Fantasy Exclusive
Lineup Prep: Week 9
This has been an interesting fantasy season, to say the least. It seems like the cream is starting to rise to the top at a lot of positions, but we still have plenty of outliers at the key spots. You have Kirk Cousins sixth in quarterback scoring. Chuba Hubbard is eighth among fantasy running backs. Christian Watson is finally having that breakout season, ranking sixth overall in fantasy receiver scoring. And lastly, a move to New York has been a good one for Isaiah Likely, who is third overall in fantasy tight end scoring. Hopefully, you have some of these outliers on your fantasy rosters. If so, you are likely in pretty good shape eight weeks into the season.
Now for my random thoughts for the week...
What the heck is going on in Las Vegas? I did not see that coming at all, with the Raiders benching Ashton Jeanty in favor of rookie Mike Washington. Who knows if this will be a long-term thing? Either way, the Raiders' running game is struggling. Washington wasn't very efficient with all his opportunities last week. He didn't exactly cement his case to be the full-time starter going forward. And Jeanty still made some big plays in the passing game despite getting very few carries. It wouldn't surprise me if Jeanty were back as the featured back this week. Maybe the coaching staff was just trying to send him a message. I have no problem buying low on him if a fantasy owner is looking to get rid of him. Things can change in a hurry.
I guess Jacoby Brissett was smart to hold out for a huge contract last year. Maybe he knew he really wasn't as good as his numbers suggested. He is heading to the bench in favor of Gardner Minshew, who lit it up with his opportunities last week. I'm actually more intrigued by rookie Carson Beck. He looked really good in the preseason. I would love to see him get a shot with the Cardinals before the season is over.
The Vikings would be wise to try to find a new signal-caller. They have a Super Bowl-caliber defense, but the offense is holding this team back from being really, really good. Kyler Murray just doesn't look comfortable in this offense, and I don't see that changing. It seems his teammates are even getting frustrated with him. So I'm anxious to see what the Vikings might do before the trade deadline next week. They could make a splash.
It seems inevitable that Jonathan Taylor will be traded. There are all sorts of teams that could be interested in him, including the Vikings, Broncos, Giants, Bengals, Packers, Seahawks and Commanders. Where would I like to see him land? I think the Bengals would be ideal. That's a high-powered offense that would provide him with plenty of red-zone opportunities. The Vikings are also intriguing because he would likely get a ton of work in that offense. But any way you look at it, fantasy owners should welcome a trade out of that train wreck in Indy.
I really thought Chase Brown was one of the safest picks in fantasy this season. He hasn't lived up to the billing, though. He has been a lot more up and down than he has been in recent seasons. Normally, you could count on double-digit points from him every single week. He has failed to reach that mark three times already. I feel like I have swung and missed on more players this year than I expected, including guys I thought were sure things like Brown, Omarion Hampton, Justin Herbert, Wan'Dale Robinson and Juwan Johnson. I'll be the first to admit when I make a mistake. I'll definitely take a closer look at all these players this offseason to see where I went wrong. Not good.
If the season were to end today, I think nearly everyone would have Jahmyr Gibbs as their first overall pick for 2027. But after him, I think it would have to be Jaxon Smith-Njigba. You could even make a case for him being selected first overall if you really wanted to. Last season was historic for him, and this year is going just as well. This guy just produces big numbers every single week. He even does it when the passing game gets very little going. It doesn't matter. JSN just gets it done.
News and Notes
Saints: The Saints released kicker Daniel Carlson on Tuesday. Charlie Smyth is currently on the Saints' practice squad and is likely to get the next opportunity to start.
New Orleans also claimed running back Audric Estime off waivers from the Browns on Tuesday. The Saints are dealing with all sorts of injuries at running back, so Estime gives the team some short-term depth at the position.
HOT PLAYS
Jared Goff, QB, Lions
Goff had his worst game of the season last week, scoring just 11.8 fantasy points. He failed to throw for 200 yards for the first time all season. But he was playing the Vikings, a team many consider to have the best defense in football. Remember, Goff had at least 22 fantasy points in five straight games before last week. He has a great floor for fantasy teams in this offense. Look for him to rebound in a big way this week against the Dolphins, a team allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Broncos
Coleman has clearly emerged as the No. 1 back for the Broncos. He played a season-high 66 percent of the snaps last week, finishing with 104 total yards and a touchdown. He also scored a season-high 20.4 fantasy points. Coleman has at least 14 fantasy points in two of the three games he has played this season. If he gets a starter's workload this week against the Panthers, look for big things from Coleman once again. Carolina has been awful against the run, allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs. The Panthers rank 30th against the run, allowing 140.7 rushing yards per game.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers
McConkey looked as healthy as he has all season last week. He finished with four receptions for 86 yards on six targets. It was his highest yardage total of the season. Big things were expected from him this year, but he hasn't lived up to expectations just yet. Maybe he gets going for the rest of the season now that he is healthy. McConkey plays the Texans this week, a team that has really struggled to stop the pass. Houston allows the second-most fantasy points to receivers and ranks just 28th overall against the pass, allowing 244 passing yards per game.
Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings
Jones was iffy to play last week but suited up and led the team in running back snaps. He remains the top back in this offense. He has struggled in recent weeks but had double-digit fantasy points in five straight games to start his season. He still has the potential for big things. Kyler Murray is a mess throwing the ball right now, and the passing game is doing next to nothing on a weekly basis. This could lead to more rushing attempts in the coming weeks, especially this week against the Bills. Buffalo has allowed some big games to fantasy running backs this year, giving up the fourth-most fantasy points at the position. Jones is a decent RB2 play for fantasy owners in Week 9.
