NFL Week 9 DFS Picks For FanDuel

Although I failed to cash in most contests last week due to Sam Ehlinger, my article covering the main slate was spot on as I highlighted Derrick Henry as my top play, Tony Pollard as my favorite value, and the Dolphins-Lions as my best game environment to stack. DFS from both the NFL showdowns and NBA main slates has been killing it the past few weeks, but I am lacking the stellar NFL main lineup. Hopefully I can deliver that in Week 9. Let's dive in to the breakdown of the NFL main slate on FanDuel for Week 9!

REMINDER: RTs on the article post on twitter at @SportsVerseHQ are appreciated, as well as following my personal Twitter @cobioconnell. If you would like to see my lineup package for the NFL season, message me there. Thank you!

Top Play:

Austin Ekeler (RB - $9400) -

All-Pro Reels, Austin Ekeler (cropped), CC BY-SA 2.0

With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen out for the Chargers this week, we are in for the Austin Ekeler show. Ekeler is already the highest scoring running back on this slate by significant margins, but his volume could increase even further this week while getting a desirable matchup. The Falcons are allowing the second most yards per game and the fourth most points per game, so expect Ekeler to keep the offense rolling even without some crucial weapons. In his last four contests, Ekeler has surpassed 30 FD points three times, and he still managed to score 19 in the one game where he didn't. $9400 is a lofty salary to pay, but it is easy to get there with the value available, and Austin Ekeler is worth the cost.

Best Value:

Deon Jackson (RB - $5000) -

The best value play for Week 9 is no secret - Indianapolis Colts running back Deon Jackson takes the cake with ease. With no Jonathan Taylor this week, Deon Jackson will operate as the lead back for the Colts, and may take on a workhorse role at a ridiculously cheap salary of $5000. In his two starts this season, Deon Jackson has scored 23.1 and 11.1 FD points, including 14 receptions which shows his ability as a pass-catcher, substantially increasing his fantasy value. The Patriots are middle of the pack at defending the run and the Colts offense hasn't exactly been stellar as of late, but it is near impossible to completely fade Deon Jackson when he provides that much salary relief. He will be a staple in my lineup for Week 9.

Best Game Environment:

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals -

For the first time this season, my favorite game to prioritize stacking in is not the game that carries the highest implied total. Both the Packers-Lions and Chargers-Falcons are getting a point more on their games, but it is the Seahawks-Cardinals that is most intriguing to me. This isn't a week where there is one or multiple games that scream shootout, so stacking is not a priority for cash or mass entries, but it is always a strong GPP strategy. If attacking this game, both Kyler Murray and Geno Smith are in play, while Eno Benjamin (if Conner is out), DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, Zach Ertz, Kenneth Walker III, Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf are the weapons I would select from.

Main Player Pool:

Quarterback:

Josh Allen ($9300)

Justin Herbert ($7800)

Aaron Rodgers ($7000)

Other great plays: Kyler Murray ($8200), Tua Tagovailoa ($8000), Kirk Cousins ($7800), Geno Smith ($7500), Trevor Lawrence ($6800)

Running Back:

Austin Ekeler ($9400)

Travis Etienne ($7600)

Deon Jackson ($5000)

Other great plays: Josh Jacobs ($8800), Dalvin Cook ($8500), Kenneth Walker III ($8300), Rhamondre Stevenson ($8000), Aaron Jones ($7800), D'Onta Foreman ($7300), Eno Benjamin ($6600 - if Conner is out), Devin Singletary ($6000)

Wide Receiver:

Justin Jefferson ($9000)

Amon-Ra St. Brown ($7100)

Christian Kirk ($6300)

Other great plays: Cooper Kupp ($9000), Tyreek Hill ($8700), DeAndre Hopkins ($8600), Davante Adams ($8100), Tyler Lockett ($7600), DK Metcalf ($7400), Chris Godwin ($6700), Allen Lazard ($6500), Joshua Palmer ($6200), Rondale Moore ($5900), Garrett Wilson ($5800), Drake London ($5600), Curtis Samuel ($5600)

Tight End:

Zach Ertz ($6600)

Gerald Everett ($5800)

Robert Tonyan ($5000)

Other great plays: Kyle Pitts ($6300), Evan Engram ($5200), Dawson Knox ($5100), Cade Otton ($4800)

D/ST:

Bills ($5000)

Bengals ($4400)

Dolphins ($3600)

Other great plays: Patriots ($4900), Vikings ($4500), Colts ($4200), Raiders ($3500), Bears ($3000)