We're on to week 9, RotoBallers, and we're here to guide you through the ninth (what??) week of the season and find sneaky sleeper values to help you take down your favorite contest. If you're playing cash games, you don't have to have the top QB or RB of the week. But in Guaranteed Prize Pool's (GPP's)? The best way to go is to focus on players with the highest potential upside for their DFS price.
This article will run every week throughout the regular season. It won't include the obvious choices but instead players who appear to be undervalued in current DFS formats. As the values currently sit, players will qualify as a value in DFS (based on DraftKings salaries) for this article if they are a quarterback in the 5k range, running backs who are 6k or less, wide receivers at 5.5k and under, and 4k or less for tight ends. When it comes to tournaments, stacking our quarterback with one of their pass catchers is a must.
It's crucial to prioritize players with higher guaranteed floors and consistency to increase our chances of winning cash games. No matter which game you choose, these picks will come in handy. So, without further ado, let's dive in!
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Quarterback NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9
Mac Jones, NE vs. WAS | DK: $4,900, FD: $6,600
As a Washington fan, this pains me, but after trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young, we're in the rebuilding phase, and I don't expect the Commanders to do much against a 2-6 New England team that has flashed signs of movement in the right direction the last couple of games.
That said, it's also exactly the reason Washington could make this a game. If they can put up points, this could be a sneaky, back-and-forth, offensive game. Jones has a passer rating of 97.8, with 633 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in his last three games this season.
Gardner Minshew II, IND at CAR | DK: $5,200, FD: $6,500
The 'stache is back, and while the Colts have lost their last three games, with Minshew at the helm, they are putting up points.
Carolina's defense has been pretty good at stopping opposing quarterbacks from throwing for more than 300 passing yards in a game this season. But they've let at least five different quarterbacks score a passing touchdown against them. And it gets worse - three players have thrown two or more touchdowns in a single game against them. The Panthers' defense has even allowed two quarterbacks to throw three or more touchdowns in a game.
Minshew has scored 51.5 fantasy points in the last three games, averaging 17.2 points per game. He threw for 847 yards, with five touchdowns and five interceptions, and scored two rushing touchdowns. Over his last five games, he scored 70.9 fantasy points with an average of 14.2 points per game. He will likely hit his value, allowing you to add more strong players to your roster this weekend.
Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9
Chuba Hubbard, CAR vs IND | DK: $5,000, FD: $6,500
Hubbard is expected to receive the majority of carries against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. The Colts' run defense is ranked 23rd and allows 124 yards per game. Hubbard should do well against a Colts defense that allows the fourth-most PPG to running backs.
Hubbard has impressed this season with 336 carries, resulting in 1,348 yards. He also caught 54 passes for 430 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Furthermore, Hubbard had 69 rushing attempts, gaining 270 yards and scoring one touchdown with an average of 3.9 yards per rushing attempt
Rhamondre Stevenson, NE vs. WAS | DK: $5,400, FD: $6,200
This Sunday against the Commanders (sigh), Stevenson's projected to earn approximately 10.66 fantasy points, run for over 61 yards, and a touchdown.
Not satisfied to pulverize Washington with his running game, Stevenson is expected to add around 18 receiving yards and possibly score a touchdown through the air. Stevenson's ability to break tackles and gain even more yards after contact makes him a force to be reckoned with, and without Chase Young or Montez Sweat, he might be too much for Washington on Sunday.
Jerome Ford, CLE vs. ARI | DK: $5,300, FD: $7,000
Ford is expected to play against the Cardinals in Week 9, and although he was limited to 23 offensive snaps against Seattle, he managed to account for 39 yards on 10 touches. However, he is expected to handle a larger workload in the upcoming game against the Cardinals.
Arizona has allowed more than 100 yards on the ground to four players this season, and seven players have scored at least one rushing touchdown against them. Cleveland might be able to establish a strong ground game with Jerome Ford, as Arizona's defense is ranked 27th against the run.
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Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9
Michael Thomas, NO vs. CHI | DK: $4,700, FD: $5,900
Is it time for Michael Thomas' luck to change? This is the week; I can feel it! Thomas is expected to start in the New Orleans Saints' game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, November 5. He was upgraded on Thursday and should be able to handle a full workload. Despite playing through an illness last Sunday, he managed to catch 4 passes on 7 targets for 68 yards.
Thomas could have a standout performance against the Bears' secondary, which has been underwhelming this season, allowing an average of 262.3 yards per game.
Jahan Dotson, WAS at NE | DK: $5,000, FD: $5,900
As the Patriots may focus on shutting down Terry McLaurin, Dotson may have more chances to shine and could perform well due to favorable matchups, as well as the probable absence of Curtis Samuel due to a toe injury. Dotson has been receiving a lot of targets lately, with 18 in his last two games, and he just achieved his personal best of 20.8 fantasy points. Additionally, Dotson has a track record of performing well, with 52 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in the previous season.
Tank Dell, HOU vs. TB | DK: $5,300, FD: $5,800
Dell is known for his exceptional speed, agility, and quickness, giving him an advantage against Tampa Bay's secondary in Week 9. In Houston's Week 8 loss against Carolina, Dell caught three out of four passes, gaining 16 yards, and also had three carries, which allowed him to add another 15 yards to his total.
The key matchup in Week 9 between the Houston Texans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is expected to be between Tank Dell and Buc's safety Christian Izien. Dell's speed and agility will pose a significant challenge to Izien, who will try to keep Dell from adding to his stat line and finding the end zone.
Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9
Jake Ferguson, DAL at PHI | DK: $4,000, FD: $5,100
Ferguson remains a fantasy target among tight ends in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have the 26th-ranked passing defense and have allowed an average of 247.5 yards per game. Furthermore, three tight ends with at least six passes thrown their way against the Eagles this season all scored at least 16.4 PPR points.
Ferguson himself has been targeted 18 times in three games, which is more than many tight ends who are currently available on waivers. Additionally, he has been targeted four times inside the five-yard line and 11 times inside the red zone this season. Another classic "don't overthink it" spot for Ferguson versus Philly this weekend.
David Njoku, CLE vs. ARI | DK: $3,800, FD: $5,500
Njoku is expected to play in Week 9's game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET. Njoku was limited at practice on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury. Fortunately, the ankle issue is not too serious, so he should be able to suit up on Sunday.
The Arizona Cardinals have the 18th-ranked passing defense in the league. They allow an average of 225.1 yards per game. In the last game, Njoku had an excellent performance. He played 77 percent of the offensive snaps and caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
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