This article is part of our DFS NFL series.
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Pick8 requires you to select who you think the BEST POSSIBLE player/team would be in a given week with NO salary restrictions, based on the following categories:
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QB PASSING YARDS
Patrick Mahomes, KC at DET
This category keeps crystallizing to the point where you can eliminate a lot of players, and it definitely rivals defense in terms of probability. I think you have to fire up at least one tile with Mahomes on a weekly basis, especially when the matchup is favorable. This game has a 6.5 point spread and one of the highest O/U totals on the slate (53.5). Russell Wilson blitzed everyone in this category last week, but Mahomes came in a solid third with 374 yards.
Russell Wilson, SEA at ARI
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Wilson has a favorable matchup against the Cardinals, who rank 25th against the pass through the first three weeks. The Seahawks seem to have found their groove on offense, and I suspect Kyler Murray will do his best to keep things close, especially in the fourth quarter where he seems to re-animate his supporting cast. I don't think we will see another 460-yard performance, but Wilson is a solid pick to target.
QB PASSES COMPLETED
Case Keenum, WAS at NYG
Coach Jay Gruden has expressed confidence in Keenum despite the 0-3 start, so I don't think we will see Dwayne Haskins in the immediate future. The Giants are one of a few teams the Redskins have a chance of beating, and in order to succeed, Washington will need to do it through the air. Their running game isn't much to speak of, and they have an impressive stable of wideouts, led by surprising rookie Terry McLaurin. The addition of Daniel Jones into the mix invigorates the Giants offense, and I think both QBs will turn this game into a shootout, especially with Saquon Barkley excluded from the equation.
Matt Ryan, ATL vs. TEN
The Falcons are another team that needs to rely on the pass, and I like the four-point spread in this matchup against an up-and-down Tennessee squad. Ryan has been at the top of the charts in this category consistently, and he leads the field with 89 completions through three weeks. He ranks fourth in completion percentage as well, which is another important category to consider, although it is less reliable and needs to be weighed next to passing frequency.
RB RUSHING YARDS
Christian McCaffrey, CAR at HOU
As expected, McCaffrey took this category with ease last week. While Kyle Allen will be more comfortable under center this week and the Texans are a slightly stronger challenge on the ground, McCaffrey's hard to bet against. His snap count is astronomically high, and based on offensive touches alone, he's arguably the best option on a weekly basis.
Ezekiel Elliott, DAL at NO
The Saints currently yield an average of 140 rushing yards per game, which puts Elliott near the top of our projections. Dak Prescott has been lights-out in a new offensive scheme, but the Cowboys have no issue with shoving Elliott into the spotlight. He should carry the rock 18-20 times Sunday as Dallas attempts to wear down the Saints defense, who should be on the field with a lot more frequency in Drew Brees' absence.
RB RECEIVING YARDS
Chris Thompson, WAS at NYG
If I'm going with Keenum above, I should put my money where my mouth is. While Austin Ekeler and Alvin Kamara are still the solid guys at this position, and I like both of them again this week, Thompson could be a sneaky play against the Giants. He's actually ahead of Kamara in this category, with 195 receiving yards over the first three games, and as I stated above, Thompson will be a key factor in propping up Keenum's completion totals.
Austin Ekeler, LAC at MIA
How can you exclude Ekeler against the Dolphins? He'll definitely find a place in my selections, as he's far and away the leader in this category with 20 catches and 208 yards. Miami is pitiful against the run and the pass, and if it weren't for Justin Jackson, I'd probably put Ekeler in the rushing category as well.
WR RECEIVING YARDS
This is far and away the most difficult category, as you have WRs and TEs to deal with, leaving you with around 80 guys who could explode. Don't be too hard on yourself here – it's really a crapshoot to nail this one, and I'd almost always link it with another flier like a field goal kicker.
Julio Jones, ATL vs. TEN
Refer to Ryan above. Jones should be a key component and a prime target for Ryan against the Titans. Tennessee has been stingy against the pass, but Jones can tend to be matchup-proof. He's not at the top in this category, but he's caught 30 passes for 265 yards so far. Keenan Allen is far and away the leader in this category, but he doesn't set up well against the Dolphins in a blowout situation.
Darren Waller, OAK at IND
It's a risk to be sure, but Waller is Carr's favorite target so far, and the Colts aren't so great against the pass. He's way down the list in this category but came in fourth last week. I'm not doing somersaults about this pick, but as I said, it's extremely difficult to nail this spot.
WR RECEPTIONS
Cooper Kupp, LAR vs. TB
Cupp comes in fifth in this category, and I couldn't believe he wasn't leading this list. It seems like every short pass from Jared Goff ends up in Kupp's hands. He came in third in this category last week, and while I like Waller to repeat as well, I think Cupp has an opportunity to surpass everyone this week in a game that should be one of the Rams' most difficult tests to date.
Nelson Agholor, PHI at GB
I've always been a fan of the former USC Trojan, and he seems to finally be a focal point of this offense. The weather in Lambeau can be tricky, but Carson Wentz needs to extend beyond the security blanket of Zach Ertz and Miles Sanders to make an impact in this game. Wentz will need to find Agholor out in space and he's an interesting pick with Alshon Jeffery not quite 100 percent.
FIELD GOALS
Greg Zuerlein, LAR vs. TB
The weather will be agreeable in LA as it usually is, and Goff has had issues converting in the red zone. Zuerlein sets up well as a result. It's another one of those categories that can be tough to pinpoint, but your probability is higher with a limited scope of viable options.
Matt Prater, DET vs. KC
It's a bit of a dart throw but this matchup should yield a lot of points, and Matthew Stafford has struggled a bit inside the red zone so far this season. It's an indoor venue so weather will not be a factor. You could just as easily fire up Harrison Butker in this game, but I think Mahomes will get it in the end zone more often than Stafford.
DEFENSE
Chargers at MIA
The path of least resistance in survivor pools this year is 'whoever Miami is playing' and the same is likely true for the Defense category.The Dolphins did enough last week to take them out of the lowest spot, which belonged to the Patriots, but it's still the highest-percentage play you can make.
Patriots at BUF
This spot is a little tricky, but I'd be surprised if Josh Allen and Company put up a lot of points against New England this week. The game sports one of the Lowest O/Us on the slate (42.5), and it should be mostly a defensive battle. The Pats easily have the more potent offense, and they lead the league in points allowed.
