Fantasy Football Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: Week 9 Wide Receivers
Here are the wide receiver decisions to go with in Week 9.
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1 min read
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Terry McLaurin, D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Kalif Raymond and Amon-Ra St. Brown will be missing on byes for Week 9, but wide receiver is deep enough to keep most of us from desperate straits.
Jamey Eisenberg has his Start and Sit calls for WR here. His Waiver Wire column also can direct you to the best options who may be still available. And don't forget to check out Heath Cummings' wide receiver preview for more help with matchup notes, Week 9 numbers to know and more.
Note: DeVante Parker was initially listed as Start 'Em, but with reports that he's doubtful to play, he has been replaced.
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receiver
Start 'Em
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T.Y. Hilton (concussion) is out for Week 9 against the Jets, and Pittman has been exceptional when Hilton has been hurt. Pittman has scored at least 11 PPR points in six of his past seven games, including four outings with at least 20 PPR points over that span. His lone bad outing was Week 6 against Houston when Hilton played most of the game, and Pittman finished with just five PPR points. He should have another quality outing against the Jets on Thursday night, and New York has allowed four receivers to score at least 12 PPR points in the past two games against New England and Cincinnati.
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DeVante Parker (hamstring) is likely out this week, which should allow Waddle to be even more of a focal point for Tua Tagovailoa, especially with Will Fuller (hand) also missing. And this is a great matchup against the Texans. Houston has allowed seven receivers to score at least 11 PPR points in the past three games, and Waddle has top-15 upside this week in all leagues. He has at least 15 PPR points in two of his past three outings, with at least eight targets in each game over that span.
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Stefon Diggs should have a dominant game against the Jaguars this week, but I also like Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders as starters. All three should benefit if Dawson Knox (hand) remains out, and Beasley was exceptional in Week 8 against Miami with 10 catches for 110 yards on 13 targets. He now has at least 20 PPR points in three of his past five games, including two in a row, and he's a quality PPR receiver against the Jaguars. Sanders was shutout last week against Miami on four targets, but he did score at least 12 PPR points in each of the four games prior to Week 8 and should rebound this week. Jacksonville has allowed 11 receivers to score at least 12 PPR points this year
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Cooks will hopefully be OK for the rest of the season now that the trade deadline has passed and he's stuck in Houston. It would be great if Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) starts this week against Miami, but I have no problem trusting Cooks against the Dolphins even with Davis Mills under center. Cooks has scored at least 17 PPR points in two of his past three games, and Miami has allowed the third-most Fantasy points to opposing receivers in the past three weeks. In those past three games, eight receivers from Jacksonville, Atlanta and Buffalo have scored at least 12 PPR points, and Cooks will hopefully reach that threshold or higher in this matchup.
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We don't know if Odell Beckham is going to play this week after he was excused from practice Wednesday, and the Browns could decide to release him. That would be great news for Landry's Fantasy value because he has thrived when Beckham has been out. In the past six games Beckham has missed and Landry has played in full, Landry has scored at least 11 PPR points in each outing, with an average of 18.8 PPR points over that span. Landry just had 10 targets in Week 8 against the Steelers, so hopefully Baker Mayfield continues to look for him. And the Bengals have allowed four receivers to score at least 11 PPR points in their past two games against the Ravens and Jets.
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Sleepers
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Higgins is more of a starter than a sleeper, but Fantasy managers are still a little hesitant to trust him because he's been overshadowed by Ja'Marr Chase this season. I get it, but hopefully the past two weeks are a sign that Higgins is coming around. He's scored 13 PPR points in each of his past two games against Baltimore and the Jets, and he has 21 targets over that span. Joe Burrow is starting to rely on Higgins more, and he should continue to deliver, especially this week against the Browns. Cleveland has allowed 10 receivers to score at least 11 PPR points this week, and I like Higgins as a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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Henry Ruggs III is no longer with the Raiders, which should help Renfrow and Bryan Edwards get more targets from Derek Carr. Both should be considered sleepers this week against the Giants, who have allowed 14 receivers to score 11 PPR points this year. Renfrow has scored at least 11 PPR points in four of his past five games, and he has at least seven targets in five outings this year. And Edwards just had his best Fantasy game in Week 7 against the Eagles before the Raiders bye with three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown on four targets, which should help his confidence heading into this matchup with the Giants.
