Sean Barnard gives his top DraftKings DFS plays for this week’s DraftKings Millionaire contest for Sunday’s Week 9 NFL action.
The NFL season is cruising by with Week 9 already arrived. Bye weeks are in full swing with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each sitting at home this week. Even still, there are plenty of high-profile matchups headlined by the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills rivalry.
There are still plenty of ways to get involved in the action with DraftKings Sportsbook and DFS contests. As you seek to maximize your DFS lineups, here is a look at a few players in line to outperform their price point to help give you an edge. This article presents my top DFS lineup and the logic behind each selection.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $2.75M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]
Quarterback
Josh Allen ($7,300)
The $7,300 price point is high but worth paying the premium for the Bills star. Josh Allen has completed 68% of his pass attempts on the season for 1,560 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions while adding 261 rushing yards and five scores with his legs. Allen is averaging 23.5 fantasy points per game based on DraftKings scoring, which ranks third among quarterbacks.
He will need to pack his best punch against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and he has shown up for these matchups in the past. Across the first five matchups with Kansas City in his career, he has thrown for 1,261 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
His ability with his legs in the red zone makes him a consistent touchdown threat, and he is sure to air it out throughout. Count on Allen putting forth a superhuman-like effort as he gives the Bills every chance of winning this game. He has tallied as many as 41.8 fantasy points in a game this season and should be in line for this type of opportunity.
Expect Allen to not only have a chance to be the best fantasy quarterback but also to lead the entire NFL in fantasy production this week.
Other Considerations: Bo Nix ($6,400), Daniel Jones ($6,200), Jaxson Dart ($5,200)
Running Back
J.K. Dobbins ($6,000)
RJ Harvey continues to look over his shoulder, but J.K. Dobbins is the clear top back on the Broncos roster. Dobbins has 120 rush attempts to Harvey’s 44 on the season, and he has rushed for 634 yards and four touchdowns this year. The 26-year-old is averaging 13.2 fantasy points per game on DraftKings scoring, which ranks 22nd among running backs.
Denver is facing off with the Houston Texans, who look to be on the verge of disaster. While the defense has been Houston’s saving grace, this is a matchup I expect the Broncos to take control of and be looking to eat up the clock.
Expect this to result in plenty of opportunities for Dobbins on the ground. He is coming off a season-high 17.8 fantasy points in the previous game and has outscored his average in six of the eight games. If it were not for a 40-yard rushing performance against the Jets, his numbers would be looking much stronger. Count on Dobbins to make the most of some expanded opportunities and outperform his price point in this matchup.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. ($5,100)
The New York Giants took a huge hit last week with standout rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffering a gruesome season-ending ankle injury. While his impact was clear, this opens the door for others to step up.
Enter Tyrone Tracy Jr., who tallied 1,123 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns just last season. His opportunities have been more limited this year, but Tracy Jr. still has 227 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in his limited chances.
He averaged 11.4 fantasy points per game based on DraftKings scoring last year as the primary back and notched 12 touches for 53 yards last week following the injury. Tracy Jr. is effective in the pass game and expect him to return to last year’s level of production. Don’t be shocked if his price point increases in the weeks moving forward, and lock him in at $5,100 for the Week 9 matchup.
Other Considerations: Josh Jacobs ($7,700), James Cook III ($7,200), Kimani Vidal ($6,300), Aaron Jones Sr. ($5,200)
Wide Receivers
Rashee Rice ($7,600)
The Kansas City Chiefs desperately missed Rashee Rice as he served his suspension to start the year. He has picked up right where he left off with 16 receptions across his first two games back and reaching the end zone three times.
While the sample size is small, Rice is averaging 24.4 fantasy points per game, which is third among wide receivers. This is a matchup where points should be frequent, and expect Rice to be the top offensive weapon in the Chiefs’ attack.
Buffalo’s defense has been impressive, but this will be the most dynamic attack they have attempted to slow down. Count on Rice adding to his strong start and seeing plenty of targets throughout. Look for him to find the end zone for the third-straight week and be in the mix for the top-performing wide receiver on the slate.
