FanDuel NFL DFS Week 9 Picks and Plays for Cash Game and GPP Lineups
Week 9 of NFL DFS is upon us, and everyone is looking to cash in on the big daily fantasy football money at FanDuel. Every week, we’ll bring you our top daily fantasy NFL picks for each position and recommend them as Cash Game and/or GPP plays. And to keep up with all things PlayPicks, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
As with any DFS, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, gameflow, and more factors. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for a new ways to play NFL DFS, be sure and give DRAFT Fantasy a try with our exclusive promo code.
In NFL DFS, predicting gameflow can be vital. Teams on the way to winning comfortably will be far more likely to lean on their running games, while two teams with poor defenses and high-powered offenses could pay off by getting into a shootout. Later in the season, weather will play a key factor in NFL games, so make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday.
Best Week 9 NFL DFS Quarterbacks on FanDuel
Russell Wilson vs. WAS ($8.5k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
With Deshaun Watson (torn acl) sadly down for the year, Wilson will be the chalk play this week following their epic shootout. Seattle’s declining defense and weak offensive line have forced a lot more onto his plate, and Wilson should be throwing early and often if the Redskins can match points on the road. He’s healthy enough to make something out of nothing routinely, averaging 330.4 passing YPG with 14 TDs in his last five appearances and has been better at home throughout his career.
Dak Prescott vs. KC ($8.2k FanDuel) – GPP
Even with Ezekiel Elliott allowed to play this Sunday, Dak Prescott will be forced to do much more this week after completing just 13-of-18 passes for a very pedestrian line against Washington last Sunday. The Chiefs are third in the NFL at 29.5 PPG and could force him to throw more due to potential negative gameflow. Furthermore, KC is vulnerable to jump balls down the field, and Prescott has three plus-sized receivers in Dez Bryant, Terrence Williams, and Brice Butler.
Derek Carr @ MIA ($7.8k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
This is an obvious bounce-back spot for Derek Carr after the Raiders’ offense struggled in a brutal spot at Buffalo. While he was nothing more than a dart throw in that contest, he offers a great floor/ceiling combination against a Dolphins team allowing opposing QBs to post the highest passer rating (103.2) in the NFL this year. Miami plays pass-funnel defense in selling out to stop the run and has two inexperienced corners, so Amari Cooper and/or Michael Crabtree could go off alongside Carr.
Others to consider: Drew Brees, Carson Wentz, Kirk Cousins, Jameis Winston
Best Week 9 NFL DFS Running Backs on FanDuel
Todd Gurley @ NYG ($9.1k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
An extremely safe play given his ridiculous usage, Gurley’s handled 54 touches in his last two appearances and got to rest up over the bye week after the Rams trounced the Cardinals in London. Now, he faces the Giants’ 24th-ranked run defense and will once again be the centerpiece of Sean McVay’s offensive approach. The G-Men are giving up the ninth-most RuYPG (101.86) to opposing RBs this year, and Gurley should benefit from positive gameflow against a bottom-feeding team.
Ezekiel Elliott vs. KC ($8.9k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
He’s baaaaaaaack, again folks, and Elliott is obviously a fantastic option after carrying 33 times for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Redskins last week. The Chiefs are giving up the third-most FD PPG to opposing RBs this season and Zeke should see a huge workload once again, as this may actually be his last game action until Week 16 considering the outlook of his last-ditch appeal.
Leonard Fournette vs. CIN ($8.6k FanDuel) – GPP
The questionable tag combined with his inactivity in Week 7 should lower Leonard Fournette’s ownership rate. That’s all you need to load him up in GPP formats. He’s practicing in full as the Jags come out of their bye week and should resume workhorse duties in a home game against a Bengals defense that makes it very tough to throw for opposing offenses. Jacksonville HC Doug Marrone wants to force-feed Fournette the rock regardless, so he’s looking at a secure workload in this scheme.
Adrian Peterson @ SF ($6.8k FanDuel) – GPP
After getting completely dominated in London by the surging Rams, the Cardinals had an extra week to lick their wounds and prepare to dish out some punishment on the worst team in their division. The Niners let elite run-stopping LB NaVorro Bowman go, put safety Jimmy Ward on injured reserve, and their best remaining LB Reuben Foster is dealing with a pectoral injury. All Peterson needs is positive gameflow to rack up carries, as HC Bruce Arians told reporters he wants the veteran to get 25 totes per game. This juicy matchup against the 49ers is very hard to pass up.