Demario Douglas, WR, Patriots
Douglas has become the go-to receiver in the Patriots' passing game. And that passing game is playing at a very high level right now, no matter the matchup. Douglas has at least 16 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He has topped 20 fantasy points in two of those games. Douglas is moving into must-start territory for fantasy owners. He plays the Packers in Week 9, a team that allows the ninth-most fantasy points to receivers. Get Douglas in your lineup for this one.
COLD PLAYS
Jordan Love, QB, Packers
Love is having perhaps his best season to date. He has scored 20-plus fantasy points in four straight games and in all but two games this season. He did start the year with fewer than 17 points in two of his first four games, though. He has had some rough fantasy outings at times. And a matchup this week against the Patriots isn't a great one for Love. New England really clamps down on the pass, allowing the 10th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. The Patriots have held quarterbacks under 20 fantasy points in three of their last four games.
Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens
Henry found the end zone for the first time since Week 5 last week. He had 14 fantasy points but ran just 11 times for 53 yards. He has fewer than 60 rushing yards in three straight games. You can expect defenses to start stacking the box against the Ravens because of their quarterback issues. This isn't a good thing for Henry, even if he ends up getting more work. He could have some down showings the rest of the way. And a Week 9 matchup against the Jaguars isn't a favorable one for him. Jacksonville allows the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs and ranks first overall against the run, allowing just 77.4 rushing yards per game. You can't really bench Henry, but temper your expectations for him in this one.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Jets
Mitchell got back to his big-play ways last week, finishing with seven receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. But don't forget he went without a catch the previous week. He can still be a little up and down in this Jets passing game, making him more of a matchup play. And a game this week against the Chiefs isn't a great one for him. Kansas City should bring the heat against Geno Smith, which could cause problems for the Jets' passing game. The Chiefs also allow the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers this season.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills
Kincaid has been a little better of late after a string of poor showings. He has double-digit fantasy points in two straight games. The problem is he had fewer than five points in three straight games before his last two good outings. He is still more erratic than you would like from a fantasy option. It could be another one of those down games this week. Kincaid plays a Vikings team that allows the fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Minnesota ranks first overall against the pass, allowing just 154.9 passing yards per game. Kincaid might be best left on fantasy benches this week.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Cardinals
Allgeier had his best game of the season last week, scoring 36.1 fantasy points. He found the end zone twice and nearly topped 200 total yards. Here's the issue: He still had just 11 carries. And he was the featured back for most of his previous three games but didn't top eight fantasy points in any of them. He remains a risk despite his huge game last week. Remember, he played a horrible Cowboys defense in that breakout performance. He gets a much tougher test this week against the Rams. Allgeier ran 18 times for just 38 yards against the Rams in Week 6, scoring only 5.8 fantasy points.
SLEEPERS
Malik Willis, QB, Dolphins
Willis has 23-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games. His fantasy production has improved some since early in the season. He still isn't a great thrower, but he is making plays with his legs and hitting the occasional big play through the air. Willis has a prime matchup against the Lions, a team that allows the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. The Lions have played a little better defensively in recent weeks with some players coming back, but they still have issues in the secondary. Plus, you could see the Dolphins playing from behind in this one, leading to more opportunities for Willis to air it out.
Dylan Sampson, RB, Browns
Sampson has produced pretty well since returning from injury in Week 7. He has double-digit fantasy points in each of his last two games. He is getting a lot of opportunities in the passing game, with nine receptions on 11 targets. This gives him a great floor for fantasy owners. He has some flex appeal, especially this week against New Orleans. The Saints allow the most fantasy points to running backs and rank 29th overall against the run.
Malachi Fields, WR, Giants
Fields had season highs in his last game, catching four passes for 83 yards on five targets. It was an encouraging performance from the rookie. He had just one other game all season with more than 50 receiving yards before that outing. The good news is he plays a lot, ranking second on the Giants in snaps, and new starter JJ McCarthy has been great since taking over. Fields can build on his Week 7 performance and finish his rookie season strong. He plays a reeling Eagles team this week. Philadelphia allows the third-most fantasy points to receivers and ranks just 24th overall against the pass. Fields could be worth a shot in Week 9.
Mason Taylor, TE, Jets
Taylor has really seen his usage go up in recent weeks. He has at least five targets in three straight games and at least three receptions in four straight. His floor is pretty solid right now. He has some spot-start appeal for fantasy owners. And a game this week against the Chiefs might be a good spot to give him a chance. Kansas City is good against the pass, but the Chiefs struggle to stop tight ends. They allow the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. Their pressure defense could also lead to more dump-off passes to Taylor throughout the game.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Colts
Treadwell has played the second-most snaps among receivers for the Colts. He has played at least 70 percent of the snaps in every game since the opener. He does not have a single game with double-digit fantasy points despite all that playing time. It's a little hard to believe. Well, if he is ever going to reach double-digit points, it could happen this week against the Cowboys. Dallas was already awful defensively and has now lost some more key players in the secondary heading into this week. Treadwell could break a big play or two against a defense that allows the seventh-most fantasy points to receivers.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week, we'll take a look at some of the high- and low-scoring games for the coming week. In high-scoring affairs, get your marginal players from those teams into your lineup to take advantage of a possible points barrage. In low-scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High-Scoring Games
Bengals/Falcons, Cowboys/Colts, Lions/Dolphins, Rams/Commanders, Raiders/49ers.
Low-Scoring Games
Browns/Saints.
Bye Weeks
Steelers, Titans.
