Quick Grades Week 9 (Fantasy Football Start or Sit Advice)

Happy Friday everyone! The 49ers eighth consecutive victory is now behind which means it is now time to look ahead to the full slate of games and make start/sit decisions. This article is for those of you who would love to sit down and read a detailed start/sit article for 90 minutes but just can’t carve out the time at this stage in your life. Instead, I’ll give you all the information without any of the words. Here is how it works: it’s quick-hitting advice with an overall grade and start/sit recommendation for every fantasy-relevant player based on four simple criteria: Matchup, expected volume, fantasy ability and surrounding talent.

Matchup
Matthew Stafford put together another stellar game against a lousy Giants secondary last week

Expected Volume
Latavius Murray has unsurprisingly piled up fantasy points with the bulk of the workload

Fantasy Ability
Tom Brady is a superior real-life quarterback to Lamar Jackson, but QBs who can run are a fantasy cheat code

Surrounding Talent
It certainly doesn’t hurt Jameis Winston to have Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to throw to

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The grades listed below range from 1 to 25 with overall grades made to mimic a school grade (1-100 with letter grades). The four grades will not add up to the overall grade since each position weights the four criteria differently. For instance, volume is king for running backs, but matchups are much more important for quarterbacks. The start/sit recommendations are for 12-team half-PPR, 1-QB leagues. Slight adjustments would be made for moderate rules changes. Additionally, I’ll name a start of the week, stream of the week and fade of the week at each position. Obviously the #1 player from each player is the top start so rather, start of the week refers to a player you wouldn’t always start. Stream of the week is a player you can typically pick up off the waivers if you are desperate for a fill-in so don’t be surprised if they are down at the bottom of a table since most useful players are already rostered. Fade of the week is the opposite of start of the week, as it is a player you would typically start, but shouldn’t this week because of matchup or game script. Because the tables are a screenshot of an excel table, I’ve added a quick search/find list at the bottom of the article in case you are looking for one or two immediate answers. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter @BobbyFantasyPro.

Quick Link to view the entire spreadsheet and search for players quickly at this link.

Running Backs

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - If James Conner plays, he becomes a B-, Strong Start
  - If Conner plays, Jaylen Samuels drops to a D, Shouldn’t Start
- Start of the Week: Jordan Howard (remember, this is a player you wouldn’t always feel comfortable starting, not the best player)
- Stream of the Week: Mark Walton (remember, this doesn’t mean he is a great start, it means he is the best of what is available on waivers)
- Fade of the Week: LeSean McCoy
Break in the chart is between RB36/RB37

Wide Receivers

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - T.Y. Hilton has been ruled out which makes Parris Campbell and Zach Pascal C-, Could Starts
  - If Davante Adams plays, he is an A-, Must Start
  - That would make Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard and Geronimo Allison all Shouldn’t Starts
  - If Dede Westbrook plays, he jumps to a C+, Should Start
  - Chris Conley would drop to a D+, Shouldn’t Start and Keelan Cole to an F, Crazy Start
- Start of the Week: Robby Anderson
- Stream of the Week: Chris Conley (remember, this doesn’t mean he is a great start, it means he is the best of what is available on waivers)
- Fade of the Week: Diontae Johnson
Break in the chart is between WR40/WR41

Quarterbacks

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - If Patrick Mahomes plays, he is obviously an A+, Must Start
  - Dwayne Haskins has been ruled the starter and is now an F, Crazy Start
- Start of the Week: Gardner Minshew
- Stream of the Week: Derek Carr
- Fade of the Week: Carson Wentz

Tight Ends

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - If Chris Herndon plays, he is a C-, Could Start
  - T.Y. Hilton has been ruled out so Eric Ebron is bumped to a B-, Should Start
- Start of the Week: Dallas Goedert
- Stream of the Week: Cameron Brate
- Fade of the Week: Greg Olsen

