DraftKings NFL Picks, Week 9: Best bargains in DFS play
By Drew DeLuca
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs (OAK vs. DET, $6,500) is one of the few bell cow backs in the league this year, and he be prominently featured in the offense, no matter what the game script brings. He’s as safe a play as they come, given the volume he’ll receive, and his upside for a big day is undeniable.
Austin Ekeler (LAC vs. GB, $6,000) has been up and down since the return of Melvin Gordon, literally booming in odd weeks and busting in even ones. The probable game script against a strong Green Bay Packers squad seems to support another outstanding odd week for one of the more dangerous pass-catching running backs in the game.
Derrick Henry (TEN at CAR, $5,700) is coming off a “down” week in which he amassed 83 total yards. Newly anointed Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw three touchdowns inside the 10-yard line last week, a sign to opposing defenses that they just can’t crowd the box against Henry in tight spaces. Henry will to continue to be fed the football, so watch him find paydirt this weekend as he returns value on a mid-tier investment.
Jordan Howard (PHI vs. CHI, $5,100) in a revenge game special is hard to pass up, even on the heels of a breakout performance by teammate Miles Sanders (PHI vs. CHI, $4,600). The rookie out of Penn State is a great Week 9 value in his own right against a Bears defense that really needs to eat a Snickers: it hasn’t been itself for weeks. They haven’t played hungry as a unit in weeks, though it’s not hard to imagine them suddenly flipping the switch against a team that lost to the Falcons and Lions earlier this season.
Royce Freeman (DEN vs. CLE, $4,900) has accrued 13 or more touches in four straight games and brings a two-game touchdown streak into Week 9 against Cleveland. The Denver Broncos should lean more heavily on the run in rookie Brandon Allen’s first NFL start against one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. After all, the Cleveland Browns have allowed a staggering 174.7 yards per game on the ground in their last three contests.
Lower priced honorable mentions that carry slightly higher risk include Rex Burkhead (NE at BAL, $3,900) who is a sneaky flex play if James White (questionable, toe) can’t give it a go. However, keep eyes on a pair of Buffalo Bills backs for better options.
Devin Singletary (BUF vs. WAS, $4,700) and Frank Gore (BUF vs. WAS, $4,300) both offer bargain bin boom potential against the league’s 24th ranked defense in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs, even with their red zone upsides (Gore’s especially) capped by Josh Allen’s touchdown-vulturing legs.