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.
Want to read about only your players? Sync your team (free) to get My Primer
Week 9 QB Start/Sit Grades
Rank | Grade | Name | Team | Week 9 |
1 | A+ | Josh Allen | BUF | NYJ |
2 | A | Patrick Mahomes II | KC | TEN |
3 | A | Jalen Hurts | PHI | HOU |
4 | A | Kyler Murray | ARI | SEA |
5 | A | Lamar Jackson | BAL | NO |
6 | B+ | Justin Herbert | LAC | ATL |
7 | B+ | Tua Tagovailoa | MIA | CHI |
8 | B | Joe Burrow | CIN | CAR |
9 | B | Justin Fields | CHI | MIA |
10 | B | Aaron Rodgers | GB | DET |
11 | B | Kirk Cousins | MIN | WAS |
12 | B- | Geno Smith | SEA | ARI |
13 | B- | Tom Brady | TB | LAR |
14 | C+ | Marcus Mariota | ATL | LAC |
15 | C+ | Trevor Lawrence | JAC | LV |
16 | C | Derek Carr | LV | JAC |
17 | C | Taylor Heinicke | WAS | MIN |
18 | C- | Jared Goff | DET | GB |
19 | C- | Andy Dalton | NO | BAL |
20 | D+ | Matthew Stafford | LAR | TB |
21 | D | PJ Walker | CAR | CIN |
22 | D- | Mac Jones | NE | IND |
23 | D | Sam Ehlinger | IND | NE |
24 | F | Zach Wilson | NYJ | BUF |
25 | F | Ryan Tannehill | TEN | KC |
26 | F | Davis Mills | HOU | PHI |
27 | F | Malik Willis | TEN | KC |
28 | F | Bailey Zappe | NE | IND |
29 | F | Jameis Winston | NO | BAL |
30 | F | Teddy Bridgewater | MIA | CHI |
31 | F | Desmond Ridder | ATL | LAC |
32 | F | Baker Mayfield | CAR | CIN |
33 | F | Sam Howell | WAS | MIN |
34 | F | Jeff Driskel | HOU | PHI |
35 | F | Gardner Minshew II | PHI | HOU |
36 | F | Nick Foles | IND | NE |
37 | F | Drew Lock | SEA | ARI |
38 | F | Logan Woodside | TEN | KC |
39 | F | Jacob Eason | CAR | CIN |
40 | F | Case Keenum | BUF | NYJ |
Notes
Justin Herbert: Justin Herbert is the QB11 in fantasy. His fantasy value has been driven by volume and not strong quarterback play. Herbert is third in pass attempts, sixth in passing yards and seventh in passing touchdowns. Lifting the efficiency hood, though, isn’t pretty, as Herbert is 18th in PFF passing grade, 16th in adjusted completion rate, and 32nd in big-time throw rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). This week’s matchup would be even juicier if he had a healthy wide receiver room to throw to, but it still offers a good venue for him to continue top-12 production. Atlanta allows the third-highest success rate per dropback, fourth-highest EPA per drop back, and fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. They are 32nd in passing yards per game and 28th in explosive pass rate. Herbert is a low-end QB1.
Marcus Mariota: After a rough patch, Mariota’s quarterback play has rebounded significantly. Since Week 5, he’s been the QB5 in fantasy points ranking 11th in PFF passing grade, seventh in yards per attempt, and 19th in adjusted completion rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). Add the improved pocket play to Mariota’s rushing upside, and you have a borderline QB1 for Week 9. Mariota is seventh in rushing yards and tied for second in rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks. Los Angeles offers a good matchup on the ground and through the air. The Chargers are 13th in success rate per dropback, 18th in passing yards per game, 25th in explosive pass rate, and 21st in explosive run rate allowed.
Justin Fields: Since Week 5, Fields has been the QB2 in fantasy. Take a second and let that simmer. Okay, have you effectively stuffed your Bears jokes and Fields shade to the side? If not, you should. Over the last four games, Fields is completing 64.1% of his passes, ranking 14th in yards per attempt while excelling with the deep ball. He’s 10th in PFF deep passing grade, sixth in deep rate, and 15th in deep adjusted completion rate. I know I’m burying the lead with the real money maker for Fields. His legs. Fields is second in rushing yards, in red zone carries per game, and in rushing touchdowns. He’s rushed for at least 60 yards in three of his last four games. The Dolphins continue to fall on their faces while attempting to defend the pass and tackle. They are surrendering the fourth-highest success rate per dropback while ranking 25th in passing yards per game and 30th in EPA per dropback. Miami is fourth in YAC and ninth in missed tackles. Fields is a strong QB1 again in Week 9.
P.J. Walker: Walker is a QB2 with some upside this week. Over the last two games, he’s finished as the QB14 and QB16 in fantasy. He’s eighth in PFF passing grade, ninth in yards per attempt, but sadly 39th in adjusted completion rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). Walker gets to tackle a Cincinnati Bengals pass defense that’s on the ropes. Overall this season, they have allowed the seventh-lowest EPA per dropback and fourth-lowest success rate per dropback. That all went out the window in Week 8 with Eli Apple out and Chidobe Awuzie now lost for the season. Cincinnati gave up the third-highest success rate per dropback and sixth-highest EPA per dropback to Jacoby Brissett. Brissett ripped this pass defense apart with 12.6 yards per attempt. We’ll see if Apple can make it back for Week 9, but even if he can, he’s not a stellar corner.