Search, Find and Player Cards

Darren Waller (TE – OAK): 100, A+, Must Start
DeAndre Hopkins (WR – HOU): 100, A+, Must Start
Ezekiel Elliott (RB – DAL): 100, A+, Must Start
Russell Wilson (QB – SEA): 100, A+, Must Start
Dalvin Cook (RB – MIN): 99, A+, Must Start
Amari Cooper (WR – DAL): 98, A+, Must Start
Travis Kelce (TE – KC): 98, A+, Must Start
Hunter Henry (TE – LAC): 95, A, Must Start
Zach Ertz (TE – PHI): 94, A, Must Start
Deshaun Watson (QB – HOU): 93, A, Must Start
Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR): 92, A-, Must Start
Le’Veon Bell (RB – NYJ): 92, A-, Must Start
Matthew Stafford (QB – DET): 92, A-, Strong Start
Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB): 91, A-, Strong Start
Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG): 91, A-, Must Start
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL): 91, A-, Strong Start
Kenny Golladay (WR – DET): 91, A-, Must Start
Chris Godwin (WR – TB): 90, A-, Must Start
Mike Evans (WR – TB): 90, A-, Must Start
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA): 90, A-, Must Start
Evan Engram (TE – NYG): 89, B+, Must Start
D.J. Chark (WR – JAC): 88, B+, Must Start
Tyreek Hill (WR – KC): 88, B+, Must Start
Stefon Diggs (WR – MIN): 88, B+, Must Start
Allen Robinson (WR – CHI): 88, B+, Must Start
Leonard Fournette (RB – JAC): 87, B+, Must Start
Julian Edelman (WR – NE): 87, B+, Must Start
Aaron Jones (RB – GB): 87, B+, Must Start
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE): 87, B+, Must Start
Gardner Minshew (QB – JAC): 86, B+, Should Start
Adam Thielen (WR – MIN): 85, B, Must Start
Josh Jacobs (RB – OAK): 85, B, Strong Start
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – PIT): 85, B, Must Start
T.Y. Hilton (WR – IND): 84, B, Must Start
Michael Gallup (WR – DAL): 84, B, Must Start
Keenan Allen (WR – LAC): 84, B, Must Start
Tom Brady (QB – NE): 83, B, Should Start
Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL): 83, B, Should Start
Chris Carson (RB – SEA): 83, B, Strong Start
Josh Allen (QB – BUF): 82, B-, Could Start
Jameis Winston (QB – TB): 82, B-, Could Start
Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI): 82, B-, Should Start
Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN): 81, B-, Could Start
Marvin Jones (WR – DET): 80, B-, Strong Start
Derrick Henry (RB – TEN): 80, B-, Strong Start
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL): 80, B-, Should Start
Marlon Mack (RB – IND): 80, B-, Strong Start
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR – CLE): 80, B-, Strong Start
John Brown (WR – BUF): 79, B-, Strong Start
D.K. Metcalf (WR – SEA): 79, B-, Strong Start
Eric Ebron (TE – IND): 79, C+, Could Start
Alshon Jeffery (WR – PHI): 78, C+, Should Start
Melvin Gordon (RB – LAC): 78, C+, Should Start
Golden Tate (WR – NYG): 78, C+, Should Start
Phillip Lindsay (RB – DEN): 78, C+, Should Start
Tyrell Williams (WR – OAK): 77, C+, Should Start
Jaylen Samuels (RB – PIT): 77, C+, Should Start
Sony Michel (RB – NE): 77, C+, Should Start
Mike Williams (WR – LAC): 76, C+, Should Start
Derek Carr (QB – OAK): 76, C+, Could Start
Carson Wentz (QB – PHI): 76, C+, Could Start
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN): 76, C+, Should Start
T.J. Hockenson (TE – DET): 76, C, Could Start
Philip Rivers (QB – LAC): 75, C, Could Start
Jarvis Landry (WR – CLE): 75, C, Could Start
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC): 75, C, Could Start
Jordan Howard (RB – PHI): 75, C, Could Start
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS): 75, C, Could Start
Robby Anderson (WR – NYJ): 74, C, Could Start
Cameron Brate (TE – TB): 74, C, Could Start
D.J. Moore (WR – CAR): 74, C, Could Start
Jonnu Smith (TE – TEN): 74, C, Could Start
Royce Freeman (RB – DEN): 73, C, Could Start
Carlos Hyde (RB – HOU): 73, C, Could Start
Chris Conley (WR – JAC): 73, C, Could Start
James White (RB – NE): 73, C, Could Start
Kenny Stills (WR – HOU): 73, C, Could Start
Curtis Samuel (WR – CAR): 72, C-, Could Start
Sam Darnold (QB – NYJ): 72, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Mark Walton (RB – MIA): 72, C-, Could Start
Frank Gore (RB – BUF): 72, C-, Could Start
Mitch Trubisky (QB – CHI): 72, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Vance McDonald (TE – PIT): 71, C-, Could Start
Jimmy Graham (TE – GB): 71, C-, Could Start
Jacoby Brissett (QB – IND): 71, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Corey Davis (WR – TEN): 71, C-, Could Start
Jamison Crowder (WR – NYJ): 71, C-, Could Start
Demaryius Thomas (WR – NYJ): 71, C-, Could Start
Marquise Brown (WR – BAL): 70, C-, Could Start
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC): 70, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Darren Fells (TE – HOU): 70, C-, Could Start
Danny Amendola (WR – DET): 70, C-, Could Start
Sammy Watkins (WR – KC): 70, C-, Could Start
Preston Williams (WR – MIA): 70, C-, Could Start
Devante Parker (WR – MIA): 70, C-, Could Start
Greg Olsen (TE – CAR): 70, C-, Could Start
Jamaal Williams (RB – GB): 70, C-, Could Start
Mark Ingram (RB – BAL): 70, C-, Could Start
Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT): 70, C-, Could Start
David Montgomery (RB – CHI): 70, C-, Could Start
DeSean Jackson (WR – PHI): 69, C-, Could Start
Jack Doyle (TE – IND): 69, C-, Could Start
Damien Williams (RB – KC): 69, C-, Could Start
Adrian Peterson (RB – WAS): 69, C-, Could Start
A.J. Brown (WR – TEN): 69, C-, Could Start
Cole Beasley (WR – BUF): 69, C-, Could Start
Jacob Hollister (TE – SEA): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Daniel Jones (QB – NYG): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Alexander Mattison (RB – MIN): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Kyle Rudolph (TE – MIN): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Irv Smith Jr. (TE – MIN): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Mohamed Sanu (WR – NE): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Jason Witten (TE – DAL): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Noah Fant (TE – DEN): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Devin Singletary (RB – BUF): 67, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Randall Cobb (WR – DAL): 67, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Allen Lazard (WR – GB): 67, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – GB): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
David Moore (WR – SEA): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Keelan Cole (WR – JAC): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Anthony Miller (WR – CHI): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Phillip Dorsett (WR – NE): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Chris Herndon IV (TE – NYJ): 65, D, Shouldn’t Start
Davante Adams (WR – GB): 65, D, Shouldn’t Start
Mason Rudolph (QB – PIT): 65, D, Crazy Start
Geronimo Allison (WR – GB): 65, D, Shouldn’t Start
Adam Humphries (WR – TEN): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
LeSean McCoy (RB – KC): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Miles Sanders (RB – PHI): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Jaron Brown (WR – SEA): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Ronald Jones II (RB – TB): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Taylor Gabriel (WR – CHI): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Tarik Cohen (RB – CHI): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Mike Gesicki (TE – MIA): 62, D-, Crazy Start
Tavon Austin (WR – DAL): 62, D-, Crazy Start
Dawson Knox (TE – BUF): 62, D-, Crazy Start
Ty Johnson (RB – DET): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Tra Carson (RB – DET): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Jordan Akins (TE – HOU): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Peyton Barber (RB – TB): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Tony Pollard (RB – DAL): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Nelson Agholor (WR – PHI): 61, D-, Crazy Start
James Washington (WR – PIT): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Duke Johnson (RB – HOU): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Baker Mayfield (QB – CLE): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Hunter Renfrow (WR – OAK): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Dede Westbrook (WR – JAC): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Ryan Tannehill (QB – TEN): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Zay Jones (WR – BUF): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Mecole Hardman (WR – KC): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Zach Pascal (WR – IND): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Trey Burton (TE – CHI): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Darius Slayton (WR – NYG): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Tyler Kroft (TE – BUF): 59, F, Crazy Start
Ryan Griffin (TE – NYJ): 58, F, Crazy Start
Brandon Allen (QB – DEN): 58, F, Crazy Start
Benjamin Watson (TE – NE): 58, F, Crazy Start
Keke Coutee (WR – HOU): 58, F, Crazy Start
Olabisi Johnson (WR – MIN): 57, F, Crazy Start
Kyle Allen (QB – CAR): 57, F, Crazy Start
DeAndre Washington (RB – OAK): 57, F, Crazy Start
DaeSean Hamilton (WR – DEN): 56, F, Crazy Start
Demarcus Robinson (WR – KC): 55, F, Crazy Start
Ricky Seals-Jones (TE – CLE): 55, F, Crazy Start
Rex Burkhead (RB – NE): 55, F, Crazy Start
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB – MIA): 55, F, Crazy Start
Nyheim Hines (RB – IND): 55, F, Crazy Start
Trey Quinn (WR – WAS): 54, F, Crazy Start
Antonio Callaway (WR – CLE): 54, F, Crazy Start
Matt Moore (QB – KC): 54, F, Crazy Start
Rashaad Penny (RB – SEA): 54, F, Crazy Start
James Conner (RB – PIT): 54, F, Crazy Start
Paul Richardson (WR – WAS): 53, F, Crazy Start
Albert Wilson (WR – MIA): 53, F, Crazy Start
Jakeem Grant (WR – MIA): 53, F, Crazy Start
Sterling Shepard (WR – NYG): 52, F, Crazy Start
Kalen Ballage (RB – MIA): 52, F, Crazy Start
Willie Snead (WR – BAL): 51, F, Crazy Start
Allen Hurns (WR – MIA): 51, F, Crazy Start
Gus Edwards (RB – BAL): 50, F, Crazy Start
Chris Thompson (RB – WAS): 50, F, Crazy Start
J.D. McKissic (RB – DET): 48, F, Crazy Start
Case Keenum (QB – WAS): 41, F, Crazy Start

