RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 9

Fri Oct 31 8:39am ET
By MIKE BARNER
Contributing Writer

The Eagles, Buccaneers, Jets and Browns are all on a bye during Week 9. That removes a few very appealing DFS options across multiple positions. With that in mind, here are some of the top players to consider for your lineups, as well as some to possibly avoid.

Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones, IND at PIT ($6,200): It has been a resurgent season for Jones, who has completed 71.2% of his pass attempts and already has 17 total touchdowns. After playing in a conservative Giants offense the last few seasons, Jones has an average target depth of 8.6 yards this year. The Colts are also doing a good job of protecting him, resulting in his 3.6% sack rate. This is a great matchup to deploy him in DFS with the Steelers allowing the most passing yards per game in the league.

Jaxson Dart, NYG vs. SF ($5,200): Dart has lost his top weapons with Cam Skattebo (ankle) now joining Malik Nabers (knee) on the sidelines. However, it’s his ability to do damage with his legs that might make him worth the risk in DFS. He has posted a rushing touchdown in four of his five starts. That’s in addition to him totaling eight passing touchdowns over five games.

Player to Avoid

Bo Nix, DEN at HOU ($6,400): The Texans have a stellar secondary. They have given up just six passing touchdowns, while recording seven interceptions. Their 6.37 yards allowed per pass attempt is the fifth-lowest mark in the league. As impressive as Nix was during his four-touchdown performance against the Cowboys last week, his upside might be limited in this matchup.

Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey, SF at NYG ($8,800): Last week was a rare dud for McCaffrey, who posted eight carries, 25 rushing yards, three receptions and 43 receiving yards. It came against the aforementioned Texans, so don’t read too much into one bad stat line. McCaffrey has generally been busy, averaging 24.5 touches per game. Look for him to get back on track against the Giants, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs.

Kareem Hunt, KC at BUF ($4,700): Isiah Pacheco (knee) is listed as week-to-week, so with the Chiefs having their bye in Week 10, it makes sense for them to hold him out of this matchup. Hunt has already been their top red zone option, recording 13 rushing attempts inside the 20-yard line this season. The Bills have allowed nine rushing touchdowns to running backs, which trails only the Titans (12). Don’t be surprised if Hunt records at least one score in a game in which he should receive added carries.

Player to Avoid

Jordan Mason, MIN at DET ($5,700): The Vikings were blown out by the Chargers in Week 8, which forced them to throw a lot late in the game. Still, Mason finished with just four carries for three yards. While the way the game unfolded didn’t help his cause, Aaron Jones Sr. also made his return from injured reserve in the matchup. Mason will still get some work, but at the very least, Jones should be the Vikings’ first choice in passing situations. A reduced role against a Lions team that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs is not a recipe for success.

Wide Receivers

DK Metcalf, PIT vs. IND ($5,500): Metcalf is coming off a Week 8 performance against the Packers in which he caught five of seven targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. That marked the fifth time over the last six games that he has reached the end zone. The Colts have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game in the league, so in what could be a high-scoring game on both sides, Metcalf makes a lot of sense at his reasonable salary.

Alec Pierce, IND at PIT ($4,600): Pierce has quietly become one of the better deep threats in the league. He averaged 22.3 yards per reception last season and has averaged 21.4 yards per catch this year. His average depth of target is 21.3 yards this year, so in a matchup against a bad Steelers’ secondary, he has the potential to provide significant value.

Player to Avoid

Courtland Sutton, DEN at HOU ($6,500): There is a lot to like about Sutton, who has accounted for 20.7% of the Broncos’ targets this season and has an average depth of target of 12.1 yards. With 536 receiving yards already, he is on pace to reach at least 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in his career. However, with how well the Texans have defended the pass, this might be one of the few weeks when fading Sutton is the correct call.

Tight Ends

Trey McBride, ARI at DAL ($6,000): After incredibly posting just two receiving touchdowns last season, McBride has already found his way into the end zone four times this year. He has also accounted for 28.4% of the Cardinals’ targets and 25.8% of their air yards. The Cowboys have given up the second-most passing yards per game in the league, so McBride has the potential to be well worth his hefty salary among tight ends.

Brock Bowers, LV vs. JAX ($5,000): Bowers has missed the last three games because of a knee injury. With the Raiders having their bye in Week 8, he is ready to go for Sunday. His return brings a favorable matchup versus the Jaguars, who have allowed the ninth-most yards per target to tight ends. This might be one of the last opportunities of the season to add Bowers to your lineup at this cheap of a salary.

Player to Avoid

Evan Engram, DEN at HOU ($3,900): Again, we’re fading this matchup for the Broncos’ offense against the Texans. Engram has established a relatively high floor with at least four receptions in each of his last five games, but his average depth of target is just 4.8 yards and he only has one touchdown. Look elsewhere if you’re trying to go cheap at tight end.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.

RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 9

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