Xavier Worthy ($5,600)
Keeping with the theme, Xavier Worthy should also be in line for a strong performance in this Bills vs. Chiefs matchup. He is not as polished a wide receiver as Rice, but he is one of the most explosive athletes in the NFL. Through his first six games played, Worthy has tallied 21 receptions for 233 yards and a touchdown, in addition to 66 yards on the ground.
While his production has not popped off the page, the Chiefs’ running game has struggled in a major way, and this will be maximized by the injury to Isiah Pacheco. Expect Worthy to be more involved in gadget-type plays and for there to be a clear effort to get the ball in his hands.
You cannot teach the level of explosiveness that he possesses, and one big play could change the entire outlook of a DFS contest. Expect the Chiefs to give Worthy a few chances at big plays in this game and for him to deliver by outperforming his $5,600 price point.
Quentin Johnston ($5,400)
After battling some drop issues through the first two years of his career, Quentin Johnston looks to be putting it all together this season. The TCU product has tallied 28 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns through his first seven games. Johnston is averaging 14.1 fantasy points on DraftKings scoring, which is tied for 24th among wide receivers.
He missed the previous game due to a hamstring injury, but is a full go for this week as the Chargers take on the Titans. Tennessee is making its case for the worst team in the league. They rank 30th in opponents’ points allowed, 26th in total yards allowed, and 28th in net yards per pass attempt.
Johnston has been targeted at least four times in every game this season and has 70+ yards in four games. Look for him to add to his strong season and produce another convincing performance in this matchup.
Other Considerations: Justin Jefferson ($7,800), Courtland Sutton ($6,500), Tee Higgins ($5,900), Wan’Dale Robinson ($5,100)
Tight End
Sam LaPorta ($4,300)
National tight ends’ day may be over, but the production will continue. The Detroit Lions will face off with the Minnesota Vikings this week, with Sam LaPorta in line to contribute. Minnesota has been vulnerable against opposing tight ends, allowing an average of 5.6 receptions, 48.4 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns to the position this season.
LaPorta is a key part of the Lions offense regardless, and has pulled in 29 receptions for 339 yards and two touchdowns so far this year. He is averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game on DraftKings scoring, which is tied for 12th among tight ends and below his personal standard. Just two years ago, he tallied 10 receiving touchdowns and averaged 14.1 fantasy points per game, and he is below last year’s output as well.
Expect Detroit to dig into its playbook for this divisional rivalry and for LaPorta to be a weapon in the red zone. The Lions have a dangerous offense with plenty of offensive talents, but expect LaPorta to make his presence felt and outperform his $4,300 price point in this matchup.
Other Considerations: Tyler Warren ($5,500), Travis Kelce ($4,600), Hunter Henry ($3,700)
Flex
Jameson Williams ($4,800)
Another key player who should be expected to be heavily involved in the Detroit attack is Jameson Williams. Detroit’s offensive coordinator, John Morton, apologized in front of reporters this week for failing to get Williams the ball enough, and some change should be expected. Through the opening seven games, he has tallied just 17 receptions, but taken these for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Williams is still averaging 8.7 fantasy points per game on DraftKings scoring, which ranks 54th among wide receivers. With an increased focus on getting the football in his hands, expect the Lions to get creative and open the door for Williams to make some big plays.
The Alabama product has breakaway speed that he can take a simple screen pass for a touchdown from any spot on the field. Count on Williams getting extended chances to make things happen and for one big play to change the entire week’s outlook.
Defense & Special Teams
Los Angeles Rams ($3,900)
The $3,900 price point is higher than I typically target for a defense, but this is a great spot for the Rams. They will host the New Orleans Saints, who made a quarterback change to give Tyler Shough an opportunity to start. The second-round pick completed 17 of his 30 pass attempts for 128 yards and a touchdown in relief last week, while being sacked twice.
New Orleans ranks 29th in points scored and 27th in yards gained overall this season. Los Angeles has a solid defense that ranks third in points allowed and 13th in yards given up this season. They are also second in the league in team sacks with 26 already notched this season.
Expect Shough to receive his full ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment this season and for the Saints to struggle to move the ball at all. The Rams look to be finding their full stride, and this is a chance to add a convincing victory, which I expect they will take full advantage of.
Other Considerations: Chargers ($3,800), Lions ($3,700), Jaguars ($3,300), Bengals ($2,600)