Fantasy football owners continue to face tough start ’em, sit ’em decisions, and things get even more difficult in Week 9 with injuries piling up and six offenses filled with plenty of top fantasy performers from the Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Giants, Steelers, and 49ers all off for their bye weeks. Fortunately, Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer is here to help with his Week 9 fantasy lineup advice and DFS tips.
The biggest bye-week blow is to the RB rankings, as Nick Chubb, Saquon Barkley, and Christian McCaffrey (among others) won’t be available. Amari Cooper, Brando Aiyuk, and CeeDee Lamb top the idle wide receivers, while Pat Freirmuth, Greg Dulcich, and George Kittle will be the most-missed tight ends. Although quarterback doesn’t take the same kind of hit, tricky calls remain at that position.
Navigating through a smaller-than-usual collection of potential starting options, here are our must-starts and start ’em sit ’em recommendations for Week 9. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller’s industry-leading “Who To Start?” tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. TEN)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at HOU)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at ATL)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at NYJ)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at NO)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. CAR)
Stronger starts
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at WAS). Cousins won’t forget about this being a revenge game as he lights up a bad pass defense in a comfortable road game.
Justin Fields, Bears (vs. MIA). More like Fields of fantasy dreams starting to come through, right? His running gives him a strong floor, and he’s heating up as a big-armed passer now, too.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at CHI). He should also have success throwing against favorable coverage with high volume in Soldier Field.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. LV). The Raiders give up multiple TDs to QBs like it’s their job, and often, it’s done via air and ground. That plays very well into Lawrence’s skill set.
Geno Smith, Seahawks (at ARI). As long as his top wideouts are out there, he’s viable, especially in a climate-controlled road matchup like this one.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (at DET). The Lions are being destroyed on the backend, and Rodgers is coming off a two-score game against a tough Buffalo defense.
Marcus Mariota, Falcons (vs. LAC). Mariota can run well in this matchup and also hit a few more shot plays to keep stamping his value as another surprise QB1.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Justin Herbert, Chargers (at ATL, $7,800). Herbert is priced well among the elite QBs and can destroy this matchup with his wideouts and Austin Ekeler.
DraftKings tournament pick
Justin Fields, Bears (at MIA, $5,300). The price is too good for a cheat-code QB with a high upside in a plus matchup.
Streamer Special
Taylor Heinicke, Commanders (vs. MIN). He’s awakened Washington’s wide receivers, and he can do a little something with his legs. He’ll be busy opposite Kirk Cousins, too.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (vs. LAR). It’s tempting to play him off that moderately successful, high-volume passing game last week, but he’s bound to disappoint vs. Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
Andy Dalton, Saints (vs. BAL). The numbers and his recent play might suggest he’s a decent streamer, but he’s terrible in prime time and the Ravens are a much tougher defense than his last prime-time opponent, Arizona.
Derek Carr, Raiders (at JAX). Keep the dinged-up Carr parked. The Jaguars should come out of their garage confident against Vegas’ floundering passing game.
Jared Goff, Lions (vs. GB). Goff hasn’t been doing enough to consistently get into the QB1 conversation, and the Packers’ pass defense won’t help.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (at TB). He needs to find some TDs because L.A.’s line play and limited receiving depth keep hurting his overall passing numbers.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (at KC). Tannehill (ankle) should return to play over rookie Malik Willis, but he’s a low-volume trap in a hostile road environment.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at ATL)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (at KC)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at ARI)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (at DET)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at JAX)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. BAL)
- Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (vs. LV)
- Miles Sanders, Eagles (at HOU)
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at WAS)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. CAR)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs. LAR)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. IND)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at NE)
- Dameon Pierce, Texans (vs. PHI)
- D’Andre Swift, Lions (vs. GB)
- D’Onta Foreman, Panthers (at CIN)
Stronger starts
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at CHI). Mostert should be motivated to run better in another great matchup with former and current teammate Jeff Wilson Jr. now behind him.
David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, Bears (vs. MIA). The 1-2 punch is working better given how well Justin Fields and the offensive line are playing in the running game.
AJ Dillon, Packers (at DET). The Packers remembered to pound the running game last week in Buffalo and won’t forget against the Lions. Expect Dillon to have his best game since Week 1.
Jamaal Williams, Lions (vs. GB). The former version of Dillon in Green Bay will continue to have success playing off D’Andre Swift.
Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (vs. LAC). The Chargers are still shaky against the run, and he’s still getting the key touches over Caleb Huntley and others. Just make sure to monitor Cordarrelle Patterson’s injury status, as he’s eligible to return this week from his knee injury.
Antonio Gibson, Commanders (vs. MIN). Gibson is seeing great usage again, especially in the red zone and receiving game, and the matchup is good with a potential negative game script.
Eno Benjamin, Cardinals (vs. SEA). If James Conner (ribs) is out again, Benjamin will be a productive plug-and-play.
Kenyan Drake or Gus Edwards, Ravens (at NO). Should Edwards miss the game due to his hamstring injury, Drake would get feature-like touches in a red-hot rushing attack.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (vs. LV, $7,600). See Kamara, Alvin last week.
Aaron Jones, Packers (at DET, $7,800). Jones should smash this spot for sure with high volume.
DraftKings tournament picks
Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at ARI, $6,200). He is priced too low given his upside.
AJ Dillon, Packers (at DET, $5,700). Dillon makes for a fine, budget-conscious alternative to Aaron Jones given his TD upside.
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Devin Singletary, Bills (at NYJ). This game has more blowout potential than last week, which isn’t good for Singletary’s chances now that he has James Cook and Nyheim Hines stealing touches.