Joe Burrow: Burrow’s upside has been heavily correlated to Ja’Marr Chase over the last two seasons. Without Chase in the lineup last week, Burrow struggled to complete 71.4% of his passes with only 6.6 yards per attempt as the QB22. Overall, Burrow is tenth in PFF passing grade, 11th in yards per attempt, and seventh in adjusted completion rate (minimum 50 dropbacks) as the QB4 in fantasy. Burrow is too talented to fade him into QB2 territory. He’s a low-end QB1 in a tough spot. With Jaycee Horn active, the Panthers are 15th in passing yards per game with the 13th-lowest explosive pass rate surrendered. Carolina has allowed the 13th-lowest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Aaron Rodgers: Double. Aaron Rodgers could double the number of QB1 performances he’s turned in this fantasy season in Week 9. Week 7 was the first and only time this year that Rodgers has cracked the top-12 fantasy quarterback realm. Looking at Rodgers’ passing efficiency numbers weekly, it’s easy to see why he’s frustrated. Rodgers is seventh in PFF passing grade, fourth in big-time throw rate, and 13th in adjusted completion rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). Rodgers should be smiling this week after a matchup with Detroit. The Lions are first in yards per attempt, seventh in passing touchdown rate, and bottom-four in passing yards per game, and explosive pass rate allowed. Rodgers is a QB1.
Jared Goff: The Lions should lean on their ground game this week. Over the last three weeks, Green Bay has found its stride in pass defense. Since Week 6, Green Bay has held quarterbacks to the third-lowest completion rate, eighth-lowest passer rating, sixth-lowest passing yards per game, and sixth-lowest explosive pass rate. Goff might be the QB12 in fantasy, but his numbers scream that his fantasy value isn’t nearly as good as his real-life quarterback play. He’s 22nd in PFF passing grade, 19th in adjusted completion rate, and has the third-highest turnover-worthy play rate. The Packers are fifth in pressure rate. Goff is 21st in pressured passer rating and 33rd in pressured completion rate. Goff is a mid-QB2.
Sam Ehlinger: In his first start Ehlinger was the QB28 in fantasy, completing 73.9% of his passes with 8.7 yards per attempt and zero touchdowns. Among 44 quarterbacks (minimum 50 dropbacks), he’s 34th in PFF passing grade, tenth in adjusted completion rate, 18th in aDOT, and second in turnover-worthy play rate behind only Taylor Heinicke. The Patriots have yielded the second-lowest success rate per dropback while ranking 19th in passing yards per game and permitting the fifth-lowest EPA per dropback. Ehlinger remains a low-end QB2.
Mac Jones: Jones is another low-end QB2. He’s only mustered one game this season above QB19 in fantasy. The Colts continue their run funnel ways as they have firmly clamped down on the opposition through the air. Since Week 4, they have allowed the 11th-lowest EPA per dropback, fourth-fewest passing yards per game, and eighth-lowest explosive pass rate. This feels like a gross game that Coach Bill could limit the passing volume and feed his ground game.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Week 9 WR Start/Sit Grades
Rank | Grade | Name | Team | Week 9 |
1 | A+ | Tyreek Hill | MIA | CHI |
2 | A+ | Justin Jefferson | MIN | WAS |
3 | A+ | Cooper Kupp | LAR | TB |
4 | A+ | Stefon Diggs | BUF | NYJ |
5 | A+ | DeAndre Hopkins | ARI | SEA |
6 | A+ | Davante Adams | LV | JAC |
7 | A | A.J. Brown | PHI | HOU |
8 | A | Jaylen Waddle | MIA | CHI |
9 | A | Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET | GB |
10 | A | Chris Godwin | TB | LAR |
11 | A | Tee Higgins | CIN | CAR |
12 | A | Mike Evans | TB | LAR |
13 | A | DJ Moore | CAR | CIN |
14 | A- | Chris Olave | NO | BAL |
15 | A- | DK Metcalf | SEA | ARI |
16 | A- | Tyler Lockett | SEA | ARI |
17 | A- | Terry McLaurin | WAS | MIN |
18 | A- | Tyler Boyd | CIN | CAR |
19 | A- | DeVonta Smith | PHI | HOU |
20 | B+ | Gabe Davis | BUF | NYJ |
21 | B+ | JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC | TEN |
22 | B+ | Christian Kirk | JAC | LV |
23 | B+ | Jakobi Meyers | NE | IND |
24 | B | Joshua Palmer | LAC | ATL |
25 | B | Michael Pittman Jr. | IND | NE |
26 | B | Curtis Samuel | WAS | MIN |
27 | B | Rondale Moore | ARI | SEA |
28 | B | Adam Thielen | MIN | WAS |
29 | B | Allen Lazard | GB | DET |
30 | B | Darnell Mooney | CHI | MIA |
31 | B- | Garrett Wilson | NYJ | BUF |
