daily fantasy and that's where I went with my quarterback.
QUARTERBACK
Cam Newton, CAR at TB ($11,500): There is a multitude of cheaper quarterbacks that I like this week and Newton stands out. While he struggled last week, Newton had reached at least 23 fantasy points in his previous three games. He's also averaging almost nine carries per game in his last four, which keeps his floor high. The Bucs were gashed by Tyrod Taylor and Carson Palmer the last two weeks, so there's no reason to think Newton can't have another huge outing.
RUNNING BACK
Melvin Gordon, LAC at NE ($14,100): I had Ezekiel Elliott ($16,800) in this spot, but figured saving some money on Gordon would be a better idea. The main reason Gordon's price is lower is that he struggled against the Broncos last week. The Patriots defense is not at the same level as the Broncos. In his two games prior to Denver, Gordon totaled 45 carries, 15 receptions and four touchdowns. New England's defense looked better last week, but stopping Gordon may not be in the cards, especially with 20 touches at a minimum for him. It also helps that Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower is out for the season.
Mark Ingram, NO vs. CHI ($13,000): Once again, I could've gone with a more expensive running back line LeSean McCoy ($15,400), but Ingram is on the same level, yet much cheaper. Since Adrian Peterson moved on, Ingram has 47 carries and nine receptions in two games. With the Saints likely to have a lead against an offense-deficient Bears team, expect more opportunities for Ingram to rack up touches and touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVER
A.J. Green, CIN vs. IND ($15,800): This is as easy at it comes after the Colts just gave up 300-plus yards to Blake Bortles. Coming off a tough matchup and only three receptions, Green is going to have one of those games in which he gets 10-15 targets as Andy Dalton force feeds him. No one in the Colts secondary is having a good season and that includes Vontae Davis. The loss of safety Malik Hooker should also prove fruitful for Green if he decides to go deep. I don't want to guarantee 100 yards and a touchdown for Green, but… maybe I will.
Kelvin Benjamin, CAR at TB ($11,300): There were a lot of routes I could go here, but figured going against the worst pass defense (according to Football Outsiders' DVOA) was the best idea, especially combined with Newton. Benjamin has been out-targeted by Devin Funchess, but there's no arguing his production with at least 13 fantasy points in four of the last six games. With this game expected to have a decent amount of points (over/under 46 and rising), look for Benjamin to have his best performance of the young season.
TIGHT END
Jack Doyle, IND at CIN ($7,500): Picking a tight end is all about finding a guy that will get targets and that's exactly what Doyle brings. Since Jacoby Brissett took over, Doyle is averaging close to eight targets per game. While the production hasn't exactly been there, that's good enough for a cheap tight end. Doyle should be set for about five catches and 50 yards once again.
FLEX
Devonta Freeman, ATL at NYJ ($12,900): One of these weeks, I'm going to hit on Freeman when he has one of his three-touchdown games. His usage has been troubling in recent weeks with just 21 carries in the last two games, despite averaging more than 6.5 yards per carry. At some point, Steve Sarkisian will correlate winning with running the ball more and a matchup with the Jets could do just that. If not, Freeman still should be good for at least 10 fantasy points, and that's his floor.
Josh Doctson, WAS vs. DAL ($7,400): This is my cheap play of the week. Doctson hasn't been a fantasy star by any means, but he played most of the snaps last week and took Terrelle Pryor's spot in the starting lineup. In an easier matchup against the Cowboys, look for Doctson to have his best game of the season. It helps that he's still getting priced as a guy that rarely plays. Theo Riddick ($8,000) was up for consideration because I think he'll be used a lot more with Golden Tate possibly out. And if you have the money, I'd probably grab Jordan Reed ($8,300) or Hunter Henry ($8,000) above Doctson to play it safe.
DEFENSE
Pittsburgh Steelers at DET ($5,600): Speaking of Golden Tate being out, the Lions are in trouble yet again. With injuries piling up at receiver and the offensive line, this isn't the defense they want to face. The Steelers have at least two sacks in every game and the Lions have allowed 17 in their last three -- and a bye week probably won't help that aspect. At a nice price, I couldn't pass up on Pittsburgh.
