Week 9 is shaping up to be one of the most impacted weeks for DFS with six teams on their bye week. With top players like David Johnson, A.J. Green, and Tom Brady all resting at home, owners will be forced to look elsewhere to fill their lineups. Injuries are also starting to take its’ toll so trend with caution leading up to the Sunday start times. Here’s a look at who we think will be the top GPP plays on DraftKings for Week 9.
NFL DFS DraftKings GPP Plays for Week 9
DailyFantasyNerd DraftKings GPP Play of the Day
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) @ CLE $7,900
Elliott is my favorite play this week against a Browns team still seeking their first win. He’s earned a must-start status regardless of who the opponent is, but gets an even bigger boost in this matchup. The Browns are ranked 28th on DraftKings against running backs, and with Elliott’s heavy workload, is almost guaranteed a big day in Cleveland. Elliott has totaled over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game since Week 2.
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers (GB) vs. IND $7,800Â
If you’ve been riding the hot hand of Brady the past few weeks you’ll have to look elsewhere this week with the Patriots on a bye. Luckily, the three top options are all in great matchups this week. Rodgers is the most expensive on DraftKings this week, but he gets an exploitable matchup against the Colts who rank 25th against quarterbacks. The Packers still don’t have a true running back, and apparently didn’t think too highly of Knile Davis to keep him around. Green Bay is now relying solely on the arm of Rodgers. In the past two games, Rodgers has thrown seven touchdowns. He’s had no less than 38 pass attempts in the past four games. You can expect more of the same against Indianapolis.
Matt Ryan (ATL) @ TB $7,100
I don’t normally love recommending players on Thursday nights, but the Atlanta-Tampa Bay matchup looks filled with fantasy relevance, not to mention a game actually worth watching. Matt Ryan is having a career year, and is now in great position against the Bucs subpar defense. Ryan threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting between the teams back in Week 1.
Other Notables:Â Drew Brees (NO) @ SF $7,200, Andrew Luck (IND) @ GB $6,700, Jameis Winston (TB) vs. ATL $6,100
Running Backs
Devonta Freeman (ATL) @ TB $6,700
With Tevin Coleman expected to miss again with a hamstring injury, Freeman is in a spot to have another big game on Thursday night. This cowbell situation is what put Freeman on the map last season. Freeman only finished with a total of 15 touches on Sunday, which is right around what he’s been averaging this season, but he did find the end zone twice against the Packers. On a short week, Freeman could exceed 20 touches in a potential shootout.
Devontae Booker (DEN) @ OAK $6,400
Booker benefited last week from a high volume and finding the end zone for the 2nd straight week. The Broncos now travel to Oakland to take on a Raiders team that may be 6-2, but has been a big disappointment on defense. Booker wasn’t the most impressive in his first career start, failing to average 3.0 yards a carry. However, he still managed to put in a pretty good fantasy performance, indicating he could have a better performance come Sunday night.
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Other Notables:Â *Derrick Henry (TEN) @ SD $5,000, **Charcandrick West (KC) vs. JAX $4,400
*If DeMarco Murray is inactive
**If Spencer Ware is inactive
Wide Receivers
Julio Jones (ATL) @ TB $9,600
Did I mention there is room for fantasy relevance in this game? Jones is again the top WR option this week, and the most expensive on DraftKings. He had a rough day last Sunday against Green Bay, and despise returning from an apparent leg injury, logged just three catches for 29 yards. It’s Jones’ 3rd dud this year, which is concerning, but he’s bounced back in big ways in the previous two, including his 300-yard day against Carolina.
Antonio Brown (PIT) @ BAL $8,900
It was just reported that Ben Roethlisberger will return this week, boosting Antonio Brown’s fantasy value even further against a horrific Baltimore pass defense. The Ravens hard nose defense is long gone now, ranking in the bottom-five against receivers. Brown took a hit to his hip in Week 7, but appears to be okay in thanks to the bye week. Keep an eye on his status just in case.
Davante Adams (GB) vs. IND $5,900
Randall Cobb was declared inactive this past Sunday, opening the way for Adams to get the bulk of the looks. Cobb’s status is still up in the air this week, but Adams has earned his fair share even if Cobb plays. He exploded in Week 7 and followed it up again with an outstanding performance against Atlanta. Adams has now corralled 25 receptions in just two weeks, and has clearly earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers.
Other Notables:Â Mike Evans (TB) vs. ATL $8,500, Dez Bryant (DAL) @ CLE $7,400, Donte Moncrief (IND) @ GB $5,800, Jordan Matthews (PHI) @ NYG $5,700
Tight Ends
Kyle Rudolph (MIN) vs. DET $4,000
With Rob Gronkowski on a bye and some pretty infavorable matchups this week, tight end is looking pretty thin. Greg Olsen is always an option, but the Rams are a top 10 defense against tight ends. Factor in that Olsen is coming off his worst outing of the season after recording just one reception for 11 yards against Arizona, and he becomes a bit of a risk for GPP play. In a better position, and a cheaper option, Kyle Rudolph makes for a good play against a Detroit defense ranked dead last against tight ends. There are other sleeper options in case you’re skeptical about the Vikings offense, but the resignation of OC Norv Turner should not have a negative impact on Rudolph’s usage.
Other Notables:Â Dennis Pitta (BAL) vs. PIT $3,800, Lance Kendricks (LA) vs. CAR $2,900, Austin Hooper (ATL) @ TB $2,500
Defense
Kansas City vs. JAX $3,500
The Chiefs defense has been one of the more consistent fantasy options at the position in recent weeks. They have recorded double digit points for three straight weeks, and now welcome Blake Bortles and the Jaguars to Arrowhead Stadium. Jacksonville’s offense is capable of putting up points, which could steer some DFS owners away from KC this week. However, the Jaguars commit just as many mistakes that the Chiefs could capitalize one. Despite filling up the stat shett last week in garbage time, Bortles has regressed in a major way this year. He continues to make the same mistakes that plagued him his first two seasons, and already has nine interceptions through seven games. The Chiefs are not the most elite defense, but they are well disciplined. Led by sophomore player Marcus Peters, the Chiefs have a good chance of scoring their fourth touchdown on defense this week.
Other Notables:Â Dallas @ CLE $3,400, Carolina @ LA $3,400
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