DFS NFL WR Coach: Week 9

Looks like we’ve got some nice match-ups for several of the high-priced receivers and while I always recommend having at least one elite wideout in your lineup, there are certainly enough mid-range priced players you can use. That just might be the way to go as we’re starting to see fewer bargain plays at the running back position which means you may have to pay up there in order to cash this week. Here’s a look at the data leading up to Week 9 along with a number of recommendations.

Elite Plays

Julio Jones, ATL – While you’d like to think his Week 8 stinker will keep the ownership percentage down, the Bucs gave up 500 yards through the air last week and Matt Ryan is ready to light them up again.

Antonio Brown, PIT – If Ben Roethlisberger plays, I’m investing in Brown. The Ravens rank 24^th against opposing WR1 and are giving up just over 80 yards per game to them.

Mike Evans, TB – He’s a target monster for Jameis Winston and while the Falcons don’t give a lot of yardage to opposing WR1’s, they do rank 18^th and have given up 19 touchdowns through the air.

Jordy Nelson, GB – The Colts pass defense is a mess still and they rank 23^rd against the opposing WR1, allowing an average of 86.3 receiving yards per game. They’ve also coughed up 14 touchdowns through the air.

Pricey but Affordable

Dez Bryant, DAL – The Browns have allowed the fifth-most passing yards this season along with 19 passing touchdowns. They also rank 31^st against the WR1 and allow roughly 81 yards per game to them.

Jarvis Landry, MIA – The Jets secondary continues to struggle and Landry will be all over the field. He’ll tear them up on the outside as well as come out of the slot where the Jets rank 25^th in the league.

Brandin Cooks, NO – Drew Brees was fine on the road against the Chiefs and now gets the 20^th-ranked pass defense which ranks dead last against opposing top wideouts. Cooks has touchdowns in three-straight games and is more than likely to make it four.

Brandon Marshall, NYJ – He hasn’t found the end zone in three weeks, but the Fins rank 27^th against opposing top receivers and allow an average of 78.2 yards per game.

Doug Baldwin, SEA – I don’t love the Seahawks passing attack, but this match-up against the Bills is favorable for Baldwin if Russell Wilson can avoid the pass rush. Buffalo ranks 30^th against opposing WR1 and give up 75.3 yards per game.

Solid Value

Emmanuel Sanders, DEN – The Raiders have allowed the third-most passing yards in the league and have given up 15 passing touchdowns this season. They rank 21^st against the WR2 which is actually where Sanders lines up.

Mike Wallace, BAL – Revenge game for Wallace? He’s averaged 10.8 targets per game over his last four and the Steelers rank 26^th against opposing top wideouts. They’ve allowed an average of 84.3 yards per game to the position and have given up eight touchdowns through the air.

Stefon Diggs, MIN – The Lions pass defense ranks dead last in the league and they’ve given up 19 touchdowns through the air. Not to mention they rank 28^th in the league against opposing WR1.

Donte Moncrief, IND – With T.Y. Hilton still banged up, Moncrief should see a strong number of targets against a Packers secondary that struggles on the outside. Look for Andrew Luck to expose their cornerback issues this week.

Kenny Britt, LA – While I hate to ever use Britt, the Panthers secondary is just atrocious. Their pass defense ranks 27^th overall and 29^th against WR1, allowing roughly 110 yards per game to the position.

Bargain Hunting

DeVante Parker, MIA – While the Jets try and contain Jarvis Landry (and fail), Parker is going to see plenty of one-on-one coverage against clowns like Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams. It’s either going to be him or Kenny Stills and this time I think it’s Parker.

Dontrelle Inman, SD – Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams are both banged-up and questionable which should leave Inman as a solid, low-cost option against the Titans, who give up an average of 260 passing yards per game and 12 touchdowns through the air.

Ted Ginn, CAR – Bit of a hunch play here, but with the Rams focusing on stopping Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen, Ginn should find himself in solid one-on-one coverage. If he doesn’t come down with a case of the drops, he could go for a long touchdown.

Torrey Smith, SF – The Saints come to the Bay Area and that means Smith going deep against the 28^th-ranked pass defense. Colin Kaepernick has turned to him more than he has Jeremy Kerley, so look for Smith to do a little end zone dancing in this one.

Tyreek Hill, KC – With Jalen Ramsey covering Jeremy Maclin, Nick Foles is going to have to utilize Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley a little more this week. Hill seems to be the favored target downfield and the Jags rank 27^th against opposing WR2 and allow an average of 72.6 yards per game to them.