Welcome to Week 9, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

• Week 9 Rankings with Fitz
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Week 9 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Kirk Cousins (QB)

Well, Cousins has made it abundantly clear that he can carve up the Bucs. In those two games, he has finished as the QB1 and the QB3 in weekly fantasy scoring. In his other starters, he has surpassed 12.5 fantasy points only once. Overall, he is the QB17 in fantasy points per game. Among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, he is eighth in yards per attempt, fifth in passing yards per game and passing touchdowns, and 13th in CPOE. Cousins is set to torch the Dallas secondary this week. Dallas’s pass defense doesn’t resemble the same unit that we once feared when Dan Quinn was at the controls. The Cowboys have allowed the highest yards per attempt, the eighth-highest passer rating, and the sixth-highest CPOE.

Daniel Jones (QB)

Jones has cemented himself as a basement-level QB2 as the QB26 in fantasy points per game. Among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, he is 30th in yards per attempt and passer rating, 29th in highly accurate throw rate, and 31st in fantasy points per dropback. Washington has tightened up as a pass defense over the last three weeks. Since Week 6, they have allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game, the sixth-lowest passer rating, and the ninth-lowest adjusted completion rate. Sit Jones.

Justin Herbert (QB)

Herbert logged his first QB1 outing last week against the Saints (QB9), as the Bolts have leaned on his arm more in the last two games. Even with that encouraging game, Herbert is still just the QB25 in fantasy points per game. Among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, Herbert is 14th in yards per attempt, 11th in passer rating, 16th in CPOE, and 13th in highly accurate throw rate. Herbert likely turns in another QB2 week against the Cleveland pass defense. The Browns have turned into a middling unit, allowing the 13th-highest yards per attempt while ranking 21st in CPOE, 15th in fantasy points allowed via passing, and giving up the ninth-lowest success rate per dropback.

Jameis Winston (QB)

Winston balled out in a good matchup as the QB10 in fantasy last week. Last week, among 33 qualifying quarterbacks, Winston ranked 14th in yards per attempt, ninth in passer rating, and 18th in CPOE and catchable target rate. The Chargers aren’t nearly the inviting matchup through the air that Winston enjoyed last week, so temper your expectations with him this week. A QB2 outing is far more likely in Week 9. Los Angeles has kept quarterbacks in check with the eighth-lowest yards per attempt, the 13th-lowest CPOE, and the third-lowest success rate per dropback allowed.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB)

In his first game back under center, Tagovailoa was the QB22 in fantasy and that was with a wonderful matchup. This definitely isn’t that. We’ve already seen this play out. In Week 2, before Tagovailoa left the game with a concussion, he had three interceptions with a 56.7 passer rating and 5.8 yards per attempt. Tagovailoa is a must-sit this week. Among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, he is 19th in yards per attempt, 22nd in passer rating and CPOE, and 27th in fantasy points per dropback. He faces a Buffalo secondary that has given up the fifth-fewest yards per attempt, the ninth-lowest passer rating, and the 13th-lowest success rate per dropback.

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Week 9 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Jaylen Waddle (WR)

In Waddle’s two full games with Tagovailoa under center, Waddle has only seen a 14.7% target share, a 29% air-yard share, and a 19.3% first-read share despite producing 0.130 FD/RR and 2.85 YPRR. Waddle remains a highly efficient player, but the Miami passing attack still flows heavily through Tyreek Hill. In those two games, Waddle hasn’t seen a red zone target. Without volume to feed his talent, Waddle remains a WR3 with a wide range of weekly outcomes. Buffalo has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game and the fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Keon Coleman (WR)

Coleman is the WR46 in fantasy points per game while ranking 18th in deep targets and 20th in red zone looks among wide receivers. Since Amari Cooper‘s arrival, he has had a 20.9% target share, a 34.9% air-yard share, 3.68 YPRR, and a 21.7% first-read share. He has seen three end zone targets over the last two games. Miami has flip-flopped between single high and two high all year (53.8% single high). Buffalo has faced the second-highest rate of single high this season (60.9%), so I’m projecting Miami to use single high this week to defend Buffalo. In their last meeting, Miami utilized single high on 60% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Coleman has a 21% TPRR, 2.97 YPRR, and a 20.2% first-read share (second-best). Miami has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game and receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Jalen Coker (WR)

