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Ben Rolfe analyzes optimal DFS cash game value plays for Week 9 of the NFL season. These players are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports cash games.
Week 9 brings with it a reduced featured slate, as not only do we have four teams on a bye, but also an early kickoff in London. Therefore, we are left with a 10-game slate, reducing our options. However, there are still plenty of values to be found for our cash game lineups.
This is a strange week in the NFL, especially on the Sunday slate. Just four games currently have a line above 45, with two of those being over 50. However, there are also two games with lines below 40, which severely limits the opportunities for value outside of the running back position.
This article will take a look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, usually when you look at value plays for GPP you are swinging for the fences somewhat. Here I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, be that pass attempts, targets or carries. Let's take a look at the cash value plays for Week 9 of the 2019 NFL season.
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Week 9 Quarterback Cash Game Value Plays
Sam Darnold, NYJ @ MIA | DK: $5,900, FD: $7,300
It has been a couple of really tough weeks for Darnold. After the disaster in New England, he bounced back somewhat against the Jaguars with a 15 point performance. However, he has now thrown seven interceptions and just two touchdowns in the last two weeks and desperately needs a strong performance to get him back on track. Facing the Miami Dolphins should help Darnold, as the Dolphins have allowed an average of 23 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks this season, and just made Mason Rudolph look dangerous as a passer. The other aspect of this is that the Miami offense is showing signs of life, and therefore, should be able to be competitive enough to ensure that Darnold cannot take his foot off the gas in this matchup.
Derek Carr, OAK vs. DET | DK: $5,500, FD: $7,300
Carr rewarded me for his faith in him last week and I am jumping right back on him this week against Detroit. The Lions made Danel Jones look respectable last week, and Carr is a more polished player at this point. The Lions are allowing an average of 23.4 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks, and Carr comes into this game off the back of his first 20-point performance of the season. The Raiders may not have a ton of weapons on the field, but Carr has still been able to put up respectable results with this less than stellar cast of characters.
Week 9 Running Back Cash Game Value Plays
Derrick Henry, TEN @ CAR | DK: $5,700, FD: $6,800
Henry is the ultimate volume running back right now in the NFL. He has yet to log less than 15 carries in a single game this season, and that has resulted in double-digit points returns in six of his eight games so far. The only concern with Henry is that his ceiling is limited by his lack of involvement in the passing game, but he should have a solid game against a Panthers Defense which was ravaged by the 49ers run game last week and allow an average of 18.6 FPPG to opposing RB1s.
Melvin Gordon III, LAC vs. GB | DK: $5,000 FD: $6,300
Gordon finally found the end zone last week but yet another underwhelming performance has seen his price drop to a point it presents pure value. The Packers are allowing over 20 FPPG to opposing RB1s and Gordon should have an opportunity to break out for the 2019 season this week.
Royce Freeman, DEN vs. CLE | DK: $4,900, FD: $6,100
It has been a nice run for Freeman recently, as he has seen double-digit carries in all of the last four weeks. That has resulted in three straight weeks of double-digit returns, and two straight weeks in which he has found the end zone. Cleveland is allowing over 27 FPPG to opposing running back groups. This Denver group consists of Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, who both have the ability to put up solid points in this matchup.
Week 9 Wide Receiver Cash Game Value Plays
Robby Anderson, NYJ @ MIA | DK: $5,500, FD: $6,200
Anderson has seen 22 targets in the last three weeks and now gets a matchup with the Dolphins, who are missing Xavien Howard in their secondary. The Dolphins are allowing over 20 FPPG to opposing WR1, which is the role I Anderson should play in this game.
Sammy Watkins, KC vs. MIN | DK: $4,900, FD: $6,000
Minnesota has had mixed results against opposing receivers. They have been good against WR1s, but have had some issues against secondary receivers, allowing an average of 13.5 FPPG. Watkins serves the secondary role in this offense now that Tyreek Hill is back, but should still see plenty of targets, having had eight or more in four of the five games he has seen significant time on the field.
Devante Parker, MIA vs. NYJ | DK: $4,400, FD: $5,800
Parker has been strong recently with four straight games of double-digit returns, thanks in large part to three touchdowns in that stretch. He has seen 18 targets in the last two weeks, and now has a matchup with a Jets team allowing 18.9 FPPG to opposing WR1.
Week 9 Tight End Cash Game Value Plays
Jonnu Smith, TEN @ CAR | DK: $3,800, FD: $5,500
Smith has really stepped up to the plate in the last couple of weeks following the absence of Delanie Walker. Smith has scored close to 30 points across the last two weeks, with 10 targets, 142 yards, and a touchdown. This week is a tougher matchup against the Carolina Panthers, but Tannehill seems fairly locked in Walker the last couple of weeks, and if Walker is missing again, then Smith could be in line for a second good week ina row.
Greg Olsen, CAR vs. TEN | DK: $3,500, FD: $5,300
In the same game as Smith, we also have a solid value on Greg Olsen. Olsen's role in the offense has been inconsistent with Kyle Allen commanding the offense, but he has had strong days against teams such as the Cardinals and Buccaneers. This week he is facing a Titans team that allows an average of just over 10 FPPG to opposing tight ends. While 10 points are nothing special, at the tight end position it is a more than acceptable return.
