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Hi there, RotoBallers, and welcome back to Break The Slate! If you read this article regularly, then you know what we're about here, but if you are a new reader, let me quickly summarize our goals with this article. We'll spend each week discussing a few plays at each position for the DraftKings main slate that can add tournament-winning upside and/or juicy value to our NFL DFS rosters. I'll highlight my favorite players and breakdown my reasoning behind them.
I try to update the article on Saturdays to reflect any significant injuries or late-breaking news, as the landscape of the slate can change quickly in the NFL, and I definitely recommend you checking those out. Week 9 is shaping up to be a fun slate and I'm excited to dig in! Remember, the NFL is ever-evolving from week to week, which gives us an opportunity to apply what we've learned on the next slate.
These DraftKings lineup recommendations are based on matchups, projected ownership, overall upside/talent levels, opportunity, and other factors such as Vegas odds, home-field advantage, and more. There are quite a few great plays available, so read on to find out which players are the best for Week 9. Be sure to also check out our weekly FanDuel DFS lineup picks and lots of other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big! Good luck with your DraftKings DFS lineups, let's Break The Slate together!
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DraftKings DFS Quarterbacks - Week 9 Picks
Russell Wilson - SEA @ BUF ($7,600)
The #LetRussCook movement is officially alive and well, as Wilson has now attempted 32 or more passes in six of seven games this season. His upside continues to receive a boost from Seattle's abysmal defense that's allowed the most passing yards in the NFL and basically forces Russ and the Seahawks offense to stay aggressive throughout games. This week's matchup against Buffalo shapes up to be another great game environment for Wilson, as the game has been tagged with both a tight point spread and high O/U. The matchup against Buffalo isn't as rough as it appears at first glance, as the Bills Defense has taken a noticeable step back this season and ranks 26th in the NFL in DK points allowed to opposing QBs.
Josh Allen - SEA @ BUF ($7,000)
Speaking of how bad the Seattle pass defense is...can you say "Get Right Spot"? After blazing out of the gates, Josh Allen has been scuffling as of late. This Week 9 matchup against Seattle is a beautiful chance for him to break out of his funk. It's hard to overstate just how bad the Seahawks have been against the pass. They rank dead last in the NFL in yards allowed per pass and average DK points allowed per game (29.6) to the QB position. The Seahawks trail only the Atlanta Falcons (Seattle has played one less game than ATL) in total DK Points and passing yards relinquished to opposing QBs.
SATURDAY UPDATE:
Wilson and Allen certainly jump out as the strongest options on the slate for me, but there are other viable plays, with Deshaun Watson being perhaps my favorite "other" QB this week. Two intriguing discount options that stick out are Denver's Drew Lock against the Falcons and Las Vegas' Derek Carr, a player that's offered consistent - though not eye-popping - fantasy production this year. Detroit's Matt Stafford is expected to play pending clearance on a COVID-19 test. I feel it pretty much goes without saying that both Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray are always in play.
DraftKings DFS Running Backs - Week 9 Picks
Christian McCaffrey - CAR @ KC ($8,500)
Welcome back CMC! After a lengthy absence due to an ankle injury, it appears as though Christian McCaffrey is set to return this week. The matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs isn't a particularly good one, but I'm really interested in McCaffrey from a game theory standpoint. I imagine the vast majority of DFS players are going to take a "wait and see" approach with him this week (projected ownership is currently at around 5-7%), but I'm intrigued with rostering him right out of the gate. In the two games he suited up at the start of the season, McCaffrey carried a $10k DK price tag in each, but we can grab him this week at $8.5k...with extremely low ownership! Is there a chance that Carolina "eases" him back into action and he puts up forgettable numbers? Yes, of course...but I love the idea taking a contrarian approach with him in GPPs this week.
Dalvin Cook - DET @ MIN ($8,200)
How many of you guys had Dalvin Cook going for over 50 DK points last week? Cook returned from an injury hiatus to BAPTIZE the Packers in Week 8, racking up 226 total yards and 4 TDs. It feels "point chasey" to go back to him this week, but don't let that discourage you from this great spot. In addition to Cook's elite talent and locked-in workload, he draws a smash matchup against a Detroit defense that's allowed 804 yards and 8 TDs on the ground this year. The Lions also rank 29th in the NFL in DK points allowed to the RB position. Cook is averaging 22.6 touches per game when healthy and we can expect this Vikings offense to pound the rock against Detroit.
Chase Edmonds - MIA @ ARI ($6,800)
As we move deeper into the season, there's going to be a lot of weeks when a backup-turned-starting RB is a big topic of conversation. In Week 9, Arizona's Chase Edmonds tops the "Intrigue-O-Meter" as he slides into the Cardinals backfield in place of Kenyan Drake. What makes this situation feel different from many we see is just how sharp Edmonds has looked in a limited role this season...he's averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 6.94 yards per target. Obviously, those numbers will be unsustainable in an expanded role, but it's safe to say the Edmonds isn't your "average" type of backup. In addition his increased workload, he'll get a matchup against a Miami defense that's improved, but still struggling against the RB position. The Dolphins rank near the bottom of the league in both average yards per carry and yards per target allowed to opposing RBs.
