Week 8 was a mixed bag for my suggestions; Jaylen Warren did not have the game I envisioned, but Kendrick Bourne & Jacory Croskey-Merritt were duds as I predicted.
Enough about last week though. Let’s get into it for Week 9!
A reminder that I judge my “start” or “sit” against a full-PPR format.
Start ‘Em
Bam Knight, RB – Arizona Cardinals
Week 9 Matchup: @ Dallas Cowboys (MNF)
Volume is king, and Zonovan ‘Bam’ Knight feels like the play this week on Monday night in Dallas. The Cowboys are allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing RB’s on the year per FantasyData, and last week gave up 111 yards on 15 carries to J.K. Dobbins.
Michael Carter was released earlier in the week, but then brought back to the Arizona practice squad. Emari Demercardo has been banged up himself, which leaves the door open for Bam to lead the charge for the Cardinals backfield in prime time. Even assuming Carter gets called up from the PS, this should be the Knight show.
Oronde Gadsden, TE – Los Angeles Chargers
Week 9 Matchup: @ Tennessee Titans
This is your classic case of ‘riding the hot hand’. In the last three weeks, LAC’s rookie TE Oronde Gadsden has totaled 309 yards and two touchdowns off 19 catches, making him the TE2 in that span, only behind Tucker Kraft. Although the Titans just held Tyler Warren in check (to his standards), Gadsden has cemented himself as a key target for Justin Herbert, and you ought to feel lucky to have grabbed him off the wire when you did. Fire him up in all formats.
Alec Pierce, WR – Indianapolis Colts
Week 9 Matchup: @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The 7-1 Colts head to Pittsburgh, and Alec Pierce is a WR worth having in your lineup as a FLEX with boom upside. FantasyData’s Advanced Metrics will show that Pierce is averaging 119.7 air yards on the season, and that’s with him exceeding five targets in a game once this year; 10 in Week 7 against the Chargers. The Steelers’ secondary is a plus-matchup for Pierce, and one that offers a chase for a big day with just how potent the Colts offense has been.
Sit ‘Em
Jordan Mason, RB – Minnesota Vikings
Week 9 Matchup: @ Detroit Lions
With Aaron Jones back in the mix, the Jordan Mason run feels seemingly over. And even with Jones out, Mason was averaging just 14.7 PPG Week’s 3-7 (WK6 BYE) as the lone owner of his backfield. The matchup this week in Detroit isn’t good for either Minny RB – especially with J.J. McCarthy back under center – considering the Lions are allowing a collective 17 points per game to running backs on the year.
Bo Nix, QB – Denver Broncos
Week 9 Matchup: @ Houston Texans
Despite a strong showing the last two weeks, the matchup this week in Houston is not a great one for Bo Nix. The Texans are allowing a league-low 11.7 fantasy PPG to opposing QBs on the year, which is an easy, good enough reason to shy away from Nix in this spot. You can certainly find a better option this week in a single-QB format league.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders
Week 9 Matchup: vs Seattle Seahawks (SNF)
We’re going B2B here with Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a sit, and I roster him in my main league, so this one stings. Bill has been a disappointment since his Week 5 blow-up, averaging just 4.1 full-PPR points from Weeks 6-8. Jayden Daniels is back this week, but the Commanders are going up against a Seattle defense (off their BYE) that is allowing the 20th most fantasy points to opposing backs. If you can afford to sit him, do so.
– Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads | @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)