Quarterbacks
Starts
Drew Lock- Lock finally broke out in a big way last week, throwing for three touchdowns and leading the Broncos to a comeback win over the Chargers. In Week 9, Lock faces a Falcons defense that has given up nearly 300 yards and 3 TDs/per game through 8 games in 2020. Lock should make it consecutive weeks of solid production.
Derek Carr- Carr struggled to get going last week against Cleveland, but he’ll face a much softer test against the Chargers and should bounce back for over 250 yards and around two scores. LAC’s secondary yields roughly 280 yards/game through seven games. I like Carr as a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside.
Matthew Stafford/Chase Daniel
Kirk Cousins
Stafford was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list earlier this week, so he is questionable to play. If he cannot, Chase Daniel would get the start. Whichever Lions QB does play, they are in store for a solid matchup against the Vikings. On the flip side, Cousins should get back to throwing the ball more this week, as the Lions give up close to 21 points/game. Cousins didn’t have to do too much other than be a game manager as Dalvin Cook stole the show in Green Bay last week.
Nick Foles- Foles was his typical underwhelming self last week against New Orleans, but it is possible he will find success this week against the Titans. The Titans defense is in the top 12 of most points allowed to the QB position. It is clear Foles can only be played in good matchups and this appears to be one of them.
Sits
Teddy Bridgewater- Bridgewater has cooled off a bit since his torrid start in the early season and will face his toughest test to date in the Chiefs. The Chiefs are not the Chiefs of old where they were a juicy matchup for QBs. They give up only 16.3 points to the position and only 9 total touchdowns given up. The return of Christian McCaffrey will help, but it is possible he will be held to a lot of checkdowns and short-middle of the field throws.
Phillip Rivers- Rivers threw three TDs last week, giving him 10 on the season. He faces the Ravens defense who has given up the same amount of TDs that Rivers has thrown. In total, through seven games, the Ravens defense averages 180 yards/game to opposing QBs and 19.2 fantasy points/game. I don’t see Rivers having the same kind of success as he did last week.
Sam Darnold- How much longer does the Jets front office need to see before Adam Gase gets his walking papers? I mean it can be argued they are one of the worst-run franchises, not just in football, but in all sports. They have completely wasted the first three years of Darnold’s career – who was looked at as having the most star potential in the QB class of 2018. Darnold faces a Patriots defense at home who are still stout against the pass despite their 2-5 record. Darnold can remain on the bench this week.
Running Backs
Starts
James Robinson
David Johnson
The Texans and Jaguars square off against each other this weekend and both RBs are in play this week. Robinson is the RB5 on the season, so you are playing him every week. David Johnson is also a top 20 RB through nine weeks, so you can roll him out to this week. I think both RBs have a good shot at 15-20 points.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire/Le’Veon Bell- The Chiefs have committed to the run the past two weeks and that should continue this week. Unfortunately, both of these backs will probably eat into the other a bit, but it is still a good matchup to feel confident playing them. Plus, they play for the Chiefs, which means points will be scored.
Chase Edmonds- With Kenyan Drake looking iffy to play this week, Edmonds will have his chance to shine as the Cardinals RB1. He has out-produced Drake and has looked like the better option to own each week, outside of Drake’s explosion against the Cowboys. Now, with Drake banged up, Edmonds will get the call and has a good shot for success. The Dolphins yield 23.7 points/game to the RB position.
Antonio Gibson- Gibson broke out in a big way two weeks ago against the Cowboys and will hope to keep it up against the Giants. It is clear, Gibson is the one to own in the Redskins backfield and he continues to see more work each week. It’s not the best matchup, but the Giants do give up 21.5 points to the RB position, so I think Gibson has a good shot to score this week.
Sits
Leonard Fournette/Ronald Jones- Jones reverted back to his fumbling ways last week, which saw Fournette take over the work as the RB1 for Tampa. However, each time we think Bruce Arians will hand the reigns to Fournette as lead back, Jones then opens the game as the starter. It could be the same trend this week, but this is a tough matchup to trust either back. If you have other options in a better matchup, I’d consider starting them.