Since assuming a starting role in Week 5, Coker has had a 10.9% target share, 1.94 YPRR, and a 14.3% first-read share with two end zone targets. Since Week 3, New Orleans has had the fifth-highest two-high rate (54.2%). Since Week 5, against two high, Coker has had 1.88 YPRR and a 14.3% first-read share. His usage hasn’t really changed versus two high, and he’s remained efficient. The matchup this week is glorious for Coker. The Saints have been unable to stop slot receivers giving up the eighth-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving yards per game.

Calvin Ridley (WR)

Ridley is the WR49 in fantasy points per game, ranking seventh in deep targets. After this blowup game last week, he is the WR49 in fantasy points per game. That was only his second game of the season with more than 55 receiving yards. Ridley has commanded a 22.3% target share, a 47% air-yard share, and a 28.3% first-read share with 1.64 YPRR. Ridley is likely to see shadow coverage from Christian Gonzalez this week. Gonzalez has followed Ja’Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams, D.K. Metcalf, and Tyreek Hill on 77.8-90% of their routes. Only Metcalf surpassed 60 receiving yards in his primary coverage, and only Wilson and Metcalf got in the end zone. Fade Ridley this week and sit him.

DeMario Douglas (WR)

Douglas’ usage has been all over the map this season. Just when you think it’s safe to start him, then BOOM… nothing burger. It has been frustrating because he is a talented player that has crushed when he has been leaned on this season. Overall, he has a 15.2% target share, 1.43 YPRR, and a 19.6% first-read share. Even if he does get volume this week, his chances of scoring a touchdown are slim. Douglas has only one red zone target this season (none since Week 5). Douglas is an easy sit this week against a Tennessee secondary that has held slot receivers to 18th in fantasy points per game and the ninth-fewest receiving yards per game.

Diontae Johnson (WR)

Johnson follows the same must-sit protocol as previously traded wide receivers this season. With a limited window of opportunity to learn the playbook and build rapport with Lamar Jackson, there’s no way to start Johnson with any confidence this week, both from a snap share and target share projection. It’s not like this is a wonderful matchup either, where he could still succeed on a limited workload. Denver has allowed the tenth-lowest fantasy points per game and the sixth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Week 9 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Tank Bigsby (RB)

Bigsby has operated as the team’s workhorse over the last two weeks with at least 66% of the snaps while averaging 23 touches and 102 total yards. Bigsby could retain this role even if Etienne returns this week. While his snap share could drop to nearly 50% if Etienne is back, I do think Bigsby holds onto the lion’s share of the early down work. Bigsby ranks fifth in explosive run rate, 16th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and first in yards after contact per attempt. Bigsby will need every ounce of efficiency this week against a tough Eagles run defense. Philly has allowed the seventh-lowest missed tackle rate, the eighth-lowest yards after contact per attempt, and the 11th-lowest gap success rate (Bigsby 50.4% gap).

David Montgomery (RB)

Montgomery keeps trucking as the RB11 in fantasy points per game, ranking 20th in carries and tenth in red zone touches. He has averaged 15.3 touches and 79 total yards per game. Montgomery ranks 20th in explosive run rates and 19th in missed tackles forced per attempt. He will have to deal with an improved Packers run defense this week. Green Bay has allowed the tenth-lowest rushing yards per game, the 11th-lowest missed tackle rate, and the 12th-lowest yards after contact per attempt.

Josh Jacobs (RB)

Jacobs has been a volume monster as the RB18 in fantasy points per game. He ranks 13th in snap share, fourth in weighted opportunities, first in carries and tenth in red zone touches among backs. He has averaged 20.2 touches and 97.8 total yards. Among 43 qualifying backs, he ranks 17th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 14th in yards after contact per attempt. Jacobs will have a tough time this week against a stout Detroit Lions run defense that has shut down zone runs. Since Week 5, 62.2% of his Jacobs runs have been with zone concepts. The Lions have allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game, the seventh-lowest yards after contact per attempt, the lowest yards per carry, and success rate to zone runs.

