FanDuel Consensus Rankings Week 9

Photo: USA Today Sports

Welcome to Fanduel Value-Play Rankings!

Each week we ask 10 staff members to rank their top players at each Fanduel position. These rankings are based on what our DFS staff believe are the best players at each position with respect to total points they will receive compared to the dollars that they cost. These rankings can be used to help you round out your cash game and GPP lineups, or just provide a guideline for what the Footballguys.com staff believe are the best value-plays to target

If Staffers submitted Comments, they are included below the tables as well. 

Each Staffer was asked to rank 8 QBs, 12 RBs, 12 WRs, 8 TEs, 5 PKs, and 5 Defenses. For the purposes of calculating an average rank, if a player was not ranked by a particular staffer, they received a weight that was 1 point higher than the players they ranked. For example. if only 2 staffers ranked a particular quarterback, the other 8 staffers were weighted as giving that quarterback a '9' for average calculation purposes. 

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 9: QUARTERBACKS

Despite being the most expensive QB on the board this week, Aaron Rodgers is this weeks’ top Value-based QB. The Packers are really banged up at running back, and they are pulling people out of the stands to run the ball. That means that to win. Rodgers needs to throw the ball. A lot. This week, the Packers face the Colts and based on their Vegas line, they have an implied total of over 30 points this week. That means Rodgers is looking at three or four TD passes this week. Add in the fact that Rodgers has 7 passing TDS over the last two weeks and the Colts are the 30^th ranked passing defense and it’s easy to see why Rodgers makes a good value-based play this week.

Andrew Luck faced Rodgers this week, and he ranks just behind him on the value-chart. Luck’s matchup isn’t as prime as his opponents, but he’s been doing pretty well from a fantasy prospective these last few weeks as well. Two weeks ago, against the Titans Luck threw for over 350 yards and 3 TDs against zero Ints. Last week he ‘only’ had 210 yards and 2 TDs with 1 Int, but he chipped in another 60 yards running the ball. The Packers have a pretty average passing defense, but Vegas still expects the Colts to put up 24 points this week, and Luck will be a big part of all of it.

If you’re looking to save a few bucks at QB this week, Dak Prescott is your guy. Prescott has been solid over the last two weeks, with over 500 passing yards, 5 passing TDs and 2 Ints. But Prescott also has over 40 yards rushing and a TD on the ground as well. This week Prescott faces the dormat of the league: The Cleveland Browns. The Browns rank in the bottom 3^rd for passing defenses, surrendering over 275 yards passing a game and rank #31 in passing TDs allowed with 19 total for the season. Prescott finally has all of his weapons back and a healthy Dez Bryant looks to be primed for another big day after lighting up the Eagles for 118 yards and a TD last week. Prescott looks like a great choice this week against the Browns, and is a great price at just 7600. 

Alexander

In a week where glaring value is tough to come by, Kaepernick provides much needed cap relief. Before shutting down a hobbled Russell Wilson last week, the Saints allowed their last four opposing quarterbacks to throw multiple touchdowns. As usual, Kaepernick should add the equivalent of another passing touchdown via rushing yards.

Mamula

This is a week where you will want to pay up at QB. I have Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Andrew Luck ranked in my top tier.

Howe

Rodgers is again king of both volume and dynamism. He projects to lead the slate in both attempts and touchdowns - and that doesn't even capture his full upside against the pitiful Colts defense.

Mariota is set up for another solid game. Both the Titans and the Chargers routinely find themselves in high-scoring matchups loaded with chunk plays in the passing game. Mariota could be throwing (successfully) well into the fourth quarter - and his rushing prowess only cranks his floor and ceiling up.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 9: RUNNING BACKS

DeVantae Booker tops the charts for value based RBs again this week. With C.J. Anderson on IR, Booker is the feature back in Denver, and he showed it with 24 touches and 84 yards from scrimmage, including a TD. This week the Broncos face the Raiders who have been improving on defense, especially against the pass. After being ranked #32 in passing yards allowed, the Raiders have clamped down over the last few weeks, allowing just over 420 passing yards and 3 TDs over the last two weeks. The Broncos are going to run the ball, and Booker will be their feature back this week. His price is still super low at just 7000, making him a great value back this week.