32 | B- | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | KC | TEN |
33 | C+ | Romeo Doubs | GB | DET |
34 | B- | Drake London | ATL | LAC |
35 | B- | Devin Duvernay | BAL | NO |
36 | C+ | Zay Jones | JAC | LV |
37 | C+ | Allen Robinson II | LAR | TB |
38 | C+ | Mack Hollins | LV | JAC |
39 | C+ | Terrace Marshall Jr. | CAR | CIN |
40 | C+ | Robert Woods | TEN | KC |
41 | C | Kalif Raymond | DET | GB |
42 | C | Alec Pierce | IND | NE |
43 | C | Mecole Hardman | KC | TEN |
44 | C | Hunter Renfrow | LV | JAC |
45 | C | DeAndre Carter | LAC | ATL |
46 | C | Isaiah McKenzie | BUF | NYJ |
47 | C | Parris Campbell | IND | NE |
48 | C | Marvin Jones Jr. | JAC | LV |
49 | C | Tyquan Thornton | NE | IND |
50 | C | Julio Jones | TB | LAR |
51 | C | K.J. Osborn | MIN | WAS |
52 | C- | Sammy Watkins | GB | DET |
53 | C- | Phillip Dorsett II | HOU | PHI |
54 | C- | Olamide Zaccheaus | ATL | LAC |
55 | C- | Chase Claypool | CHI | MIA |
56 | C- | Chris Moore | HOU | PHI |
57 | D+ | Demarcus Robinson | BAL | NO |
58 | D+ | Tre’Quan Smith | NO | BAL |
59 | D | Van Jefferson | LAR | TB |
60 | D | Marquez Callaway | NO | BAL |
61 | D | James Proche II | BAL | NO |
62 | D | Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | TEN | KC |
63 | D- | Jarvis Landry | NO | BAL |
64 | D- | Dee Eskridge | SEA | ARI |
65 | D- | Braxton Berrios | NYJ | BUF |
66 | F | Michael Bandy | LAC | ATL |
67 | D | Elijah Moore | NYJ | BUF |
68 | F | Denzel Mims | NYJ | BUF |
69 | F | Kendrick Bourne | NE | IND |
70 | F | Ben Skowronek | LAR | TB |
71 | F | Robbie Anderson | ARI | SEA |
72 | F | Dante Pettis | CHI | MIA |
73 | F | Kadarius Toney | KC | TEN |
74 | F | Khalil Shakir | BUF | NYJ |
75 | F | Trent Sherfield | MIA | CHI |
76 | F | Mike Thomas | CIN | CAR |
77 | F | Rashid Shaheed | NO | BAL |
78 | F | Samori Toure | GB | DET |
79 | F | Laviska Shenault Jr. | CAR | CIN |
80 | F | Quez Watkins | PHI | HOU |
81 | F | Greg Dortch | ARI | SEA |
82 | F | Equanimeous St. Brown | CHI | MIA |
83 | F | N’Keal Harry | CHI | MIA |
84 | F | Cam Sims | WAS | MIN |
85 | F | Skyy Moore | KC | TEN |
86 | F | Shi Smith | CAR | CIN |
87 | F | Scotty Miller | TB | LAR |
88 | F | Christian Watson | GB | DET |
89 | F | Damiere Byrd | ATL | LAC |
90 | F | Nelson Agholor | NE | IND |
91 | F | Dyami Brown | WAS | MIN |
92 | F | A.J. Green | ARI | SEA |
93 | F | Josh Reynolds | DET | GB |
94 | F | Velus Jones Jr. | CHI | MIA |
95 | F | Amari Rodgers | GB | DET |
96 | F | Zach Pascal | PHI | HOU |
97 | F | Tom Kennedy | DET | GB |
98 | F | Jason Moore Jr. | LAC | ATL |
99 | F | Tyron Johnson | HOU | PHI |
100 | F | DeSean Jackson | BAL | NO |
101 | F | KhaDarel Hodge | ATL | LAC |
102 | F | Cody Hollister | TEN | KC |
103 | F | Justin Watson | KC | TEN |
104 | F | Trenton Irwin | CIN | CAR |
105 | F | Cedrick Wilson Jr. | MIA | CHI |
106 | F | Tutu Atwell | LAR | TB |
107 | F | Breshad Perriman | TB | LAR |
108 | F | Tylan Wallace | BAL | NO |
109 | F | Mike Strachan | IND | NE |
110 | F | Bryan Edwards | ATL | LAC |
111 | F | Jeff Smith | NYJ | BUF |
112 | F | Brandon Powell | LAR | TB |
113 | F | Trent Taylor | CIN | CAR |
114 | F | Kevin White | NO | BAL |
115 | F | Tim Jones | JAC | LV |
116 | F | Dax Milne | WAS | MIN |
117 | F | Jake Kumerow | BUF | NYJ |
118 | F | Jalen Reagor | MIN | WAS |
119 | F | Jaelon Darden | TB | LAR |
120 | F | Jamal Agnew | JAC | LV |
121 | F | Keelan Cole Sr. | LV | JAC |
122 | F | Keelan Doss | LAC | ATL |
123 | F | Chris Conley | TEN | KC |
124 | F | Stanley Morgan Jr. | CIN | CAR |
125 | F | Penny Hart | SEA | ARI |
126 | F | DJ Turner | LV | JAC |
127 | F | Dareke Young | SEA | ARI |
128 | F | Braylon Sanders | MIA | CHI |
129 | F | Lil’Jordan Humphrey | NE | IND |
130 | F | Maurice Alexander | DET | GB |
131 | F | Juwann Winfree | GB | DET |
132 | F | Tanner Conner | MIA | CHI |
133 | F | Keke Coutee | IND | NE |
134 | F | Erik Ezukanma | MIA | CHI |
Notes
Jakobi Meyers: Meyers continues to be an underrated stud in fantasy. Meyers is the WR11 in fantasy with a 25.6% target share (20th) and 31.9% air yard share (22nd). He’s seen eight deep targets (29th) and recent inclusion in the red zone, with all three of his red zone targets for the season coming last week. Meyers is 14th in PFF receiving grade and 12th in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets). Despite my concerns about the passing volume, Meyers is a WR2. He’ll run about 72% of his routes against Kenny Moore (since Week 4, 90% catch rate, 112.5 passer rating).
