4 FanDuel NFL Studs to Target in Week 9

7mo

Hitting on high-salary players is the first step to having success in daily fantasy football on FanDuel.

These players take up the biggest chunk of your salary cap, and they need to deliver quality performances for your lineup to reach its ceiling.

Here are four studs to target on this week's main slate.

All betting odds come from the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

FanDuel Salary: $9,000

Bye weeks, a weird schedule, and injuries lead to an odd Week 9 this week, bhe good news is that Jalen Hurts is rocking in the normal slate on Sunday and should be the stud you pick for a quarterback this week.

Even with eight interceptions, Hurts has been a force on the field and for the Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts is averaging 23.5 FanDuel points per game, having finished with at least 20 each game since Week 2. He's coming off his best start of the season when he lit up the Washington Commanders for 319 yards and 4 touchdowns. He may have had his seventh rushing touchdown of the season, too, if he didn't somehow fumble a "Brotherly Shove" at the one-yard line.

The potential for points through the air and on the ground makes Hurts' floor so high on a week-to-week basis, making him largely matchup-proof. This week against the solid Dallas Cowboys defense at home, we're relying on that quality.

Dallas definitely presents a tough task; they've only allowed 14.3 FanDuel points per game to opposing quarterbacks. However, both Brock Purdy and Justin Herbert have had great showings against the Cowboys' defense, finishing with 26.08 and 19.58 FanDuel points. It's far more daunting to face Dallas when they're the home team, so we don't have to worry about that this weekend.

numberFire's model has Hurts projected for the most points of any quarterback on the slate this weekend at 22.8 FanDuel points.

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

FanDuel Salary: $9,200

Since returning from suspension, Alvin Kamara has been a machine in terms of fantasy production.

In his five games this season, Kamara has had a touchdown or at least seven receptions in each game. He's averaging 18.9 FanDuel points per game -- the third-best among all running backs this season. He's up to 86 rushes for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 39 receptions (on 44 targets) for 228 yards and another score.

To emphasize what sets him apart from all the other runners on the slate, Kamara has a 23.0% target market share to go with the usual rushing. Derek Carr has put all his trust into Kamara , nd that's what counts.

Kamara is being utilized like he was in his early days, making him a must-start stud this week -- especially with Christian McCaffrey on bye.

The beauty of starting Kamara isn't just his insane usage, but the fact he's also playing against the lowlyChicago Bears in Week 9. It largely goes without saying that the 2-6 Bears have not been a good team this year, and Chicago ranks 25th in FanDuel points per game allowed to running backs (22.4). They also allow the fifth-most points to quarterbacks, which is important seeing Carr should find Kamara on a number of occasions in the tilt.

Kamara is the top projected running back this week an dis expected to finish with 17.9 FanDuel points, per numberFire.

A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

FanDuel Salary: $9,000

There's hot, and then there's whatever A.J. Brown is on the field these days. After his two-week slow start to kick off the campaign, Brown has gone nuclear since.

Since Week 3, Brown has been averaging 8.2 receptions, 11.2 targets, 138.5 receiving yards, and an average depth of target (aDOT) of 13.2. He broke the record for most 125-yard performances in a row last week when recording his sixth straight game above that mark. It's been an insane stretch that should only continue, and overall, he's averaging 19.2 FanDuel points per game.

The usage is through the roof as Jalen Hurts is looking for Brown often. The wideout is up to a 31.8% target market share and 48.1% air yards market share this season -- all attributing to his overall 34.4% weighted target market share. No one has been as dominant since he started his streak, and even with the Dallas Cowboys ahead on the schedule, we're gladly rolling out Brown once more.

Dallas is also tough against opposing wide receivers, holding them to 21.4 FanDuel points, the second-lowest in football in 2023.

Don't be too fearful though; Keenan Allen was able to get good numbers against the Cowboys just two weeks ago when he finished with 8 receptions, 75 yards, and a score. Brown is playing at the level (and getting the usage) that, even if he doesn't go past 125 yards for the seventh time, will should see a big game and a great finish.

numberFire's model is all in on Brown, projecting him for 16.2 FanDuel points -- the top projection for all receivers.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

FanDuel Salary: $7,500

Travis Kelce isn't on the main slate, Sam LaPorta is on a bye, and T.J. Hockenson no longer has Kirk Cousins throwing to him. That means the only stud to truly consider for tight end this week is Mark Andrews.

Andrews has had a strong season -- maybe stronger than most have realized since they're not Kelce-like numbers. In seven games, Andrews is averaging 13.1 FanDuel points per game on 6.4 targets while receiving a 22.3% target market share from Lamar Jackson.

He's scored three times over the last two games, getting back to being Jackson's top option near the endzone. Andrews owns a 38.5% redzone target market share this season.

The Baltimore Ravens will be going head-to-head with the Seattle Seahawks this week in one of the best matchups of the weekend, and Andrews is likely going to be counted on to produce.

We're coming off a week where the Seahawks allowed David Njoku to finish with 4 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown -- good for 15.7 FanDuel points. Seattle has limited tight ends, but anytime they've faced someone to the level of Njoku, they've struggled to stop them. Sam LaPorta also had 5 receptions for 63 yards in Week 2.

Finding good tight ends isn't easy in fantasy, so going with Andrews and his relatively affordable salary make for a perfect match.

Unsurprisingly, numberFire projects Andrews for the most FanDuel points of any tight end (12.8). That's 2.8 more points than the next-best option at the position.

Interested in playing NFL DFS? Head over to FanDuel’s daily fantasy football lobby to see all the offerings for this week's slates.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.