If you are looking for my QB sit/start I do a separate in-depth article for superflex leagues here. This is dedicated to the other skill positions.
Also, this column is by no means a ranking, or should be taken as me recommending to start the guys in the start section over the guys in the sit section. It’s instead an educated guess as to what players will outperform expectations vs guys that will underperform expectations.
I try to only place players in the start column that have at least significant question marks either due to poor performance or low capital. Similarly I put guys in the sit column that most fantasy managers would start most weeks.
With that stated let’s get into who to start and who to sit for week 9.
Running Back Starts
Nick Chubb at the Bengals
Chubb did not please many managers in his return to the lineup, scoring roughly as many fantasy points as his backfield mate D’Ernest Johnson. His ypc was low and he was kept out of the end zone. This was not an unforeseeable event as he was playing a good defense and was just returning from a calf injury. I think he improves vastly against the Bengals who just allowed Michael Carter to average 5.1 ypc on his way to 77 rushing yards and a score. Chubb will not see receiving work, that goes to Johnson, but with the Cleveland passing game I expect the Browns to lean on him and Johnson to control the clock and keep Burrow and Chase off the field.
Michael Carter at the Colts
Why not believe in the Jets? Carter thrived with Mike White under center throwing underneath routes and had 14 targets. With absolutely no model of success other than the last game, I can’t see why Saleh would try and do anything differently. Carter is on the rise and playing him, even on a short week against a decent run defense.
Derrick Gore vs the Packers
Gore should be nothing more than a flex play as he is still splitting carries with Darrell Williams, but I think he can make the most out of few opportunities with his north-south running style. He’s more effective between the tackles than Darrell Williams and I think 60 yards and a score are not unreasonable expectations.
Damien Harris at the Panthers
The Panthers have the feel of being a good defense, but they’re nothing special against the run, something the Patriots absolutely want to be key to winning games. The Panthers are allowing 4.4 ypc to opposing backs over their last three. Don’t be discouraged by their FPA status (top 10) which includes their early season dominance. Just last week Mike Davis and Cordarelle Patterson had good days against them despite only seeing 9 carries a piece.
Running Back Sits
Jeremy McNichols at the Rams
Right now we just don’t know what will come out of the Titans rushing attack without Henry. McNichols could see 15 carries, he could see 3. He should retain all passing down work, but there are too many unknowns to insert him into lineups. Bench blowups may hurt mentally but they don’t hurt your fantasy team – doughnuts do.
Zack Moss at the Jaguars
It pains me to put him here as I am starting him in my big money league and I hope I’m wrong, but his ypc has been atrocious in his last three games (3.4, 3, 2.4). He is augmenting it with receiving work, but not enough to offset those pitiful averages that came against Kansas City, Tennessee and Miami. The matchup against the Jags may appear salivating, but they are really no worse against the run than his last three opponents.
Tony Pollard vs the Broncos
It’s funny how memory works. We probably all remember his herculean effort week 2 (13-109-1, 3-31) against the Chargers more than we remember his last two games. Probably because those performances were forgettable. The Broncos have become one of the worst defenses in the league against the run, but I think that just makes this a good week for Zeke, not Pollard.
Khalil Herbert at the Steelers
This was already a tough matchup for the rookie and one in which the Bears offense will struggle to stay on the field, but news just broke that Montgomery is off IR, practicing, and coaches are looking to get his feet wet in this game. With what should be precious few offensive opportunities, that makes Herbert a risky start at best.
Wide Receiver Starts
Stefon Diggs at the Jaguars
Before you do a double take, note that over the past 4 weeks Diggs is WR24 in average points per game. I am putting him here because I think he is an absolute must start against the Jags, as in my projected WR4 for the week. Just ask anyone who benched Lockett against them last week. Diggs and Lockett have similar profiles and I think Diggs could win your week. Get him in.
Brandin Cooks at the Dolphins
Tyrod is back meaning the QB-proof Cooks gets a significant upgrade at QB this week. I have him as WR20 which is probably way too low. Miami is allowing an average of almost 300 passing yards per game over their last three.
Michael Pittman vs the Jets
The Jets gave up a big game to Tee Higgins last week and I actually think this will be a high-scoring affair. Thursday nights have not been as scary for fantasy this year and I think Pittman will come up huge against the Jets secondary. Who by the way are allowing a league-high 341 passing yards per game over their last three. Pittman is my WR9 for the week.
Van Jefferson vs the Titans
Van Jefferson is now essentially outplaying Robert Woods. Though his targets are still low his snap-share is sky high. He barely leaves the field. Just think of him as Stafford’s WR2 and now think if you would even consider benching him.
Wide Receiver Sits
De’Andre Hopkins at the 49ers
Murray’s hurt. He’s hurt. This is not the week to play Hopkins if you have better options. I have him as my WR18 this week.
Jerry Jeudy at the Cowboys
Who wants to bet that Travon Diggs doesn’t blanket his former teammate? I don’t. With the passing game stalling out and the whole team circling the drain, this is not the week to try and extract value from your mid-round pick.
Devonta Smith vs the Chargers
The Chargers are good against the pass and bad against the run. Strike one. Smith is an excellent, timing-based route technician. Does that sound like the best fit for Jalen Hurts? Strike two. Hurts has appeared at best erratic the past four weeks as a passer. Strike three. Sit Devonta this week.
Robert Woods vs the Titans
Normally you play everyone against the Titans, and normally you play all the Rams, but see Van Jefferson above. If not for his TD last week his owners would be running for the Hills. He caught only 3 of 9 targets for 35 yards, while Jefferson caught 3 of 6 for 88 yards. I think this is the week we see the changing of the guard at WR2 in Los Angeles.
Tight End Starts
Mike Gesicki vs the Texans
People might have been scared off by his near dud last week. Don’t be. They were playing the Bills who are basically the best pass defense in the league by most metrics. This week he gets to feast on Houston, allowing the 4th most points to tight ends in the league. Even Higbee got into the act against them as the 4th or 5th passing option on the Rams, catching all 3 of his targets.
CJ Uzomah vs the Browns
I don’t see this as a low-scoring affair and think multiple Bengals pass-catchers will get into the act, including CJ. His targets are sparse at best but the Browns will not be focusing on him, meaning he should get open often. If I’m Stefanski I concentrate safety coverage on Chase while focusing man-to-man on Higgins and Boyd. Look for a high-efficiency game that includes a score.
Tight End Sits
Mark Andrews vs the Vikings
I started writing about sitting Pitts but realized I just couldn’t recommend sitting him. So I’m picking on another talented tight end, Mark Andrews. Andrews had a dud (for him) against Cincy two weeks ago with 48 scoreless yards. Minnesota is better than Cincy against tight ends giving up only 5.2 fantasy points this year. I think he will disappoint again this week.
Dallas Goedert vs the Chargers
Goedert is getting a ridiculous target share since Ertz left, but the problem is in that same period the Eagles have the lowest pass attempts in the league. I think they stick with the ground game again which is of course what the Chargers defense wants. Staley is no dummy.