Here are my DraftKings value plays for Week 9. They are listed in descending price order, not a ranking of who to play out of each group. YOU ultimately make the decision on these players and whether to put them in your lineup. These are not necessarily must plays (some are in my opinion) but players you can squeeze for extra value to save money on the rest of your roster. Be sure to check out the Fantasy Knuckleheads Podcast that airs live every Tuesday at 10pm (Value plays) and Thursday at 10pm (Lineups).
Quarterback
Carson Palmer - $6800
Since returning from the nerve injury in his throwing shoulder, Carson Palmer has done nothing but produce. Though the matchup is tough on paper, Dallas’ defense looked suspect against Colt McCoy, especially after Romo left the game. If Romo is limited or can’t play, Palmer gets an even bigger boost given the opportunity for more time of possession.
Andy Dalton - $6300
Matchup, matchup, matchup. Dalton has been anything but the Super Ginger he was last season, but that is to be expected with the absence of one of the top receivers in the game in A.J. Green. Dalton has yet to have a great matchup thus far this year and this matchup is as good as it gets.
Alex Smith - $5700
Same deal as Dalton. The Jets just let Kyle Orton throw for four scores and even Alex Smith could throw for multiple touchdowns, even if they’re just shovel passes to Jamaal Charles. If Andy Reid is smart and gets Kelce more involved, 3+ scores for Smith on the day is not impossible.
Running Back
Shady doing the free money danceRashad Jennings - $5500
If he’s back and healthy, this price is far too low for someone with Jennings’ upside. He will get the bulk of the carries and add catches every week he plays. Have a contingency plan for playing Jennings because he isn't likely to make it back this early.
LeSean McCoy - $5200
THANK YOU DRAFT KINGS FOR FREE MONEY. He’s still a top-5 running back and costs nearly half of what Arian Foster does in the same game. He had over 80 yards and added three catches against the best defense in the league against RBs this season. I expect a huge day from Shady and will certainly be including him in every one of my lineups.
Denard Robinson - $4800
Denard has gone over 100 yards in each of his two starts and has averaged just under six yards per carry over those two games. Robinson is a freakish athlete and Cincinnati has been surprisingly weak against running backs this year. Great option to help save money elsewhere.
Ben Tate - $4300
Personally, I don’t trust Tate right now for daily, but his price is great and so is the matchup. Then again, he’s had two great matchups the last two weeks but was unable to impress. Risky play, but still has a chance at 20+ touches.
Jeremy Hill - $4000
Must play if Bernard can’t go, but could still have a productive day if both are on the field. Good bet to find the endzone and hit double digit points, regardless of Bernard's playing status. UPDATE: Bernard unlikely to play, Hill is a must play at this price.
Wide Receiver
AJ Green - $6300
“If I’m playing, I’m playing all the snaps.” If he plays, play him. If he doesn’t, make sure you save a $100 in your budget for Sanu.
Steve Smith Sr. - $5600
Not expecting a monster day by any means, but the safest play on the Ravens offense this week and moving forward. Can hit double digits without getting in the endzone and makes a solid 50/50 play.
Andre Johnson - $5500 / DeAndre Hopkins - $5400
Surprisingly, Johnson and Hopkins have only had two single digit DraftKings performances COMBINED this season. Johnson has caught 4-7 passes in every game thus far and Hopkins has had some big time games. Johnson has a safer floor for 50/50s but Hopkins could explode against a secondary that allows the 4th most points to wide receivers.
Odell Beckham Jr - $5000
Without Vontae Davis, the Colts’ secondary got shredded by Big Ben for six touchdown passes, five of which went to wide receivers. Coming out of the bye, I expect Manning and Beckham to have established more chemistry considering the loss of Victor Cruz.
Andrew Hawkins - $4900
With the running game struggling without Alex Mack, Hawkins has scored at least 20 points on DraftKings in the past two weeks. Hawkins may not keep this scoring output up much longer, but the Bucs give up the second most points to wideouts and could have another big day. Safe bet for double-digits with upside for more.
Mike Evans - $4700
Since returning from his groin injury, he has looked more and more like the #7 overall pick from this year's draft. After a slow(ish) start to the year, Evans has put up double-digits in his last three games on DraftKings. The Bucs coaching staff has said they plan on getting Evans more involved as the rebuild is in full force in Tampa. Good bet for the endzone this week.
Julian Edelman - $4100
If the Pats want to stay in this game against the Broncos, Brady will need to get Edelman more involved than he has the past two weeks. Edelman has huge PPR upside and could easily post double-digits on any given week without sniffing the endzone. I like him to convert on a few third downs and is a good bet for 7+ catches.
Paul Richardson - $3000
Exclusively a tourney punt play. Richardson has been seeing targets with the departure of Percy Harvin and his role should continue to grow.
Tight End
Julius Thomas - $5600
This price is a joke. Julius has nine touchdowns in seven games and the Pats bleed points to the tight end. Do you really think Peyton will ignore him for the third week in a row? Yeah, me neither.
Jordan Reed - $4400
Reed has posted double-digits in each of his last three games since returning from injury without getting in the endzone. Reed is a PPR monster and has led the team in targets each of the last three weeks. High floor with higher upside.
Travis Kelce - $4100
The only issue with Kelce is Andy Reid’s playcalling. David Harris and Demario Davis will have a tough time covering this freak of nature and if he gets six or more targets, he’ll have a monster day.
Dwayne Allen - $4100
Touchdowns are fun. Not really much else to say here. Low reception/yardage floor, high probability of getting in the endzone.
Zach Ertz - $3800
Risky, but if the usage finally comes, this is still too cheap for a guy that could easily post top-5 tight end numbers in this offense. High risk, high reward in tourneys but too inconsistent for 50/50 use.
Mychal Rivera - $3200
Seems to be gaining the trust of Carr and the coaching staff and had a huge game against the Browns. Good chance he’s a one week wonder, but there is an outside shot Rivera’s role could increase in the coming weeks. Great contrarian tourney punt.