NFL DFS Lineup Sleepers for DraftKings, FanDuel - Week 9 Value Picks Include Bo Nix, Chase Brown, Keon Coleman, and more

Week 8 of the NFL season is in the books, and now we shift our focus to Week 9 and what value plays we can find on the main slate in DFS competitions.

In this weekly piece, I will examine some undervalued sneaky targets. By selecting these players, you will have more flexibility in other positions to secure a high-end player elsewhere in your lineup. No matter what competition you are playing in DFS, finding a budget player with a safe floor and room for upside is the recipe for success.

I will include the DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) prices for each player in the main slate competition. However, when discussing which players are valued, I will focus primarily on their DraftKings price compared to other players on that platform. Even though both platforms have a few minor differences in scoring, a value is usually playable on any format given their relation to other highly priced players at their position.

Quarterback NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9

Bo Nix, DEN at BAL | DK: $5.9K FD: $7.2K

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has been one of the best fantasy QBs since Week 5. During this span, Nix has averaged an impressive 24.2 PPR points per game. He is coming off the best performance of his career in Week 8, where he scored 32.6 PPR points with 284 passing yards and four total scores (three passing, one rushing).

ONE-HANDED TOUCHDOWN 🤯

Bo Nix’s second TD of the day

pic.twitter.com/TEjjaYKcPw

— DNVR Sports (@DNVR_Sports) October 27, 2024

On Sunday, he faces the Baltimore Ravens, who have allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Last weekend, Jameis Winston scored 28.9 fantasy points against them in his first start of the campaign.

Matthew Stafford, LAR at SEA | DK: $5.7K, FD: $7.6K

With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp returning to the field last week, Matthew Stafford enjoyed his best game of the season. He threw for a high of four touchdowns and 279 yards, his second-highest yard total of the season, only less than the 317 he had in the season opener.

This weekend, he will match up against the Seattle Seahawks, who allowed Josh Allen to throw for 283 yards and two scores last Sunday. With his top wideouts back in action, Stafford could be a popular value pick for the remainder of the season.

Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9

Alexander Mattison, LV at CIN | DK: $5.7K, FD: $5.9K

Running backs facing the Chiefs typically do not fare well, and Mattison was no exception. In Week 8, the veteran back tallied just 15 yards off 14 attempts. In the air, he brought in five receptions for 29 yards. This was his lowest output since Week 5.

However, during Weeks 6 and 7, Mattison averaged 16.4 PPR points per game and should have an excellent chance to bounce back when facing the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, who have allowed the 14th-most DraftKings points to opposing RBs.

Given his role as a three-down back, Mattison should have a high floor with upside in a much more favorable matchup.

Chase Brown, LV at CIN | DK: $5.9K, FD: $6.3K

Chase Brown found the end zone for the fifth time in the past six games but struggled on the ground, tallying just 32 yards on 12 attempts.

While his efficiency was down, he has a great bounce-back matchup this week against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the ninth-most PPR points to opposing RBs. Given his consistent usage in the passing game and that he has outpaced Zack Moss in rushing attempts in every game since Week 5, Brown is a smash at his price.

Raheem Mostert, MIA at BUF | DK: $6K, FD: $6.4K

The veteran running back split the backfield with De'Von Achane last weekend. Achane saw the slight majority, but Mostert found the end zone twice. Mostert should continue to perform from a fantasy standpoint as he is being deployed as the red-zone back in an offense that will only improve with Tua Tagovailoa back at the helm.

Opening drive touchdown for Raheem Mostert and the Dolphins

📺: #AZvsMIA on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/2MXPOYuQHu

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

This weekend, he faces the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing RBs. The Dolphins may often lean on both running backs, as the Buffalo secondary has been one of the better units this season. With Mostert seeing the high-value touches, he has a path to another productive fantasy day.

Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9

Ladd McConkey, LAC at CLE | DK: $5.6K, FD: $6.4K

The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout performance last Sunday, bringing in an impressive 111 yards with two scores on six receptions. He had never eclipsed the century mark before this performance. 

He has averaged seven targets per game over the past three weeks and has become Justin Herbert’s go-to option. He has another great opportunity to keep his breakout rolling as he faces the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed the seventh-most PPR points to opposing wideouts.

Cedric Tillman, LAC at CLE | DK: $4.3K, FD: $6.1K

All it took was a quarterback change for second-year wideout Cedric Tillman to find his footing this season. After catching just three of his five targets through the first six games of the season, the Tennessee product has gone on to catch 15 passes in the past two games, emerging as a lead target in the Cleveland passing attack.

CEDRIC TILLMAN TOUCHDOWN!! pic.twitter.com/heMhxHuxDC

— Timothy Luketich (Dark Mode)⚫️🟠 (@timluketich02) October 27, 2024

During this span, he has seen an impressive 21 targets. Last weekend, he found the end zone twice and tallied a new career-high 99 yards. He faces a much tougher task this weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers, but given his current role in the Cleveland passing attack, this makes him a steal at his price, despite the unfavorable matchup.

Keon Coleman, MIA at BUF | DK: $5.4K, FD: $6K

The rookie wideout has put any concerns about his slow start behind him, as he has scored at least 16.0 PPR points in each of the past two games. In this span, Coleman has seen seven targets in each game and averaged 97.5 yards per game.

While Amari Cooper should still be expected to emerge as the top wideout in this offense, having another strong option opposite of him will benefit the entire offense. This weekend, he faces the Miami Dolphins, who have done well in limiting opposing wideouts this season. However, last weekend, both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson scored double-digit PPR points against them, suggesting Buffalo may have the same success.

Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 9

Zach Ertz, WSH at NYG | DK: $4.3K, FD: $5.3K

The veteran tight end has begun to emerge as a solid TE1 and scored at least 14.0 PPR points in each of the past two games. During this span, Ertz has seen 16 targets, which is the most out of any Washington pass-catcher.

This weekend, he has a tougher matchup against the New York Giants. However, given his role as the clear No. 2 option in the passing attack (behind only Terry McLaurin), it makes him a safe pick with a very high floor.

Mark Andrews, DEN at BAL | DK: $4.2K, FD: $5.8K

After catching just 10 passes with no scores through the first five weeks of the season, Andrews has bounced back exceptionally well and has found the end zone in each of the past three games. In addition, Andrews has caught 12 passes during this span and averaged 47.7 yards per game.

He has another great opportunity to continue his hot stretch when facing the Denver Broncos, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing tight ends. Given his production, Andrews should be priced within the top 10, but he sits just inside the top 12 on DraftKings.

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