Greetings, friends, and welcome to Week 9 of the DFS Pricing Exploitation series. Every week in this space, we’ll take a look at pricing on DraftKings and FanDuel and identify our favorite quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends based on how we can best take advantage of recent changes to those prices. The Eagles did us all dirty with Kenneth Gainwell last week, though I did express some concern about Boston Scott and Jordan Howard in last week’s GPP Main Slate piece. Hopefully, you grabbed the discount on Randall Cobb and cashed. Now, let’s talk pricing exploitation for Week 9.
Have questions or just want to talk football or DFS? Feel free to reach out on Twitter @mikeMaher with questions or feedback anytime.
Create Optimal lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
Greetings, friends, and welcome to Week 9 of the DFS Pricing Exploitation series. Every week in this space, we’ll take a look at pricing on DraftKings and FanDuel and identify our favorite quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends based on how we can best take advantage of recent changes to those prices. The Eagles did us all dirty with Kenneth Gainwell last week, though I did express some concern about Boston Scott and Jordan Howard in last week’s GPP Main Slate piece. Hopefully, you grabbed the discount on Randall Cobb and cashed. Now, let’s talk pricing exploitation for Week 9.
Have questions or just want to talk football or DFS? Feel free to reach out on Twitter @mikeMaher with questions or feedback anytime.
Create Optimal lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
Quarterbacks
FanDuel
Tyrod Taylor (HOU - QB) vs. MIA, $6,900 (+$600)
Obviously, we have to make sure that Tyrod Taylor actually returns this week. He was designated to return last week and practiced but was not activated ahead of Week 8's matchup against the Rams. It seems likely that he returns for this matchup against the Dolphins, but we may not know that for sure until later in the week. If he does start, though, he is a solid value at $6,900. That prices him as QB24 on FanDuel despite the favorable matchup against Miami, making him an intriguing GPP play.
DraftKings
Lamar Jackson (BAL - QB) vs. MIN, $7,300 ($0)
Lamar Jackson jumped off the page as a value on DraftKings this week. He is projected to score the second-most points this week behind only Josh Allen, but he is the 21st-most expensive player on DK's full slate. He brings clear QB1 upside and that solid floor because of his rushing ability, but he is QB6 in terms of price this week. With the Ravens coming off a Week 8 bye, I'm banking on a big performance from Jackson and am comfortable using him in Cash and GPP lineups this week.
Running Backs
FanDuel
Boston Scott (PHI - RB) vs. LAC, $6,300 (+$500)
Kenneth Gainwell was one of the most popular waiver-wire additions last week, but it was Boston Scott getting all of the carries once the game started. And with another positive matchup on tap, Scott is just $6,300 on FanDuel this week. Gainwell may see more work than he saw in the first half last week (which was essentially none), but it's likely Scott continues to see the early-down work and the majority of the carries. The Eagles ran the ball well in Week 8 and are likely to lean on the running game again in this one.
DraftKings
Michael Carter (NYJ - RB) vs. IND, $5,300 (+$400)
Lost in the Mike White experience in Week 8 is that Michael Carter was targeted 14 times in the passing game and caught nine of them for 95 yards. With his eight receptions in Week 7, that gives him 17 receptions over his last two games alone. Oh, and he carried the ball 15 times for 77 yards and a touchdown, too. Mike White is starting for the Jets again on Thursday, and Carter should receive a significant workload yet again.
Wide Receivers
FanDuel
Hunter Renfrow (LV - WR) vs. NYG, $5,600 ($0)
Hunter Renfrow caught seven of his eight targets for 58 yards in Week 7 against the Eagles, and he has received eight targets in three of his last four games. With the Henry Ruggs release, there will be more targets to go around for players like Renfrow. He is priced as WR54 (!!!) this week at just $5,600 on FanDuel, meaning he is essentially a free square who should see plenty of opportunities in a favorable matchup against the Giants.
DraftKings
Michael Pittman Jr. (IND - WR) vs. NYJ, $6,000 (+$700)
I have been pounding the Michael Pittman drum for much of the season, and it is hard to argue with the recent results. He was targeted a whopping 15 times in Week 8, catching 10 of those passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns to finish as the WR2 overall for the week. Carson Wentz trusts him and looks his way often. At $6,000, he is WR22 on DraftKings despite a favorable matchup against the Jets on Thursday night in a game the Colts absolutely have to win.
Tight Ends
FanDuel
Jared Cook (LAC - TE) vs. PHI, $5,200 ($0)
The Philadelphia Eagles demolished the Detroit Lions last week, but lost in the numbers is that the Eagles allowed tight end T.J. Hockenson to catch 10 passes for 89 yards. The Eagles have absolutely no one at linebacker and recently released veteran Eric Wilson. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon plays a ton of two-high zone coverage, leaving the middle of the field open for opposing tight ends. Enter Jared Cook, who is priced at TE14 on FanDuel this week. Cook had a down game against the Patriots last week but should find more success against the Eagles in Week 9.
DraftKings
Dallas Goedert (PHI - TE) vs. LAC, $4,500 (-$200)
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts only threw the ball 14 times in a Week 8 blowout win over the Lions. Half of those 14 passes went to Dallas Goedert, who has emerged as the second-year quarterback's preferred target in recent weeks. Goedert's price presumably dropped on DraftKings because the Eagles ran the ball so much against the Lions and may do the same against a Chargers team that also struggles to stop the run. But the Chargers are better than the Eagles, and Philadelphia is going to have to throw the ball if they are going to keep up with Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles offense. Look for Goedert to once again be featured in the passing game, and he is a value at just $4,500 on DraftKings.
Want to keep the conversation going or just have a question? Feel free to reach out on Twitter @mikeMaher with questions or feedback anytime.
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Mike Maher is an editor and featured writer at FantasyPros and BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive, follow him on Twitter @MikeMaher, and visit his Philadelphia Eagles blog, The Birds Blitz.