The Chiefs, Bengals, Chargers, Jets, Bills and Dolphins are not on the main slate this week. Add that to four teams being on bye (Broncos, Lions, 49ers, Jaguars) and the uncertain status of many quarterbacks, and this week’s DFS lineups are going to look -- as Dan Campbell would say -- “gritty.”
If you’re paying up for Cowboys or Eagles players, you’ll certainly need more than a few of the players on this list to stay under the cap. All of the players below are expected to return good value relative to their bargain salary. Be sure to check out Thursday’s DFS article for recommended players that have higher salaries.
Related: NFL DFS Week 9: Lean on Cowboys and Eagles
Let’s bite some kneecaps.
Quarterbacks
Derek Carr, SaintsI told you this wasn’t going to be pretty. Alvin Kamara is one of my favorite running back plays this week, and if you are spending up, Carr is a good way to save and build a stack. The matchup is right vs. a Bears team that has allowed the sixth-most points to passers this season. Carr has played well enough to finish top 15 at the position for four consecutive weeks. Last week he looked much better, passing for 310 yards and a pair of scores vs. the Colts.
C.J. Stroud, TexansForget last week. This week, Stroud bounces back. The freshman quarterback still ranks 10th in passing yards per game, and his matchup this week with the Bucs is favorable as they are bottom 11 vs. the quarterback in DFS scoring.
Running Backs
Zack Moss, Colts
Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports
Despite Jonathan Taylor’s return, Moss won’t go away. He continues to be an absolute beast, finishing Top 10 at the position in four of seven games played this year. There’s enough goodness to go around vs. the Panthers, too, as no team has allowed more touchdowns to running backs this season than the Panthers (14). They are also allowing 5.02 yards per carry and 126 rushing yards per game. If you want to save some salary, Moss is your pivot.
Chuba Hubbard, PanthersMiles Sanders had a mere two touches to Hubbard’s 17 last week vs. the Texans, so I like the salary for Hubbard vs. a Colts defense that ranks 29th vs. the run.
Darrell Henderson, RamsDespite Royce Freeman vulturing his touchdown, Henderson remained the lead back for the Rams in a game where the script wasn’t in his favor Sunday. He also led the Rams with 54 receiving yards. This week’s matchup is much more favorable vs. the Packers, who are allowing the seventh-most DFS points to the position.
Pierre Strong Jr., BrownsStrong is behind both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt, but if you want to save some salary, Strong is a dart worth throwing. Ford did not look fully healthy last week, and Strong carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards and a touchdown vs. Seattle. Should Ford still not be 100%, there’s a chance Strong sees more work vs. a Cardinals teams that has allowed the third-most points to opposing running backs this year.
Wide Receivers
Brandin Cooks, CowboysIf you want some exposure to the Cowboys/Eagles game, Cooks is a great option. After finally getting Cooks some targets, the Cowboys have been more successful. Look for that trend to continue as the speedy veteran faces off with an Eagles secondary that has allowed the second-most yards and touchdowns to opposing wideouts this year.
Tank Dell, Texans
I’m erasing last week from the memory banks and putting Dell back on my list. The Bucs rank 24th vs. wide receivers and Dell owns 21.2% of the Texans’ receiving yards this year and has the same catch rate as Nico Collins.
Rashid Shaheed, SaintsRashid Shaheed has a knack for coming up with big games, and this Bears defense provides that opportunity.
Demario Douglas, PatriotsWith the news that Kendrick Bourne is done for the season, all eyes are now on Douglas who led the team with a 24% target share on Sunday while playing 77% of the snaps. Devante Parker may be out with a concussion, too, leaving Douglas as a possible huge bargain vs. a Commander's team that has allowed the most receiving yards and the most touchdowns to the position this year.
Tight End
Jake Ferguson, CowboysFerguson will keep making this list as long as his salary is right. He did well for us last week, and this week’s matchup is good vs. an Eagles team that ranks 26th vs. the position. This is another great way to get exposure to the game with the highest total of the week.
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