Week 9 is here, and if you’re still trying to figure out who deserves a spot in your lineup, you’re not alone. Some players have matchups worth getting excited about, while others might be better off watching from your bench. Let’s get into it.
Quarterback
Best: QB Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins (vs. Detroit Lions)
Willis has looked much more comfortable since Miami’s Week 6 bye, throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns in each of his last two games. He’s accounted for five total touchdowns and just one interception during that stretch.
Now he gets a highly favorable matchup against a Detroit team that has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Despite showing some improvement since their bye, the Lions are still dealing with several key defensive injuries, giving Willis ample opportunity to showcase his ability as a passer and runner. Willis hasn’t quite put everything together yet, but the potential is there. He’s a strong streaming option in Week 9.
Worst: QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Shough has shown occasional fantasy upside this season, but his recent production has been inconsistent, and Week 9 presents another difficult test against Cleveland. The Browns have been one of the league’s toughest defenses against opposing quarterbacks, allowing just 196.6 passing yards per game and fewer than 15 fantasy points per contest. They’ve also surrendered only two passing touchdowns over their last three games while recording 21 sacks through eight contests.
Shough hasn’t exactly been trending in the right direction, either, averaging just 172.7 passing yards per game over his last three outings with a 4:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Cleveland just held Aaron Rodgers to 172 yards and no touchdowns, and Shough could face similar problems under pressure. He’s best left out of standard fantasy lineups this week.
Running Back
Best: RB Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos (@ Carolina Panthers)
Coleman appears to have taken control of Denver’s backfield after J.K. Dobbins was effectively benched in Week 8 and RJ Harvey landed on injured reserve. The rookie made the most of his expanded workload, finishing with 104 total yards and a touchdown on 15 touches, including four receptions. His role should remain substantial heading into a Week 9 matchup against Carolina.
Although the Panthers did a respectable job containing Green Bay’s rushing attack last week, they’ve been one of the league’s most generous defenses against fantasy running backs, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position. Coleman has a legitimate opportunity to build on his recent production and offers RB2 upside this week.
Worst: RB Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins (vs. Detroit Lions)
Gordon finally came back down to earth in Week 8, rushing 19 times for 69 yards without finding the end zone or contributing in the passing game. His recent hot streak had been fueled by consistent scores and strong rushing totals, but Week 8 exposed the risk of relying on a back who offers so little as a receiver.
The good news is that Gordon continues to dominate Miami’s backfield workload with De’Von Achane sidelined. The bad news? Week 9 brings a difficult matchup against Detroit, which has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing rushers. His volume keeps him in the RB2/FLEX conversation, but expectations should be tempered this week.
Wide Receiver
Best: WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Houston Texans)
God I hope I’m right about this. Despite the Chargers continued offensive struggles, McConkey was one of the few bright spots in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, catching four of six targets for 86 yards. This week’s matchup against Houston gives him another reason for optimism.
The Texans have been among the more generous defenses against opposing wide receivers, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Justin Herbert’s struggles under pressure introduce some risk, but McConkey remains one of his most dangerous receiving options. With a favorable matchup and six targets last week, McConkey is a reasonable WR2 with upside in Week 9.
Worst: WR D.J. Moore, Buffalo Bills (@ Minnesota Vikings)
Moore immediately reestablished himself as Josh Allen’s top receiving option in his Week 8 return, catching four passes for 82 yards and a touchdown on an even number of targets. When healthy, he’s averaged an impressive 17.4 PPR points per game alongside Allen. However, another injury interrupted his return, this time a knee.
Moore has downplayed the severity, but his availability and effectiveness remain worth monitoring. The matchup doesn’t offer much relief, either. Minnesota has been particularly stingy against opposing wide receivers, allowing the third-fewest FFPG to the position and just limited the Lions’ top two receivers to 116 combined yards. Moore has upside, but the injury concern and difficult matchup make him a riskier FLEX play than a dependable WR2.
Tight End
Best: TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Cincinatti Bengals)
Pitts is coming off a disappointing Week 8 performance, catching just two of five targets for six yards in Atlanta’s shutout loss to Tampa Bay. However, the poor outing had plenty to do with Michael Penix Jr.’s struggles in the rain, as the quarterback threw four interceptions and managed just 125 passing yards. Pitts had scored touchdowns in three consecutive games before that performance and gets a favorable opportunity to bounce back against Cincinnati.
The Bengals have been vulnerable to tight ends, allowing the second-most receiving yards and 13.0 fantasy points per game at the position. They haven’t surrendered a touchdown to a tight end yet, but Atlanta could be forced into a pass-heavy game script after Cincinnati’s explosive offensive performance last week. Pitts remains a viable low-end TE1 with bounce-back potential.
Worst: TE Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
In Terry McLaurin’s absence, Chig Okonkwo showed promise in Week 6 with seven catches for 69 yards, but managed just two receptions for 32 yards on four targets in Week 8 with a lost fumble to boot. His involvement remains encouraging, as he ran routes on 82% of Washington’s dropbacks last week, but the matchup against the Rams is far from ideal.
Los Angeles has allowed just 8.3 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this season, ranking among the league’s toughest defenses at the position. Okonkwo could become a more reliable option down the stretch, but his inconsistent production and difficult Week 9 matchup make him a risky streamer best left on the bench in most formats.
