Week 8 DFS Cheapskate Plays is here to spotlight a few budget-friendly players who can help you stretch your salary cap without sinking your lineup.
We’re not chasing the “studs”. If I don’t mention the slate’s most expensive QB, it’s not because I think he’s a bad play; it’s because you don’t need me to tell you they will score the most points. The real purpose here is to dig for value, the affordable (cheap) options that make it possible to fit those high-priced studs into your build.
Of course, these picks come with more risk, and they don’t have the same floor as the proven stars. But when they hit, the payoff is huge. DFS is ultimately a game of points per dollar: a $4K player scoring 20 points (5x value) actually outperforms an $8K player scoring 24 points (only 3x). That’s why we hunt for these gems. They give you a better return on investment, even if they whiff more often.
Player prices are referenced from DraftKings, but the concept applies across all major DFS platforms.
Week 8 Cheapskate Quarterback
Author’s Note: Both Kirk Cousins and Andy Dalton could be in play this week as near-min options
Caleb Williams $5,600, CHI at Ravens
Caleb Williams against the Ravens might be the definition of gutsy plays. But hear me out. Baltimore’s defense, once the stuff of nightmares, has quietly turned into a weekly shootout invitation. Through seven weeks, the Ravens have allowed over 37 points an astonishing four times. That’s exactly the type of defense we want to target.
Williams’ scoring has been down during Chicago’s four-game win streak. But with the potential return of Lamar Jackson, there is a high likelihood that Ben Johnson‘s offense will need to put up points. The Bears leaned into his mobility early, designing rollouts and RPOs that let him attack broken plays. That kind of creativity frustrates an aggressive (yet porous) defense like Baltimore’s, and if they return to that style, we could get a nice spike week.
Week 8 Cheapskate Running Back
Derrick Henry $6,000, BAL vs Bears
Stop me when I’ve sold you on Derrick Henry this week. The Ravens, facing the Bears’ bottom-third defense, are in a must-win game, with Lamar Jackson possibly returning, for just $6k. I had you at Bears, right? Unfortunately, Jackson still has that Q tag due to the hammy injury he picked up against the Chiefs. But what better way to take the pressure off an injured QB than to hand the rock off to Yeti-turned-NFL-player Derrick Henry? And if Lamar doesn’t play, essentially the same logic applies when hiding the backup.
Oh, Henry is coming off his highest usage game of the season with 24 carries (and 122 rushing yards) against a decent Rams defense. Fumbling issues (and a possible injury?) now seem to be a distant memory. Henry has seemingly always come on strong once the weather turns cold in past seasons, and Sunday morning will be in the 40s and cloudy. At $6,000, Henry is an extreme value this week.
Alvin Kamara $5,700, NO vs Buccaneers
What year is it?? Derrick Henry AND Alvin Kamara at these prices? Admittedly, Kamara has been underwhelming in 2025. However, Kendre Miller is now on injured reserve following a torn ACL. This means Kamara is no longer going to give up 7-10 touches a game to the formerly doghoused Miller. Rookie Devin Neal doesn’t appear to be in a position to steal too many carries, scoring precisely 1 more fantasy point than I have from my couch this season.
The issue with Kamara is touchdown equity, having just one rushing and one receiving touchdown on the season. Both of these occurred in the first two weeks, so in other words, he’s due. The upside of Tampa being a pass-funnel defense is that Kamara is a pass-catching back. Christian McCaffrey struggled to get the ground game going against them in Week 6, but was able to drop 24 fantasy points thanks to 7 catches for 57 yards. This might be a closer game than expected due to the lengthy list of injuries to the Buccaneers’ offense, so expect New Orleans to lean heavily on its two stars, Chris Olave and Kamara.
Week 8 Cheapskate Wide Receivers
Marvin Mims Jr. $3,900, DEN vs Cowboys
If you’re hunting for a low-cost tournament dart with nuclear upside, Marvin Mims might be your man this week. The Cowboys’ defense is still living off its reputation, but a reality check, they’ve allowed over 250 passing yards per game since Week 3 and have been getting cooked by speedy receivers. Enter Mims, the human fireworks display.
