Week 9 arrives with unprecedented quarterback turmoil: four confirmed changes (Gardner Minshew in Arizona, Joe Milton III in Philadelphia, Drew Lock in Seattle, Joe Fagnano in Baltimore) and two more possible (Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland, Carson Wentz in Minnesota). A trade sent Jacoby Brissett from the Cardinals to the Ravens, while Pittsburgh and Tennessee are on bye. Major injuries plague stars like Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Travis Kelce, and many others, forcing fantasy managers into difficult lineup decisions as the playoff push intensifies.
Running back Jonah Coleman emerges as the Start of the Week. The Denver rookie led the Broncos with 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown plus four catches for 63 yards in Week 8, playing 66% of snaps after RJ Harvey went to IR. Facing a Carolina defense that ranks second in fantasy points allowed to running backs (six backs have scored 15+ PPR points in the past four games), Coleman projects 12.7 points and is a borderline RB1.
Quarterbacks to start include Jared Goff (25.3 projected points vs. Miami, which allows the third-most QB fantasy points), Patrick Mahomes (24.3 vs. Jets, who have allowed 29.9+ points to three straight QBs), Jordan Love (18.5 at New England, with 20+ points in 22 of 33 career games with 30+ attempts), Matthew Stafford (21.9 at Washington, fourth-most QB points allowed), and Kirk Cousins (17.9 at San Francisco, despite DeForest Buckner trade, Cousins has 22.5+ points in six of eight games). Sit candidates: C.J. Stroud (19.2 vs. Chargers, seventh-fewest QB points allowed), Bryce Young (14.3 vs. Denver, after two games of 12.4 or fewer), Geno Smith (14.7 at Chiefs, fifth-fewest QB points allowed), and Caleb Williams (22.7 vs. Buccaneers, fourth-fewest QB points allowed, only two 20+ point games all season).
Running backs to start: Rhamondre Stevenson (12.2 pts vs. Green Bay, seventh-most RB points allowed), Ashton Jeanty (11.4 at San Francisco, but heavy passing-game role against a defense allowing the most RB receptions), Quinshon Judkins (11.4 at New Orleans, Saints allow the most RB fantasy points), Woody Marks (9.7 at Chargers if David Montgomery remains out, Chargers have allowed 10.3+ PPR to an RB every game), and Ollie Gordon II (12.4 vs. Detroit, Lions missing key defensive players). Sleepers: Rachaad White (10.5 vs. Rams), Blake Corum (9.5 at Washington, Commanders lost two defensive tackles), Zach Charbonnet (10.6 vs. Arizona, three straight 12.4+ PPR games vs. Cardinals). Sits: Tyler Allgeier (10.2 at Seattle, tougher matchup after Week 8 explosion), Mike Washington Jr. (7.1 at San Francisco, 49ers stout against rush), Omarion Hampton (7.8 vs. Houston, 7.9 PPR or less in four of five), Alvin Kamara (10.4 vs. Cleveland, Browns allow fewest RB receptions), and Breece Hall (10.5 at Kansas City, splitting work with Braelon Allen).
Wide receivers to start: Jameson Williams (15.7 at Miami, four straight 16.2+ PPR games), Rashee Rice (12.0 vs. Jets, 12.3+ PPR in three healthy games), Parker Washington (14.7 at Baltimore, Ravens eighth-most WR points allowed), Jaylen Waddle (11.8 at Carolina, Panthers allowed seven WRs 12.7+ PPR in past four), Keenan Allen (11.1 vs. Dallas, Cowboys seventh-most WR points allowed). Sleepers: Caleb Douglas (10.4 vs. Detroit, Lions fourth-most WR points allowed), Makai Lemon (9.8 vs. Giants, elevated role with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks out), Adonai Mitchell (10.1 at Chiefs if Garrett Wilson out), Omar Cooper Jr. (9.5 at Chiefs), Demario Douglas (9.9 vs. Green Bay, Packers ninth-most WR points allowed), Ryan Flournoy (8.8 at Indianapolis). Sits: Michael Wilson (12.3 at Seattle, ribs injury, Seahawks allow fewest WR points), Jalen Coker (9.0 vs. Denver, Broncos eighth-fewest WR points allowed), Tre Tucker (9.1 at San Francisco, boom-or-bust), Ladd McConkey (9.9 vs. Houston, no TD since Week 1), Zay Flowers (15.3 vs. Jacksonville, but Joe Fagnano starting, Flowers had zero catches in Week 8).
Tight ends to start: Colston Loveland (11.8 vs. Tampa Bay, three straight 11.5+ PPR games), Harold Fannin Jr. (11.7 at New Orleans, Saints sixth-most TE points allowed), Kyle Pitts (10.0 vs. Cincinnati in Spain, Bengals eighth-most TE points allowed). Sleepers: T.J. Hockenson (9.1 vs. Buffalo, Bills allowed five TEs 11+ PPR), Greg Dulcich (10.9 vs. Detroit, Lions allow most TE points), Mike Gesicki (8.8 at Atlanta, five straight TDs). Sits: Mark Andrews (6.8 vs. Jacksonville, Fagnano at QB), Chigoziem Okonkwo (7.3 vs. Rams, Rams seventh-fewest TE points allowed), Juwan Johnson (10.1 vs. Cleveland, Jordyn Tyson may debut). Bust alert: Dalton Kincaid (7.9 at Minnesota, Vikings allow fewest TE points, no TE has scored double-digit PPR against them).
Defense/special teams: Start Houston at Chargers (Chargers 27 straight drives without TD, 23 sacks allowed, 10 Herbert INTs). Sleepers: Giants at Eagles, Chiefs vs. Jets, Bears vs. Buccaneers. Sit: Bengals at Atlanta (allowed 22+ points in four of five). Kicker starts: Matt Gay (7.9 at San Francisco, 49ers allowed 3+ FG attempts in five of seven). Sleepers: Nick Folk (8.0 vs. Cincinnati), Eddy Pineiro (9.1 vs. Las Vegas), Dominic Zvada (7.4 at Philadelphia). Sit: Chad Ryland (7.1 at Seattle, Seahawks allowed multiple FGs to just one kicker in past four).