SATURDAY UPDATE:
We touched on higher-priced options in the main writeup, but there are RBs available at every price point this week. Injuries to Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde have paved the way for Seattle's DeeJay Dallas to lead that backfield. Volume is the name of the game with both David Montgomery and David Johnson in the $5k price range, while usage should also flow to New York's Wayne Gallman Jr at $4.5k. Baltimore's Mark Ingram is Doubtful, which makes it a guessing game between J.K Dobbins and Gus Edwards in a tough matchup against Indy. D'Andre Swift and Justin Jackson are both talented backs with usage concerns, while Miami's Jordan Howard should have usage, but lacks talent.
DraftKings DFS Wide Receivers - Week 9 Picks
Stefon Diggs - SEA @ BUF ($7,400)
Rather than try to guess right on the shell game that is the Seattle receiving duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, I'll slide over to Stefon Diggs and the other passing attack in this juicy game. Like his QB Josh Allen, Diggs has been relatively quiet recently after getting off to a quick start to begin the year. While his numbers over the past couple of weeks might not jump off the page, they are still encouraging. He's been targeted 20 times over Buffalo's last two games and his 79 total targets this season leads the NFL. The "matchup" against Seattle shouldn't be any trouble for Diggs, as the Seahawks rank dead last in the league in both DK points and receiving yards allowed to the WR position.
Allen Robinson II - CHI @ TEN ($6,900)
Can we please get Allen Robinson a good quarterback for at least one season of his career? The wait continues, as Nick Foles hasn't been the upgrade from Mitch Trubisky that many hoped he'd be. Despite the uneven play at QB, Robinson still continues to produce solid stat lines. He heads into this week on the heels of a 20.7-DK point outing against the Saints, a game where he snagged six of seven targets for 87 yards and a TD. If there's a defense that can be gashed by this Bear passing attack, it might be Tennessee. The Titans are allowing the second-most DK points per game in the league to the WR position and stand 27th in the NFL in yards allowed per pass.
Marvin Jones Jr. - DET @ MIN ($5,100)
Not a huge surprise that we’re talking about Marvin Jones Jr this week, as he steps into the primary receiver role for the Lions offense with Kenny Golladay out, in what’s a dreamy matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikes have allowed a league-high 15 TDs to the WR position, while also ranking near the bottom of the NFL in DK points, receiving yards, and yards per target allowed to opposing WRs. We’re able to snag MJJ at just $5.1k, but it’s a double-edged sword, as he’ll be very popular this week. Another concern is the status of Detroit QB Matt Stafford, who is currently on the COVID-19 list and will need to pass a series of tests in order to gain clearance for this week’s game.
SATURDAY UPDATE:
Seattle's dynamic duo of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are great stacking partners with Stefon Diggs in my favorite game environment of the week. Atlanta's future Hall of Famer Julio Jones feels like a slam dunk with Calvin Ridley listed as Questionable. Tyreek Hill provides off-the-charts upside, while Keenan Allen provides off-the-charts volume. Vikings receivers Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson are an interesting pivot away from chalky Dalvin Cook. Robby Anderson and DJ Moore should see plenty of looks in a game that Carolina will most likely be playing from behind. Houston's Brandin Cooks feels like one of the better values on the slate against a Jags secondary that he destroyed in Week 5. Both Diontae Johnson and Tim Patrick are affordable in great matchups, while Marvin Hall and Christian Blake should benefit from injuries in their respective receiving corps.
DraftKings DFS Tight Ends - Week 9 Picks
Travis Kelce - CAR @ KC ($7,200)
The combination of Travis Kelce's talent and usage, coupled with the inconsistency at the TE position in DFS formats, makes the Chiefs' stud a "fade him at your own risk" type of play on a weekly basis. He's running pass routes on 91.6% of his offensive snaps and is tied for the most TE targets in the league at 56. The matchup isn't a great one, as the Panthers have been solid against the position this year, but we know that Kelce and this KC passing attack are the closest thing to "matchup proof" that there is in the NFL.
Noah Fant - DEN @ ATL ($4,600)
Even though Atlanta has posted wins in two of their last three games, this Falcons Defense is still one we want to target. That's especially true with TEs, as Atlanta ranks dead last in the NFL in both total DK points and DK points per game allowed to the position. We'll attack this defensive leak with Denver's Noah Fant, an athletic young TE that is a core piece of this Broncos offense. Since returning from a two-week injury absence, Fant has been targeted 16 times over two games. That volume is very intriguing against this struggling Falcons defensive unit.
SATURDAY UPDATE:
Raiders workhorse Darren Waller leads the way in the non-Travis Kelce category. TJ Hockenson should be a noticeable beneficiary of Kenny Golladay's absence. Both Evan Engram and Hayden Hurst are solid, volume-driven options.
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