Daily Fantasy Football Week 9: Predicting DraftKings DFS Studs and Duds

As the second half of the 2015 NFL season begins, it will become easier to separate the studs from the duds in daily fantasy football.

In Week 9, it's best to go with the high-valued players at the running back and wide receiver positions while taking low-value options at quarterback and tight end. Devonta Freeman and Odell Beckham Jr. are a few high-end options who are great picks for this week, while Aaron Rodgers and Antonio Gates are a few veteran players to avoid.

Out of the six teams that have a bye week this week, the Arizona Cardinals are the only team to rank in the top five in the NFL in total offense. This means there are plenty of upper-tier offensive options to choose from across the league this week.

Here are three players to strongly consider and three players to avoid when constructing your daily fantasy football lineup for Week 9.

Defense/Special Teams

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The Denver Broncos head back on the road to face a struggling Indianapolis Colts offense. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has struggled mightily at turning the ball over with 12 interceptions and three fumbles so far this season.

The Broncos lead the NFL in virtually every defensive category. The team leads the league in total defense (261.1 yards allowed per game), passing defense (171.9 yards allowed per game) and sacks (29). Pass-rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller have wreaked havoc against opposing offenses, along with an impressive secondary that includes Pro Bowl corners Aqib Talib and Chris Harris.

The Broncos arguably have the top defense in the NFL right now and are a bargain buy in daily fantasy football this week. The team has the eighth-highest valued defense this week, $500 behind the top-valued St. Louis Rams defense ($3,500).

The Rams shouldn't be trusted this week on the road against running back Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. Peterson has performed admirably this season and ranks third in the NFL with 633 rushing yards in 2015. While the Rams defense has been impressive this season, it's best to go with the low-risk, high-reward pick Sunday.

Tight End

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

While it's unclear who will be the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans this week, tight end Delanie Walker should have a major impact for the team against the New Orleans Saints. Walker has averaged 12.9 fantasy points per game so far in 2015 and will face a Saints defense that ranks 27th against opposing tight ends heading in to Week 9.

The Titans have struggled offensively this season and rank 31st in the NFL in total offense. However, Walker has been one of the few bright spots for the team in 2015 and has been the model of consistency with 60.2 yards per game. He also led the team with six receptions on six targets last week against the Houston Texans.

On the other hand, stay away from San Diego Chargers tight end Gates this week. He has reportedly been limited during the team's practices this week with a knee injury. Gates and the Chargers will face a Chicago Bears defense that ranks second in the NFL against opposing tight ends.

While Gates is a proven veteran and has been reliable over the last few seasons in fantasy football, it's best to go with the favorable matchup option this week. Walker is also $3,800 cheaper than top-valued tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Wide Receiver

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Beckham exploded last week on the road against the Saints, recording eight receptions for 130 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants' 52-49 loss. The supposed “Madden Curse” hasn't impacted Beckham's play so far in 2015 as he has accumulated 654 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning also has been red-hot over the past few weeks, which could pay huge dividends for his top receiving target. Manning has thrown seven touchdowns and just two interceptions over the past three weeks, while Beckham has recorded at least seven receptions or more in three of his past four games. The dynamic duo should have great success against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that ranks 29th against the pass.

While Beckham is a top option for Week 9, be sure to avoid Green Bay Packers wideout Randall Cobb. The former Kentucky standout will face a Carolina Panthers defense that has allowed just 228.9 passing yards per game in 2015.

While Beckham is the second-highest valued wide receiver in daily fantasy football ($8,800), he is a risk worth taking against a weak Tampa Bay defense.

Running Back

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Freeman has been an absolute stud for the Atlanta Falcons this season. The former Florida State running back has recorded an NFL-best 709 rushing yards and nine touchdowns so far in 2015. Freeman and the Falcons face a San Francisco 49ers defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

"

Devonta Freeman and Chris Johnson leading the NFL in rushing so far this year. As expected.

— Tyler Cronk (@Cronkite10) November 6, 2015"

What has made Freeman especially valuable has been his versatility in the Falcons offense. In addition to his impressive rushing statistics, he has averaged 44.1 receiving yards per game in 2015. Freeman's receiving skills were on full display last week as he recorded six receptions for 43 yards against the Buccaneers.

While it's best to roll with the second-year running back this week, it's a good idea to avoid rookie running back Todd Gurley. The Rams' first-round draft pick has recorded impressive rushing numbers all season long for the Rams but will face the Vikings seventh-ranked rushing defense.

Freeman is $1,100 more expensive than Gurley but is worth every penny.

Quarterback

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Ben Roethlisberger struggled in his first game back from injury last week against the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. Roethlisberger threw three interceptions and recorded a 57.8 passer rating against a hellacious Bengals defense.

Though he is still in the process of returning from injury, Big Ben faces a favorable matchup against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. While the Raiders have been arguably the biggest surprise of the NFL season so far, they have the second-worst passing defense in the league with 302 passing yards allowed per game.

With starting running back Le’Veon Bell out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Roethlisberger will be asked to carry the load offensively. The team has a plethora of receiving targets, including All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown and talented second-year receiver Martavis Bryant.

Roethlisberger is a low-risk, high-reward pick this week in daily fantasy football. On the other hand, avoid Packers quarterback Rodgers this week, who faces fourth-ranked Carolina Panthers passing defense on Sunday. Rodgers struggled last week on the road against the Broncos in a 29-10 prime-time blowout.

Roethlisberger is $800 cheaper than Rodgers this week and is a solid fantasy quarterback value option.

All fantasy values are courtesy of DraftKings. All statistics are from ESPN.com and NFL.com unless otherwise noted.

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Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis