Last week was rough with a rash of quarterback injuries and surprising results in fantasy football. Week 9 continues that wave of attrition, and now bye weeks are back, too, further complicating start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
If you have players from the Broncos, 49ers, Jaguars, or Lions this week, you won't have access to several key performers, including Russell Wilson, Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram, Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta. Ouch.
That's a lot of unavailable regular starters, but The Decider, aka Vinnie Iyer, is back with the rankings, recommendations, information, and insight you need to make the right lineup decisions in Week 9.
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Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. MIA in Frankfurt)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. KC in Frankfurt)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at CIN)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. SEA)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at NYJ)
Stronger starts
8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at PHI). Prescott has been red hot the past two games, and he'll keep it up against a reeling Eagles pass defense in a duel with Jalen Hurts.
9. Derek Carr, Saints (vs. CHI). Carr will be comfortable and hit everyone downfield again even with the Bears improving their pass rush a little.
10. Mac Jones, Patriots (vs. WAS). Jones tends to let it rip against weaker defenses, and he can get it done at home against a weakened Commanders' pass rush.
11. Sam Howell, Commanders (at NE). Howell and Mac Jones could be involved in a sneaky shootout away from the marquee games.
12. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. TB). He let down last week, which tends to happen with rookie QBs in the middle of the season. Expect Stroud to rebound with a solid floor back at home.
13. Gardner Minshew, Colts (at CAR). He just keeps compiling numbers by taking advantage of immense weapons, and he'll fare better than C.J. Stroud with his experience on the road in Charlotte.
14. Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. IND). Here we go again. Young might need to let loose for big volume against a weak secondary with some running stats to pad his final line.
15. Zach Wilson, Jets (vs. LAC). The Chargers give it up to most QBs, and with his primary weapons, Wilson can string together streaming digits opposite Justin Herbert at home.
DFS picks
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at PHI, $6,500 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel). There will be more attachment to Jalen Hurts in the main slate, but Dak is the hottest fantasy QB of late and can replicate Sam Howell's performance against Philadelphia from last week.
Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. IND, $5,100 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel). Young is feeling it and just needs to get multiple TDs to pay off for 3X return.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at HOU). Mayfield is tempting after a solid outing and limited sacks, but the road is risky against a good pass defense.
17. Taylor Heinicke, Falcons (vs. MIN). There's a good chance Arthur Smith starts him over Desmond Ridder (head), but beware the Vikings' defense getting better each week under Brian Flores.
18. Daniel Jones, Giants (at LV). He's healthy and they're getting healthy around him, but this is a big risk given the Raiders can drag down this game with Maxx Crosby.
19. Geno Smith, Seahawks (at BAL). There shouldn't be much confidence in him coming through in a brutal road matchup.
20. Will Levis, Titans (at PIT). He will be rattled by the pressure in his first road start, something he didn't see in Nashville in his rookie debut.
21. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. LAR). You can't be loving how he and the entire offense have been performing of late, and facing Aaron Donald doesn't feel like a get-well game.
22. Deshaun Watson, Browns (vs. ARI). The matchup says "yes," but the player says "no."
23. Aidan O'Connell, Raiders (vs. NYG). The matchup says "yes," but his play says "no."
WEEK 9 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. CHI)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (at LV)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at CAR)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. LAC)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at NYJ)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. NYG)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. MIN)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (at PIT)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. KC in Frankfurt)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. MIA in Frankfurt)
- D'Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (at BAL)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at PHI)
- James Cook, Bills (at CIN)
- Gus Edwards, Ravens (vs. SEA)
Stronger starts
17. Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. ARI). Hunt should be the clear lead ahead of the youngsters and smash it against a reeling run defense (see Gus Edwards).
18. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. WAS). He should get going with good combined touches in a favorable game script at home.
19. Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. LAR). He's become hard to trust with the rest of the offense, but they need to lean on him more here.
20. Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams (at GB). He's worth a shot, as the Packers cannot stop the run. They even gave up digits to former Ram Cam Akers last week.
21. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at HOU). He's getting it done in the passing game for PPR leagues, and it should be check-down city again from Baker Mayfield.
22. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. IND). He's now taken over from a gimpy Miles Sanders, and the Colts couldn't handle the run in any way last week.
