Identifying Week 9 sleepers and avoiding potential duds can make all the difference for your team. Whether you’re looking for under-the-radar players poised for a breakout or trying to dodge early-season letdowns, our team of Featured Pros has you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the key players you should start and those you might want to bench based on expert insights and analysis.

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Week 9 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice

Sleepers

Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start, and why do you think he has upside this week?

T.J. Hockenson (TE – MIN)

“Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson was activated from injured reserve and is a must-start vs. the Colts. Indy is tied for allowing the fifth-most points to tights in half-PPR this season. Hock will be a go-to target in the red zone and is dynamic enough to challenge the middle of the field. I expect him to have an immediate impact and be a favorite weapon of Sam Darnold.”
– Matt De Lima (DraftKings)

“Assuming that T.J. Hockenson makes his season debut this week against Indianapolis, he’s a sneaky pickup and sleeper start. He may need to shake off some rust, but he can make an immediate impact for this week and for your playoff run. When healthy, he’s a top 5-10 tight end. Keeping him on the field is key.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

“TJ Hockenson finally makes his season debut following a tough injury. Good news – he gets to face a Colts defense that gives up the sixth most points to tight ends. Currently ranked outside of the top 100, Hockenson has a good chance to make an impact right away.”
– Neema Hodjat (Real GM)

“T.J. Hockenson will make his return for the Vikings this week. The Colts’ defense is allowing the second-most catches to TEs this season-3rd-most TDs. Head coach Kevin O’Connell says Hockenson WILL NOT be on a snap count. Let’s go!”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Keon Coleman (WR – BUF)

“My guy is Keon Coleman. It’s taken about seven to eight weeks, but he’s turning into Josh Allen‘s go-to guy in Buffalo. He had five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks on Sunday. I expect more of the same in a possible shootout with the Miami Dolphins this coming Sunday.”
– Bob Miller (Dynasty Pros)

Troy Franklin (WR – DEN)

“I think Troy Franklin is an interesting sleeper this week. The rookie is battling Lil’Jordan Humphrey for the Bronco’s WR2 role, but Franklin has seen a bump in playing time since Josh Reynolds hit the IR after Week 5. Before dipping to a 37% snap count this past week against Carolina, where maybe he wasn’t needed as much, Franklin was above 50% in the two previous games without Reynolds. He saw nine targets in those Week 6 and 7 games, converting seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. While that’s hardly setting the league on fire, Franklin has been more involved, Bo Nix has been playing well, and Denver gets a date with the Ravens in Week 9. Baltimore allows the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and just got torched by fellow rookie Cedric Tillman this past Sunday.”
– Jason Willan (Gridiron Experts)

Cole Kmet (TE – CHI)

“Cole Kmet struggled against the Washington Commanders in Week 8, but that’s the life of a TE in fantasy. One week you’re up, the next you’re down. Kmet finished as TE1 in Week 6 before the team’s Week 7 bye, and I think he will get back to that kind of output in Week 9. The Bears travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals in the second slate on Sunday, and I expect Kmet to outperform his TE13 and 105 overall rankings.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)

Noah Brown (WR – HOU)

“Noah Brown is coming off a game where he delivered a “Hail Mary hero” performance. Brown isn’t just making big plays–he also leads the Commanders wide receivers in snaps and routes run. Earlier in the season, Brown showed flashes of becoming the go-to second option behind Terry McLaurin. Unfortunately, a minor injury set him back, stalling his momentum. Now, however, he’s back and ready to contribute to an offense that’s hitting its stride under quarterback Daniels. With this rising offensive power behind him, Brown’s increased involvement could translate into valuable fantasy points.”
– Daniel Mader (Fantasy Football Advice)

Jalen Coker (WR – CAR)

“With Diontae Johnson gone, rookie Jalen Coker is going to get more playing time for the Panthers. He was even playing more with Johnson in the lineup the last few weeks. Coker played a season-high 69 percent of the snaps last week and had his best game as a pro against a very good Broncos pass defense. Coker could end up being the top target in this offense going forward, including a game this week against the Saints. ”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Gabe Davis (WR – JAC)

“If there was ever a time Gabe Davis could come alive and remind us of his glory days with the Bills, now is the time. With Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas out, Davis has the chance to step into the featured role as the #1 WR for the Jaguars. The matchup is not amazing against the Eagles, but then again, Darius Slay is no longer the top CB he once was. Expect Gabe to get his targets.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

Parker Washington (WR – JAC)

“Parker Washington is the pick if the Jags are without WR Brian Thomas Jr. The matchup isn’t great vs. Philly – CB Cooper DeJean has played well in the slot – but the game script should allow for boosted pass attempts. The Jags hit the road as 7.5-point underdogs.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

Alec Pierce (WR – IND)

“If you told me a guy named Ellis Johnson would be on FantasyPros recommending you play Alec Pierce in Week 9, I’d assume someone stole my identity. Instead, I am in the flesh, suggesting Pierce will have a good game against the Vikings. Joe Flacco can support multiple fantasy options. This season, the Vikings’ vaunted defense has allowed the second most yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points to the WR position. If there was ever a time to take an upside swing in your flex, this might be it. I think Pierce (and if you’re really desperate, Adonai Mitchell) will produce this week.”
– Ellis Johnson (RotoBaller)

Duds

Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?

