DraftKings NFL best lineup for Week 9
By Joe Romano
Running Backs
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams @ New Orleans Saints $9500
What Patrick Mahomes has been for the quarterback position, Todd Gurley is doing for the running back position. It truly does not matter who Gurley is playing, in that offense with the offensive line in Los Angeles, he is going to score. Fantasy players were upset about him giving up instead of scoring late in Sunday’s win but that will not stop anyone from rostering him this week. Gurley gets a New Orleans defense that is one of the league’s best at slowing down running backs. Again, that doesn’t matter for him. He will find his points and keep dominating.
Melvin Gordon III, Los Angeles Chargers @ Seattle Seahawks $8200
The price drop from Gurley to Melvin Gordon shows just how elite Gurley has been this season. Gordon is no slouch in his own right, he’s the sixth highest scoring running back this season. Now he gets a Seahawks defense coming off a strong performance at Detroit. Seattle ranks 21st in points allowed to opposing running backs so it could be a tough day ahead for Gordon. The usage will be high enough to limit the bust potential but this is far from a good matchup.
Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens $8000
As of Wednesday October 31st, there is no sign that Le’Veon Bell will be returning to Pittsburgh. Unless something changes, keep him out of lineups.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers $7800
With the success of Cam Newton and the offense, Christian McCaffrey is showing why he was a top-10 draft pick. The do-it-all back is being used as a bell cow and rightfully so. McCaffrey gets a great matchup in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are in the running for the league’s worst defense. They currently rank only tenth in points allowed to running backs but the loss of Kwon Alexander will only hurt an already reeling unit. McCaffrey is poised for a big game, especially if the Panthers start pulling away and he’s able to get a few extra carries.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns $7700
Last year’s rushing leader has taken a back seat offensively to his quarterback. Kareem Hunt is still putting up strong numbers and is the fourth highest scoring running back in the NFL this season. Hunt has an easier challenge ahead of him this week in Cleveland. The Browns defense ranks sixth in points allowed to running backs. On paper the matchup favors the Kansas City ground game but with Mahomes under center you never know.
Value Running Backs
Lamar Miller, Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos $5200
Everyone this weekend will be talking about Houston’s acquisition of Demaryious Thomas as a big part of their offense. What actually has been a massive piece of the Texans’ offense is the emergence of Lamar Miller as a true RB1. Miller is coming off back to back games with 100 yards and a touchdown. They play a Denver defense that has surrendered the second most yards on the ground. To protect Deshaun Watson from Von Miller Houston will need to lean on Lamar Miller and this is a great place of value for the veteran back.
Jordan Howard @ Buffalo Bills $4700
The most questionable pricing this week to me was the fact that Tarik Cohen is priced $1500 more than Jordan Howard. Cohen offers more value on most weeks with his pass catching but Howard is the Bears back to have this week. With Buffalo’s historically bad offense on the other side, game script will favor the bruiser over Cohen. This seems like the type of week Howard reminds everyone that he is a skilled back that has been one of the league’s top rushers for two seasons. Buffalo ranks 11th in points allowed to running backs, and Howard can feast this weekend.