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NFL Matthew Stafford Latavius Murray Tom Brady Lamar Jackson Jameis Winston Chris Godwin Mike Evans James Conner Jaylen Samuels Jordan Howard Mark Walton LeSean McCoy T.Y. Hilton Parris Campbell Zach Pascal Davante Adams Marquez Valdes-Scantling Allen Lazard Geronimo Allison Dede Westbrook Chris Conley Keelan Cole Robby Anderson Diontae Johnson Patrick Mahomes Dwayne Haskins Gardner Minshew Derek Carr Carson Wentz Eric Ebron Dallas Goedert Cameron Brate Greg Olsen Darren Waller DeAndre Hopkins Ezekiel Elliott Russell Wilson Dalvin Cook Amari Cooper Travis Kelce Hunter Henry Zach Ertz Deshaun Watson Christian McCaffrey Le’Veon Bell Aaron Rodgers Saquon Barkley Dak Prescott Kenny Golladay Tyler Lockett Evan Engram D.J. Chark Tyreek Hill Stefon Diggs Allen Robinson Leonard Fournette Julian Edelman Aaron Jones Nick Chubb Adam Thielen Josh Jacobs JuJu Smith-Schuster Michael Gallup Keenan Allen Chris Carson Josh Allen Kirk Cousins Marvin Jones Derrick Henry Mark Andrews Marlon Mack Odell Beckham Jr. John Brown D.K. Metcalf Alshon Jeffery Melvin Gordon Golden Tate Phillip Lindsay Tyrell Williams Sony Michel Mike Williams Courtland Sutton T.J. Hockenson Philip Rivers Jarvis Landry Austin Ekeler Terry McLaurin D.J. Moore Jonnu Smith Royce Freeman Carlos Hyde James White Kenny Stills Curtis Samuel Sam Darnold Frank Gore Mitch Trubisky Vance McDonald Jimmy Graham Jacoby Brissett Corey Davis Jamison Crowder Demaryius Thomas Marquise Brown Darren Fells Danny Amendola Sammy Watkins Preston Williams Devante Parker Jamaal Williams Mark Ingram David Montgomery DeSean Jackson Jack Doyle Damien Williams Adrian Peterson A.J. Brown Cole Beasley Jacob Hollister Daniel Jones Alexander Mattison Kyle Rudolph Irv Smith Jr. Mohamed Sanu Jason Witten Noah Fant Devin Singletary Randall Cobb David Moore Anthony Miller Phillip Dorsett Chris Herndon IV Mason Rudolph Adam Humphries Miles Sanders Jaron Brown Jakobi Meyers Ronald Jones II Taylor Gabriel Tarik Cohen Mike Gesicki Tavon Austin Dawson Knox Ty Johnson Tra Carson Jordan Akins Peyton Barber Tony Pollard Nelson Agholor James Washington Duke Johnson Baker Mayfield Hunter Renfrow Ryan Tannehill Zay Jones Mecole Hardman Trey Burton Darius Slayton Tyler Kroft Ryan Griffin Brandon Allen Benjamin Watson Keke Coutee Olabisi Johnson Kyle Allen DeAndre Washington DaeSean Hamilton Demarcus Robinson Ricky Seals-Jones Rex Burkhead Ryan Fitzpatrick Nyheim Hines Trey Quinn Antonio Callaway Matt Moore Rashaad Penny Paul Richardson Albert Wilson Jakeem Grant Sterling Shepard Kalen Ballage Willie Snead Allen Hurns Gus Edwards Chris Thompson J.D. McKissic Case Keenum