In DFS, it’s common to ‘take the RB against a bad run defense’. With Dallas traveling to Cleveland this week, and Ezekiel Elliott looks to pile up the yards this week. The Browns have given up a staggering 429 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs to running backs over the last two weeks. Add in that Elliot has almost 493 yards from scrimmage over the last three weeks, and appears to be getting stronger as the season wears on. Elliot isn’t a great bargain at 9200, but his bell-cow status and prime opponent match-up makes him a great play if you have the extra cash.

The Chargers are at home this week against the Titans, and they have an implied team total of over 26 points based on the Vegas line and over/under. That bodes well for Melvin Gordon, who has had move than 27 touches a game over the last three weeks, and 370 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs in that same period. The Titans are a little stingy against opposing RBs, but Gordon’s going to get plenty of opportunities and he is reasonably priced at 7800.

If you’re looking to save money at RB, look at Charcandrick West at home against the Jaguars. West looks to be the feature back in Kansas City this week with Spencer Ware not practicing due to injury. That means West and his 5600 looks to be the feature back against a defense that 180 rushing yards and 2 TDs to the Titans last week. West is a bargain priced back with a high floor, and should make a solid cash play this week. 

Mamula

If Spencer Ware is out, Charcandrick West is this week’s value play at RB. Devonta Freeman, LeVeon Bell and Ezekiel Elliott also make up my top tier at the position.

Alexander

When there is a lone running back in the Kansas City backfield, heavy usage is all but a given. With Jamaal Charles on IR and Spencer Ware concussed, the Chiefs brought in Bishop Sankey and worked out Trent Richardson. It could be a bad sign for Ware’s availability this weekend, which would make West a workhorse in a good matchup.

Howe

With Ben Roethlisberger likely still recovering and often underwhelming on the road anyway, Bell should dominate the Steelers offense. Like Riddick (only much more so), Bell carries a matchup-proof game and can reach cash value in any number of game scripts.

Hindery

Charcandrick West jumps up to #1 if Ware remains in concussion protocol. West is worth a flier in Thursday GPPs at low ownership because his upside is huge (should Ware scratch) and has enough of a floor (even if Ware plays) that he won’t sink your lineup. 

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 9: WIDE RECEIVERS

It's almost impossible to ignore Michael Thomas and his 5800 price tag this week. He has 24 targets over the last three games, and he’s converted that into an impressive 21 receptions for over 270 receiving yards and 1 TD. This week he faces a 49er defense that is coming off a bye week, but they have given up two or more TDs to wide receivers in each of the last four games. Their up-tempo offense keeps the defense on the field a lot, and giving Drew Brees and the Saints that many opportunities means great things for Thomas. At just 5800, he makes a great value play.

The news that Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice this week has a lot of DFS people looking at Antonio Brown again as a great option at WR. Brown’s still one of the best receivers in the league, and with Ben under center, his salary rose to almost 10,000. But with Landry Jones under center, Brown’s salary has fallen to ‘just’ 8700. If Ben is healthy enough to play this week, Brown becomes one of the top WR prospects this week and he’s a great price at just 8700.

Donte Moncrief returned to the field last week for Indianapolios, and posted four receptions for 41 yards and a TD. With another full week of practice under his belt, Moncrief is looking better and better. He faces the Packers this week in a game where the Colts are expected to post over 25 points, and Moncrief has a good chance to improve on his stats from last week. At just 6100, he’s a great bargain at WR.

Dez Bryant has a great matchup this week when the Cowboys travel to Cleveland to face the Browns. Bryant is back to 100%, and he did well against the Eagles last week posting 113 yards and a TD on a whopping 14 targets. The Browns are giving up big numbers through the air, and Bryant should have another good day against them this week. He’s reasonably priced at just 7800, so he makes an interesting choice at WR if you’re looking for a little cap release. 

Hindery

Donte Moncrief stands out as a very strong play this week. Indianapolis is likely to be playing from behind against a depleted Green Bay secondary and Moncrief has  a great chance to be Andrew Luck’s top target with T.Y. Hilton ailing.

Alexander

Travis Benjamin’s knee injury is starting to sound like a problem, but even if Benjamin is a full go, Williams is in a great bounce back spot against Tennessee’s abysmal cornerbacks.

