It’s finally here- Week 9 of the 2024 season, and another DraftKings main slate. We are back offering you DFS advice to try and help you navigate your way to victories throughout the season. The players selected here are based on their price, their ability to hit value and likely ownership. The selections are leaning more towards GPP slates, rather than cash (50/50) slates. But let’s get into it
Josh Allen v MIA ($7,700)
Heading into the AFC East clash this Sunday afternoon, Josh Allen boasts a perfect 6-0 versus Miami at home…and despite my allegiances to the Fins, I can’t see him leaving this one with anything other than his 7th win over Buffalo’s divisional rivals at Orchard Park. Allen is the overall QB4 on the season, and despite a relatively disappointing QB14 performance last week in Seattle – the seventh-year signal caller still put up over 20 fantasy points for his managers. Miami are ranked 1st overall against opposing fantasy QBs…but that is a very misleading stat. In the games without Tua, teams didn’t have to throw on them to put up points, leading to underwhelming fantasy performances from QBs on the other side of the field. Allen is a stud, and in my opinion, still the best QB in the league – start him with confidence in this one, the Bills won’t be pulling punches in a divisional clash.
Bo Nix @BAL ($5,900)
Jayden Daniels leading the way for rookie QBs in fantasy is not a surprise, Bo Nix being right behind him as the second best year-one quarterback most certainly is. The former Oregon Duck has quietly put up three top-10 finishes over the last three weeks, ending week 8 with his best fantasy performance of the season – 29.76 points – enough for QB2 on the week. Nix threw for 3 TDs against the Panthers, running in another in the Broncos’ 28-14 win. Whilst I don’t expect this week in Baltimore to be quite as simple, Nix should still have an excellent fantasy day as Denver plays catch-up against a Ravens side coming off an unexpected defeat to the Browns. Expect plenty of yards for Nix through the air against a Baltimore pass defense giving up the most yards to opposing QBs in the entire league (312 YPG). The rookie possesses excellent rushing ability, giving him a nice floor on top of his passing upside. He’s an amazing value under $6,000.
Also consider: Kirk Cousins v DAL ($6,400) & Derek Carr @CAR ($5,600)
Alvin Kamara @CAR ($7,800)
It’s not been the best of times recently for Alvin Kamara, after a blistering start to the season – things have cooled off slightly for the 29-year old with Spencer Rattler under center. However, with a brand new contract and news of Derek Carr set to return for the trip to Carolina, we may have a huge Alvin week on our hands against the worst run defense in the league. The Panthers are allowing almost 160-yards per game to opposing RBS…and 2 TDs. Kamara isn’t the rusher he once was, but his ability should be more than enough to gash their NFS South rivals, and when you add in his expected workload in the passing game…oh yes. He’s a pricey play, but I am expecting big things from the Saints’ number one guy.
Bijan Robinson v DAL ($7,400)
After three consecutive weeks of posting 25+ fantasy points, Bijan’s price has jumped from $6,600 up to a much heftier $7,400…but that’s still cheap for this slate. Robinson now gets to face off against a Dallas Cowboys defense allowing the most fantasy points to opposing RBs in the entire league – in a matchup with the highest O/U of the week at 51.5 points. The Falcons are 3 point favourites heading into Sunday and their sophomore back just saw his highest reception total on the year last time out in Tampa… expect Bijan to punish this defense on the ground and in the passing game. My biggest fear here is not Dallas stifling the run, but that Tyler Allgeir gets involved early and often against such a poor defensive line. Bijan should see a huge game, as long as he gets a majority of the work.
De’Von Achane @BUF ($6,700)
This is quite possibly the biggest pricing error of the week over at DratKings. In games this season where Tua Tagovailoa has been the starting QB for Miami, here are De’Von Achane’s points totals – 23, 29.5 & 26.7. Now Miami heads to Buffalo to face their divisional rivals who rank 31st against running backs on the year. Am I missing something? Sure, the Bills should steamroller the Dolphins, but De’Von Achane will be heavily involved regardless of game script, and will continue to see elite usage as a receiver out of the backfield. The sophomore is averaging 7 receptions for 65-yards through the air in games with Tua, and has over 90 rushing yards or a score on the ground. There are arguments to be made that he should be the highest priced back on the slate…but I am not complaining. Get him in your lineups no matter what.
Also consider: Tony Pollard @NE ($6,800), D’Andre Swift @AZ ($6,400) & Chase Brown v LV ($5,900)
Tyreek Hill @BUF ($7,300)
It’s fair to say last week wasn’t the return to former glory Tyreek Hill managers were hoping for. With Tua back under center, many assumed (myself included) it would be business as usual for Miami’s superstar wideout, but a modest 6 receptions for 72-scoreless yards saw The Cheetah end the week as the overall WR41. Yes, it was the first time he had hit double-digit fantasy points since week one…but only just. Things should hopefully improve in Tagolvailoa’s second start back from injury…and the Dolphins are going to need them if they want to have any chance of staying in this game. Miami are 6 point dogs in a game with an O/U of 49 points – Tyreek has to have a big game right? A word of warning though – in 16 games played last season, Hill was outside the top-36 in only one of them…away to Buffalo.