23. Zack Moss, Colts (at CAR). He should be right there involved with a chance to produce well behind Jonathan Taylor.
24. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at NE). It hasn't been pretty from him lately, but the Patriots can give it up to power-running types.
DFS Picks
Saquon Barkley, Giants (at LV, $7,900 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel). Barkley should get massive volume on a terrible run defense, and that can add up to big numbers, including at least one TD.
Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at CAR, $6,400 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel). He slowed down a lot in the second half last week, but he should roll over this terrible run defense even with Moss cutting into it.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
25. Alexander Mattison, Vikings (at ATL). The Falcons are decent against the run, and Cam Akers is becoming a real thorn.
26. D'Onta Foreman, Bears (at NO). He's been the lead of this backfield by default, but it's still a committee. This matchup stinks on the road.
27. Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. TEN). Harris is essentially a TD-dependent play against the Titans' nasty run defense.
28. Devin Singletary, Texans (vs. TB). They just can't get going on the ground, and the Buccaneers won't help.
29. Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals (at CLE). He'll get volume with Emari Demercado (toe) and Damien Williams (foot) out, but it will add up to even less than Demercado got last week.
30. Jerome Ford, Browns (vs. ARI). Between Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong doing well, there's no need for Cleveland to force him back into key touches.
31. Royce Freeman, Rams (at GB). He scored over Darrell Henderson last week, but that's his only path to relevance at this point with zero in the passing game.
32. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. TEN). They're not pivoting away from Najee Harris enough, and the Titans can slow down Warren with their team speed.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. KC in Frankfurt)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at PHI)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (at CIN)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. CHI)
- Adam Thielen, Panthers (vs. IND)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. LAC)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. CHI)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at HOU)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (at GB)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. KC in Frankfurt)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. NYG)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (at GB)
- D.J. Moore, Bears (at NO)
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. TB)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. SEA)
- Michael Pittman Jr, Colts (at CAR)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (at PIT)
- Drake London, Falcons (if he plays, vs. MIN)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at BAL)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. PHI)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- Gabe Davis, Bills (at CIN)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. ARI)
- Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. TEN)
Stronger starts
28. Josh Downs, Colts (at CAR). Downs is getting it done in the slot every week playing off Michael Pittman, and he won't slow down here.
29. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at ATL). He's still their top wideout with no JJ (hamstring) or Kirk Cousins (Achilles), and he'll get the targets to come through inside again.
30. George Pickens, Steelers (vs. TEN). He can make another big scoring play (or two) against this secondary.
31. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. MIA in Frankfurt). He's feeling it as a rookie, and they can move him around to avoid the tough corner matchups outside.
32. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at BAL). He responded to the reverse jinx with a TD last week, so now we can trust him again as a high-ceiling WR3.
33. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at HOU). He also responded to the reverse jinx with a TD last week, so now we can trust him again as a high-floor WR3.
34. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. NYG). The Giants can give it up to big slots, and he should be greased well by Jimmy G.
35. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (vs. CHI). He can keep the big shot plays coming against the Bears' weak defense away from Chris Olave.
36. Demario Douglas, Patriots (vs. WAS). He was the target leader for them last week, and with Kendrick Bourne (knee) out, he can be very busy vs. shaky corners.
DFS picks
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at PHI, $8,200 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel). He makes for a terrific stack with Dak Prescott, as the Eagles' older corners can't cover him well anywhere.
Chris Olave, Saints (vs. CHI, $6,300 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel). He's been disappointing with his off connection with Derek Carr, but this is the week he comes through big time with big plays.
Nico Collins, Texans (vs. TB, $5,800 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel). Collins will go back to clicking with C.J. Stroud all over the field vs. the zone at home.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
37. Marquise Brown, Cardinals (at CLE). We don't like him going from Josh Dobbs to Clayton Tune against a tough defense on the road. Let's hold out hope Kyler Murray (knee) comes back this week, but it's not looking good.
38. Josh Palmer, Chargers (at NYJ). You can go with Keenan Allen, but don't trust other wideouts vs. the Jets' corners.
39. Michael Thomas, Saints (vs. CHI). This should be a limited game for Thomas in between Alvin Kamara checkdowns and Olave/Shaheed bombs.
