Need help with filling out your fantasy football seasonal lineups for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season? The bye weeks are back with the Steelers and 49ers off, taking away red-hot players such as Brock Purdy and George Pickens. There are also more injuries affecting teams as the league is getting past midseason.
Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another version of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. Let's get into breaking down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (at NYG)
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. LV)
- Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (if he plays, vs. DET)
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. CHI)
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. TB)
Stronger starts
9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (at ATL): Rayne Dakota should be busy with a high volume win or lose against a weak Falcons' pass defense that can also take away the limited running game.
10. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at SEA): Stafford is locked in with his top wide receivers healthy again and can make some big pass plays playing off the run.
11. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR): He should need some considerable volume in a tight back-and-forth affair vs. a vulnerable Rams pass defense at home.
12. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL): He also should be ready to chuck plenty again to keep up with Dak.
13. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at ARI): He should rebound in the desert, dueling fellow Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick Murray.
14. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND): He has a high floor of around 250 and 2 again despite a limited ceiling because of limited resistance from the Colts' offense.
WEEK 9 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
DFS pick
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX, $7,800 on DraftKings, $9,300 on FanDuel): Hurts is on a heater with his rushing TD production and brilliant downfield passing to elite wide receivers, and his tight end can get in on the fun this week against a Jaguars defense that gives up everything.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
15. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at BAL): The numbers in the passing game say yes, but the Ravens also contain his rushing production, and this is still a long road trip for a rookie on the road seeing a big jump up in competition.
16. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at KC): Mayfield kept putting up numbers minus his top wide receivers on the Falcons, but this is a much tougher spot on the road in prime time.
17. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at GB): Goff isn't getting the big volume, and this is a tough passing matchup on the road and a much better spot for the dominant running game.
18. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at NYJ): You can't go here on the road with wide receiver injury issues even though the Jets' defense has shown a lot more cracks of late.
19. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC): This is a much tougher spot at home as the Chargers' pass defense can cause problems with pressure and coverage.
20. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at BUF): Tua typically takes it on the chin when seeing the Bills' defense.
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Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Running backs
Regular starts
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN)
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX)
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at CAR)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. LAR)
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (at NYJ)
- D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (at ARI)
- De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at BUF)
- Breece Hall, New York Jets (vs. HOU)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (vs. TEN)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at MIN)
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
- David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at GB)
- Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. NE)
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at DET)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at TEN)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (at NYG)
- Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. TB)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. CHI)
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND)
- Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (at PHI)
Stronger starts
23. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. LV): He's the main main when they're leading, and he should have a nice day against a wilting Raiders run defense.
24. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. WAS): He needs to clear concussion protocol, but he's hot and the Commanders can give up on the ground. Devin Singletary would be the play should Tracy miss the game.
25. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. NO): Hubbard should get more volume at home as the Saints aren't built to run away with the game, even with the potential of Derek Carr returning.
26. Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders (at CIN): The Chiefs were a brutal spot for him. There will be much more running room against the Bengals on the road
27. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (at BUF): He's not getting a lot of work, but he's going back to being a reliable touchdown threat.
28. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL): He's worth a FLEX shot working more behind Bijan given how bad the Cowboys' run defense has been.
Week 9 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Stock Watch | Trade Advice | Start 'Em, Sit 'Em | Sleepers | Busts
DFS Picks
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL, $7,400 on DraftKings, $8,500 on FanDuel): Robinson can build on his strong all-around day in Tampa as the Cowboys will have trouble containing him as a runner or receiver.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. NE, $6,800 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): Pollard is rather consistent with his production off big touches with Tyjae Spears hurting, and he can score once or twice to boost his scrimmage work.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
29. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (at CLE): The Browns have been become nasty vs. the run again with Myles Garrett leading the charge.
30. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (at BAL): It's very difficult to get anything going ground-wise on the Ravens, just ask ...
31. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC): After seeing Baltimore's brutal front, he gets another tough matchup against L.A.
32. Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at KC): They are so tough on backs running and catching.
33. Braelon Allen, New York Jets (vs. HOU): He cools off by not getting the needed work behind Hall again.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at ATL)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. LV)
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (at GB)
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs.WAS)
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (if he plays, at SEA)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at NYG)
- Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (vs. HOU)
- Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (vs. DET)
- Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (at BUF)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (if he plays, vs. LAR)
- Davante Adams, New York Jets (vs. HOU)
- Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (at CAR)
- Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (at MIN)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (vs. CHI)
- Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. NE)
- D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears (at ARI)
- Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL)
- Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at BUF)
Stronger starts
25. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. TB): He should come through again out of necessity playing off Travis Kelce in a good secondary matchup for Mahomes.
26. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at CLE): This next AFC West rookie also got revved up last week with a pair of TDs from Herbert and the Browns are beatable on the back end.
27. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA): He should be the one reliable option from their three wideouts given the matchups and high-leverage targets.
28. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (at BAL): He got going again with Nix and should get open often against the Ravens.
29. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (vs. DET): No Love doesn't mean Romeo can't click well with Willis playing off Reed against a bad pass defense.
30. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (at ARI): The Cardinals can struggle a bit to contain the slot, and his savvy can deliver.
31. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR): He needs to get going again, and this secondary can oblige, especially if Metcalf can go to take coverage.
32. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at MIN): Here's hoping the pivot to Joe Flacco makes him a more effective intermediate target working off Downs stretching the field horizontally and vertically.
DFS picks
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX, $6,800 on DraftKings, $7,800 on FanDuel): He's now completely locked into Hurts and feeling it in the Kellen Moore offense and makes for a great stack option in the best possible matchup.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at DET, $6,400 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): Reed has been quiet of late after a sizzling start, but the potential of the team needing to start Malik Willis should unlock him again as a key weapon with his rushing and receiving pop in a great matchup.
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. NE, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,200 on FanDuel): Ridley was a target hog and came through with Mason Rudolph, and that shouldn't change working on a beatable Patriots secondary.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
33. Tank Dell, Houston Texans (at NYJ): Without Diggs and Nico Collins, Dell will find it hard to get open as a marked man by strong corners everywhere.
34. Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC): The youngster will be contained by a very good secondary.
35. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (at CIN): The idea isn't bad, but the execution doesn't inspire.
36. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND): It's difficult to feel good about his target share with Hockenson returning, too.
37. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA): The vet route-runner will be more of a facilitator again for Coleman and others.
38. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. TB): The name is big and the matchup is solid, but take a wait-and-see approach on how much they plan to use him.
39. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants (vs. WAS): He scored in the first meeting, but his targets have gone down of late.
40. Diontae Johnson, Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN): He goes from a primary spot to a shaky one with his new team.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. TB)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at CIN)
- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at GB)
- Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at KC)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (vs. CHI)
- Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL)
- Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (at PHI)
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN)
Stronger starts
9. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (at ATL): Ferguson should be busy as Prescott puts up a lot of intermediate passing on the road.
10. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC): He's feeling it with Winston, so you need to keep going there.
11. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA): The matchup is a little tougher this week, but the Dolphins did allow some good downfield work to McBride.
12. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND): If he's healthy enough to play and help out their passing game, he should be playable in fantasy.
13. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (vs. DET): It's a tougher spot with Alex Anzalone roaming in coverage, but he can still get it done with a TD.
14. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. LV): With Tee Higgins set to miss another game, fire him up in a sweet spot where Kelce just scored for the first time.
DFS pick
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (at ATL, $5,100 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel): He should be worked into intermediate routes often for Prescott with the Falcons' secondary focused a lot at slowing CeeDee Lamb in the slot. There's definitely a void in inside coverage that can keep being exploited.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
15. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at ARI): He's become a boom-or-bust TE, but here's thinking he falls into the disappointing realm again.
16. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (at NYG): He's been getting the targets, but the matchup isn't great given Pat Freiermuth just disappeared.
17. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at TEN): The Titans are typically tough on tight ends, with the Lions being the one anomaly.
18. Tyler Conklin, New York Jets (vs. HOU): Aaron Rodgers needs to grease his wide receivers more on TNF.
19. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (at NYJ): He's just not being targeted enough to go there even without Stefon Diggs.
20. Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (vs. LA): The numbers say yes for his position, but they're just not forcing targets his way with A.J. Barner also involved.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Defense/special teams
Stronger starts
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND)
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. TB)
- Los Angeles Chargers (at CLE)
- New York Jets (vs. HOU)
- Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN)
- Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
- New Orleans Saints (at CAR)
- Washington Commanders (vs. NYG)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX): You can roll with them as they are improved and should be able to tee off a bit on Trevor Lawrence.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. LV): They can build a lead with Burrow so they can bury the Raiders in the second half.
11. New England Patriots (at TEN): The matchup is too good to not give them a one-week streaming shot.
12. Tennessee Titans (vs. NE): You can also play the home team depending on the QB situation for the Patriots, which will be more appealing with Jacoby Brissett.
13. Chicago Bears (at ARI): Kyler is playing better, but you can still take a shot on them after they mostly shut down the Commanders on the road.
DFS pick
New England Patriots (at TEN, $3,000 on DraftKings, $4,000 on FanDuel): There's no need to pay up much when you can get a more inspired Patriots defense for Jerod Mayo working on a team that is so friendly toward defenses and return games.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
14. Houston Texans (at NYJ): The Texans can be giving in the passing game and being on the road in prime time can be a let down.
15. Green Bay Packers (vs. DET): The Packers are playable in most weeks when they will get takeaways, but that's dicey vs. the Lions.
16. Detroit Lions (at GB): They were a good rental vs. the Titans, but they're just not good enough to keep playing, especially in Lambeau.
17. Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC): They can stop the run to give them a chance, but Justin Herbert is getting too hot to handle.
18. Denver Broncos (at BAL): The Ravens will likely turn to running all over them to limit the big-play opportunities.
Get more of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer's Week 9 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