Puka Nacua @SEA ($7,200)
Welcome back Puka Nacua…we missed you! The reports ahead of last week’s Thursday Night game were that Nacua would play against the Vikings…but would be on a snap count as he is eased back into action. Well, the snap count did turn out to be a thing – Nacua played only 57% of total snaps – but the sophomore did not too bad on the night, turning his limited opportunities into 7 receptions for 106 scoreless yards. The Rams and Sean McVay weren’t messing around with Puka, if he was on the field, they were using him. He led the team with 9 targets, as Matt Stafford came back to life with 4 passing touchdowns, easing the home team to a 30-20 win at SoFi Stadium. With Cooper Kupp back in the lineup as well, this offense goes from mediocre to a top-5 unit. Expect Nacua and Kupp to both have great games against Seattle…but this is Puka’s team now, and he’s my preferred play over the veteran.
DeVonta Smith v JAX ($6,800)
Put some respect on DeVonta Smith’s name – in 5 of his 6 starts on the year so far, Smith has put up 15+ fantasy points as the supposed number two wide receiver in Philly. In four of those he has posted at least 75 receiving yards, scoring a TD in the one he didn’t. It feels as if there is nobody safer as a floor WR in fantasy at this time – and with Smith’s ability to add in a long bomb TD (he’s done it twice this season already) – he’s a great play at only $6,800. The Eagles host Jacksonville on Sunday, and ranked 29th against the pass…the Philly wideouts should have a field day. A.J. Brown is still technically the WR1 on this team, but with a price tag of $8,100…I’m saving myself the cash and plugging in Smith instead. If Smith can combine those 75+ yard performances with one of his deep touchdown grabs, he could be in for a huge day.
Also consider: Jayden Reed v DET ($6,400), Ladd McConkey @CLE ($5,600) & Courtland Sutton @BAL ($5,400)
David Njoku v LAC ($5,500)
Until Njoku hits $6,500, he’s most likely going to be in my DK lineups every week. Following the 14 targets he saw in week 7, the only way was down for the eighth-year TE…but only by a small margin. With Jameis Winston under center in his first start, Njoku saw 7 targets, which he managed to convert to 5 receptions for 61-yards – including a 23-yard score from Winston early in the second half. This passing game has been re-ignited with Winston, to the point where the now 2-6 Browns handed the now 5-3 Ravens their first defeat in over a month. The wide receivers have shown some life with Winston calling the plays…but Njoku is still the guy here. Roster him with confidence.
Evan Engram @PHI ($5,300)
Whereas Njoku is the guy in Cleveland based on talent, Evan Engram is now the guy in Jacksonville by default. With Christian Kirk out for the season with a collarbone injury, and rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. designated as day-to-day with a chest injury – the Jags are down to Gabe Davis and target hog TE, Evan Engram. Let’s not forget that Engram led this team in total targets last year with 143…Trevor Lawrence loves him, and you should too. The Eagles rank 2nd against the position, but with Engram likely to see 30%+ of the team’s targets, it shouldn’t matter.
Also consider: Mark Andrews v DEN ($4,200) & Taysom Hill @CAR ($3,800)
New Orleans Saints @CAR ($3,800)
Let’s not beat around the bush – without Derek Carr under center, this Saints team looks awful. I mean, even with Carr calling plays, they did look a little ropey for a couple of weeks…but at least they were competitive. Thankfully for everyone in New Orleans, Derek Carr looks set to return to action this weekend, and hopefully that will allow this offense to stay on the field just long enough to give their defensive unit a break. Not only are the Saints getting their number one QB back on the field, they get to take on divisional rivals Carolina this weekend, who have already confirmed it will be Bryce Young getting the start in the absence of Andy Dalton. You know the drill – when Bryce starts, so does the opposition DST in my DraftKings lineups. Multiple sacks + INTS = fantasy points. It’s a high price, but at $3,800, this could still be a wise investment.
Philadelphia Eagles v JAX ($3,100)
Are the Eagles a top-tier fantasy defense…no. Would I recommend starting them most weeks…no. Will we recognise most of the Jaguars pass-catchers lining up on Sunday…that’s another no. Jacksonville are in the middle of an injury crisis in their receiving room, we could see Parker Washington and *checks notes* Tim Jones joining Evan Engram as starters this Sunday in the City of Brotherly Love…and even with T-Law coming off the back of his best performance of the year so far – I’m out. This could be a tough afternoon through the air for the Jags – Philly are a sneaky start at $3,100.
Also consider: Cincinnati Bengals v LV ($3,700) & New England Patriots @TEN ($3,000)
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