Week 8 is in the books! Hopefully, our rankings helped you decide who to start and sit, and you survived the week with a win.
Week 9 Wide Receivers
Caleb Douglas is my sleeper pick for Week 9. Douglas has led his team in receiving yards and is tied for the most targets since returning over the last two games. He now faces a Lions defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. While Detroit’s secondary has played better in recent weeks, the expected game script could work in Douglas’ favor. With the Lions likely playing from ahead, Douglas should have plenty of opportunities to make catches and produce. He offers intriguing FLEX upside for fantasy managers looking for a Week 9 sleeper.
Keenan Allen should offer a solid floor against the Cowboys in Week 9. Dallas has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, including at least six receptions to an opposing receiver in each of its last four games. Allen has been one of the few consistent pieces in the Colts’ offense, scoring double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three games. With a favorable matchup and a reliable role in the passing game, Allen should be a safer FLEX option for fantasy managers in Week 9.
Garrett Wilson saw a bounce-back in targets in Week 8, but I’m fading him against the Chiefs in Week 9. Kansas City has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Over their last four games, only one receiver has surpassed 60 receiving yards against them, and that was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Jets have also shown that they are willing to ride the hot hand at receiver in any given week, making Wilson’s weekly production less predictable. Despite his improved involvement last week, this difficult matchup makes Wilson a risky fantasy option in Week 9.
Tetairoa McMillan is another wide receiver I’m fading in Week 9. Since his breakout performance in Week 4, McMillan has struggled to consistently deliver elite fantasy production. Bryce Young has also failed to maintain the level of play he showed earlier in the season, limiting McMillan’s weekly upside. Now he faces a Broncos defense that has gotten healthier in the secondary and has done an excellent job limiting outside receivers over the last 4 weeks. With Patrick Surtain II back in action, McMillan could struggle to find opportunities for big plays. Fantasy managers should temper expectations, as McMillan faces an uphill battle to deliver WR2 production in Week 9. –Steve Pintado
Week 9 Tight Ends
We believe that consensus is far too low on Travis Kelce this week. Kelce is a consistent, trusted target of Patrick Mahomes and should enjoy an attractive matchup against the New York Jets. We see a Top 5 TE result as more likely than a finish outside of the Top 10.
As far as streaming options go, consider Tyler Higbee against the Washington Commanders. Given Sean McVay’s heavy utilization of 13 personnel, it’s hard to predict which Los Angeles Rams tight end will be on the receiving end of a Matthew Stafford touchdown in a given week. However, ever since Terrance Ferguson was shelved on IR, Higbee has been the most consistent Rams tight end in terms of snap count and target share.
If there was ever a week to start Greg Dulcich, this might be it. Dulcich has four or more catches in three straight games and draws a Detroit Lions defense that has been more generous to opposing fantasy tight ends than any other. Another name to watch: Eli Raridon, who stepped right in for the injured Hunter Henry last week and enjoyed a 92% offensive snap share. It marked the fifth game in a row in which Raridon played over 50 percent of snaps. Raridon has averaged four targets per game over the last four weeks and has already surpassed 50 yards twice, so he gets the green light as a streaming option in larger leagues. –Drew DeLuca