It’s the first week of “Bye-mageddon”, although one could argue that Week 7 started when we were missing all sorts of top-tier QBs and WRs. There are six teams on bye this week, and the ownership landscape will change tremendously with only ten games to tackle and various players missing. I’ve been on a heater over the last two weeks, so let’s see if we can dig up some early mispricings for Week 9!

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB) ($5,900) @ DET

If there was ever a get-right spot for Aaron Rodgers in this weird year, it’s this one. The Lions have allowed 32.1 PPG, the highest YPA in the NFL, and the third most FPPG to opposing QBs. Rodgers is currently the QB17 on the season while only averaging 14.9 DK PPG, but Detroit has allowed the opposing quarterback to be a QB1 in every week but one this year. Rodgers’ being below 6k just seems wrong here.

Geno Smith (QB – SEA) ($5,800) @ ARI

Seriously, what does this guy have to do for DraftKings to notice him? As the overall QB7, Geno Smith is STILL under 6k after carving up a Giants defense (pain) that had allowed the fifth fewest FPPG to QBs. This week he and the surprising Seahawks get a potential shootout with Arizona, who has allowed the sixth most FPPG to QBs. It’s clear as well that Geno’s receiving corps is good to go after DK “The Cyborg” Metcalf didn’t even miss one game (and scored a TD).

Running Backs

Josh Jacobs (RB – LV) ($7,300) @ JAX

Josh Jacobs finally returned to Earth in a 24-0 loss to the Saints, but that was all Raiders’ players. I maintain that Jacobs was still entirely too cheap last week at $7500, and the fact that he’s dropped $200 this week only sweetens the deal. Before the last game, Jacobs had 26 touches or more in three straight contests and is currently the RB6 overall in PPR formats. Jacksonville has allowed 4.6 YPC and the seventh-most FPPG to opposing RBs, so this looks like an obvious bounce-back spot.

Travis Etienne (RB – JAC) ($6,300) vs LV

I’m never a big fan of opposing running backs in the same lineup, but Etienne (like Jacobs) is also way too cheap. Etienne’s full workload has been unlocked, as he’s responded by going 34-270-2 (7.9 YPC) over the last two games (both losses, but still). Las Vegas has allowed the eighth most FPPG to opposing RBs. Etienne’s role in the passing game has been underwhelming, but there’s room for optimism in this game as the Raiders have also allowed the fourth most receptions and third most receiving yards to RBs.

Wide Receivers

Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS) ($5,900) vs MIN

It seems weird to say, but Terry McLaurin is back on the map as a top receiving option because of…Taylor Heinecke. In the two games Heinecke has taken over, McLaurin has gone 11-186-1 on 16 targets and 216 air yards. He’s also beaten two tough matchups against GB and IND and gets a much softer draw against Minnesota, allowing the sixth most FPPG to opposing WRs. Take advantage of Terry’s unmoving price tag.

Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI) ($4,800) vs. MIA

It’s tough to trust a Bears’ skill position player in DFS solely due to their lack of passing volume, but Mooney’s metrics transcend these issues. His 42.2% air yards share is second in the NFL, and his 29.5% target share ranks eighth. Miami’s pass defense was once considered imposing, but they’re now without Byron Jones, Nik Needham, and Brandon Jones, and Xavien Howard has been slowed by injuries all season as well. Mooney’s price tag has remained stagnant at just under 5k, which doesn’t really match his role in this offense.

Tight Ends

Gerald Everett (TE – LAC) ($4,800) @ ATL

Gerald Everett’s price has risen $800 since the last game, but it’s still not enough of a spike to warrant fading. Mike Williams will be out for the foreseeable future, and it’s possible Keenan Allen still wasn’t ready to return from his hamstring injury either. Everett has taken full advantage of these injuries with 16 targets in the past two weeks, and he now ranks fifth in targets and sixth in air yards among TEs. Atlanta has been a sieve defense this season, especially against TEs, who have scored the fourth most FPPG against them.

Evan Engram (TE – JAC) ($3,300) vs LV

The Giants fan in me hates touting this guy, but I can’t deny he’s getting it done with Trevor Lawrence as his QB. Over the last four games, Evan Engram has had 29 targets and a 66% catch rate. The Raiders have hemorrhaged fantasy production to opposing TEs, allowing the second-highest YPC and the third-most FPPG.