This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Each week, RotoWire provides picks and values for FantasyDraft lineups. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of one quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, one tight end, two flex spots and one defense. The scoring is standard point-per-reception.
To roster some top-tier players in tournaments, you need some lower-priced sleeper options with upside. That's what we aim to bring you in this column.
Here are our fantasy football value picks for Week 9 on FantasyDraft.
QUARTERBACK
Jay Cutler, $10,200 vs. SD
Cutler is priced just $200 above the minimum for Week 9 on FantasyDraft, which makes him an intriguing value play. The only starting quarterbacks who are cheaper are Nick Foles, Brandon Weeden and Blaine Gabbert. Cutler is immensely more talented and has much more potential to score fantasy points. If you don't choose to go with Tyrod Taylor as a cheap quarterback (he's an excellent option), Cutler makes for a solid pivot in tournaments. He's had four games in a row of 18 fantasy points or more including a game against the Vikings defense, which is one of the best in the NFL. Cutler has Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett, and he's expected to throw more often with Matt Forte likely out. He does have a tough matchup against the Chargers, but that's factored into his price. With Cutler in your lineups, you can afford more stars like Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman.
RUNNING BACK
Jonathan Stewart, $8,100 vs. GB
Stewart continues to be one of the cheapest starting running backs on FantasyDraft, which makes him a solid value in tournaments each week. Stewart had 21.6, 15.5 and 14.3 fantasy points in the last three weeks, two of which came against excellent defenses in the Seahawks and Eagles. He has 66 touches in the last three games and will continue to be the feature of the Panthers' offense. Stewart faces the Packers in Week 9, and they have struggled against the run at times this season. In four games against the Bears, Seahawks, Rams and Broncos, Green Bay allowed well over 160 yards per game on the ground. Expect a heavy dose of Stewart again, which makes him a great option in tournaments at his price.
Frank Gore, $9,200 vs. DEN
Gore will be one of the lowest owned players on FantasyDraft for Week 9, which makes him an interesting option in tournaments. He does face the Broncos, who have the best defense in the NFL in terms of limiting fantasy points. The way to beat them, however, is on the ground. They've given up more than 100 yards rushing three times this season, all coming against teams that utilize their running backs often (Chiefs, Vikings, Browns). With this matchup, a new offensive coordinator and the possibility that T.Y. Hilton might miss the contest, the Colts could rely on the ground game in Week 9. Gore has been remarkably consistent this season, scoring 11.4 fantasy points or more in each of the last six games. He has had at least 14 touches in all but one game this season and has received work in the passing game, which gives him value in PPR formats. While this isn't a lock by any stretch, Gore has the ability to get you fantasy points at a very low ownership. He's worth a play in a tournament lineup.
WIDE RECEIVER
Malcom Floyd, $7,800 vs. CHI
With word that Keenan Allen will miss the rest of the season, all the news immediately focused on Antonio Gates and Stevie Johnson. That leaves Floyd as a fly-under-the-radar, low-owned option in DFS, and makes him a top value play in tournaments. Floyd broke out last week after Allen was injured, catching two long touchdowns en route to 25.2 fantasy points. In Week 6 against the Packers Floyd caught five passes for 95 yards, so he has shown the ability to be productive when given an opportunity. He faces the Bears in Week 9, who have given up over 450 yards and four touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in the last two games.
Rishard Matthews, $9,000 vs. BUF
Matthews has been incredible this season, with numbers on par with some of the top receivers in NFL DFS, yet he's at roughly 75% of the price. Matthews has averaged more fantasy points per game than T.Y. Hilton, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Brandin Cooks, Mike Evans, and Donte Moncrief, and has averaged essentially the same amount of fantasy points as Emmanuel Sanders. Normally that means a player is inconsistent but had a good game or two, but Matthews has 13 fantasy points or more in all but one game this season, and that game was against Darrelle Revis. The Bills present a tough matchup this week, but with Matthews' consistency and low price, he's worth using in tournaments as a cheap wide receiver option.
TIGHT END
Benjamin Watson, $7,800 vs. TEN
Watson has been "Gronk-like" in the last few weeks. He has 23 catches for 343 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games, and has caught touchdowns in three of his last four contests. Watson looks to have claimed the "Jimmy Graham" role in the Saints offense, and his fantasy value has paid off. At just $7,800, he's still a value play as he's priced at TE10 for Week 9 on FantasyDraft. He faces the Titans, who have given up a lot of fantasy points to opposing teams that use tight ends. In Week 1, Tennessee gave up 5/110/2 to the Bucs' tight ends. In Week 3, the Colts tight ends caught seven passes for 83 yards, and then the Dolphins caught two touchdowns in Week 7. With Watson's increased role and still low price, he makes for a solid value play on FantasyDraft.
DEFENSE
Eagles, $5,400 vs. DAL
The Eagles defense has averaged the third-most fantasy points per game this season among teams eligible for Week 9's slate. The Rams and Broncos are the only teams who have scored more, and they are both much more expensive than the Eagles defense. Philadelphia faces the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, who have Matt Cassel starting at quarterback. He has thrown seven interceptions and has fumbled three times this season in just over three games of work. With the Eagles' ability to force turnovers and a matchup against a turnover-prone quarterback, they're a value play worth looking at on FantasyDraft.