Amari Cooper (WR – BUF)

“My player most likely to disappoint is Amari Cooper. This past Sunday, Cooper caught one of two targets for only three yards against the Seattle Seahawks. He will certainly have more productive days ahead; however, Keon Coleman looks like the WR1 in Buffalo moving forward, not Cooper. I see Amari Cooper being more of a four-to-five target guy with moderate upside.”
– Bob Miller (Dynasty Pros)

Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)

“Malik Nabers had his coming out party the last time New York played the Commanders, racking up 127 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, but I’m expecting the Giants’ rookie receiver to disappoint this week. This is not the same Washington defense that looked like a fantasy matchup to target early in the season, as the Commanders have allowed the fewest points per game to opposing receivers over the last five weeks, conceding zero touchdowns and just one 75+ yard performance to the position over that stretch. You’re likely not benching Nabors, but temper expectations this week and consider other options for DFS purposes.”
– Jason Willan (Gridiron Experts)

Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)

“Someone I’m entirely worried about is WR Garrett Wilson. He’s ranked as WR14 for Week 9, but he’s only finished as WR14 or higher twice this season. The Jets are a team in full disarray, even with the addition of veteran WR Davante Adams. I just can’t trust anyone on that team other than RB Breece Hall, and even he makes me a little nervous. Wilson could be a WR1 in any given week, but I think it’s much more likely that you’d rather have left him on your bench.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)

“I’m concerned about New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Nothing seems to be going right for the franchise lately. Wilson only has three games with more than five receptions this year, and while he remains one of the league’s best young receivers, his and Jets’ inconsistencies make him far from a must-start option.”
– Matt De Lima (DraftKings)

Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)

“Jaylen Waddle has been a fantasy favorite in the past, but his recent performances suggest he’s more of a boom-or-bust WR3 than the reliable WR2 many expected. Even with Tua Tagovailoa back at quarterback, Waddle is only managing a 15% target share in games they’ve played together. Meanwhile, Tua’s increasing tendency to check down has given RB De’Von Achane an 18% target share, outpacing Waddle as a primary target. The upcoming matchup with the Buffalo Bills doesn’t make things any easier. Since 2022, Waddle has failed to finish better than WR39 against Buffalo. Tua’s history against the Bills also raises concerns; he’s struggled with a 61% completion rate, averaging 199 yards per game, and posting a 7-10 TD-to-INT ratio.”
– Daniel Mader (Fantasy Football Advice)

Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR)

“It is really hard for me to trust Chuba Hubbard right now. You have to like his floor because of his workload, but that doesn’t mean he is going to produce big numbers in this offense. He had his worst fantasy game of the season since Week 1 last week. And his worst game of the season in Week 1 was against the Saints, the team he plays this week. It would not surprise to see him disappoint again in Week 9.”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Jayden Reed (WR – GB)

“Jayden Reed faces a tough matchup against the Detroit secondary this week. His fantasy value is directly tied to quarterback Jordan Love, who is nursing a groin injury and may be a game-time decision. In the past two games, Jayden Reed has a total of 8.5 fantasy points and is trending in the wrong direction for someone who is ranked inside the top 40 flex rankings.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

“Jayden Reed has put up some nice games this season, usually when the Packers WR corps is not healthy. Right now, the entire WR corps is healthy, and Jayden Reed is just too risky of a start when that is the situation. Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are the high-upside players, while Reed is more or less Wan’Dale Robinson. With Jordan Love playing, Reed is a WR3 at best. If Jordan Love is OUT, Reed will play worse than many WRs on the Waiver Wire. ”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

“Jayden Reed has tallied seven total targets — and 10.5 PPR points — over the past two weeks. That shouldn’t overshadow what had been a strong season to that point. But I’m scaling back expectations with Malik Willis or a less-than-100% Jordan Love set to start.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC)

“Tank Bigsby, RB – Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars take on the Eagles in week 9, who yield the 4th fewest points to running backs. The Eagles’ defense has started to gel as of late, and in a game where the Eagles should have no problem scoring, there’s a chance the game script flips to a more pass-heavy plan if the Jags fall behind early.”
– Neema Hodjat (Real GM)

“Tank Bigsby has rolled his way from no man’s land to bombarding Travis Etienne‘s workload. With or without Etienne healthy, Bigsby has been explosive with his touches and made the most of his opportunity. This week, Etienne may be back in the mix, but he may also need another week to recover from his hamstring injury. Either way, I am worried about Bigsby. The Eagles have only allowed three rushing touchdowns on the season and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the RB position. If Etienne is back, I am completely avoiding Bigsby and severely lowering my expectations, even if he is alone in the backfield.”
– Ellis Johnson (RotoBaller)

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)

“It’s been a roller coaster ride for Rhamondre Stevenson this season, as he is taking on the “Amari Cooper of RBs” mantra. Seven games played this season. Four top-10 finishes (including three inside the top-5). Then three outside the top 40 overall. Woof. One RB the Titans have faced this season has rushed for at least 65 yards (Jahmyr Gibbs last week). Gibbs is also the only RB to rush for at least 45 yards and score a TD against Tennessee this season.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

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