This piece is part of our article program, featuring quality content from experts exclusively at FantasyPros. For more insight from Geoff, head over to GoingFor2.com.
The Week 9 slate might be one of the worst slates I’ve played in a very long time, and I’ve been playing since 2015. There are four teams on byes, and three of the four take a ton of fantasy options with them — the 49ers, Lions and Jags being the three, with the Broncos being the fourth. The Dolphins and Chiefs play in Germany this week and aren’t on the main slate, and finally, the Bills and Bengals play Sunday night.
If DraftKings (DK) would let me, I’d just play all the players in the Cowboys/Eagles game, but since they won’t allow that, we have to find some value elsewhere…
This piece is part of our article program, featuring quality content from experts exclusively at FantasyPros. For more insight from Geoff, head over to GoingFor2.com.
The Week 9 slate might be one of the worst slates I’ve played in a very long time, and I’ve been playing since 2015. There are four teams on byes, and three of the four take a ton of fantasy options with them — the 49ers, Lions and Jags being the three, with the Broncos being the fourth. The Dolphins and Chiefs play in Germany this week and aren’t on the main slate, and finally, the Bills and Bengals play Sunday night.
If DraftKings (DK) would let me, I’d just play all the players in the Cowboys/Eagles game, but since they won’t allow that, we have to find some value elsewhere…
NFL DFS Value Picks to Target
Quarterback
DraftKings
Taylor Heinicke (ATL) vs. MIN $5,000
There are a ton of backup quarterbacks getting starts this week for various reasons, but the only one I’m interested in is Heinicke. The Vikings are in the bottom half of the league in points allowed to quarterbacks, and Heinicke is a bit of a gunslinger who’s not afraid to throw 5050 balls up to his receivers — something Desmond Ridder was hesitant to do. At $5,000, Heinicke should easily pay off his salary in cash. I just don’t know if he has the upside for tournaments.
Others to consider: Baker Mayfield (TB) $5,200
Fanduel
Baker Mayfield (TB) @ HOU $6,800
The Texans are 24th in pass defense-adjust value over average (DVOA) and give up the 11th most points to quarterbacks on the season. Baker hasn’t been special by any means, but he’s been serviceable in daily fantasy sports (DFS). He’s coming off one of his better outings of the season, throwing two TDs and no interceptions, and he has three games this season with six-plus carries. It’s not pretty, but there aren’t a lot of pretty things on this rough slate — maybe the worst slate of the season.
Others to consider: Daniel Jones (NYG) $7,000
Running Back
DraftKings
Chuba Hubbard (CAR) vs. IND $5,000
Miles Sanders, who? That’s what the Panthers were saying last week. Sanders, by all accounts, was fully healthy and was barely involved in the offense. With 15 carries and two targets, Chuba is the clear lead back, and while he didn’t do much with it last week, he gets the Colts, who are ranked 21st in rush DVOA this week. You’re going to be hard-pressed to find surefire good value this week, so guys like Hubbard are going to be higher-owned than they should be.
Others to consider: Darrell Henderson (LAR) $5,100
Fanduel
Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) vs. WAS $6,200
Ugh. This slate is ugly. It’s really hard to find anything I like in the value range at most positions. Stevenson is no exception. The Commanders are slightly below league average in rush DVOA, and with a lot of the passing weapons for the Patriots out this week, including their top receiver Kendrick Bourne, Stevenson could be used in the pass game more.
Others to consider: Darrell Henderson (LAR) $6,100
Wide Receiver
DraftKings
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) @ LV $3,500
Quarterback Daniel Jones has been cleared to play this week. Using that bit of news as a good thing for Robinson tells you all you need to know about this slate. Robinson had been seeing five to eight targets a game until both Tyrod Taylor and Jones were out. Now, with Jones back in a great matchup with the Raiders, Robinson’s price tag is just too cheap to overlook. I’d expect him to go right back to getting five-plus targets in this game, and a few more weeks removed from his ACL injury could lead to some big plays.
Others to consider: Demario Douglas (NE) $4,000 | Rashid Shaheed (NO) $4,500
Fanduel
Tank Dell (HOU) vs. TB $5,800
I was all-in on CJ Stroud and this offense last week, but I was severely disappointed in their output. However, I’m going right back to the well on this ugly slate with Tank Dell. The Bucs are one of the better run defenses in the league, and Houston can’t run the ball to save their life. That should lead to Stroud airing it out more to his young WRs, including Dell.
Others to consider: Brandin Cooks (DAL) $5,600 | Demario Douglas (NE) $5,400
Tight End
DraftKings
Michael Mayer (LV) vs. NYG $2,800
A couple of weeks ago, I was predicting a mini-breakout for Mayer, and then he promptly disappeared with every other Raider fantasy option. Now with a new coach, new GM, and a new QB, I’m willing to roll the dice on a cheap TE like Mayer. The old narrative is that a TE is a young QB’s best friend. At $2,800, I’ll take the chance that he is.
Fanduel
Jake Ferguson (DAL) @ PHI $5,100
This game has the highest Vegas total on the main slate, so if you’re looking to get some cheap exposure to it, Ferguson is a good way to do it. The way you beat the Eagles is through the air, just like Washington tried to do last week. The Cowboys are a much better team than Washington and should be able to exploit their weakness.
Defense
DraftKings
New York Giants @ LV $2,300
It’s not often that you will see me recommend the stone-minium priced defense, but here we are. The Raiders have a new coach, a new GM, and a rookie QB. Even the Giants can have success against this team — right?
Others to consider: Patriots vs. WAS $2,900
Fanduel
Carolina Panthers vs. IND $3,200
In Minshew’s three starts over the last three games, he has four interceptions and four fumbles lost. That’s eight turnovers in three games. If the Panthers can collect a few turnovers and keep this game relatively low-scoring, they could end up being a good value defense.
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