Plenty of fantasy football owners are entering "must-win" territory, and start 'em, sit 'em decisions are taking on even more importance than usual. Fortunately, the experts at RotoBaller are here to help by giving Sporting News Fantasy readers free access to their exclusive “Who to Start?” advice tool to help with your Week 9 fantasy lineup decisions.
How does the “Who to Start?” tool work? Simple: Choose up to four players to compare below, pick your league settings in the upper right corner (PPR, half-PPR, standard), and push “Who to Start?” It’s that easy. From there, you’ll get a lineup recommendation based on RotoBaller’s award-winning rankings and projections.
MORE: Click here to upgrade to RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Gain VIP access to expert tools and advice from proven winners including the NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer, the Team Sync Platform with customized tools, Premium fantasy football rankings, and DFS cheat sheets! Get hooked up and use discount code SPORTING!
There weren't many new injuries to key RBs, WRs, and TEs last week, but the rash of QB injuries coupled with some brutal byes (Lions, Broncos, Jaguars, 49ers) are causing plenty of lineup questions during a crucial period of the fantasy season.
As always, RotoBaller factored in usage, matchups, and talent into its Week 9 rankings, and it’s reflected in its “Who to Start?” tool. Check out an example from each offensive position.
Advice below is based on full-point PPR leagues
Start or Sit?: Week 9 fantasy QB lineup advice from RotoBaller
Derek Carr (vs. CHI) vs. Sam Howell (@ NE) vs. Mac Jones (vs. WAS) vs. Gardner Minshew (@ CAR)
Carr, Howell, and Minshew have been putting up solid numbers lately, but Jones has the best matchup this week. Nonetheless, RotoBaller likes Carr, who also has a great matchup and should continue his midseason rise at home. Howell is next, likely thanks to his volume, and RotoBaller actually likes Minshew third over Jones. In a week like this, any of these four can work as a low-end QB1, but Carr is the "safest."
MORE: Click here to upgrade to RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Gain VIP access to expert tools and advice from proven winners including the NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer, the Team Sync Platform with customized tools, Premium fantasy football rankings, and DFS cheat sheets! Get hooked up and use discount code SPORTING!
Start or Sit?: Week 9 fantasy RB lineup advice from RotoBaller
Kareem Hunt (vs. ARI) vs. D'Onta Foreman (@ NO) vs. Darrell Henderson Jr. (@ GB) vs. Rachaad White (@ HOU)
This is a closely bunched group, but RotoBaller likes Hunt by a nose over White, both of whom have top matchups. Foreman edges out Henderson by a spot even though the latter has a much better matchup. RotoBaller clearly likes Hunt's offense and scoring potential the best. White has a high floor thanks to his receiving ability, but he's scored just one TD all year. Both Foreman and Henderson could be playing with backup QBs, limiting their overall scoring opportunities, too.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 9 fantasy WR lineup advice from RotoBaller
Josh Downs (@ CAR) vs. Rashee Rice (vs. MIA) vs. K.J. Osborn (@ ATL) vs. Brandin Cooks (@ PHI)
Everyone in this odd group of WRs has a similar outlook this week, but RotoBaller trusts the surging Downs the most. Rice is next, followed by Osborn and Cooks. It makes sense that Osborn has been knocked down now that Kirk Cousins is out, but Cooks and Rice are both playing with superior QBs to Downs. However, the latter is seeing the most consistent targets, and that should once again continue against a mediocre Panthers' defense.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 9 fantasy TE lineup advice from RotoBaller
Logan Thomas (@ NE) vs. Cole Kmet (@ NO) vs. Trey McBride (@ CLE) vs. David Njoku (vs. ARI)
All four are coming off big games, but RotoBaller trusts Thomas the most to keep it going. He's a few spots ahead of McBride, who narrowly edges out Kmet and Njoku. All of these guys have QB worries, but Kmet and McBride are playing with the most inexperienced signal-callers. Perhaps shockingly, Sam Howell is the most trustworthy passer any of these four TEs have, further lending credence to Thomas as the top guy in this group.
MORE: Click here to upgrade to RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Gain VIP access to expert tools and advice from proven winners including the NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer, the Team Sync Platform with customized tools, Premium fantasy football rankings, and DFS cheat sheets! Get hooked up and use discount code SPORTING!
Try out any combination of players – including players at different positions for your flex spot – with the RotoBaller "Who to Draft?" tool above. It’s like having your own fantasy football expert on call just to help with your specific Week 9 lineup questions.