Davante Adams: Adams was upgraded to full practices on Thursday and Friday. Shake off the dud game. Adams is still a WR1. Even after the down outing, Adams is seventh in target share, ninth in targets, and 14th in air yard share. He’s garnered elite high-value usage, ranking seventh in deep targets and second in red zone targets. Adams is 16th in PFF receiving grade and 21st in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets). Adams will run about 70% of his routes against Tyson Campbell (58.5% catch rate, 70.6 passer rating) and Tre Herndon (55.6% catch rate, 137.5 passer rating).
Devin Duvernay: In the two games with Bateman sidelined earlier this season, Duvernay handled a 20.7% target share and 30% air yard share with 1.26 yards per route run. Duvernay saw two red zone targets in that short span. He had WR26 and WR78 fantasy scores. Overall, Duvernay is 20th in PFF receiving grade and 43rd in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets), running 71% of his routes on the perimeter. Duvernay is a low-end WR3/high-end WR4.
Josh Palmer: Palmer missed Week 7 dealing with a concussion. The Chargers need him back this week, with Williams and possibly Allen missing this game. Palmer has a 16.2% target share with a 15.6% air yard share. Palmer has seen eight or more targets in 50% of his games played. Palmer has six red zone targets this season, with half of that usage coming in his last two games played. The Falcons continue to lean heavily on zone coverage (since Week 5, 66-72% of their corners’ snaps). Palmer has seen 58.3% of his target volume against zone. Palmer hasn’t been great despite the volume this season, ranking 93rd in PFF receiving grade and 85th in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets), but he will run against meh cornerback talents in Week 9. Palmer will run about 69% of his routes against Cornell Armstrong (52.9% catch rate, 105.5 passer rating) and Darren Hall (73.3% catch rate, 131.0 passer rating), assuming the newly acquired Rashad Fenton (82.6% catch rate, 128.3 passer rating) isn’t ready to play this week. Palmer is a WR3/4.
Drake London: London continues to plug along with a fantastic rookie season. London is ninth in target share (28.8%) and eighth in target per route run rate (31.4%). The issue continues to be route volume, as he’s 66th in routes run, leading to only 49 targets (36th). London hasn’t finished higher than WR49 or with more than 40 receiving yards since Week 3. London is fifth in PFF receiving grade and 26th in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets). This is a plus matchup for London, so we pray for target volume. London will run about 84% of his routes against Asante Samuel Jr. (62.7% catch rate, 93.9 passer rating) and Michael Davis (75% catch rate, 115.6 passer rating). London is a WR4.
D.J. Moore: League-average quarterback play, that’s all D.J. Moore needed to explode. Since Week 7, he’s finished as the WR9 and WR5 in fantasy. He’s commanded a 36.8% target share and 52.7% air yard share, averaging 110.5 receiving yards. Over the last two games, he’s ninth in PFF receiving grade and fourth in yards per route run (minimum eight targets). Moore will run about 71% of his routes against rookie Cam Taylor-Britt (all four targets in coverage secured, 118.8 passer rating) and Tre Flowers (78.6% catch rate, 120.8 passer rating). Moore is a WR1.
Romeo Doubs: Doubs has been up and down, with more down this season. He’s seen an 18.1% target share with 22.7% of the team’s air yards. He has seven red zone targets this season but only one in the last three games. Last week’s WR19 showing was his first game as a WR2 or better since Week 4. Doubs is 92nd in PFF receiving grade and 74th in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets). Since Week 6, the Lions have deployed their outside corners in zone coverage on 67-69% of their snaps. While Doubs hasn’t been highly effective, he’s still second on the team in zone targets, with 57.4% of his target volume against zone. Doubs will run about 76% of his routes against Jeffrey Okudah (71.9% catch rate, 99.6 passer rating) and Amani Oruwariye (78.4% catch rate, 143.8 passer rating). Doubs is a WR3.