Michael Carter and James Robinson, Jets (vs. BUF). This is another brutal matchup for a shaky committee.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. TEN). The Titans are good against the run, and this has become an unpredictable timeshare.
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (vs. MIN). He needs positive game script, and that’s not happening against the Vikings.
Damien Harris, Patriots (vs. IND). The usage just isn’t there behind Rhamondre Stevenson.
Caleb Huntley, Falcons (vs. LAC). This is tempting, but you’re not playing him with unpredictable usage.
WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at CHI)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at WAS)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (if he plays, at TB)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (at NYJ)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at HOU)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at CHI)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (at JAX)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. CAR)
- Tyler Boyd, Bengals (vs. CAR)
- Gabe Davis, Bills (at NYJ)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. LV)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. MIN)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. LAR)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. LAR)
- D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks (at ARI)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at ARI)
- D.J. Moore, Panthers (at CIN)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. GB)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. BAL)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (at ATL)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at HOU)
- Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (vs. IND)
Stronger starts
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (vs. TEN). The matchup is fantastic, and he’s their most reliable receiver. Deeper leaguers also can take a shot on Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (at WAS). The addition of T.J. Hockenson will benefit Thielen nicely away from Justin Jefferson in a sweet spot.
Romeo Doubs, Packers (at DET). Doubs will get key targets again with everyone else hurt.
Curtis Samuel, Commanders (vs. MIN). He’s involved heavily with good volume away from Terry McLaurin.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (vs. MIA). Mooney over Miami? Yep. He should finally finish off a big-play TD this week.
Rondale Moore, Cardinals (vs. SEA). Moore was targeted frequently last week and will continue playing well off DeAndre Hopkins.
Josh Palmer, Chargers (at ATL). Palmer will have a key role in a great matchup filling in for Mike Williams (ankle).
Devin Duvernay, Ravens (at NO). The Saints struggle in the slot, and Duvernay’s speed in the Superdome will pay off with no Rashod Bateman (foot).
Allen Robinson, Rams (at TB). He keeps getting more comfortable and will see favorable coverage in the red zone.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at ARI, $7,400). He will have fun in single coverage against their overmatched corners.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. MIN, $7,200). He can put up the DeAndre Hopkins line from last week with similar volume.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. LV, $6,300). Jump on him with no Nate Hobbs to stop him in the slot.
DraftKings tournament picks
Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. NYJ, $6,900). He probably will avoid the Sauce, so expect some big plays again.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. LV, $5,500). Once more with feeling. It wouldn’t shock if he gets two short scores.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (vs. MIA, $4,700). He’s a juicy, cheap big-play option.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, Colts (at NE). You can’t go there with Sam Ehlinger facing Bill Belichick, unfortunately. Parris Campbell is also a no.
Drake London, Falcons (vs. LAC). You can’t go here with limited targets for this rookie even in an easy matchup.
Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. BUF). Don’t chase the points. This matchup is brutal for Zach Wilson and his receivers.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (at JAX). That’s a big Ren-no from us. Also, no Mack Hollins.
Zay Jones, Jaguars (vs. LV). The revenge-game narrative doesn’t make him startable, even against a bad secondary.
Terrace Marshall Jr. Panthers (at CIN). We like him and he did well last week, but this matchup is much tougher.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. TEN)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (if he plays or Isaiah Likely, at NO)
- Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at HOU)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. LAC)
Stronger starts
Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. LV). He’s red hot and the Raiders cannot cover this position.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (at ATL). He’ll get it done, too, with no Mike Williams (ankle).
Tyler Higbee, Rams (if he plays, at TB). He should get back to being more involved in a good matchup, especially if Cooper Kupp (ankle) is down.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (at DET). Book it: He’s getting 40 yards and a TD.
Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. MIA). Here’s TD dice roll No. 1 after he finally scored last week.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. IND). And here’s TD dice roll No. 2.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. SEA, $6,600 and $5,100). This is an ideal week to pay up with no Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews on the main slate. Ertz is guaranteed to score again with more volume in a smash spot.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at WAS). He was already getting by solely on his one big game for the Lions, and the Commanders actually cover the tight end well relative to wideouts.
Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. BAL). Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen will make sure Hill doesn’t get loose.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (at CAR). By the numbers, the matchup is bad despite Kyle Pitts having success against Carolina last week.
Dawson Knox, Bills (vs. NYJ). He’s not getting the TD this week.
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (at CHI). He’s also not getting the TD this week.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. BUF). He’s also not getting any TDs this week.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. LAR). You can’t go here vs. Ernest Jones.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Eagles (at HOU)
- Bills (at NYJ)
- Patriots (vs. IND)
- Buccaneers (vs. LAR)
- Bengals (vs. CAR)
- Colts (at NE)
Stronger starts
Jaguars (vs. LV). They will keep wrecking Carr.
Chiefs (vs. TEN). Giddyap if it’s Malik Willis again, but they’re still playable vs. Ryan Tannehill (ankle).
Vikings (at WAS). Heinicke’s wild ride can include mistakes.
Ravens (at NO). Andy Dalton in prime time? Cha-ching.
Rams (at TB). They’re usable against the struggling GOAT.
Packers (at DET). They’ll be angry going off on Goff.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
Jaguars (vs. LV, $3,800 and $3,100). Here’s calling a defensive touchdown for their young stars.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Dolphins (at CHI). It’s a trap against a red-hot Fields.
Saints (vs. BAL). Not against a red-hot Lamar.
Chargers (at ATL). Not against a red-hot Mariota.
Cardinals (vs. SEA). Don’t believe in the big plays.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer’s in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 9 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
