The only true bell-cow backs on the Week 9 DFS main slate on FanDuel are Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook. Both offer the safest workloads in solid matchups, but their prices have finally hiked to $9000 or above. The key to cashing in these situations is jamming both in and punting at other positions. The best way to do this is by identifying “lineup makers.” These cheap DFS options give us the lineup flexibility necessary to afford the best plays on the slate. Here are some lineup makers this week based on advanced stats, metrics and analytic player profiles.
Adrian Peterson, RB: $5700
In a 0.5 PPR format such as FanDuel, grinder backs like Adrian Peterson aren’t hurt too much by their lack of targets. Washington interim head coach Bill Callahan also loves to establish the run, as he has given Peterson 61 touches in his three games calling the shots.
Adrian Peterson Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
A matchup with the Bills might sound scary, but they are actually weakest along their defensive line. According to numberFire’s Net Expected Points model, the Bills rank 30th against opposing RBs. All Day may be running against this defense all day.
Jamaal Williams, RB: $5400
One of the most productive position groups in the NFL has been the Packers backfield. Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones rank fourth and third respectively in Production Premium, meaning they offer significantly more fantasy points than the average running back. They also split touches, and Williams has never dipped below a 36-percent Snap Share.
Check out Jamaal Williams on PlayerProfiler’s Updated Weekly Rankings and Projections:
DraftKings has adjusted Williams’ price based on his efficiency and a shiny matchup with the Chargers, pricing him as the 11th-most expensive running back. FanDuel, however, left him at $5400, 25th among RBs. DFS gamers should take advantage of this price differential, as Williams can do plenty of damage on a few touches. Jones is also dealing with a shoulder issue, meaning Williams may see even more touches if the team doesn’t want to subject Jones to more of a beating when they are killing the clock in the second half.
Jaylen Samuels, RB: $5000
James Conner’s shoulder injury in Week 8 was the epitome of fantasy karma. While he racked up clock-killing fantasy points in garbage time against the Dolphins, he sustained a shoulder injury in the final two minutes of a game that was already won.
Jaylen Samuels Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
If that injury lingers, Jaylen Samuels would be set up for a monster workload. At 6-0, 225-pounds, Samuels has the size to handle bell-cow touches. He also has the pass-catching talent with his background as a tight end at N.C. State with a 20.2 (97th-percentile among qualified running backs) College Target Share.
DeVante Parker, WR: $5800
With the Dolphins continuing to frustratingly rotate their receivers every down, DeVante Parker is the only one that consistently plays over 90-percent of the snaps. He is also seeing the best opportunities, as his 12 Deep Targets rank No. 12 among all receivers and his Average Target Distance of 15.3 ranks No. 8.
The Jets are strong against the run and weak in the secondary. Their weakest link is PlayerProfiler’s No. 108-ranked corerback, Trumaine Johnson, who Parker will be matched up on. Expect Ryan Fitzpatrick to test them deep often.
Jamison Crowder, WR: $5800
On the other sideline are Jamison Crowder and Robby Anderson. Despite a bad Week 8, FanDuel still priced Anderson over $6000, making him ineligible for this piece. Either way, Crowder has seen more targets, caught more balls and has more receiving yards than his teammate. Both have great matchups with a bad Dolphins defense, but playing the cheaper one that projects to see more volume is the way to go.
Marvin Jones, WR: $5700
Marvin Jones came back down to Earth against the Giants after flashing his upside against the Vikings in Week 7, but he has a shot at bouncing back this week. He has an incredible ceiling every week due to his eight (No. 3) red zone targets and his 13 (No. 8) Deep Targets. Plus, he has a matchup with Trayvon Mullen, who ranks No. 150 in PlayerProfiler’s cornerback rankings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BKot9K5ue8
The Raiders have given up the sixth-most FanDuel fantasy points to opposing receivers, making a cheap and low-owned stack with Matthew Stafford a solid play this week.
Dallas Goedert, TE: $5000
Finding a consistent, cheap tight end for DFS has been a struggle. Last week the chalk hit with Jonnu Smith, but he was an easy call. Tight ends are even more difficult when the studs are being replaced by younger, better versions of themselves. Which is exactly what Dallas Goedert is doing to Zach Ertz.
Goedert has now outproduced Ertz in three straight games. He also ranks top-10 among TEs in Fantasy Points Per Pass Route, Production Premium and Target Premium. Expect Carson Wentz to continue feeding his young stud tight end as the Eagles look for production in their sputtering offense.