Week 9 RB Start/Sit Grades
Rank | Grade | Name | Team | Week 9 |
1 | A+ | Austin Ekeler | LAC | ATL |
2 | A+ | Alvin Kamara | NO | BAL |
3 | A+ | Derrick Henry | TEN | KC |
4 | A+ | Josh Jacobs | LV | JAC |
5 | A | Aaron Jones | GB | DET |
6 | A | Travis Etienne Jr. | JAC | LV |
7 | A | Kenneth Walker III | SEA | ARI |
8 | A | Dalvin Cook | MIN | WAS |
9 | A | Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | IND |
10 | A- | Joe Mixon | CIN | CAR |
11 | A- | Miles Sanders | PHI | HOU |
12 | A- | Dameon Pierce | HOU | PHI |
13 | A- | D’Onta Foreman | CAR | CIN |
14 | B+ | Leonard Fournette | TB | LAR |
15 | B+ | Raheem Mostert | MIA | CHI |
16 | B | Deon Jackson | IND | NE |
17 | B | Jamaal Williams | DET | GB |
18 | B | Devin Singletary | BUF | NYJ |
19 | B | Cordarrelle Patterson | ATL | LAC |
20 | B | Antonio Gibson | WAS | MIN |
21 | B | Michael Carter | NYJ | BUF |
22 | B- | D’Andre Swift | DET | GB |
23 | B- | David Montgomery | CHI | MIA |
24 | C+ | Kenyan Drake | BAL | NO |
25 | C+ | AJ Dillon | GB | DET |
26 | C+ | Khalil Herbert | CHI | MIA |
27 | C | James Conner | ARI | SEA |
28 | C | Damien Harris | NE | IND |
29 | C | Eno Benjamin | ARI | SEA |
30 | C | Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS | MIN |
31 | C | Isiah Pacheco | KC | TEN |
32 | C | Tyler Allgeier | ATL | LAC |
33 | C | Darrell Henderson Jr. | LAR | TB |
34 | C | Rachaad White | TB | LAR |
35 | C- | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | TEN |
36 | C- | Dontrell Hilliard | TEN | KC |
37 | C | Justice Hill | BAL | NO |
38 | C- | Jeff Wilson Jr. | MIA | CHI |
39 | D+ | James Robinson | NYJ | BUF |
40 | D+ | Jerick McKinnon | KC | TEN |
41 | D | Alexander Mattison | MIN | WAS |
42 | D | Ronnie Rivers | LAR | TB |
43 | D | Caleb Huntley | ATL | LAC |
44 | D | Kenneth Gainwell | PHI | HOU |
45 | D | JaMycal Hasty | JAC | LV |
46 | D | Samaje Perine | CIN | CAR |
47 | D- | Rex Burkhead | HOU | PHI |
48 | D | Nyheim Hines | BUF | NYJ |
49 | D- | Sony Michel | LAC | ATL |
50 | F | James Cook | BUF | NYJ |
51 | F | Travis Homer | SEA | ARI |
52 | F | Boston Scott | PHI | HOU |
53 | F | Craig Reynolds | DET | GB |
54 | F | Malcolm Brown | LAR | TB |
55 | D- | Ty Johnson | NYJ | BUF |
56 | F | Spencer Brown | CAR | CIN |
57 | D | Keaontay Ingram | ARI | SEA |
58 | F | Ameer Abdullah | LV | JAC |
59 | F | Cam Akers | LAR | TB |
60 | F | Avery Williams | ATL | LAC |
61 | F | Zamir White | LV | JAC |
62 | F | Raheem Blackshear | CAR | CIN |
63 | F | Chris Evans | CIN | CAR |
64 | F | Dwayne Washington | NO | BAL |
65 | F | Phillip Lindsay | IND | NE |
66 | F | Zack Moss | IND | NE |
67 | F | Dare Ogunbowale | HOU | PHI |
68 | F | DeeJay Dallas | SEA | ARI |
69 | F | Gus Edwards | BAL | NO |
70 | F | Brandon Bolden | LV | JAC |
71 | F | Trestan Ebner | CHI | MIA |
72 | F | Isaiah Spiller | LAC | ATL |
73 | F | Myles Gaskin | MIA | CHI |
74 | F | Mike Davis | BAL | NO |
75 | F | Salvon Ahmed | MIA | CHI |
76 | F | Hassan Haskins | TEN | KC |
77 | F | Patrick Ricard | BAL | NO |
78 | F | Snoop Conner | JAC | LV |
79 | F | C.J. Ham | MIN | WAS |
80 | F | Mark Ingram II | NO | BAL |
81 | F | Justin Jackson | DET | GB |
82 | F | Reggie Gilliam | BUF | NYJ |
83 | F | Pierre Strong Jr. | NE | IND |
84 | F | Alec Ingold | MIA | CHI |
85 | F | Zander Horvath | LAC | ATL |
86 | F | Corey Clement | ARI | SEA |
87 | F | Patrick Taylor Jr. | GB | DET |
88 | F | Keith Smith | ATL | LAC |
89 | F | Jonathan Williams | WAS | MIN |
90 | F | Tyler Badie | BAL | NO |
91 | F | Jakob Johnson | LV | JAC |
92 | F | Darrynton Evans | CHI | MIA |
93 | F | Jordan Wilkins | IND | NE |
94 | F | Kevin Harris | NE | IND |
95 | F | Khari Blasingame | CHI | MIA |
96 | F | Ke’Shawn Vaughn | TB | LAR |
97 | F | Michael Burton | KC | TEN |
98 | F | J.J. Taylor | NE | IND |
99 | F | Jordan Howard | NO | BAL |
100 | F | Kylin Hill | GB | DET |
101 | F | Kene Nwangwu | MIN | WAS |
102 | F | Alex Armah Jr. | WAS | MIN |
103 | F | Tony Jones Jr. | SEA | ARI |
Notes
Brian Robinson: After out-snapping Gibson in back-to-back games, Robinson lost the snap and volume battle in Week 8 to Gibson. He saw his snaps dip to 25% with zero usage in the passing game. He had eight carries that he turned into 20 yards. Robinson is an early down grinder that isn’t talented enough to get it done in bad matchups. He’s 63rd in yards after contact per attempt and 61st in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 15 carries). With only the rushing equity to float his value, he’s a touchdown-or-bust RB4. Minnesota has been a stonewall against rushing attacks. Minnesota ranks eighth in rushing yards per game, 12th in EPA per rush, and 11th in explosive run rate allowed. They have held running backs to the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game.
