The cash game article’s goal is to outline some safer plays while also providing options that will help you create the most optimal builds. The whole point of it all is to make some money. Sometimes we won’t, but putting ourselves in the best position to do so is the most important part. That should go without saying but can sometimes get overshadowed by the results on a week to week basis. Cash Games are basically H2Hs, 50/50s, and Double-Ups, where the amount of winnings is limited, but it is a higher probability.
Mostly, people want to know how many points a guy scored and not necessarily the route that took them there. DFS is not only a science but a math equation. Let’s dive in, put the pieces together, and try to solve it. Here are the NFL DFS Cash Game Plays for Week 9.
Disclaimer: As always, there will be a lock emoji next to a few of my favorite options. All of the guys mentioned are viable for cash games, but the ones with a lock emoji will be fixtures in my main lineup.
Quarterback
Drew Lock ($5,200 DK, $7,200 FD)
Hold your nose. Lock isn’t exactly a lock, and he can’t be based on the way he’s performed so far this season. However, he played well in the second half of the game last week, leading the Broncos to a come from behind victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. This week, he’s in a great spot, heading to Atlanta to face the Falcons in a dome. Atlanta gives up the second-most yards per pass attempt, passing touchdowns per game, and DK points per game to quarterbacks. I’m locking him in so I can spend up at other spots.
Other Options: Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson
Running Back
Dalvin Cook ($8,200 DK, $9,300 FD) – 🔒
This is the easiest Cash Game lock of the week. Cook returned from injury and burned the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 for 226 all-purpose yards (163 rushing, 63 receiving) and four touchdowns. With that tremendous game, he became the first player to surpass 200 yards from scrimmage and score four touchdowns versus the Packers at Lambeau Field. He also became the first player to score a touchdown on each of his team’s first four possessions.
Cook is averaging the second-most all-purpose yards per game (130.8) and leads the league with 11 touchdowns while playing in only six games and exiting early in one of them. The Detroit Lions don’t pose much of a threat against Cook. They are allowing the second-most DK points per game to running backs (32.6). Hashtag let Dalvin Cook.
David Johnson ($5,600 DK, $6,800 FD)
The game script should work in Johnson’s favor. The game has some slight weather concerns for passing, and the Houston Texans are seven-point favorites against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are a weekly matchup target for fantasy football. The Jags give up the fifth-most DK points per game to running backs (30.2) and allow the fourth-most rushing touchdowns per game (1.4). The former Pro Bowler should get plenty of work, which gives him a solid floor at his price.
Justin Jackson ($4,900 DK, $5,900 FD)
Joshua Kelley appears to have fallen out of head coach Anthony Lynn’s good graces. Troymaine Pope received 15 touches last week, but it sounds like he’s going to be out with an injury. Even with Pope’s increased role, Jackson still touched the ball 20 times and accumulated 142 yards from scrimmage. His red-zone usage is a bit concerning, as he is yet to score a touchdown. However, volume alone should give us some nice returns on his salary. The Las Vegas Raiders rank 31st in rush DVOA (7.1 percent). Playing Jackson allows us to get exposure to another highly projected points total. Vegas has the Over/Under set at 52.5.
Other Options: James Conner, Chase Edmonds, David Montgomery
Wide Receiver
Julio Jones ($7,200 DK, $8,200 FD) – 🔒
Calvin Ridley could be out for this game. Julio’s floor seems higher in this situation while also having the capability of hitting a high ceiling. The Broncos will be without cornerback A.J. Bouye, so Julio could be matched up with Michael Ojemudia. That’s a clear advantage for Julio. I’m expecting a ton of targets and production from him playing at home. Over the last three games, Julio is averaging nearly 10 targets and over 123 receiving yards per game.
Tyler Lockett ($6,800 DK, $7,400 FD)
Lockett is a $1,000 discount from D.K. Metcalf, who had a monster Week 8. Letting Russ cook has led to one of these two receivers going off week in and week out. Buffalo struggles more against slot receivers, so I’ll take the savings and play Lockett. The Seahawks have the third-most projected team total. It’s wise to try to capture some of that.
Marvin Jones ($5,100 DK, $6,100 FD) – 🔒
Once again, taking advantage of an injury situation and applying it to DFS, Kenny Golladay will be out of action with a hip injury. Jones steps right into the wide receiver number one role. The Covid concerns with Matthew Stafford are officially out the window, as he is set to play. Minnesota has had secondary issues all season, and they rank fourth-worst in passing yards per attempt. Jones has strung together two double-digit fantasy points games in a row. I think a third one is on the way.
Other Options: Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Brandin Cooks, Jerry Jeudy, John Brown
Tight End
Noah Fant ($4,600 DK, $5,800 FD)
Fant is a good play for many of the reasons Lock is. Of course, he has to throw the ball to someone. Someone benefits from him having a good game. Fant has been targeted 15 times over the last two games, but he hasn’t reached the end zone since Week 2. The Falcons are dead last in DK points allowed to the tight end position (19.1). They’ve allowed the most catches, second-most yards, and the most touchdowns to tight ends. Expect Fant to have a good game and end his pay dirt drought.
Hayden Hurst ($4,100 DK, $5,600 FD)
With Hurst, I don’t mind playing him in the same lineup as Julio Jones if that’s what you’d like to do. If you do so, you’ll most likely capture a lot of the expected passing volume. Both players have paths to good games, and it’s a built-in high floor move. Hurst has seven targets in each of the last two games and received 23.3 percent of the team’s target share, increasing from 14.6 percent in Week 7. That could be due to Ridley exiting the game in the second quarter. If Ridley’s out again, he could be in store for a 10-target game.
Other Options: Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, Hunter Henry Jordan Akins
Defense/Special Teams
I like to look for cheaper defenses than most people feel comfortable with. I felt like I needed to say that as almost a disclaimer before we get going. This doesn’t necessarily make all of these defenses “safe,” although I know that’s normally the goal in cash games. Because of the unpredictability at the position, I’m more willing to punt defense in hopes of finding some cheap turnovers. Taking salaries into consideration, here are my favorites.
Houston Texans ($3,100 DK, $3,700 FD)
The Texans are a cheap defense that’s favored and playing against a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut. Enough said.
New York Giants ($2,700 DK, $4,100 FD)
The Giants aren’t a sexy team to roster, but they have a solid matchup at an affordable cost. The Washington Football team ranks 31st in offensive line adjusted sack rate (8.8 percent). Kyle Allen isn’t exactly a superstar under center. The Giants have at least two sacks in every game this year. They should fill the stat sheet up that way and maybe force a turnover or two.
Other Options: Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons
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