Fantasy: Week 8's top daily fantasy football value plays

Every Friday, theScore takes a comprehensive look at the best daily fantasy value plays. Values are based on DraftKings' DFS offering, in which players are given a $50,000 budget with which to build a nine-player team (1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB/WR/TE FLEX, 1 DST).

Quarterback

Tony Romo, DAL (vs. WAS, $7,400)

This is as close to a risk-free matchup as it gets for Romo, who should pick apart a Washington Redskins' defense that has labored for most of the season - and is now without keystone linebacker Brian Orakpo (pec). The Dallas Cowboys' reliance on the run is well-documented, but Romo will still look to have his way against a division rival on the Monday night stage. He's a better play in GPPs than in 50/50s - let's face it, we're still talking about Tony Romo here - but if you're looking for a lower-cost QB with high upside, here's your guy.

Others to consider: Drew Brees, NO (vs. GB, $8,100), Tom Brady, NE (vs. CHI, $7,200), Ryan Tannehill, MIA (@ JAX, $6,700)

Running Back

Jerick McKinnon, MIN (@ TB, $4,900)

You probably won't see McKinnon this cheap for the rest of the season - and there's a good reason why. The electrifying Minnesota Vikings running back has wrested the starting role away from Matt Asiata, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and showing impressive pass-catching skills to augment his sensational ground game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were gashed for 309 rushing yards in games against the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens - and McKinnon is more talented than any back on either team. Ride him in all formats.

Others to consider: Jamaal Charles, KC (vs. STL, $6,700), Andre Ellington, ARI (vs. PHI, $6,600), Joique Bell, DET (vs. ATL in London, $4,800), Bryce Brown, BUF (@ NYJ, $3,400)

Wide Receiver

Andre Johnson, HOU (@ TEN, $5,300)

There's nothing sexy about Johnson, but that's what makes him such a sneaky GPP play - especially this week. Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick bemoaned not getting Johnson more targets in Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, so expect him to try and rectify that this weekend. The Titans are in the bottom third of the league in passing yards allowed, and will be starting rookie QB Zach Mettenberger on Sunday; if he struggles, Tennessee will have problems controlling the clock, and Johnson should benefit.

Others to consider: Dez Bryant, DAL (vs. WAS, $6,900), Mike Wallace, MIA (@ JAC, $5,800), Jeremy Maclin, PHI (@ ARI, $5,500), Julian Edelman, NE (vs. CHI, $4,600), Greg Jennings, MIN (@ TB, $4,000)

Tight End

Greg Olsen, CAR (vs. SEA, $5,500)

Say this for Olsen: all he does is catch passes. The surprise No. 1 tight end in PPR scoring has at least five receptions in all but one game so far this season, and has established himself as quarterback Cam Newton's favorite - and maybe only - safety valve. The Seattle Seahawks' pass defense as a whole has been underwhelming, and they've been especially generous to tight ends - ranked 30th in fantasy points allowed to the position. Olsen is cheaper than four other tight ends this week; snap him up in all formats.

Others to consider: Owen Daniels, BAL (@ CIN, $4,100), Jordan Reed, WAS (@ DAL, $4,000), Jordan Cameron, CLE (vs. OAK, $3,700).

RB/WR/TE Flex

Andre Ellington, ARI (vs. PHI, $6,600)

Players like Ellington are DFS gold. The talented running back has averaged better than 132 total yards over his last three games, and gets a tasty matchup Sunday against a visiting Philadelphia Eagles team allowing better than four yards per carry. Ellington has been limited in practice this week - no doubt the result of getting a whopping 30 touches in Oakland on Sunday - but with the Eagles and Arizona Cardinals expected to get into a slugfest at University of Phoenix Stadium, he's a DraftKings must-start.

Others to consider: Le'Veon Bell, PIT (vs. IND, $6,300), Lamar Miller, MIA (@ JAC, $6,000), LeSean McCoy, PHI (@ ARI, $5,800), Sammy Watkins, BUF (@ NYJ, $5,700), Terrence Williams, DAL (vs. WAS, $4,700)

D/ST

Cowboys (vs. WAS, $3,000)

Nothing against Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy, but he has a tall task ahead of him. Not only is he slated to face a stunningly effective Cowboys defense, he has to do so at hostile AT&T Stadium with a national television audience watching. The Cowboys are limiting opposing QBs to a modest 230 passing yards per game - and with Romo, DeMarco Murray and the rest of the Dallas offense expected to control the pace, the defense should stay fresh enough to cause problems for the Redskins' offense all night long.

Others to consider: Lions (vs. ATL in London, $3,400), Ravens (@ CIN, $3,200), Chiefs (vs. STL, $2,800).