FanDuel NFL picks, Week 9: Best DFS fantasy football lineup

Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen (Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen (Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports) /
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FanDuel NFL picks Week 9
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

FanDuel NFL Week 9 Picks and Advice: Running Back

The big question at running back this week is Christian McCaffrey ($9,500) who is likely to make his first start since Week 2. He stands with Dalvin Cook ($9,300) as the clear cut top tier this week, though I strongly prefer Cook of the two, especially for cash lineups. McCaffrey is certainly a strong play in tournaments, where people may be afraid to throw him into their lineups fresh off an injury.

James Conner ($8,200) is an incredibly strong play this week, albeit a little pricy. Considering the current state of the Cowboys, Conner should see a very heavy workload this week due to the game script. Josh Jacobs ($7,700) is also likely to be overlooked this week, though he should have plenty of scoring opportunities on top of his usual 20+ touches.

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James Robinson ($7,300) and David Johnson ($6,800) both put up poor performances the first time they played, though both remain solid plays this week. The Texans should be able to hand the Jake Luton led Jaguars, a game script that favors Johnson. Meanwhile, the Jaguars will need to rely on Robinson to move the ball with Luton making his NFL debut.

The best value this week is easily Chase Edmonds ($6,700) and should be treated as a lock in all cash formats. Finally, Justin Jackson ($5,900) is another great value at his price point, as it appears he has a lock on the Chargers backfield and has seen at least five targets his past three games.

As for running backs I am avoiding, Derrick Henry ($8,900) tops the list. While I do not mind throwing him in a few tournament lineups because of his talent, he will not put up a monster game against this tough Bears defense. Think of Henry’s best-case scenario as something along the lines of 90 yards and a touchdown.

Ezekiel Elliot ($8,000) is also a huge fade against the daunting Steelers defense. Considering the Cowboys have only found the end zone once in the past three weeks and now will have a practice squad quarterback leading the offense. Todd Gurley II ($6,900) has been incredibly inefficient this year only averaging 3.8 yards per carry, a stat that should not get much better against a tough Denver run defense. Keep Gurley out of your DFS lineups for higher upside players.