Fantasy: Week 9's top daily fantasy football value plays
Every Friday, theScore takes a comprehensive look at the best daily fantasy value plays. Values are based on DraftKings' DFS offering, in which players are given a $50,000 budget with which to build a nine-player team (1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB/WR/TE FLEX, 1 DST).
Quarterback
Colin Kaepernick, SF (vs. STL, $7,000)
Kaepernick is the best value quarterback on the board as he and the 49ers, fresh off a much-needed bye, welcome a St. Louis Rams defense that has been positively dreadful. The Rams have allowed 30 or more points five times this season – including a 31-17 home loss to the 49ers on Oct. 13 in which Kaepernick threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Expect similar totals in friendly confines Sunday, with St. Louis simply unable to put any pressure on opposing QBs – their six sacks rank last in the NFL.
Others to consider: Carson Palmer, ARI (@ DAL, $6,800), Ryan Fitzpatrick, HOU (vs. PHI, $5,700), Alex Smith, KC (vs. NYJ, $5,700)
Running Back
Marshawn Lynch, SEA (vs. OAK, $6,100)
The beauty of DraftKings salaries – at least in the case of running backs – is that they often take stretches of reduced workload into account. Enter Lynch, who finds himself at a rock-bottom price after registering 11, 20 and 15 touches with zero TDs over the past three weeks. The scoring drought is a good bet to end Sunday against the visiting Oakland Raiders, who are allowing more than 130 rushing yards per game while surrendering seven TDs on the ground. This is the cheapest Lynch will be all season – so nab him.
Others to consider: Andre Ellington, ARI (@ DAL, $5,900), LeSean McCoy, PHI (@ HOU, $5,200), Jerick McKinnon, MIN (vs. WAS, $4,700), Jeremy Hill, CIN (vs. JAC, $4,000)
Wide Receiver
Michael Floyd/John Brown, ARI (@ DAL, $3,800 each)
The only thing guaranteed in this situation is that one of Floyd or Brown will likely have a productive day in what is expected to be a shootout against the host Dallas Cowboys. Brown was the go-to guy last week – hauling in five passes for 119 yards and a score in a win over Philadelphia – but that in no way suggests he's in for a similar performance Sunday. It's possible that both could thrive – Dallas allows 12.6 yards per catch to wide receivers – but you're likely settling on one. Both represent good value with high ceilings.
Others to consider: Keenan Allen, SD (@ MIA, $5,500), Doug Baldwin, SEA (vs. OAK, $5,100), Andrew Hawkins, CLE (vs. TB, $4,900), Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN (vs. WAS, $4,800), Kenny Britt, STL (@ SF, $3,100).
Tight End
Julius Thomas, DEN (@ NE, $5,600)
It's always a DFS treat when the Broncos and Patriots face off – and this game should be no different despite the calls for cold, nasty weather. While much of the tight end attention in this one will go to New England pass-catching machine Rob Gronkowski, his Denver counterpart is primed for a big game, as well. New England has struggled with defending tight ends so far this season and Thomas had eight catches for 85 yards in his previous encounter with the Pats in the 2013 postseason. At $5,600, he's a bargain.
Others to consider: Jordan Reed, WAS (@ MIN, $4,400), Travis Kelce, KC (vs. NYJ, $4,100), Jason Witten, DAL (vs. ARI, $3,200)
RB/WR/TE Flex
Rueben Randle, NYG (vs. IND, $5,400)
Two weeks ago, it may have seemed crazy to use a flex spot on a wide receiver facing the vaunted Indianapolis pass defense. But that was before Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hung 522 yards and six touchdowns on them – and with Indy still reeling and the Giants coming off a bye week, the time is right to lean on Randle. He's the new No. 1 receiver in an offense that will need to pass a ton to stay competitive – and he remains reasonably priced compared to other teams' top pass-catching options.
Others to consider: Ronnie Hillman, DEN (@ NE, $5,600), Martavis Bryant, PIT (vs. BAL, $5,500), Anquan Boldin, SF (vs. STL, $5,000), Alfred Morris, WAS (@ MIN, $3,900), Jonas Grey, NE (vs. DEN, $3,400)
D/ST
Bengals (vs. JAC, $3,300)
This choice is mostly about Cincinnati being "the team that faces Jacksonville this week," but there's more to it than that. The Bengals' defense held a potent Ravens attack to fewer than 200 passing yards last week and is showing signs of reverting to its impressive 2013 form. The absence of linchpin linebacker Vontaze Burfict (knee) will hurt, but this team has more than enough defensive pieces to make life miserable for rookie Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. Don't get cute, take the Bengals' D at home.
Others to consider: Seahawks (vs. OAK, $3,300), 49ers (vs. STL, $3,200), Browns (vs. TB, @2,900)