This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Once again, six teams are on bye making the options more sparse than usual, especially with top guys like Melvin Gordon and Le'Veon Bell getting a break. And while the sieve-like defenses of the Browns and Patriots are on bye, there are still a few matchups to pounce on. That includes Cam Newton against the Falcons, but I'll pass on him this time for a different quarterback that struggled last week.
QUARTERBACK
Derek Carr, OAK at MIA ($11,200): I don't think the Raiders are good, but that doesn't mean Carr can't have a huge game, similar to his performance against Kansas City. The other selling point is that the Dolphins have the 27th-ranked pass defense, per Football Outsiders' DVOA. Those worried about Oakland staying in Florida ahead of this game can look back to last year's result against Tampa Bay when Carr threw for 513 yards and four touchdowns. In a must-win situation, staying on the East Coast will have little to do with the outcome of this game. It's also a good sign that Carr has thrown for 300-plus yards in his last two.
RUNNING BACK
Kareem Hunt, KC at DAL ($15,100): With Jay Ayaji unusable for the Eagles (vs. Denver) this week, there aren't many running backs I like. Hunt played Monday, but I'm not worried about his workload yet, especially against a defense that's already given up three 100-yard rushers. Throw in three receptions at a minimum for Hunt and his floor is high for a game that has the highest over/under of the week (52).
Alvin Kamara, NO vs. TB ($11,500): The game with the next highest over/under (51.5) is between the Saints and Bucs. Mark Ingram ($13,200) has been my go-to running back in recent weeks, but after two late fumbles last week, I'm willing to save some money and hope Kamara sees even more work in this one. The Bucs have allowed five rushing touchdowns in the past three games and, while that points to Ingram, Kamara has still been used in red-zone situations. Just last week, he scored on an eight-yard run on the opening drive.
WIDE RECEIVER
Michael Crabtree, OAK at MIA ($12,200): Maybe I'm living and dying with the Raiders, but hear me out: Crabtree has reached at least 11 fantasy points in six of seven starts this season and he got hurt in the game that he didn't reach that total. He also comes at a decent rate, whereas guys like Mike Evans and Julio Jones are still overpriced despite disappointing campaigns thus far. On top of that, the Dolphins are last in the league against No. 2 WRs, according to DVOA.
Michael Thomas, NO vs. TB ($13,200): From an upside perspective, this hasn't been a good season for Thomas, still without a game of more than 90 yards. That doesn't worry me mostly because he's had at least seven receptions in four of his last five games. The Bucs are also a mess and a trip to New Orleans probably won't solve their problems.
TIGHT END
Jared Cook, OAK at MIA ($6,700): I'm not a Raiders fan, but they present a ton of value against this Dolphins defense, which may be the worst Oakland has seen in its last five games. Just like my Jack Doyle pick last week, Cook is at least getting targets and has converted them to 10 catches for 164 yards in the last two games. As long as the Dolphins don't have their best game of the season, I'm comfortable with going heavy on the Raiders… for now.
FLEX
Tyreek Hill, KC at DAL ($12,300): I'm going with another Chiefs player mainly because the production from Dallas in this game is a tad uncertain with Ezekiel Elliott suspended. Hill hasn't gone off since the opener, but any time he faces a beatable secondary he's usually good for at least five catches and 70 yards at a minimum. Every other week he's had at least 16 fantasy points and Week 9 aligns with that trend. The Cowboys also just let Jamison Crowder break out last week and that's exactly how Hill will be utilized.
Dez Bryant, DAL vs. KC ($11,600): There are three names I like in this spot with Jarvis Landry ($11,500) and Travis Kelce ($11,200) being the other two. While I'm not a huge Bryant fan this season, he's in a favorable situation with Elliott out. That suspension should lead to more passes for Dak Prescott and that can only help Bryant, who hasn't had a big game this season. Surprisingly, the Chiefs are 31st in the league against No. 1 WRs per DVOA, so this is the perfect spot. Amari Cooper, Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins are recent top wide receivers that went off against this defense. Let's hope Bryant can do the same.
DEFENSE
Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN ($6,000): I usually run with cheaper defenses, but none stood out to me this week, though the Rams ($5,500) are in a good spot. As for the Eagles, they're at home against a mediocre offensive line that just played on Monday. Philly also has 10 sacks and five interceptions in the last three games, which should work well against Brock Osweiler.
