Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Week 9 (Wed)

Jacksonville State vs Florida International

In a perfect world, approaching this game is easy but in reality it boils down to a couple questions. Will Malik Jackson be healthy enough to play and if he can, will be able to handle his normal workload? Has Zion Webb locked up the QB job for good? Normally you would want to feature FIU's opponent's running game with FIU being unable to stop the run. The Zion Webb question looks like a yes with backup QB Logan Smothers only playing a single snap last week. Webb's job security will remain in question as JVSU will pull their QB at the drop of a hat. Webb has been good though, scoring 28+ FD points in his last two healthy games where he ran for 100+ yards and a TD in each so he is worth the risk with the highest upside on the slate. The Malik Jackson question will likely not even be completely answered before kickoff. He has had some action in practice this week but will need to test out his fitness pregame. If he does play, I like his chances of putting up a solid line against this weak FIU front, but there is always a chance he is very limited and only sees a fraction of the work. If Jackson is ruled out before kickoff, Anwar Lewis is a great play. He has been a bit ineffective at times but when operating as the lead back in this offense he has recorded at least 80 rushing yards so there is production and value to be had if he gets used enough. I would prefer to stay away from the JVSU pass catchers in this one since they are so run heavy and FIU cannot stop the run, but if you need one then Perry Carter is your guy. Before posting a bit of a dud last week, Carter scored double digit FD points in 3 straight games and averaged 76 yards per game and scored twice so he does have value in this modest passing attack. On the other side of the ball, this FIU offense is fairly weak. It starts with QB Keyone Jenkins. He is a good athlete but struggles to consistently move this offense. He has scored a rushing TD in 5 straight games but has only topped 20 FD points once all year so you can see how the overall production is lacking. The one true model of consistency is WR Kris Mitchell. He racked up at least 70 receiving yards in 7 straight games and is the team leader in receiving TDs so you can play him with confidence regardless of matchup. The FIU backfield is a hard one to approach. Shomari Lawrence is the high usage guy, but he lacks a true burst leading to a lack of efficiency. Kejon Owens on the other hand has burst and more, averaging more than 6 yards per carry in 3 straight games. So if you want a strong floor go Lawrence but if you want to shoot for the stars then Owens is your guy. WRs Eric Rivers and Jalen Bracey have a consistent role in this offense but rarely top 50 yards so they will need a TD to be worth your time.

UT El Paso vs Sam Houston

Sam Houston's offense has been one of the more favorable offenses for fantasy purposes. They are consistent with their usage and they love featuring certain players. The Big 3 on this offense are all must plays for me on this minimal slate. QB Keegan Shoemaker, RB John Gentry and WR Noah Smith all need to be in your lineup. Shoemaker has only been productive since fully claiming the starting QB role for this team. He has scored 19 or more in all 4 of his full games as the starter. John Gentry is a solid dual threat back with 10+ carries in 2 of his last 3 games and 30+ receiving yards in 3 of his last 4 games. High usage in the passing game along with regular carries provide Gentry with a very safe floor. Noah Smith is just good. He has taken over the WR1 role due to injuries and has been the most explosive player on the team. He has scored at least 16 FD points in all of his starts so you need him in your lineup or you will be left behind. Sam Houston does have some other intriguing options in their passing game like Malik Phillips, Al'Vonte Woodard and Elijah Sohn but none of them have a safe enough floor to be anything more than a gamble. The UTEP offense remains an ugly fantasy offense. They have an RB committee that consists of Deion Hankins and Torrance Burgess Jr. but they remain in a near even split making neither a safe play as they will most likely leave you with 6 or 7 points if they do not find the endzone. The UTEP QB situation has been a mess all year with injuries derailing the whole unit and it has become a fantasy blackhole where only one UTEP QB has scored more than 20 FD points all year so avoid the group regardless of who is under center. The best fantasy bet on this UTEP offense is WR Kelly Akharaiyi since he has an absurd ceiling as shown by his 38.3 point game two weeks ago, but the lack of consistent QB play has really hurt him as he has scored less than 6 points in 3 of his last 6 games so he does come with some risk. The safest play on this UTEP offense is Jeremiah Ballard as he seems like a near lock for 50 yards at this point as the number 2 option in this passing game. His upside is limited though since he has scored double digit FD points in less than half games so he is a good player to round out your lineup but not build your lineup around.

Dream Team

QB: Zion Webb, Jacksonville State (@ FIU)

RB1: John Gentry, Sam Houston (vs UTEP)

RB2: Shomari Lawrence, FIU (vs JVSU)

WR1: Noah Smith, Sam Houston (vs UTEP)

WR2: Kris Mitchell, FIU (vs JVSU)

WR3: Perry Carter, Jacksonville State (@ FIU)

Flex: Keegan Shoemaker, Sam Houston (vs UTEP)

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