Antonio Gibson: Since Brian Robinson‘s return Gibson has averaged 11.6 touches and 69 total yards per game. He’s seen a 17.6% target share (five targets per game), averaging 33% of the snaps. In the part-time role, Gibson has seen his explosive play-making ability return. Since Week 6 among 43 running backs (minimum 15 carries), he’s 13th in yards after contact per attempt, 13th in breakaway run rate, and 22nd in PFF’s elusive rating. He has finished as the RB24, RB16, and RB11. Gibson is an RB3 with a rough assignment in Week 9. McKissic getting ruled out bumps up his ceiling and floor.
Josh Jacobs: Jacobs is the RB5 in fantasy as he gobbles up the fifth-highest snap share and second-highest opportunity share. He’s tenth in weighted opportunities. Jacobs has averaged 20.4 touches and 118.3 total yards. Jacobs is tenth in yards after contact per attempt, third in missed tackles forced, and ninth in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 15 carries). Jacksonville is a middle of the road matchup. Over their last three games, they are 18th in rushing yards per game, 27th in EPA per rush, and 17th in explosive run rate allowed. They have given up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Some of that is due to their vulnerability to pass-catching backs. They have allowed the second-most receptions and third-most receiving yards to backs. Jacobs remains a strong RB1.
Travis Etienne: Over the last two games, Etienne has been freed. He’s a full-time bell cow averaging nearly 80% of snaps with 21 touches and 140.5 total yards. He finished as the RB8 and RB7 in fantasy. Etienne is 22nd in yards after contact per attempt, tenth in breakaway rate, and 25th in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 15 carries). He’s an RB1 again this week against Vegas. The Raiders are tenth in rushing yards per game, ninth in EPA per rush, and eighth in explosive run rate, but they are ninth in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs. This comes from Las Vegas’s inability to stop backs through the air. The Raiders are 31st in DVOA, giving up the third-most receptions, third-most receiving yards, and seventh-highest yards per reception. Etienne has a 9.8% target share and is 20th in yards per route run. He has three receptions in half of his games this season.
Kenneth Walker: Since taking over as the starter, Walker has been the RB5 in fantasy. Walker continues to perform like a stud, ranking 18th in yards after contact per attempt, eighth in missed tackles forced, second in breakaway rate, and 14th in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 15 carries). Since Week 6, while he’s only drawn a 5.6% target share, he’s garnered a 43.1% route run rate. Last week with Travis Homer back, it was still at 46.3%. Since Week 5, the Cardinals are 23rd in rushing yards per game and 27th in explosive run rate allowed. Arizona remains 32nd in DVOA against receiving backs with the ninth-most receiving yards and eighth-highest yards per reception allowed. Walker is a top-five running back.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: In Week 7, Edwards-Helaire played a season-low 27% of the snaps with only six carries for 32 yards (one touchdown). He hasn’t seen a target in his last two games. It’ll be interesting to see what Kansas City does coming out of the bye with their running back rotation, but Edwards-Helaire looks on the wrong end of the usage trend. He still handled all the red zone work, but that could also change in Week 9. Tennessee hasn’t given an inch to running backs all season. They rank top-two in rushing yards per game, EPA per rush, and explosive run rate. Edwards-Helaire has seen his rushing metrics slip as he’s 36th in juke rate, 41st in yards created per touch, and 33rd in evaded tackles. Edwards-Helaire is a touchdown-or-bust RB3/4.
Isiah Pacheco: In Week 7, Pacheco played a season-high 30% of the snaps with eight rushing attempts for 43 yards. He was still a zero in the passing game as McKinnon soaked up the target share and routes. Pacheco is 27th in yards after contact per attempt and 14th in breakaway run rate in his limited playing time. Pacheco hasn’t seen a red zone touch since Week 4. With a rough match-up on the ground and his role up in the air, Pacheco is a deep league flex or RB4 at best.
