Week 9 NFL DFS QB Breakdown: Top Picks, Values, and Sleepers on DraftKings and FanDuel

In this piece, I highlight quarterbacks who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.

As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.

And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase (Chris Raybon’s come included with a FantasyLabs subscription) within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).

You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:

Top NFL DFS Quarterback Picks in the FantasyLabs Models

On DraftKings, there are three quarterbacks near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.

Lamar Jackson
Jalen Hurts
Aidan O’Connell

We’ll discuss why these three are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other quarterbacks.

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Top Model NFL DFS Quarterback Picks

Lamar Jackson ($8,200 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel): Baltimore Ravens (-6) vs. Seattle Seahawks (44 total)

Lamar Jackson had a pretty lackluster performance last week, totaling just 11.98 DraftKings points against the Cardinals.

This Seattle defense appears like a difficult matchup, but they’ve played a pretty poor slate of opposing quarterbacks. Three of their last four games have come against P.J. Walker, Josh Dobbs, and Daniel Jones.

They’ve allowed the seventh-most rushing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks, setting Jackson up for success with his legs.

This slate is pretty devoid of high-end talent outside of Jackson and Jalen Hurts, so focusing on some ceiling at the quarterback position isn’t a bad idea. Jackson boasts the second-highest ceiling projection on the slate and is the top option in our Tournament Model.

Jalen Hurts ($8,000 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (47 total)

Jalen Hurts perfectly marries floor and ceiling, as he has the highest projection in both categories this week. He’s facing off with Dallas in the most appealing game on the main slate.

Hurts ravaged Washington with his arm last week, throwing for 319 yards and four touchdowns; he fumbled on a tush push that would’ve led to a touchdown and gotten him close to 40 DraftKings points.

This could be a week where Hurts’ upside is slightly limited. The matchup is worrisome, with Dallas leading the league in pressure rate. They limited Hurts to 6.2 yards per attempt, 155 yards, and two touchdowns through the air in their lone matchup last year.

His knee is also not 100%, which could limit his mobility a little bit.

However, this is a thin slate at the quarterback position, and we saw Hurts go for 30+ last week when he wasn’t 100%. He’s the top quarterback in our Cash Game Model.

It’s no surprise if you run our simulations in our SimLabs tool (depending on your settings), you’ll get some exposure to Hurts and Jackson:

Aidan O’Connell ($4,500 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel): Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5) vs. New York Giants (37.5 total)

Jimmy Garoppolo has been benched, and Aidan O’Connell is now in as the starter. He was middling in his lone start earlier this year, completing 61% of his passes and totaling 12.82 DraftKings points.

The Giants defense has been better as of late, as they haven’t allowed a QB1 scorer since Week 3. They held Josh Allen and Sam Howell to under 6.0 yards per attempt, while Zach Wilson totaled just 6.7 yards per attempt.

O’Connell leads the position in Projected Plus/Minus and Points/Salary, as he looks like the best of the cheap options at quarterback this week.

He’s the top option in Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon’s Pro Models.

Other Notable NFL DFS Quarterback Picks

Sam Howell ($5,800 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel): Washington Commanders (+3) at New England Patriots (41 total)

Sam Howell lit up the Eagles defense last week, throwing for 397 yards and four touchdowns en route to 34.98 DraftKings points. Washington has posted a very high pass rate this year, which is a huge boost for fantasy output. This matchup isn’t as daunting as in years past, as New England has allowed some big scores to opposing quarterbacks. This is a thin quarterback slate, and Howell has flashed big upside at not too expensive of a price tag.

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My Favorite NFL DFS Quarterback Leverage Pick(s)

Dak Prescott ($6,500 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel): Dallas Cowboys (+3) at Philadelphia Eagles (47 total)

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys lit up the Rams last week. Prescott threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns, totaling 32.06 DraftKings points.

He’s starting to heat up, as we also saw him have a solid performance against Los Angeles two weeks ago with 24.88 DraftKings points.

This is the most appealing game on the slate, and Philadelphia has been vulnerable through the air. They’ve given up the fifth-most DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks on the year, and Prescott put up 28 fantasy points in his lone matchup with them last season.

Prescott isn’t projecting for much ownership, as most people are opting for Hurts in this game. Prescott is one of my top options in tournaments this weekend.

And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections: