Fridays are for Five Lists of Five here at DKNetwork, and it’s both Week 8 and National Tight Ends day! You know what that means: we’re going to try to fit at least one tight end per list, so long as I earnestly believe they belong there. (Sam LaPorta, you feel me?).
A reminder of the premise behind this specific series of lists: All I want is for you to be better than your friends. You’re going to be surrounded by them on Sunday, probably. How sweet would it be if you could be sure you’ve checked every box possible that might guarantee you a resounding victory this week? Some kick-your-feet-up insights? I’ve got some.
Again—I know my audience. The smoke-break audience. The quick-scan-of-the-phone-on-the-way-to-the-fridge audience. The give-me-as-much-info-as-possible-as-fast-as-possible audience. I’m a man of the people.
And so, once more: Five Lists of Five. Think of these as byte-sized, two-minutes-to-yourself lists to scan during your weekend as you foam at the mouth for any competitive fantasy edge. As much relevant analysis as I can fit into, like, 250 words per player.
Keeping things rolling this week with five buy-low trade targets.
Also available from my Week 8 Friday’s Five Lists of Five:
- Top five fantasy football smash starts for NFL Week 8
- Top five fantasy football players to stash for NFL Week 8
- Top five wide receivers due for fantasy football breakouts in Week 8
- Top five fantasy football streamers for NFL Week 8
Buy ’em
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
He just cleared concussion protocol, so the buy-low window may have closed a bit. But he’s still going to be fielding passes from
His average depth of target (aDOT) stands at 10.1 yards, which maximizes Olave’s elite separation ability; the farther he runs, the more separation he creates. To wit, his yards per route run (YPRR) this season is currently 2.14.
These advanced metrics, combined with a high percentage of team air yards (17.6%) and an impressive catch rate (79.3%), underscore his role as the Saints’ primary deep and reliable target. With the right quarterback support, he’s well-positioned to capitalize on these strengths even further
One of his standout metrics is his contested-catch rate: Olave has secured 62.5% of contested targets, a significant improvement from previous years (40% in 2023 and 33.3% in 2022).
I list all these advanced metrics because we’re likely to see proportional return on investment and positive regression once Derek Carr returns at quarterback. There might be a frustrated Olave owner out there. Go get him.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
Devin Singletary just isn’t going to do it season-long for the Giants. He hasn’t really done it yet for a single team in his career. Tyrone Tracy Jr. looks better, runs harder, and excited the fanbase more.
I really don’t think this is going to continue to be as much of a timeshare situation as it was in Week 7 against the Eagles, when Tracy only logged six carries for 23 yards and three catches for nine yards. Even then, with a bit more efficiency, it’s a serviceable FLEX day.
The Giants play the Steelers this week. Their run game is likely to get absolutely chewed alive by that defense. You don’t want to start Tracy this week, but you sure as heck might want to keep an eye on him if his current manager gets frustrated with a bad performance in Week 8.
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ah! The wide receiver Evan Engram! Brian Thomas Jr.’s emergence as the alpha receiver in this offense—at least thus far—has certainly bitten into Kirk’s production. But I think he’ll see more volume as this Jaguars passing offense continues to find its identity.
For the past two years, Kirk has been a fantastic second-half FLEX play in PPR leagues, and, unless Brian Thomas Jr. takes over the world in November, I’d like to get Kirk on the cheap so as to have him rostered when Trevor Lawrence starts feeding him again.
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
You’d think I’m writing up Harris today because it’s all about Russell Wilson. And maybe part of the reason Harris looked so good last week was because the Jets overcommitted to defending a pocket passer in the secondary.
But I can’t be the only one out there who feels like Najee is passing the eye test, right? With Russ under center, he looked a little Beastish, mode-wise, during a few runs on Sunday Night Football.
This is a real long-game swing of a play, seeing as Harris has largely been disappointing ever since he injured his foot prior to the 2022 regular season. But the Steelers—and Harris himself—sure looked inspired on Sunday night, didn’t they?
Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys
BYE weeks make us forget about players a bit, don’t they? And they make us all the more frustrated with them if the player went into their BYE on a game with poor production.
Enter Rico Dowdle, the new bellcow on this struggling Cowboys offense. The Cowboys aren’t going to finish the season under .500—not a chance. They’re not going to get back to their winning ways by leaning on Ezekiel Elliott, either.
He’s yet to truly have his breakout game. Dowdle’s run of 13+, 19+, and 10+ PPR FPTs have been quietly serviceable out of the flex slot, but not enough that managers may see him as an untradeable, untouchable asset yet.
Try to get him on the cheap before a big second half of the season.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $2.75M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st].
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is thegreatdansby9) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information