40-42. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson, Packers (vs. LAR). You're just hoping for a TD or a big play or a combination of both, and those are few and far between with this QB against a tough pass D.
43. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (at PHI). The idea isn't so bad based on the matchup after he's scored in two straight games, but he could easily be squeezed out by other targets.
44. Tank Dell, Texans (vs. TB). The rookie needs to reestablish himself for C.J. Stroud, and we don't see him copying what Khalil Shakir did in the slot last week against Tampa.
45. K.J. Osborn, Vikings (at ATL). This is where you need to draw the line in their pass-happy offense without Kirk Cousins.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. MIA in Frankfurt)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. SEA)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at ATL)
- Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. CHI)
- Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at CIN)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs, DAL)
Stronger starts
7. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at PHI). He's looking better with each passing week as Dak Prescott throws more. The Eagles are still vulnerable to giving up TDs inside.
8. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. MIN). The Vikings' defense is better, but he should be unlocked more with the looming QB change and Drake London (groin) hurting.
9. David Njoku, Browns (vs. ARI). He's quietly getting back into weekly start status despite the QB mess, and he should be a key target again after Mark Andrews scored on this defense.
10. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at CLE). The flip side is good, too, as McBride (of Frankenstein) won't be spooked by the weak link in Cleveland's coverage.
11. Logan Thomas, Commanders (at NE). He's going Wolverine again, and there's no doubting that his QB loves him.
12. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. TB). The other Dalton (Kincaid) did damage here, so there's some hope for a massive rebound.
13. Gerald Everett, Chargers (if he plays, at NYJ). The Jets remain vulnerable most to inside targets vs. outside wideouts, and he can be key for Herbert. If Everett (hip) is out, Donald Parham Jr. can do similar damage.
DFS pick
Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. CHI, $4,700 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel). Here we go again one more time after he dominated relative to his price point last week. He can also smash the Bears in a positive game script at home.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
14. Luke Musgrave, Packers (vs. LAR). The idea of Musgrave has been better than the execution. See Green Bay's wide receivers.
15. Michael Mayer, Raiders (vs. NYG). He (almost) has a great name for Halloween, but the rookie can't be trusted with his weird usage.
16. Cole Kmet, Bears (at NO). Kmet has it rough here with the Honey Badger battling the Bear.
17. Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. LAC). He wasn't involved last week, but the matchup says he can get going (see Cole Kmet). We're still leery of his usage, though.
18. Jonnu Smith, Falcons (at TB). The run is probably over with a more legit passer on the way.
19. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (at BUF). The Bills are weaker vs. this position, but it mostly seems like the Evans-Godwin show for Baker Mayfield.
20. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. WAS). He's become the Mummy to Pharaoh Brown.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Browns (vs. ARI)
- Steelers (vs. TEN)
- Saints (vs. CHI)
- Ravens (vs. SEA)
- Chargers (at NYJ)
- Falcons (vs. MIN)
- Packers (vs. LAR)
8. Vikings (at ATL). Brian Flores is bringing it with his key players, including the pass rush, to make Minnesota a strong streamer for a few weeks.
9. Raiders (vs. NYG). Maxx Crosby faces a turnover-prone defense at home.
10. Giants (at LV) Did you see the Raiders' dysfunction on Monday night?
11. Rams (at GB). We're not loving Love at all.
12. Patriots (vs. WAS). Howell gets sacked. A lot.
DFS pick
Cardinals (at CLE, $2,700 DraftKings, $3,400 FanDuel). It's hard to go with a big underdog in a bad defensive matchup, but they can still make one big play vs. P.J. Walker that will pay them off on the very cheap.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. and 14. Eagles vs Cowboys. There will be points in this game and not much impact playing from either defense.
15. Jets (vs. LAC). Justin Herbert isn't turning over the ball enough.
16 and 17. Chiefs vs. Dolphins. See Eagles vs. Cowboys.
18. Bills (at CIN). Um, no, not against Joe Burrow.
19. Texans (vs. TB). The Buccaneers aren't making enough mistakes.
20. Commanders (@ NE). You're commanded not to "Sweat" with them.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