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Crowder has played four games this season, and he's scored at least 16 PPR points in two of them, including Week 8 against the Bengals. He did that with Mike White under center and with Corey Davis (hip) out, and Crowder might have that same scenario again this week against the Colts, who are No. 2 in the NFL with 13 touchdowns allowed to receivers. Indianapolis also has allowed 10 receivers to score at least 11 PPR points this year. Against Cincinnati, Crowder had eight catches for 84 yards on nine targets, and he also threw a two-point conversion and lost a fumble. Crowder has top-24 upside in PPR for Week 9.
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Sammy Watkins (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, which could mean he's going to be out again in Week 9 against the Vikings. If that happens, consider Bateman a quality No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. Prior to Baltimore's bye in Week 8, Bateman had six targets in each of his previous two games, and he had three catches for 80 yards in Week 7 against Cincinnati. The Vikings have struggled with receivers all season and have allowed 11 receivers to score at least 12 PPR points. Marquise Brown should go off in this matchup, but Bateman is also worth consideration in three-receiver leagues.
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DeSean Jackson and the Rams parted ways Tuesday, which should be good news for Jefferson moving forward. He had 13 targets in his past two games against Detroit and Houston, and he scored at least 11 PPR points in each of those outings. Matthew Stafford will hopefully rely on him more moving forward, and he has a great matchup against the Titans in Week 9. The Titans allow the most receptions (132) and yards (1,728) to opposing receivers, and they are tied for third in touchdowns allowed (12). Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods should have big outings in Week 9, but Jefferson could also be a quality No. 3 Fantasy receiver as well.
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Sit 'Em
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Jones struggled in Week 8 at Seattle with five catches for 35 yards on seven targets, and he's now scored eight PPR points or less in three of his past four games. He should have another down outing this week against the Bills, who are No. 1 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. The only receivers to score against Buffalo this season have been Diontae Johnson in Week 1 and Byron Pringle in Week 5. Jones is someone to avoid in all leagues.
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Smith hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 1, and he's scored five PPR points or less in two of his past three games. He has a brutal matchup in Week 9 against the Chargers, who are No. 2 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. The only receivers to score against the Chargers this season have been Mecole Hardman in Week 3, Renfrow in Week 4 and Rashard Higgins in Week 5. Smith will hopefully make plays without the end zone, but he's only a No. 3 Fantasy receiver at best in most leagues.
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Toney is expected to play despite dealing with an injured hand, but I'm nervous to trust him this week against the Raiders. He doesn't appear to be at 100 percent after dealing with an injured ankle recently, and this isn't an easy matchup against the Raiders in Week 9. Las Vegas is No. 4 in Fantasy points allowed to receivers, and Daniel Jones hasn't played well enough of late to make you feel comfortable about Toney's outlook. Now, Toney could benefit with Sterling Shepard (thigh) likely out, but Kenny Golladay (knee) could return to usurp targets. I still like Toney as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week, but his upside feels capped.
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It's been a frustrating four-game stretch for Meyers, who is still looking for his first receiving touchdown this year -- and of his career. He's scored nine PPR points in three of his past four outings, with 11 his high over that span. This came after he had at least 16 PPR points in consecutive outings in Weeks 3 and 4. He's been at 56 receiving yards or fewer in each of his past four games, and he has five catches or less in each outing. You can't start Meyers in any non-PPR leagues because of his lack of touchdowns, but he's also risky in PPR. And this week's matchup against the Panthers could be tough since Carolina is No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to receivers, and the secondary got better last week with former Patriots star Stephon Gilmore making his 2021 debut with his new team.
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Bust Alert
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Jerry Jeudy has played two games with the Broncos this season, and Sutton has posted minimal stats in both outings. Sutton had two PPR points in Week 1 at the Giants in a game where Jeudy couldn't finish because of an ankle injury. And in Week 8 against Washington, Sutton had two catches for 40 yards on four targets. The Broncos didn't throw much against the Football Team and will likely air it out more against the Cowboys in Week 9. But Sutton goes from a must-start Fantasy receiver when Jeudy was out to more of a questionable No. 3 option. The matchup isn't tough since Dallas is No. 25 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, but Sutton might just struggle in a shared lead role when Jeudy is on the field.
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