As of October 29, 2026. Salaries, injuries, and depth charts refreshed today. Salaries and matchup data can still move before lock, injury news and line moves aren’t reflected here until the next update.
Here’s the value board for Week 8, pulled straight from this week’s salaries, no hand-picked “sleepers,” just the players whose points-per-salary clears the bar for their price.
This week’s top value plays
Tampa Bay DST, $2,900, 11.3 projected (3.89 per $1k) The top number on the board at any position. DK’s own FPPG for the unit is 8.9, so this model runs about 27% above it. The sources split on this one, so it’s a read, not a settled number.
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, NYJ, $4,800, 18.1 projected (3.78 per $1k) The best raw value among skill players. He’s the WR2 on the depth chart, and DK’s own number (18.3) lands almost exactly on top of this model’s, which is rare for a name this high on the board.
Tennessee DST, $2,100, 7.9 projected (3.75 per $1k) The cheapest defense that clears the bar, with a 1.05x matchup number behind it. Another split among the sources.
Derrick Henry, RB, BAL, $7,200, 25.8 projected (3.58 per $1k) DK’s FPPG has him at 18.5, so the gap runs wide in this model’s favor. His week is tied to Lamar Jackson, who carries a Questionable tag. Check that status before lock.
Puka Nacua, WR, LAR, $8,600, 30.3 projected (3.52 per $1k) The highest raw projection on the whole board. The sources agree he’s a top name but split on the raw points (DK’s FPPG is 23.9).
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE, $5,600, 19.5 projected (3.48 per $1k) The widest gap against DK’s number among the top names: 19.5 projected against 12.6, about 54% higher. The sources agree on his tier but disagree on the raw points.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, JAX, $6,200, 21.4 projected (3.46 per $1k) Close agreement with DK’s FPPG (20.7). The sources split on how many points he’s worth.
Kirk Cousins, QB, LV, $5,500, 18.6 projected (3.38 per $1k) DK’s own number (20.4) runs higher than this model’s, so the gap runs the other direction here.
Worth knowing: quarterbacks fill the middle of the board
The next six spots by value are all quarterbacks, packed between 3.26 and 3.38 per $1k: Malik Willis ($4,900), Aaron Rodgers ($5,100), Matthew Stafford ($6,400), Josh Allen ($7,700), Drake Maye ($6,500) and Joe Burrow ($7,000). The value number can’t separate them, so the choice comes down to price tier and game environment. Allen, Maye and Burrow all came back as bullish names on this week’s consensus check. Willis, Rodgers and Stafford did not.
FAQ
Why isn’t every high-value name on this board a pick?
Because value only measures points against salary, it doesn’t know whether a player’s current role actually supports getting those points. This week’s board is checked against team-reported depth-chart data before any name above gets called a starter, and a confirmed backup doesn’t make this list no matter how the raw number looks.
Does an injury designation change the numbers?
Yes. A Questionable, Doubtful, or Out status pulls a player’s projection down in this site’s model, and an Out or Doubtful designation excludes a player from this board outright regardless of ranking basis. Any remaining designation is shown as a plain label so you can weigh it yourself.
Why do some players show such a large gap against DK’s own FPPG?
DK’s FPPG is a simple recent-average number with its own limitations. It can lag a role change, overweight one big or one bad recent game, or use a shorter window than this site’s model. Neither number is automatically right, a large gap is a signal worth investigating, not an error to explain away.
When does this get updated before kickoff?
Whenever a salary, projection, or depth-chart change is significant enough to matter. A note at the top of the post marks any update after publication; no note means the numbers above are current as of publication.
For the full ranked board, not just the top picks, plus this week’s player pool by position and tier, that’s happening in the community. Last week’s read: Week 7 Value Plays.