This kid was a touchdown machine at Oklahoma, finding the end zone 20 times in his three seasons, many of them from 40+ yards out. That explosiveness hasn’t gone away in the pros. We’ve already seen multiple spike games north of 20 fantasy points when Denver actually gets him involved. His yards per target remain elite, and when the Broncos remember he exists, good things tend to happen fast.
This week’s matchup against Dallas sets up perfectly for a deep threat like Mims. The Cowboys’ corners play aggressive man coverage, leaving room for one broken play to flip the slate. With Denver’s offense showing the upside in the fourth quarter last week, and Mims’ snap share quietly ticking upward, this is a bet on talent meeting opportunity.
Malik Washington $3,700, MIA at Falcons
Every slate has that one sneaky wideout ready to break it open, and this week, it’s Malik Washington. The Falcons have quietly become a defense to target through the air. They’ve allowed over 240 passing yards per game and rank in the bottom third of the league in opponent completion rate. They’ve struggled mightily against short-area receivers, the exact archetype that Washington embodies.
At Virginia, Washington was a reception magnet, piling up 110 catches for 1,426 yards and 9 touchdowns in his final college season, finishing top five nationally in receptions and YAC. He’s brought that same energy to Miami, carving out a defined role in one of the league’s fastest offenses. Over the past three weeks, he’s seen an uptick to nearly 7 targets per game, earning trust as the quick-game complement to Jaylen Waddle.
Against Atlanta’s soft-zone looks, Washington’s quickness and route precision give him easy separation underneath. This game has sneaky shootout potential, and Washington’s YAC ability makes him one missed tackle away from DFS gold.
Jaylin Noel $3,500, HOU vs 49ers
Jaylin Noel is starting to look like one of those names that tilt DFS slates. With Nico Collins nursing a hamstring injury, Houston has been forced to shuffle its target tree, and Noel has stepped right into the gap. He’s seen a noticeable uptick in involvement, earning seven targets last week while flashing the quickness and body control that made him such a reliable weapon at Iowa State.
College fans remember: Noel was a technician in the slot, catching 169 passes over three seasons and turning short throws into chain-moving gains. That same skill set has translated well to C.J. Stroud’s timing-based offense, which leans heavily on rhythm routes and spacing.
The 49ers’ defense remains tough, but their soft spots show up in the middle of the field where Fred Warner no longer roams. Stroud’s quick release and Noel’s acceleration could be the antidote to San Francisco’s pass rush.
Week 8 Cheapskate Tight End
Colston Loveland $3,000, CHI at Ravens
If you’re looking for a punt play at tight end with real juice, Colston Loveland checks every box. With Cole Kmet sidelined by a knee injury, the rookie will step into a much larger role. Loveland came out of Michigan with a reputation for being more receiver than tight end. He averaged nearly 15 yards per catch in college and was a mismatch nightmare in the seam, often bullying linebackers who dared to cover him one-on-one.
Baltimore’s defense has been leaky against tight ends this year, allowing multiple touchdowns and ranking in the bottom third in receptions surrendered to the position. You’re buying ascending usage, a plus athletic profile, and a game script that should keep Chicago throwing. For salary relief with a ceiling, Loveland is firmly in play.
Week 8 Cheapskate Defense
None…
Sometimes you have to call it like you see it. There really aren’t any paydown options that I can make an argument for as a decent play. We saw the Giants at $2,200 just beat Philly, but they only scored eight fantasy points while doing it. Maybe the Jets ($2,300) could put some pressure on Old Joe Flacco, but Aaron Glenn might be the worst coach in the NFL. Miami (also $2,200) has played hard, but that is an organization I expect to look very different next season. I could see the Dolphin players start to mail it in, like the O-line did after Tua Tagovailoa threw shade. My advice this week is to use some of the money you saved from the picks above and pay up.
For help filling out the rest of your lineup, check out the FSAN Rankings Page.
Check out Dan Mader and Chase Thornton‘s Week 8 Sit & Start & DFS Cocktail Hour video on the FSAN YouTube Channel on this week’s Operation Domination.