Week 9 TE Start/Sit Grades
Rank | Grade | Name | Team | Week 9 |
1 | A+ | Travis Kelce | KC | TEN |
2 | A | Zach Ertz | ARI | SEA |
3 | A | Dallas Goedert | PHI | HOU |
4 | B | Gerald Everett | LAC | ATL |
5 | B+ | Tyler Higbee | LAR | TB |
6 | B- | Kyle Pitts | ATL | LAC |
7 | C+ | Robert Tonyan | GB | DET |
8 | C | Taysom Hill | NO | BAL |
9 | C | Isaiah Likely | BAL | NO |
10 | C | Evan Engram | JAC | LV |
11 | C | Hayden Hurst | CIN | CAR |
12 | C- | Dawson Knox | BUF | NYJ |
13 | C- | Darren Waller | LV | JAC |
14 | D+ | Cade Otton | TB | LAR |
15 | D | Mike Gesicki | MIA | CHI |
16 | D | T.J. Hockenson | MIN | WAS |
17 | D | Tyler Conklin | NYJ | BUF |
18 | D | Noah Fant | SEA | ARI |
19 | D | Juwan Johnson | NO | BAL |
20 | D- | Hunter Henry | NE | IND |
21 | D- | Cole Kmet | CHI | MIA |
22 | D | Will Dissly | SEA | ARI |
23 | F | Logan Thomas | WAS | MIN |
24 | F | Brevin Jordan | HOU | PHI |
25 | F | Foster Moreau | LV | JAC |
26 | F | Brock Wright | DET | GB |
27 | F | Jordan Akins | HOU | PHI |
28 | F | Jonnu Smith | NE | IND |
29 | F | Kylen Granson | IND | NE |
30 | F | Tommy Tremble | CAR | CIN |
31 | F | Austin Hooper | TEN | KC |
32 | F | O.J. Howard | HOU | PHI |
33 | F | James Mitchell | DET | GB |
34 | F | Mo Alie-Cox | IND | NE |
35 | D | Johnny Mundt | MIN | WAS |
36 | F | Jelani Woods | IND | NE |
37 | F | C.J. Uzomah | NYJ | BUF |
38 | F | Ian Thomas | CAR | CIN |
39 | F | Chigoziem Okonkwo | TEN | KC |
40 | F | Mark Andrews | BAL | NO |
41 | F | Noah Gray | KC | TEN |
42 | F | Armani Rogers | WAS | MIN |
43 | F | Colby Parkinson | SEA | ARI |
44 | F | Adam Trautman | NO | BAL |
45 | F | Josh Oliver | BAL | NO |
46 | F | Geoff Swaim | TEN | KC |
47 | F | Durham Smythe | MIA | CHI |
48 | F | Tre’ McKitty | LAC | ATL |
49 | F | Mitchell Wilcox | CIN | CAR |
50 | F | Trey McBride | ARI | SEA |
51 | F | John Bates | WAS | MIN |
52 | F | Dan Arnold | JAC | LV |
53 | F | Kyle Rudolph | TB | LAR |
54 | F | Josiah Deguara | GB | DET |
55 | F | Ko Kieft | TB | LAR |
56 | F | Marcedes Lewis | GB | DET |
57 | F | Parker Hesse | ATL | LAC |
58 | F | Ryan Griffin | CHI | MIA |
59 | F | Jesper Horsted | LV | JAC |
60 | F | MyCole Pruitt | ATL | LAC |
61 | F | Quintin Morris | BUF | NYJ |
62 | F | Chris Manhertz | JAC | LV |
63 | F | Jack Stoll | PHI | HOU |
64 | F | Nick Vannett | NO | BAL |
65 | F | Trevon Wesco | CHI | MIA |
66 | F | Tyler Davis | GB | DET |
67 | F | Devin Asiasi | CIN | CAR |
68 | F | Hunter Long | MIA | CHI |
69 | F | Brycen Hopkins | LAR | TB |
70 | F | Richard Rodgers | LAC | ATL |
71 | F | Cole Turner | WAS | MIN |
72 | F | Giovanni Ricci | CAR | CIN |
73 | F | Luke Farrell | JAC | LV |
74 | F | Kendall Blanton | LAR | TB |
75 | F | Nick Boyle | BAL | NO |
76 | F | Tommy Sweeney | BUF | NYJ |
77 | F | Grant Calcaterra | PHI | HOU |
78 | F | Stephen Anderson | ARI | SEA |
79 | F | J.P. Holtz | NO | BAL |
80 | F | Shane Zylstra | DET | GB |
81 | F | Kevin Rader | TEN | KC |
82 | F | Jacob Hollister | MIN | WAS |
83 | F | Jared Pinkney | LAR | TB |
84 | F | Jordan Franks | KC | TEN |
85 | F | Kenny Yeboah | NYJ | BUF |
86 | F | Jeremy Ruckert | NYJ | BUF |
Notes
Gerald Everett: With the wide receiver room banged up, Everett should see a bump in work. He’s managed a 15.5% target share (15th) and eight red zone targets (fourth) this season. Everett is 14th in PFF receiving grade and 15th in yards per route run. Only 34.9% of his target volume has come against zone coverage. Everett should be considered a decent TE1 with upside. Atlanta has allowed the eighth-highest catch rate, second-most receptions, and third-most receiving yards to tight ends.
Kyle Pitts: Pitts is coming off a week where he saw his highest snap share (74.6%) since Week 2 and a season-high in targets (nine). Pitts is like London in that it’s not a talent problem but a volume issue. Pitts is second in target share (26.7’%) and first in target per route run rate (33.3%) among tight ends. He’s second in deep targets and 12th in red zone targets. Pitts is ninth in PFF receiving grade and eighth in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets). Pitts has two top-12 fantasy tight-end finishes in his last three games. The Chargers are 23rd in DVOA, allowing the eighth-most receiving yards and third-highest yards per reception. Pitts is a TE1.
Mike Gesicki: Since Week 5, Gesicki has seen a 14.3% target share with a 64.1% route run rate. He’s finished as a top-ten tight end in two of his last four games. Overall he’s 22nd in PFF receiving grade and 27th in yards per route run (minimum ten targets). He’s become a staple in the red zone with eight looks (fourth) inside the 20 and six of them coming in the last three games. Chicago is 15th in DVOA against the position allowing the 12th-highest catch rate but the eighth-lowest yards per reception and the tenth-fewest receptions. Gesicki is a low-end TE1.
