Everyone was likely faced with the decision of starting either Tua Tagovailoa or Sam Ehlinger at quarterback in cash games on DraftKings in Week 8. Tagovailoa had a favorable matchup against the Lions while Ehlinger was at minimum salary, allowing you to pay up at other positions.

Unless you were able to get plenty of points from everyone else, paying down for Ehlinger could have been catastrophic in cash games as he scored only 8.5 points. Luckily for me, I went with Tagovailoa, leading to my cash-game lineup putting up 178.88 points as he recorded 32.18 points.

It’s important to pay attention to news that occurs over the weekend as more value could open up in NFL DFS. With plenty of solid offenses to choose from, here are my favorite cash-game plays for the Week 9 main slate on DraftKings.

Quarterbacks

Josh Allen @ NYJ ($8,500)

The Bills are back on the main slate this week, giving us Allen to use at quarterback again. Allen leads all QBs on the main slate with 30.1 points per game on DraftKings and he’s rushed for 30+ yards in six of the first seven games of the season. Buffalo has the highest projected team total (29.5) on the main slate, and most of those points will happen due to Allen’s arm or legs.

Geno Smith @ ARI ($5,800)

DraftKings refuses to put Smith at or above $6,000, which helps us in cash games. The veteran signal-caller has had a fantastic season where he’s averaging 19.1 PPG and he gets to face the Cardinals in a dome in Week 9. While Smith was limited to 12.7 points in Week 6 against Arizona, expect closer to 20 points from him on Sunday against a defense that is allowing the sixth-most points per game to QBs.

Justin Fields vs. MIA ($5,300)

When seeking a quarterback to use in cash games, we’re looking for someone that gives us a floor through the air or on the ground and Fields has 7.3 non-passing PPG (third-most among QBs). It was a slow start to the season for Fields, but the second-year quarterback has gotten eight-plus attempts, 60+ rushing yards, and 19+ points in three straight games. The Dolphins have given up the seventh-most points per game and the fifth-most rushing yards to QBs this season.

Running Backs

Joe Mixon vs. CAR ($6,500)

Mixon is an unexciting play for many, but volume is key in cash games, and there aren’t many RBs that can rival Mixon’s workload. The former second-round pick has received an 80.6% opportunity share (fourth-most among RBs) and he’s gotten four-plus targets in six of the first eight games of the season. The Panthers have surrendered the 12th most PPG to RBs, and with Ja’Marr Chase sidelined, Mixon should see more work in the passing game at the cheapest salary he’s been at all season.

Travis Etienne Jr. vs. LV ($6,300)

We finally saw what Etienne looks like when getting an opportunity to handle a premier workload in his first game without James Robinson in Week 8. The second-year back notched 28.2 points on 27 touches, giving him 22+ points on DraftKings for the second straight week. The dynamic running back is playing against the Raiders in Week 9, who are allowing the eighth-most points per game and the third-most receptions to RBs thus far.

Rhamondre Stevenson vs. IND ($6,200)

Even with Damien Harris returning from an injury in Week 7, Stevenson has remained the featured back for the Patriots. Stevenson has registered 21+ points on DraftKings in four straight games and he’s been a consistent option in the passing game with 19 receptions on 21 targets in the last three weeks. Regardless of the matchup, Stevenson’s current role makes him underpriced on DraftKings.

Wide Receivers

Stefon Diggs @ NYJ ($8,400)

Diggs needs no explanation on why he’s a smash play every week, but he’s certainly someone to target if you’re able to spend up at wide receiver. The All-Pro wideout leads all WRs on the main slate with 26.9 PPG on DraftKings and he plays in arguably the best passing offense in the NFL. I’m fine going down to DeAndre Hopkins at $7,900 or Tee Higgins at $7,300 if you don’t have enough salary for Diggs.

Christian Kirk vs. LV ($5,500)

There are going to be a few players from the Jaguars that are popular plays this week given the matchup against the Raiders. Kirk had a fast start to the season with 19+ points in each of the first three weeks, however, he’s scored fewer than 17 points on DraftKings in four of the last five games. That being said, the Raiders allow the ninth-most points per game to slot WRs, which is where Kirk spends most of his snaps on the field.

Joshua Palmer @ ATL ($5,100)

At the moment, the Chargers are going to be sans Mike Williams and Keenan Allen’s hamstring injury reportedly got worse during the team’s bye week in Week 8. With Williams and Allen trending toward being out, Palmer could be busy against a Falcons defense that is giving up the most points per game to WRs this season. Palmer saw 18 combined targets in his previous two games before missing Week 7 due to injury and he gives much-needed salary relief on DraftKings.

Tight Ends

Hayden Hurst vs. CAR ($3,600)

Once again, Chase is out indefinitely for the Bengals, leaving plenty of targets for the other pass catchers in the offense. Hurst has caught three-plus passes in five straight games and he’s a nice security blanket for Joe Burrow with the offensive line struggling to pass protect. The Panthers are currently giving up the 10th most yards per reception to TEs this season.

Tyler Conklin vs. BUF ($3,200)

The WRs on the Jets (specifically Elijah Moore) are understandably upset about their lack of production with Zach Wilson under center, but Conklin continues to produce. Conklin scored a season-high 25.9 points in Week 8, giving him four games with double-digit points on DraftKings. With the Jets likely playing from behind against the Bills, Conklin should see plenty of targets.

D/ST

Seattle Seahawks @ ARI ($2,500)

While Smith has garnered all of the attention for Seattle’s success thus far, the defense has also been solid this season. The Seahawks have scored seven-plus points in all but one game this season and we’ll want to pay down at defense in cash games to pay up at premier positions. Also, Seattle’s defense posted 14 points on DraftKings in Week 6 against Arizona.

Carolina Panthers @ CIN ($2,300)

I know that I recommended multiple players from the Bengals, but it’s hard to ignore the defense of the Panthers at only $2,300 in cash games. Cincinnati is going to drop back a lot with Burrow at quarterback, giving Carolina’s defense plenty of opportunities to record sacks or turnovers. The Bengals have allowed 30 sacks this season, which is the second-most in the NFL.