Daily Fantasy College Football Week 9: Top Sleepers and DraftKings Projections
In Week 9 of the daily fantasy college football slate, it's not easy to locate the sleepers everyone needs for a DraftKings lineup.
The good players are established and generally consistent, while the poor producers simply don't have enough big games to warrant consideration. Combing through the crowd is easier than it's ever been.
DFS is a difficult game, but the thrill of nailing a sleeper pick is why we keep coming back.
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Based on trends, matchup and recent performances, the following five players have the potential to put together a low-priced, high-scoring day.
Kyler Murray, Texas A&M ($5,100)
If head coach Kevin Sumlin names Kyler Murray the starter, as anticipated, per Justin Hopkins of 247Sports, it's impossible to ignore Murray because of his price.
Although the dual-threat quarterback hasn't played much this season, his first outing of the year would be against a South Carolina defense that has allowed 5.3 yards per carry—the ninth-worst clip in the nation.
The Gamecocks have also surrendered at least one passing touchdown in each outing, so while Murray likely won't throw much, he'll add a few points through the air.
Since Sumlin announced there would be an official decision, Murray isn't necessarily an under-the-radar play. But at $5,100, he's easily a sleeper.
Projection: 160 pass YDS, 1 TD; 102 rush YDS, 1 TD
Markell Jones, RB, Purdue ($4,400)
The dream of a competent Boilermakers offense begins and ends with the effectiveness of Markell Jones. Fortunately for him, the workload is unquestionably his in Week 9.
D.J. Knox is out for Saturday's matchup against Nebraska, which certainly can be stingy against the run but has been gashed on a couple of occasions. The Cornhuskers have three 100-yard rushers as well as a 98-yard day.
Now, Jones needs volume to excel. But the last time Knox didn't play much, Jones handled 23 touches and scored twice.
The speedy true freshman will have plenty of opportunities to break off a big run that defines his day, and he's the best scoring option Purdue has.
Projection: 104 rush YDS, 2 TD; 2 REC, 18 YDS
Xavier Jones, RB, SMU ($4,100)
The popular plays in a game that Odds Shark lists with a 75.5-point over/under will be the quarterbacks and a standout receiver, but don't sleep on Xavier Jones.
Jones has scored a touchdown in four of his seven appearances, and the matchup against a porous Tulsa run defense screams for the freshman back to cross the plane twice.
Only eight teams in the nation have surrendered more rushing touchdowns than Tulsa. Memphis poured in five scores on the ground last week.
The Mustangs have given Jones at least 12 touches in each contest, and the freshman is poised for his second 20-plus-point DFS showing of the season.
Projection: 73 rush YDS, 2 TD; 2 REC, 16 YDS
Geronimo Allison, WR, Illinois ($5,100)
Though the secret is out on Geronimo Allison for opponents, the Illinois receiver's DFS ownership remains low.
Allison has piled up 100 targets this season, while No. 2 receiver Marchie Murdock has just 38. Penn State won't surrender much to Illinois on the ground, so quarterback Wes Lunt will be looking for Allison all day long.
The senior wideout has snagged at least eight passes in five of the last six contests, topping at least 90 yards during each eight-plus reception day. Allison has scored three touchdowns.
As long as Illinois doesn't find a running game it's not expected to locate, Allison is in for another high-target, big-production performance.
Projection: 10 REC, 113 YDS, 1 TD
Durron Neal, WR, Oklahoma ($4,300)
Although Oklahoma pounded away at Texas Tech on the ground with tremendous success, the Sooners should revert to their pass-heavy attack against Kansas.
Durron Neal's involvement in the offense has steadily progressed, climbing to seven targets last week despite the run-focused day. He finished with five receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown.
The senior wideout is a big-play threat against a weak Kansas defense that can be gashed anywhere. Just four teams have allowed more 30-plus-yard passes than the Jayhawks.
His ownership will be much lower than that of teammates Sterling Shepard and Dede Westbrook, but Neal has the same potential to explode.
Projection: 5 REC, 107 YDS, 1 TD
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Follow Bleacher Report CFB and DFS writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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