Cole Kmet: Kmet’s season has been pretty putrid. He’s only managed 20 targets (31st) in this low-volume passing offense. He’s 38th in PFF receiving grade and 46th in yards per route run (minimum ten targets). Kmet has only three red zone targets, two of which came last week. That said, if there was ever a week to consider streaming him based on the matchup, it’s Week 9. Miami is 26th in DVOA, giving up the highest catch rate, third-most receptions, and fifth-most receiving yards to tight ends. Kmet is a matchup-based streamer and TE2.
Hayden Hurst: Hurst is the TE14 in fantasy with a 14.3% target share (17th) and 78.1% route participation mark (ninth). Hurst remains the ugly volume champion. He’s second in routes run, ninth in targets, and 16th in slot snaps among tight ends. Hurst has been a Burrow favorite inside the 20-yard line ranking seventh in red zone targets (seven). He’s 25th in PFF receiving grade and 35th in yards per route run (minimum ten targets). The Panthers have been friendly to tight ends, ranking 29th in DVOA with the sixth-highest catch rate and tenth-highest yards per reception allowed. Hurst is a TE1.
Robert Tonyan: Tonyan is the TE15 in fantasy points per game with a 15.5% target share (16th) and 58.3% route participation (26th). His usage has massively ticked up over the last three games. Against Buffalo, he handled an 84% route rate, and in Week 6 against the Jets, he sat at 69%. Tonyan is 30th in PFF receiving grade and 13th in yards per route run while drawing five red zone targets (12th). Tonyan should smash this week. The Lions are 32nd in DVOA against the tight end position. Detroit has allowed the fifth-highest catch rate, ninth-most receiving yards, seventh-highest yards per reception, and fourth-most receiving touchdowns to tight ends. Tonyan is a top-shelf TE1 in Week 9.
Week 9 D/ST Start/Sit Grades
Rank | Grade | Name | Team | Week 9 |
1 | A+ | Philadelphia Eagles | PHI | HOU |
2 | A | Buffalo Bills | BUF | NYJ |
3 | A | New England Patriots | NE | IND |
4 | A- | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | TB | LAR |
5 | B+ | Cincinnati Bengals | CIN | CAR |
6 | B+ | Green Bay Packers | GB | DET |
7 | B | Baltimore Ravens | BAL | NO |
8 | B | Kansas City Chiefs | KC | TEN |
9 | B- | Miami Dolphins | MIA | CHI |
10 | B- | Minnesota Vikings | MIN | WAS |
11 | C+ | Jacksonville Jaguars | JAC | LV |
12 | C+ | Indianapolis Colts | IND | NE |
13 | C | Los Angeles Rams | LAR | TB |
14 | C | Arizona Cardinals | ARI | SEA |
15 | C | New York Jets | NYJ | BUF |
16 | C- | Los Angeles Chargers | LAC | ATL |
17 | C- | Washington Commanders | WAS | MIN |
18 | D+ | New Orleans Saints | NO | BAL |
19 | D | Seattle Seahawks | SEA | ARI |
20 | D | Carolina Panthers | CAR | CIN |
21 | D | Atlanta Falcons | ATL | LAC |
22 | D- | Las Vegas Raiders | LV | JAC |
23 | D- | Tennessee Titans | TEN | KC |
24 | F | Chicago Bears | CHI | MIA |
25 | F | Detroit Lions | DET | GB |
26 | F | Houston Texans | HOU | PHI |
Week 9 K Start/Sit Grades
Rank | Grade | Name | Team | Week 9 |
1 | A | Justin Tucker | BAL | NO |
2 | B+ | Tyler Bass | BUF | NYJ |
3 | B+ | Harrison Butker | KC | TEN |
4 | B | Evan McPherson | CIN | CAR |
5 | B- | Ryan Succop | TB | LAR |
6 | C+ | Daniel Carlson | LV | JAC |
7 | C+ | Jake Elliott | PHI | HOU |
8 | C+ | Jason Myers | SEA | ARI |
9 | C | Younghoe Koo | ATL | LAC |
10 | C | Nick Folk | NE | IND |
11 | C | Wil Lutz | NO | BAL |
12 | C | Jason Sanders | MIA | CHI |
13 | C | Mason Crosby | GB | DET |
14 | C | Greg Joseph | MIN | WAS |
15 | C | Michael Badgley | DET | GB |
16 | C- | Matt Gay | LAR | TB |
17 | C- | Matt Prater | ARI | SEA |
18 | C- | Riley Patterson | JAC | LV |
19 | C- | Ka’imi Fairbairn | HOU | PHI |
20 | D+ | Cairo Santos | CHI | MIA |
21 | D | Chase McLaughlin | IND | NE |
22 | D | Dustin Hopkins | LAC | ATL |
23 | D | Randy Bullock | TEN | KC |
24 | D | Greg Zuerlein | NYJ | BUF |
25 | D | Cameron Dicker | LAC | ATL |
26 | D | Eddy Pineiro | CAR | CIN |
27 | D- | Joey Slye | WAS | MIN |
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.