Week 9 brings a chaotic quarterback landscape due to injuries and lineup changes, with Joe Fagnano, Drew Lock, Joe Milton III, Gardner Minshew, Carson Wentz, and Shedeur Sanders all in line to start. Fantasy managers in one-quarterback leagues should avoid these replacements if possible, but Superflex and two-quarterback formats may require starting them. Lock, stepping in for Sam Darnold (quad), is the favorite among the replacements; he averaged 21.1 fantasy points in two games filling in for Darnold earlier this season, including 27.4 points against the Cardinals, who rank second in most fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Minshew, who replaced Jacoby Brissett in Week 8, scored 25.5 fantasy points in the second half against Dallas and projects for at least 15 points against Seattle. Milton, taking over for Tanner McKee, faces the Giants (seventh in most fantasy points allowed to QBs) and showed promise in his only extended NFL action in Week 18 of 2024 with 21.2 fantasy points. Wentz could start for Kyler Murray (hamstring) and has a favorable matchup against the Bills (eighth in most fantasy points allowed), though his 2025 production has been inconsistent. Sanders, replacing Deshaun Watson (concussion), faces a Saints defense that has allowed two of the past three opposing quarterbacks to score at least 20.3 fantasy points. Fagnano, making his first start for Lamar Jackson (thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe), struggled in relief against Buffalo (10-of-21, 91 yards, one interception) and faces a tough Jaguars defense on Thursday night.
Quarterbacks to Start
Jared Goff (DET) – Projected 25.3 points, QB rank 6th. After a season-low 11.1 points against Minnesota, Goff gets a Dolphins defense ranked third in most fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Three consecutive opposing QBs (Joe Burrow, Geno Smith, Drake Maye) have scored at least 26.5 points against Miami. Goff scored at least 20.4 points in each of his first six games and is expected to begin a new 20-point streak.
Patrick Mahomes (KC) – Projected 24.3 points, QB rank 9th. Mahomes rebounded with 31.4 points at Denver and has averaged 26.6 fantasy points in games with Rashee Rice active. The Jets have allowed Drake Maye, Malik Willis, and Kirk Cousins to each score at least 29.9 points in the past three weeks, making Mahomes a borderline top-five option.
Jordan Love (GB) – Projected 18.5 points, QB rank 7th. Love has scored at least 20 fantasy points in 22 of 33 career games with 30+ pass attempts and is on pace for his seventh straight game with 30+ attempts. New England has allowed three of the past six opposing QBs to score at least 20.5 points, averaging 20.5 points allowed over that span.
Matthew Stafford (LAR) – Projected 21.9 points, QB rank 10th. Stafford's arm soreness is a concern after a 10.3-point outing against the Chargers, but he faces a Commanders defense ranked fourth in most fantasy points allowed to QBs. Only Daniel Jones (Week 4) and Tanner McKee (Week 8) have failed to score at least 19.4 points against Washington.
Kirk Cousins (LV) – Projected 17.9 points, QB rank 11th. Despite a tough matchup against San Francisco (11th in fewest fantasy points allowed to QBs) and the addition of DeForest Buckner, Cousins has scored at least 22.5 points in six of eight games, including strong performances against the Chargers (26.2), Chiefs (26.6), and Rams (24.4). The 49ers have allowed Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. to each score at least 25 points in their past two games.
Sleepers
Malik Willis (MIA) – Has scored at least 18.6 points in each of his past three games and now faces the Lions, who lead the league in most fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Every QB to face Detroit has scored at least 20.9 points and thrown for at least two touchdowns, giving Willis top-10 upside.
Tyler Shough (NO) – Coming off a bye, Shough faces a Browns defense that has held Geno Smith, Tyler Huntley, Cam Ward, and Aaron Rodgers to 15.4 points or less in each of the past four games. Shough scored at least 24.4 points in each of his first three outings and is a low-end starter in all leagues.
Bo Nix (DEN) – Has scored at least 23.3 points in his past two games and faces a Panthers defense that has allowed three of the past five opposing QBs to score at least 22.5 points, including Jordan Love in Week 8. Nix is a low-end starter in all leagues.
Quarterbacks to Sit
C.J. Stroud (HOU) – Projected 19.2 points, QB rank 12th. The Chargers rank seventh in fewest fantasy points allowed to QBs; only Kirk Cousins (Week 2) has exceeded 18.5 points against them, and they have held Josh Allen (17.5), Patrick Mahomes (10.5), and Matthew Stafford (10.3) in check. Stroud is only a low-end starter in deeper leagues.
Bryce Young (CAR) – Projected 14.3 points, QB rank 18th. After opening with at least 23.8 points in four of five games, Young has scored 12.4 points or less in his past two outings. Denver has allowed high scores to Mahomes (twice), Stafford, and Brock Purdy, but also held Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold, and Jacoby Brissett to 18.5 points or less. Young is only a Superflex/two-QB option.
Geno Smith (NYJ) – Projected 14.7 points, QB rank 22nd. Smith has scored at least 22 points in his past two games against favorable matchups, but the Chiefs rank fifth in fewest fantasy points allowed to QBs. Only Cousins (Week 4) and Nix (Week 8) have exceeded 15.9 points against Kansas City. Smith is only worth starting in Superflex and two-QB leagues.
Bust Alert
Caleb Williams (CHI) – Projected 22.7 points, QB rank 14th. Williams has been efficient but lacks fantasy ceiling, with only two games over 20 points in five outings. In Week 8 he threw for 247 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions but managed just 15.9 fantasy points. The Buccaneers rank fourth in fewest fantasy points allowed to QBs; only Deshaun Watson (Week 2) and Aaron Rodgers (Week 6) have reached 20 points against them, while Joe Burrow (16.2), Jordan Love (17.1), and Dak Prescott (14.6) were held down. Williams is a low-end starter at best in most leagues.
