Fantasy football owners are missing players from the Giants, Cowboys, Steelers, Browns, 49ers, and Broncos this week, knocking out no fewer than one starting QB, seven starting RBs, six starting WRs, and four starting TEs. In other words, sleepers and waiver-wire streamers will be at a premium this week. Fortunately, the experts at RotoBaller are allowing Sporting News Fantasy readers free access to their exclusive “Who to Start?” advice tool to help with your tough 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 become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their premium lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, and Team Sync platform! Use discount code SPORTING.
Six-team byes inevitably deplete depth, regardless of how good the idle teams are. Fortunately, five stout defenses will be off this week, so there are still plenty of favorable matchups available for potential sleepers.
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
Justin Fields (vs. Dolphins) vs. Tua Tagovailoa (@ Bears) vs. Aaron Rodgers (@ Lions) vs. Geno Smith (@ Cardinals)
Fields and Rogers have great matchups on paper, but it's Tagovailoa who gets the nod ahead of Smith in the Rotoballer rankings. That likely comes down to the weapons around him, as Tua can put up big stats regardless of matchup. Smith has been playing great this year, but he doesn't quite have as high of a ceiling as Tagovailoa, which is also true of Fields and Rodgers even in ideal matchups. Ultimately, all four of these QBs make for solidl starting options in a thin week.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller subscriber and receive exclusive access to their lineup tools, rankings, and analysis. Use discount code SPORTING.
Start or Sit?: Week 9 fantasy RB lineup advice from RotoBaller
Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Vikings) vs. Khalil Herbert (vs. Dolphins) vs. Caleb Huntley (vs. Chargers) vs. Jamaal Williams (vs. Packers)
Robinson Jr. has seen his star dim a bit over the past two weeks, and he's back in the tier with other "No. 2" backs. Huntley has the best matchup and Herbert has been producing well lately, but Rotoballer likes the consistency of Williams the most despite his relatively tough matchup. Williams always gets his carries, especially around the goal line, and he actually produces more when D'Andre Swift is in the lineup. All four backs are a bit TD-or-bust, but any can work as your flex this week.
SN's WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 9 fantasy WR lineup advice from RotoBaller
Rondale Moore (vs. Seahawks) vs. Devin Duvernay (@ Saints) vs. Darnell Mooney (vs. Dolphins) vs. Garrett Wilson (vs. Bills)
Moore gets the nod here, edging out Mooney. Wilson, who's one spot ahead of Duvernay, is only a couple of spots behind Mooney. All four of these WRs have their plusses (targets for Moore and Wilson; matchups for Duvernay and Mooney), but it's the safety of Moore's target share coupled with a decent matchup against Seattle that puts him over the top. Wilson has the toughest matchup, but he's also a pretty safe bet for targets. Duvernay and Mooney have to rely on big plays, so even in highly favorable matchups, they're volatile.
SN's WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 9 fantasy TE lineup advice from RotoBaller
Will Dissly (@ Cardinals) vs. Robert Tonyan (vs. Lions) vs. Hayden Hurst (vs. Panthers) vs. Dawson Knox (@ Jets)
Despite a tougher matchup, Hurst narrowly edges out Tonyan in Rotoballer's rankings. It likely comes down to consistent targets, but these two TEs a very close. Knox is next, but he's more of a TD-or-bust player, while Dissly is a distant fourth despite the best matchup. His ceiling is capped by limited targets.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their premium lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, and Team Sync platform! 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.
