This article first appeared on RotoBaller.com
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Hey there RotoBallers! In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 9 slate.
These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
Generally, I will try to outline a top option at each position along with a value option with a chance to at least hit value. Let’s get to it!
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Quarterback Picks for Yahoo DFS
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys vs. KC, $37
Prescott let a lot of people down in Week 8 as he didn’t account for a touchdown despite the Cowboys scoring 33 points against Washington. It was a fluke game as the weather was extremely windy in Washington last week, which snuffed out passing attacks and led to the Cowboys giving Ezekiel Elliott 33 carries. Look to Prescott to bounce back in a big way in Week 9 against a Chiefs defense that has been bleeding points to opposing pass offenses this season. Expect the Cowboys to lean more pass-heavy in Week 9 considering the fact that the aforementioned Elliott is likely to begin serving his six-game suspension this weekend. Prescott has just as much upside as any other quarterback on the slate in what should be the highest-scoring affair.
Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts @ HOU, $20
Brissett draws a favorable matchup against a Houston pass defense that has been torched by opposing quarterbacks this season. The banged-up Texans are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to enemy signal callers and most recently coughed up a 452-yard, four-touchdown game to Russell Wilson. While Brissett isn’t even close to the level of Wilson, he has appeared more comfortable running the Indianapolis offense in recent weeks. He’s a solid choice if you are planning to pay down at quarterback this week.
Running Back Picks for Yahoo DFS
Lamar Miller, Houston Texans vs. IND, $25
Originally, Miller made for an interesting pivot off of Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Will Fuller. Unfortunately, Watson was lost for the year when he tore his ACL during practice on Thursday which changes the entire outlook for Houston’s offense. While the Colts do have a poor pass defense, their run defense hasn’t been much better, ranking just 19th in DVOA and allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the running back position. Miller is sure to be more highly-owned than he would have been had Watson stayed healthy, but he remains an excellent play as the Texans should run their offense through him on Sunday.
Alex Collins, Baltimore Ravens vs. TEN, $13
Collins appears to be taking over the Baltimore backfield. The second-year back has produced well for the Ravens this season and is coming off a season-high 18 carries in Week 8 while also adding his first two receptions this year. Head coach John Harbaugh recently told the media that Collins has earned extra playing time with his strong play. As such, he is extremely undervalued for a player who is expected to take over as a team’s lead back. Tennessee’s run defense has been average this season, ranking 14th in DVOA and allowing the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. At just $3 over the minimum price, Collins is a free square in the RB2 slot this week.
Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo DFS
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys vs. KC, $27
As mentioned above with Dak Prescott, the Chiefs have been allowing huge games to opposing pass offenses this season. While Kansas City has a great corner in Marcus Peters, they choose to leave him on the left side, meaning Dez Bryant will have no trouble avoiding his coverage for most of the game. Much has been made of Bryant only topping 63 receiving yards once this season but he still has four touchdowns in seven games and should be a featured part of the Dallas offense while Ezekiel Elliott is suspended. Tee up Bryant as an elite play in all formats this weekend.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins vs. OAK, $17
Parker is finally over an ankle injury which has held him out of the past three games as he practiced in full on Wednesday. In his three full games played this season, Parker has been one of quarterback Jay Cutler‘s favorite receivers, drawing 27 targets and scoring once while reaching at least 69 receiving yards in each contest. He draws a fantastic matchup against an Oakland team with a vulnerable secondary. Parker is expected to run most of his routes at right cornerback David Amerson, who has just a 39.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. Parker is in an excellent spot this weekend with the Dolphins having just traded away starting running back Jay Ajayi.
Tight End Picks for Yahoo DFS
Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks @ WAS, $22
Graham has been on fire of late, scoring four touchdowns in his past three games. He draws the best matchup of the Seattle pass catchers this weekend as Washington employs a strong secondary, which should slow Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, and Paul Richardson. That serves to push additional work to tight ends, a position against which Washington ranks just 28th in DVOA. Look for Graham and the red-hot Seattle passing attack to turn in a big game in Week 9.
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts @ HOU, $16
Doyle is coming off the biggest game of his career, which saw him hang 12 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown on the Bengals. The 27-year-old tight end has emerged as quarterback Jacoby Brissett‘s favorite pass-catcher this season, drawing 31 targets over the past three weeks to lead the team. Doyle’s matchup against the Texans sets up as a favorable one as Houston is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and have coughed up three receiving touchdowns to the position over the past two games.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo DFS
Arizona Cardinals @ SF, $13
The Arizona defense hasn’t been all that impressive this season but with the 49ers expected to keep rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard in the starting lineup for the next few weeks, the Cardinals become an attractive defensive option, even on the road. Beathard has gotten progressively worse since taking over the starting job for San Francisco, including a two-interception performance against the Eagles in Week 8 where he struggled badly with his accuracy. Making matters worse for Beathard, San Francisco’s offense is extremely banged up as left tackle Joe Staley won’t be active on Sunday and the team will also be without top pass-catcher Pierre Garcon, who was sent to injured reserve on Thursday. The Cardinals are priced down due to recent struggles but they are worth using this weekend in a game with an extremely low 39-point over/under.