Kareem Hunt (RB)

Hunt has been a top 24 back in each of his three full starts as “the guy” for Kansas City (RB5, RB11, RB23). He has averaged 24.6 touches with only 81 total yards. Volume has been king for Hunt, while efficiency has been harder to come by. Among 43 qualifying backs, he ranks 28th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 34th in yards after contact per attempt. He still hasn’t managed one explosive run with his 84 rushing attempts. Hunt has another good matchup on the ground this week to rack up volume against. The Bucs have allowed the highest explosive run rate, the 13th-most rushing yards per game, and the 11th-highest missed tackle rate.

Rico Dowdle (RB)

Dowdle was a surprise inactive last week as he fell ill quickly with a 102 fever. He opened this week with a full practice, so I expect him to resume his role as leader of this backfield after a week where Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook both looked washed. In his two games played prior to Detroit throttling Dallas, Dowdle played 45-50% of the snaps, averaging 17 touches and 87.5 total yards. He was the RB22 and the RB3 in weekly scoring. He hasn’t managed an explosive run this season while only having a 7% missed tackle rate and 2.25 yards after contact per attempt. Those numbers don’t inspire confidence, but there’s no back on this depth chart that should be challenging him for the team lead in work. Atlanta has been giving to backs, allowing the 12th-most rushing yards per game, the sixth-highest missed tackle rate, and the 14th-highest explosive run rate.

Tyler Allgeier (RB)

Allgeier’s blowup in Week 6 is an obvious outlier this season. Last week was the only other game this season where he has surpassed ten touches in a game. Allgeier finished with 12 carries and 33 rushing yards while playing 35% of the snaps. Over the last two weeks, Allgeier’s touchdown equity has shriveled up to nothing, with only 9.1% of the red zone snaps. Allgeier will likely see 8-10 touches this week, and you’re praying that he gets into the end-zone, which makes him a low-end flex. Dallas still can’t stop the run, giving up the eighth-highest explosive run rate and the second-highest yards before contact per attempt and rushing success rate.

Week 9 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Jake Ferguson (TE)

Ferguson continues to move through the season as the uninspiring TE12 in fantasy points per game. He has only two red zone targets since Week 3 and hasn’t scored a touchdown this season. He is the TE5 in expected fantasy points per game, so I guess we should start expecting a regression to the mean game incoming. That could be this week. Since Week 4, Atlanta has utilized two high with 58.3% of their defensive snaps. Against two high, Ferguson leads the team with a 23.2% target share, 2.04 YPRR, and a 26.9% first-read share. Atlanta is 15th in receiving yards per game allowed to tight ends, but they have also given up the tenth-most fantasy points per game to the position.

Zach Ertz (TE)

Ertz continues to surprise this season as the TE13 in fantasy points per game. He is fourth among tight ends in red zone targets. He has a 19% target share, 1.69 YPRR, and an 18.5% first-read share. Among 57 qualifying tight ends, he ranks third in separation and second in route win rate. Sit Ertz this week against a Giants team that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game and the sixth-fewest receiving yards per game to tight ends.

Dalton Kincaid (TE)

Kincaid is the TE16 in fantasy points per game, but he has finished as a TE1 in three of his last six games. He would have four TE1 notches on the belt, but last week, the tight end position went nuts as Kincaid posted a healthy 13.1 PPR points (TE14). In any other week, that is a strong TE1 game. Kincaid does have issues in this passing attack, though, with only one red zone target in his last five games. Kincaid has a 19% target share, 1.84 YPRR, and a 20.7% first-read share. Temper expectations for Kincaid this week against a defense that has held tight ends to the 12th-fewest receiving yards per game and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game.

Jonnu Smith (TE)

Since Week 6, Smith has had a 63.9% route share, a 20.3% target share, 2.52 YPRR, and a 22.7% first-read share. Last week, while his route share stayed stable, Smith’s target share dropped to 15.8%, and his first-read share decreased to 17.2%. With Tua Tagovailoa back, the wide receivers got more work in the passing attack. Sit Smith this week in a terrible matchup. Buffalo has held tight ends to the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game and the fifth-lowest yards per reception.

Week 9 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 9 Kicker Start/Sit Grades