3 Daily Fantasy Football Players to Avoid in Week 9

Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions

FanDuel Price: $6,400

DraftKings Price: $5,600

Kerryon Johnson has benefitted the last two weeks from the absence of passing-down back Theo Riddick, as Johnson has averaged 5.5 targets per game and 15.5 FanDuel points per game during this span. Riddick returned to practice on Wednesday, and his presence should put a dent into Johnson's workload for Week 9. Johnson averaged 18 touches per game without Riddick, but just 12.6 touches with Riddick active the first six games.

The most concerning part for Johnson's projected workload this week against the Vikings is the potential for a negative game script. The Lions are 4.5-point underdogs on the road here, and have one of the lowest implied totals on the main slate at just 22.25 points. If the game plays out the way Vegas envisions, we should see a lot more Riddick and a lot less Johnson in the backfield.

With the threat of a decrease in opportunities coupled with an imposing matchup, Johnson is an easy avoid in Week 9. A logical pivot can be found on the other side of this contest in Latavius Murray ($6,700 on FanDuel) if Dalvin Cook is sidelined once again.