Others to consider: Kareem Hunt, Mark Ingram, Doug Martin, Joe Mixon, Alex Collins
Best Week 9 NFL DFS Wide Receivers on FanDuel
Dez Bryant vs. KC ($7.7k FanDuel) – GPP
Bryant might see more targets than he would otherwise if the Chiefs sell out to stop Ezekiel Elliott. The Chiefs struggle specifically against physical receivers who can win on jump balls and are currently ranked 31st in DVOA pass defense against the opposition’s top target. Give Dez a long look in tournaments this week, because the masses will pivot off him now that Zeke is active, but that will also lead to more stacked boxes and more single coverage for Bryant.
Jarvis Landry vs. OAK ($7.0k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
The Dolphins traded workhorse RB Jay Ajayi this week, and neither replacement back (Kenyan Drake or Damien Williams) is likely to fill the void behind a poor offensive line. Miami’s best means of moving the chains will remain short passes to Jarvis Landry, who is a premier slot receiver, capable of piling up tons of catches against a Raiders defense that simply can’t cover out of the slot. Forget about the Dolphins’ embarrassing beatdown last Thursday. Jay Cutler will likely be back under center and looking to burn a defense that’s given up 11 passing scores without recording an interception this season.
Amari Cooper @ MIA ($6.9k FanDuel) – GPP
Another receiver who might pair nicely with a rebounding QB, Amari Cooper draws a fantastic matchup against the Dolphins’ inexperienced secondary. He racked up 10 targets last Sunday after his breakout game against the Chiefs, and while he only caught five of those for 48 scoreless yards, his usage is quite encouraging. Cooper should continue to be a focal point of the Raiders’ offense in a potential blowup spot on Sunday night.
Paul Richardson vs. WAS ($5.8k FanDuel) – GPP
It might seem like point chasing to use Richardson after he blew up last week and had a touchdown-dependent plus line the week prior, but his success has not been a fluke. An absolute burner whose early career was slowed by unfortunate injuries, he’s now operating as the primary downfield threat for Russell Wilson, who is giving his receivers tons of time to uncover with his mobility. Richardson faces a Redskins pass defense that’s struggled a bit lately and will likely deploy their best corners on Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett.
Others to consider: Mike Evans, Michael Thomas, Michael Crabtree, DeVante Parker, Kelvin Benjamin, Paul Richardson
Best Week 9 NFL DFS Tight Ends on FanDuel
Zach Ertz vs. DEN ($7.6k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
Doubtless the Eagles coaches will watch the film of Kansas City’s win over Denver on Monday night — in which Travis Kelce caught 7-of-10 targets for 133 yards and a TD — and think about using Zach Ertz in similar ways this Sunday. The Broncos still have some of the best CBs in the league, but the loss of safety T.J. Ward is being felt in their TE defense. They now rank 29th in DVOA against the position. Ertz has caught four scores in his last three games and has the TE highest floor in the game. Plus, his QB is becoming absolutely elite.
Jimmy Graham vs. WAS ($6.2k FanDuel) – GPP
Jimmy Graham has also caught four touchdowns in his last three outings and appears poised to finally emerge as a consistent weapon for Seattle this year. The Seahawks’ defense is struggling, their running game is non-existent, and that’s leading to more volume for all of Russell Wilson’s receivers. Up next for Graham is a matchup against Washington, which gives up the most receiving YPG (86.5) and ranks 28th in DVOA pass defense against opposing TEs this season. Graham certainly has a chance to build of a multi-touchdown performance.
Others to consider: Travis Kelce, Cameron Brate, Jack Doyle, Jared Cook
Best Week 9 NFL DFS D/ST on FanDuel
Rams @ NYG ($4.8k FanDuel) – GPP
You really never know how the Giants are going to perform in a given week, and they often surprise the general public. Yet this injury-depleted offense seems unlikely to score many points on a Rams defense that’s been steadily improving since getting the best DT in the world back (Aaron Donald). They also shut out the Cardinals in London prior to their bye week. The Rams have now compiled 8 sacks with three turnovers and two defensive TDs in their last two games. Eli Manning is not playing at a high level by any means.
Ravens @ TEN ($4.7k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
It’s hard to go much cheaper than this for a D/ST this week unless you’re willing to take some bigger risks. The Ravens 40-0 beatdown of Miami had something to do with the short week but more to do with a renewed commitment to that side of the ball and some disciplined play at all defensive levels. When they can stop the run, the Ravens are extremely tough to beat down the field. That scenario would also turn Terrell Suggs and the rest of their pass rushers loose on a hobbled Marcus Mariota.