Howe

For whatever reason, Adams continues to absolutely dominate Aaron Rodgers' attention. That's fine for DFS cash players, who will still enjoy a discount for his recent level of production. The bottom could fall out at any time, but also could not - Adams saw 16 targets 2 weeks ago on a perfectly healthy depth chart.

We'll always have to worry about his quarterback play, but not so much his target count or big-play ability. He's drawn 20.2% of Case Keenum's looks thus far, and over the last 3 weeks has as many deep receptions (5) as anyone.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 9: TIGHT ENDS

Kyle Rudolph tops the charts this week as he continues to prove he can be a receiving threat with 10 receptions for 86 receiving yards over the last two weeks. This week he and the Vikings face a Detroit defense that is TERRIBLE against opposing TEs, allowing 8 receiving TDs to TEs this season, and gave up 94 receiving yards to the three headed TE monster of Houston last week. Opposing defenses know that Sam Bradford is weaker under pressure, and they have seen what the Eagles and Bears were able to do the last two weeks. With pressure from the edge, Bradford’s going to look to Rudolph and he makes a great value play at just 5000 this week.

If you’re going to pay up at TE this week, Greg Olsen is your man. He’s relatively expensive at 7500, but he’s coming off a terrible week against the Cardinals last week where he posted just 1 receptions for 11 yards. But the Panthers were playing with a lead for most of the game, and Cam Newton had just 14 completed passes in that game. Before that, Olsen was on a tear with 15 receptions for 275 receiving yards against Tampa Bay and New Orleans. The Rams aren’t especially vulnerable to opposing TEs, but Olsen is the key to the Carolina’s passing attack, and he should bounce back this week with solid numbers against them. 

Howe

He's Sam Bradford's favorite target, both in and out of the red zone. Rudolph carries as shaky a floor as any cheapTE, but looks well worth the investment for those looking to cut costs.

Clay has surprisingly drawn 20% of Bills targets over the last three weeks. They haven't been high-impact, but neither is his salary - he can hit value on 3-4 catches.

Alexander

Rudolph remains too cheap for a red zone target hog facing the league’s worst defense against tight ends.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 9: KICKERS

This week, the top kickers aren’t in a dome, but they are bargain priced against team where they are expected to score a lot of points. Mason Crosby is at home facing the Colts, with an implied team total of over 30 points. That means plenty of opportunity for Crosby who is just 4700 this week.

If you’re looking to save a couple dollars, consider Wil Lutz at 4500. The Saints travel to San Francisco this week where they are a four point favorite and have an implied team total of 28 points based on the Vegas line and over/under.

Cairo Santos is at home this week against the Jaguars. The Chiefs have Nick Foles under center, but they are still nine point favorite with an implied team total almost 28 points as well. Santos has 29 points over his last three games, but is still value-priced at just 4700. 

Howe

The highest-projected team of the week typically trots out the top kicker option. Green Bay should spend all of Sunday entrenched in the Colts red zone.

The Saints probably can't help but to beat the 49ers, but on the road they usually lack the traditionally dominant Drew Brees that stomps opponents into the ground. I'm expecting gobs of possessions but relatively few touchdowns - and Lutz remains cheaper than dirt.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 9: DEFENSES

The top value defenses will cost you a little more this week, but they are all worth it with some great matchups. The Chiefs are 5100, but they are a nine point favorite at home against a struggling Jacksonville team that has struggled to score over the last few weeks. Minnesota has looked vulnerable the last couple weeks, but their defense is still the stronger side of their team and they face the Lions this week in a must win game. Carolina travels to LA to face the Rams, and they are a three point road favorite against a team that has implied total of just 21 points scored based on the Vegas lines. Case Keenum hasn’t looked good as of late, and the rumblings are the rookie Jared Goff is waiting to take over the offense. With either under center, the Panthers make a great option at defense this week. 

Howe

The aggressive, big-play Kansas City defense is licking its chops. Coming to town are the imploding Jaguars, who tend to gift turnovers and struggle to score.

The Raiders offense is no picnic to face, but Denver boasts an often-suffocating unit and will play hosts. They make for a fine play in either DFS format.

Mamula

Kansas City, Minnesota, and Seattle are similarly ranked in my top tier.

Good luck this weekend!

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