It’s time for the week nine edition of “Buy or Leave Dry”. As we do every week, we take a look at some players to use and avoid when constructing your daily fantasy (DFS) teams for DraftKings and FanDuel. Week eight we hit on Travis Kelce and missed on our QB/WR stack of Jameis Winston/Mike Evans. We roll onto week nine looking to make some money.
Quarterback
BUY: Aaron Rodgers Packers VS Colts
Salary DraftKings $7,800 FanDuel $9,100
Aaron Rodgers has gotten himself back on track. After what many called a lackluster start for the perennial MVP candidate, Rodgers has caught fire lately. Over his last two games Rodgers has thrown for 572 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. After a heartbreaking last minute loss to the Atlanta Falcons Rodgers and the Packers return home to face the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts defense has been awful all year allowing over 400 yards per game and rank 31st against the pass. With not much of a running game to speak of due to injuries, Rodgers is in line for another huge passing day. His high salary should keep his ownership percentage in GPP contests in check. Must use!
LEAVE DRY: Cam Newton Panthers @ Rams
Salary DraftKings $7,000 FanDuel $8,100
Even in a week in which his team put up 30 points in a big win over the Arizona Cardinals, Cam Newton posted a pedestrian stat line. Newton completed just over 50% of his passes for 212 yards and no scores. Carolina heads back on the road to face the Los Angeles Rams who rank 8th in the league in points against at 19.4. Despite their offensive troubles, the Rams defense has been consistent all year. Ranking 12th and 15th respectively against the pass and run, the Rams defense has kept them in most games this season. In what could turn out to be a defensive struggle, it would be a safe bet to look elsewhere for your quarterback in week nine.
Other options to use at quarterback include Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill and Drew Brees.
Running Back
BUY: Le’Veon Bell Steelers @ Ravens
Salary DraftKings $7,300 FanDuel $7,800
In four games since returning from suspension Le’Veon Bell has posted some big stat lines. Bell is averaging five yards per carry and has 30 receptions on 37 targets. The 30 receptions are two less than the total number of receptions Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson has on the entire season. The one thing Bell has yet to do is score, but believe me it’s coming. Week nine is “rivalry week” in the NFL and there isn’t a nastier rivalry then the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. The games between these two teams are usually very tight and both teams rely on their playmakers to make plays. Bell’s ability to line up in the slot makes him the lethal dual threat that he is. Bell is averaging 23.5 and 18.9 fantasy points per game on DraftKings and FanDuel respectively. Salary is high and rightfully so. Find a way to get him in your DFS lineups this week.
LEAVE DRY: Frank Gore Colts @ Packers
Salary DraftKings $4,500 FanDuel $6,300
Frank Gore has been very impressive this season. At 33 years old Gore is 16th in the league in rushing averaging 4.2 yards per carry with five touchdowns. With Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers coming to town week nine, it is very possible the game flow will lead to a lot more passing than running. Green Bay also possesses the number one defense against fantasy running backs in 2016. Gore has no more than 27 receiving yards in any game this season and if this game does become an air show between Rodgers and Andrew Luck, Gore will lose snaps. Look Elsewhere this week.
Other options at running back include Mark Ingram, Charcandrick West and Darren Sproles.
Wide Receiver
BUY: Jarvis Landry Dolphins VS Jets
Salary DraftKings $7,100 FanDuel $7,600
Normally in this spot we give you the second half of a QB/WR stack. However, with Aaron Rodgers showing the ability to spread the ball to all of his active receivers, we have decided pass on the stack this week. Instead our “buy” of the week is Jarvis Landry. Landry has 46 receptions through seven games and is averaging 82 yards per game. Ryan Tannehill, Landry and the Dolphins face a Jets defense ranked dead last against the pass. Coming off the bye week the Dolphins have won two straight and are riding high. Look for Landry to be the tour guide on “Revis Island” all afternoon Sunday in Miami.
LEAVE DRY: Allen Robinson Jaguars @ Chiefs
Salary DraftKings $6,900 FanDuel $6,700
Allen Robinson has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of 2016. He has not caught more than seven balls or topped 70 receiving yards in any game this year. He has caught only 45.7% of his targets. For the past few weeks we have backed Robinson hoping for that breakout game, however, it may not be coming at all. With a road matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on tap Sunday, it is best to leave Robinson out of your DFS lineups. Blake Bortles, Robinson and the Jaguars have been too bad on offense to think they will right the ship in one of the hardest road stadiums to play in. Stay Away!
Better Options include Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson and Quincy Enunwa.
Tight End
Buy: Kyle Rudolph Vikings VS Lions
Salary DraftKings $4,000 FanDuel $5,000
The Minnesota Vikings offense has struggled since their week six bye. Rudolph, however, has seen 17 targets during the last two weeks. The Vikings made a change at offensive coordinator with Norv Turner leaving. Look for Rudolph to be a primary focus in the offensive game plan this week against a Detroit Lions defense ranked 32nd against opposing tight ends.
LEAVE DRY: Zach Ertz Eagles @ Giants
Salary DraftKings $3,500 FanDuel $4,900
Zach Ertz has been a disappointment this season for the Philadelphia Eagles. He missed three weeks due to injury and has not seen more than four targets in any game since week one. Ertz and the Eagles head to MetLife Stadium to face a New York Giants defense very tough on tight ends. Ertz should continue to struggle this week.
Defense
Buy: Chiefs VS Jaguars
Salary DraftKings $3,500 FanDuel $5,100
Blake Bortles has committed 11 turnovers this season. The Kansas City Chiefs have forced 10 turnovers in three home games so far this season. The Jaguars have trouble running the ball and the Chiefs are eight best in the league against the Pass. Going to be a long day for Bortles and the Jaguars in Kansas City.
Leave Dry: Jets @ Dolphins
Salary DraftKings $2,800 FanDuel $4,300
The New York Jets defense has been a massive disappointment in 2016. Despite ranking first in the league against the run, they are dead last against the pass and are allowing almost 24 points per game. The resurgent Miami Dolphins have been led by back to back 200+ yard rushing games from Jay Ajayi. The Jets will have to respect the run even more this week, allowing Ryan Tannehill and Jarvis Landry to expose the weak secondary of the Jets.
Scott Burke- DFS writer, all-around sports junkie.
Follow on twitter @scot557
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