Week 9 DraftKings Main Slate – Optimal Lineup Plays
I decided to condense the recap into a simple hit/miss and tally it up that way. There will also be some that are N/A if circumstances change. i.e., if player A sits, start player B.
Hit: Jalen Hurts, Alvin Kamara, Travis Etienne, Breece Hall, Gus Edwards, AJ Brown, Josh Downs, Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Vikings, Bengals, Jets
Miss: C.J. Stroud, Dameon Pierce, Cooper Kupp, Christian Kirk, Nico Collins, Zay Flowers, Jalin Hyatt, Darren Waller, Jonnu Smith, Dallas Goedert, Falcons, Ravens, Chiefs
N/A: Patrick Mahomes, Sam Darnold, Zay Jones, Travis Kelce
Overall, a mixed bag. The studs we paid up for put up good enough numbers to carry you. I tweeted that I was moving off Kelce and Mahomes due to the snow. Even though the weather wasn’t a factor, Mahomes was also dealing with the flu and struggled.
The Week 9 Main Slate will not feature the Chiefs, 49ers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Bills, Lions, Bengals, and Chargers. That is a ton of firepower off the slate, making it somewhat weak. So where do we go with such an…interesting slate? The best strategy for Week 9 is to pay way down at the QB position, load up on workhorse RBs, mix in one alpha WR, and plug in elsewhere.
Let’s ride these workhorses into the pay lines for Week 9…
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QB
Mac Jones $4900 (vs. WAS) – The Commanders have been abysmal in coverage all year long. They just traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young. I don’t foresee their coverage getting better with less pressure on the QB. At this price, Mac Jones should do enough.
Dak Prescott $6500 (@ PHI) – Dak Prescott seems to have found his footing in the last two games. Now, he gets the Eagles 28th ranked defense vs. opposing QBs. This is a division game, so it could end up going either way (shootout vs. low-scoring). I like a Prescott/Lamb/Ferguson stack.
Bryce Young $5100 (vs. IND) – Bryce Young looked more confident coming out of the bye last week in a tougher matchup. Now, he gets the Colts, who are ranked 29th vs. opposing QBs. The Colts’ defense has been prone to getting into shootouts, and this week should be no different.
C.J. Stroud $6200 (vs. TB) – CJ Stroud didn’t have a good game last week when I had him in this column. The Bucs are currently ranked 25th vs. opposing QBs, and Stroud is back at home. Dameon Pierce sounds like he could miss this game, not that he’s been running well anyway, which could lead to more volume in the passing game.
Derek Carr $5700 (@ NO) – Derek Carr has had three straight 20-point games and now gets the Bears.
RB
Alvin Kamara $8100 (vs. CHI) – Alvin Kamara has been the RB1 since coming back from his suspension, and boy, has it been fun to watch. The Bears got torn up by Ekeler through the air in Week 8. With Checkdown Carr at QB, Kamara should be plenty busy. The only thing that can hold Kamara back this week is Taysom Hill stealing more rushing TDs.
Saquon Barkley $7900 (@ LV) – Saquon Barkley handled 39 touches in Week 8. He gives the Giants their best chance of winning, having the football in his hands. The Raiders were torched by Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 8. Daniel Jones is back this week, which means there might be slightly more (not sure how much more) of a threat of a passing game.
Jonathan Taylor $6400 (@ CAR) – Could this finally be the week Jonathan Taylor is completely freed? This is certainly a DREAM matchup for it. The Carolina Panthers have been getting decimated by RBs all year, and the Colts’ run game has been matchup-proof. FREE. JONATHAN. TAYLOR. Zack Moss $5800 can also be started.
Josh Jacobs $6900 (vs. NYG) – While the Giants have been playing better defense the last few weeks, they just traded Leonard Williams to Seattle. Jacobs was also mostly held in check last week except for that last drive of the first half. However, the Raiders have fired Josh McDaniels and benched Jimmy Garoppolo. They are turning the reigns over to Aidan O’Connell with a new regime which likely means a factory reset and getting the ball to Jacobs and Adams.
*If Dameon Pierce is out: Devin Singletary $4300 (vs. TB) is a great value here in a feature role.
Value Plays: Kareem Hunt $5500 (vs. ARI), Darrell Henderson $5100 (@ GB), Chuba Hubbard $5000 (vs. IND)
WR
CeeDee Lamb $8200 (@ PHI) – CeeDee Lamb is coming off a monster Week 8 performance with a 12/158/2 line in virtually one half. Now, he gets the 32nd-ranked defense vs. opposing WRs. This is a tough divisional game, as I mentioned with Dak, but I am willing to roll with a Prescott/Lamb/Ferguson stack.
Contrarian GPP Play: Davante Adams $8100 (vs. NYG) – I know last week was very ugly for Davante Adams with 1/11/0. But, oh, what could have been! Jimmy G missed Davante on separate 98- and 60-yard potential TDs. Now, he gets a rookie to throw him the ball. If I’m putting together a GPP lineup and want an alpha with very low ownership who could blow up, I’m willing to use Davante in this spot. Squeaky wheel situation here.
Terry McLaurin $5600 (@ NE) – Scary Terry has been solid this season with Sam Howell. New England isn’t scary. Terry is.
Zay Flowers $5700 (@ ARI) – At this point, I am committed to not missing the Zay Flowers blow up game because I know it is coming. This could be the week against Seattle.
Demario Douglas $4000 (vs. WAS) – In order to load up on these RBs, we need a reasonably low-priced WR we can count on. With Kendrick Bourne on IR and Davante Parker banged up, Douglas has a chance to carve out a significant role. Washington is the perfect matchup to kick off Douglas’ run.
Low Price GPP/Tournament Dart Throws/Lineup Fillers: Tank Dell $4300 (vs. TB), Wan’dale Robinson $3500 (@ LV), Jonathan Mingo $3400 (vs. IND)
TE
Kyle Pitts $4100 (vs. MIN) – Taylor Heinicke took over for Desmond Ridder last week and was named the starter for Week 9. Drake London hasn’t been practicing with a groin injury. Is this what we need to finally unlock Kyle Pitts? I’ll give it a shot, but I do realize Arthur Smith is still there.
Jake Ferguson $4000 (@ PHI) – The Eagles struggle to cover tight ends. Jake Ferguson is a good value here. Don’t overthink it.
Taysom Hill $4700 (@ CHI) – I don’t like putting Hill in this column any more than you like playing him. Taysom Hill is very likely to score a TD this week.
Dalton Schultz $4200 (vs. TB) – Tampa Bay isn’t great against tight ends either. Robert Woods is out another week. Schultz is back at home.
D/ST
Giants $2300 (@ LV) – I was strongly considering putting JUST the Giants here and no other defenses. Rarely is the lowest-price defense one of the best plays. The Raiders are in shambles right now. Could they rally behind Antonio Pierce and try to stick it to McDaniels? Sure, but I don’t think they suddenly put up 30 points. Giants’ defense has been playing very well the last three weeks with Kayvon Thibodeaux BALLIN’. Just ask Carl Banks. He’ll tell you.
Falcons $3700 (vs. MIN) –Jaren Hall is starting this week for the first time in his NFL career. That is all.
If you can afford them: Browns $4200 (vs. ARI), Saints $4100 (vs. CHI)
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For more from TJ and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @T_Redding28 for lineup updates and additional plays based on weekend updates/injuries.
