NFL DFS Week 9 has arrived. We spotlight some core plays each week to help you build a winning weekly DFS lineup on Fanduel and DraftKings. In creating a successful lineup, we research and find positional values to see where you can save money and players with projected low ownership who can pay 2x-2.5x of their listed DFS salary.
You bank on getting a minimum of 20 points from the quarterback position. You can not miss this position. Expect to pay up at the tight-end position. You can save at other spots. A successful strategy can be the QB-TE stack. These core plays will give you a nucleus for your DFS build.
Perhaps most importantly, you don’t need me to tell you to use Josh Allen or Justin Jefferson in your Week 9 builds. These recommendations are designed to give you players we feel will be low-owned, value-priced, if possible, and a unique DFS build. We want a DFS lineup that is different from the masses and most likely made with an optimizer. Look for single or smaller slates to build your DFS bankroll. Expecting to hit the Sunday million jackpot regularly is not statistically sound.
DFS Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players we are heavily leaning on in this game. These players are in a good spot to have a solid performance in a favorable matchup.
Kirk Cousins ($6.4k DraftKings and $7.5k Fanduel)
Kirk Cousins is the overall QB12 this season and is in a great spot this week against the Cowboys defense ranked 21st versus the pass. The Falcons-Cowboys game has a slate-high 52-point implied game total, which sets up a potential back-and-forth game. Cousins is averaging 22.15 fantasy points in his last four games, which gives us a sneaky upside in DFS this week and potentially to be less owned.
De’Von Achane ($6.7 DraftKings and $7.8k Fanduel)
We went with Achane here for two reasons, the DFS upside goes without saying but the decent history versus the Bills is the big one. In week two he had his best game of the season against them scoring 22.5 fantasy points. In 2023, Achane scored 3 touchdowns in two games versus the Bills defense and benefits greatly from Tua Tagovailoa’s return. Buffalo also ranks just 29th in fantasy points allowed to the running back position, start De’Von Achane in week nine!
Keon Coleman ($5.8k DraftKings and $6k Fanduel)
We go back to the Bills-Dolphins game for our DFS wide receiver selection in week nine. Keon Coleman gives us both salary relief and upside. Since the arrival of Amari Cooper, Coleman is averaging 16.5 fantasy points, seven targets, and a touchdown across two genes. That, coupled with his salary makes him a good bet to hit 2x his DFS salary. The Bills-Dolphins come with an implied game total of 49.5, so we want DFS shares of this contest.
DFS Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side, here are a few of the players we recommend sitting in this one.
Trevor Lawrence ($5.6k DraftKings and $7.4k Fanduel)
Not much we like about Trevor Lawrence in week 9 with Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., and Travis Etienne all questionable. Lawrence will face an Eagles’ secondary allowing the eight fewest points to the quarterback position and ranked tenth versus the pass. With Lawrence having reached the 20-point fantasy mark just twice, we are sitting him in DFS this week.
Josh Jacobs ($6.9k DraftKings and $7.4k Fanduel)
Jacobs lines up versus the Detroit Lions who ranked second in fantasy points allowed to running backs and fifth versus the rush. On the road, the Lions are allowing only just 89.7 rushing yards per game. Jordan Love remains questionable for week 9 and was a DNP at Wednesday’s practice. With the potential that Malik Willis will be under center, it’s a downgrade to Green Bay skill position players in DFS this week.
Keenan Allen ($5.5k DraftKings and $6k Fanduel)
Keenan Allen is not the top option in the Bears passing offense, which some thought he might be. In his last five games, Allen is averaging 7.32 FanDuel fantasy points and has only surpassed 10 points once. Allen also has just 10 catches in his last three games and ranks as the overall WR76, making him a sit recommendation for us.
Total Apex Stud of the Week
CeeDee Lamb ($8.8k DraftKings and $9.1k Fanduel)
As stated above, CeeDee Lamb is in a game with the slate’s highest implied game total and has risen to the overall WR4 in PPR scoring. In his last four games, Lamb has averaged 19.4 points per game with three touchdowns. Atlanta ranks 20th in points allowed to the position and in the bottom half of the league versus the pass. In Atlanta’s last two games versus a true WR1, they yielded 4-99-1 to D.K. Metcalf and 6-78-1 to Diontae Johnson. We will pay up for CeeDee Lamb as our DFS lock for week 9.
Total Apex Dud of the Week
Zay Flowers ($7k DraftKings and $7.2k Fanduel)
Zay Flowers is a fade for us this week. He faces the Denver defense ranked first in points allowed to the position and fourth against the pass. With the arrival of Diotae Johnson, there is now some unknown as to how the target distribution will shake out in the Raven’s passing game. In the Broncos’ last three road games, they have allowed just 8.6 points per game making Flowers a DFS fade versus a stingy Denver defense.
Stack of the Week
Recommended Stacks: Kirk Cousins-Drake London/ Dak Prescott-CeeDee Lamb/ Matt Stafford-Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp
Additional Starts: Dak Prescott, Matt Stafford, D’Andre Swift, Chase Brown, Malik Nabors, Calvin Ridley, Cade Otton, Taysom Hill
Additional Sits: Kyler Murray, J.K. Dobbins, Nick Chubb, Tee Higgins, Tucker Kraft
Conclusion
Each week in DFS, your payline for FanDuel is approximately 125 points, which is 2x per player. For example, a player with a $4500 salary needs 9 points. DraftKings pay line is approximately 134 points, which is 2.5x per player. So, for a $4500 salary, that player would need 9.9 points. We also want a DFS lineup unique to the masses. You want players that are projected for low ownership.
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