Colts RBs- This backfield became even more of a mess last week, when Jordan Wilkins entered the picture and found success as the early-down back. It is expected that he will have a role again this week. That leaves a three-man committee in Indy’s backfield, making it a guessing game as to who to trust, against a stout Ravens front seven. No thanks.
Wide Receivers
Starts
John Brown- Brown has struggled to bounce back from his knee injury he suffered, but, if there’s any a time to get right; this is it. Seattle surrenders the most points allowed to WRs in 2020 and the Bills are no slouch with Stefon Diggs and John Brown on the outside catching passes from Josh Allen. This game has the looks of a shootout and hopefully Brown can get going this week.
Marvin Jones- With Golladay ruled out, it will allow Jones to operate as the WR1 in Detroit. Matthew Stafford was placed on the COVID list earlier this week, but if Chase Daniel ends up playing, he has to throw the ball to someone, right? That leaves Jones to benefit from the vacated targets by Golladay.
Darnell Mooney
Anthony Miller(deep sleeper)
The Bears face the Titans, who have given up the 3rd most fantasy points to the TE position at 37.9 points/game. If you are in need of a deep starting option due to bye weeks, both Mooney and Miller make for good plays this week due to their matchup.
Jerry Jeudy/Tim Patrick- Denver faces an Atlanta defense that surrenders 36.9 points/game to the WR position. Both Patrick and Jeudy have established themselves as good fantasy options with the loss of Courtland Sutton, and that should remain the same this week. Consider both as solid WR3’s this week against Atlanta with upside for more.
Sits
Colts WRs- TY Hilton was ruled out on Friday and Michael Pittman is a rookie and just not ready for prime-time yet. The Colts face a stout Ravens defense, who surrender 25.7 points/game to the WR position – good for 7th fewest allowed overall. I’d look for other reliable options this week than the Colts’ options.
Raiders WRs- The Raiders face the Chargers this week and it could be tough sledding against the other LA team, as they give up the 12th fewest points to the position in 2020. However, outside of last week, Derek Carr has averaged 21.02 points/game over his last three games and his supporting cast is hard to trust outside of Darren Waller. Wait for a better matchup to start Raiders receivers. This is not one of them.
Tight Ends
Starts
Noah Fant- Fant makes for another week roll out as a low-end TE1. He faces the Falcons at home, who give up the most points to the position. Fant has seen a steady dose of targets since his return from injury and that should continue in Week 9.
Rob Gronkowski- Gronk seems to have found his stride in recent weeks, contributing another solid fantasy line last week against the Giants. This week, he faces off against a Saints defense that gives up the 4th most points to TEs at 14 per game. The return of AB might not hesitate Gronk owners, but I wouldn’t expect Brown to make a huge impact in the first game he returns. I think Brady will try to lean on Gronk this week in this matchup. He makes for a good option as a low-end TE1 with upside for more.
Sits
Hayden Hurst- Hurst has seen a steady dose of targets from Matt Ryan the past three weeks and all three have seen him post TE1 numbers. However, he faces a much stiffer test against the Broncos on the road, and I think this could be a game where he gets phased out. He’s a risky start and you should lower expectations in this game.
Jared Cook- Cook seems to be a favorite red zone target for Drew Brees with another touchdown last week. He will need another touchdown in Week 9 to be relevant, because the Bucs are one of the toughest matchups against TEs this season. If you have a better option, consider him over Cook.
Mike Gesicki- Might it not just be happening for Gesicki? All of his owners hoped the transition to Tua would rocket his fantasy status, but it was another disappointing effort with one catch. This week is no different, against a tough Cardinals defense that is stout against TEs. You have to hold off Gesicki and keep him on the bench until he shows he can be trusted.
