Fantasy Football Week 9: Justin Herbert, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Courtland Sutton Among Top Players

The Sporting News fantasy team is back with our Week 9 Fantasy Football Snipers. Bo Nix and Cedric Tillman highlighted this list in Week 8, and both continued to post top-3 weekly performances at their positions. In Tillman’s case, he appears to be one of Jameis Winston’s favorite targets in Cleveland and could become a consistent fantasy option in the future, as you’ll see again below this week.

It’s nice to look back on previous successes, but the fantasy season moves quickly and we have to adapt as the week goes on. Week nine offers a whole new set of matchup games that we can use in fantasy football.

If you don’t have time to dive deep into each game’s review, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We dove headfirst into every matchup in Week 9 to determine exactly what situations and matchups we should be attacking in fantasy football. Our three fantasy analysts have one player at each position.

FANTASY FOOTBALL RATINGS FOR WEEK 9
QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | kickers

Fantasy QB Sleepers for Week 9

Michael O’Hara: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks – There is one common theme in the games Geno Smith has found fantasy success in. He has made at least 40 passes in every top 10 this season. The Seahawks’ matchup against the Rams definitely has the potential for a shootout, and Smith could find himself in a situation where he has to throw 40-50 passes. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are back, the Rams offense is picking up steam, and Smith could benefit from the return of DK Metcalf. If these offenses trade blows for four quarters, Smith has a good chance to push into QB1 territory this week.

Ed Williams: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers — With Jim Harbaugh at the helm, it’s no surprise that the Chargers opened the season truly relying on the running game on the offensive side of the ball. During the first four weeks of the season, when Herbert was also suffering from an ankle injury, he averaged 22.75 pass attempts per game. By the way, in the last three games this number has increased to 35 attempts per game. This week they’ll get the Browns, who are in the middle of a run on defense. If the offensive line can contain Myles Garrett and give Herbert time in the pocket, he could have another good day.

Vinnie Ayer: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings – He started hot before cooling off against the Rams last Thursday night, but should remain sharp in prime time at home against a reeling Colts defense. Darnold will play well on the outside and deliver the ball well in the backfield to Justin Jefferson and his other receivers for at least another 250 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.

WITHDRAWAL CONSULTATION AT WEEK 9
Complete list of wires to fail | How to spend FAAB | Main objectives of refusal

Fantasy RB sleepers for week 9

O’Hara: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rachaad White has fallen out of favor with many fantasy managers, but has quietly scored over 15 PPR points in two straight weeks. The depletion of Tampa Bay’s receiving corps has done wonders for White’s value in PPR leagues; he had now seen six targets in consecutive weeks. As long as Jalen McMillan is Tampa Bay’s WR1, White will see a fair amount of checks to support his fantasy production.

Williams: Tyler Allgaier, Atlanta Falcons — While Allgaier may be the bane of Bian Robinson’s coaching staff, that doesn’t mean he can’t be an effective player for other coaches. Allgaier is having one of his worst games of the season, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry against Tampa Bay, but he still had 12 carries in that game to Robinson’s 13. This will not lead to a drastic reduction in its use. They will also face the Cowboys, who allow the second-most points per game to running backs.

Iyer: Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants – Devin Singletary started at top cornerback, rushing for 95 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting with Washington. Tracy has now gained momentum on the field, running quickly out of bounds and catching passes in the home rematch. Tracy should be busy trying to take the pressure off Daniel Jones again while the Giants try to limit the Commanders’ offensive clock.

Fantasy WR sleepers for week 9

O’Hara: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos – Courtland Sutton had his second WR2 week of the year against a rotten Panthers defense last Sunday. This week, Sutton has another opportunity to take advantage of another secondary that could lead to big things for opposing receivers. Game script plays a big role in this, but Baltimore ranks second in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season. If starting corner Marlon Humphrey remains sidelined, Sutton will get another boost for his prospects.

Williams: Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns — Tillman clearly benefited the most from the Amari Cooper deal. In addition to releasing all of those targets, the Browns also turned to Jameis Winston following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury. That’s a recipe for success, and Tillman took full advantage of the opportunity. Over the last two games, he has completed 15 of his whopping 21 targets for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers do give up the third-most points per game to wide receivers, but with a fearless Jameis throwing the rock, Tillman should still be able to have another productive fantasy game.

Ayer: Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers – Palmer has quietly emerged as Justin Herbert’s primary deep threat over the last two weeks, and the Browns tend to give up a lot of big passes outside with Denzel Ward struggling. He has a chance to make somewhere around four catches for 80-plus yards with a nice hit for a long touchdown.

Sleeping Fantasy TEs for Week 9

O’Hare: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints – If you’re looking for a tight end touchdown sweepstakes this week, look no further than Taysom Hill. The Saints will take on the Panthers, who have the worst defense I’ve seen in the last decade. This is a team allowing 3.9 touchdowns per game, by far the worst of any team this season. This is the perfect place for the Saints to get back on track and utilize their patented Taysom Hill package on the goal line.

Williams: Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks are underperforming against the Bills and should be motivated to prove themselves in the division matchup against the Rams. Los Angeles gives up the third-most points per game to tight ends, which bodes well for Noah Fant. On top of that, the Seahawks will likely bring back DK Metcalf, which should open things up for the offense.

Ayer: Grant Calcaterra, Philadelphia Eagles — If you’re determined not to stick around behind George Kittle and are looking for a week of plug-and-play, this would be the pick if Dallas Goedert misses another game. Calcaterra caught just three passes for 58 yards against the Bengals, but he should be more active to help Jalen Hurts’ receivers against the Jaguars’ terrible overall defense at home.

Fantasy Defense Sleepers, Week 9

O’Hare: Cincinnati Bengals – Against quality offenses, the Bengals defense often looks foolish. Watching them try to contain Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith last week was pretty comical. Luckily, they’ll be getting a four-headed monster this week in Gardner Minshew, Alexander Mattison, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Cincinnati has proven it can shut down offenses short on talent, holding the Giants and Browns to just 21 points combined. It should be a one-sided affair this week in Cincinnati.

Williams: Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles looked like another team out of control. They were 3-0 up, but the way they did it was encouraging both offensively and defensively. The snap offense makes it much easier for defenses to target the QB in passing situations, which in turn makes life easier in the secondary since the QB has less time in the pocket. Since then, the Eagles have ranked first in the league in defensive points allowed, passing defense allowed, total defense, yards allowed per game, passing defense allowed, passing yards allowed, sacks allowed and first downs allowed per game. With the Jags potentially missing three top receivers (Christian Kirk is out, Brian Thomas and Gabe Davis are questionable), the Eagles could feast at home against old friend Doug Pederson.

Ayer: New England PatriotsThey have an enjoyable matchup against the Titans, who are equally as susceptible to defensive plays as they are to explosive special teams plays. Jerod Mayo’s defense responded better against the Jets and should carry that momentum home against whoever starts at QB.