Fantasy Start 'Ems, Sit 'Ems Week 9: Start DK Metcalf, sit Tom Brady and the Jets defense
Justin K. Aller/Steph Chambers/David Eulitt/Getty Images; Rachel Mendelson/Insider
- The NFL season is in full swing.
- Each week, we're listing players to start or sit in fantasy football.
- Here are our Start 'Em, Sit 'Ems for Week 9 of the NFL season.
AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Week 9 opponent: at Detroit Lions
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,900 / FanDuel — $7,000
Why you should start him: Rodgers has been a disaster recently, but there is reason for optimism that he will break out of his funk this week. First is the news that his thumb is getting better. More importantly, he is facing the Lions, who have given up a league-worst 32.1 points per game and have the fifth-worst pass defense.
AP Photo/Rusty Jones
Week 9 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,000 / FanDuel — $6,900
Why you should sit him: Brady has been inconsistent in games, leading to him being consistently mediocre. The yardage is there, but the touchdowns are not coming. Until Brady shows his head is in the right place, the Rams do not seem like a good place to start.
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Week 9 opponent: at Arizona Cardinals
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,200 / FanDuel — $8,300
Why you should start him: Walker did not get a ton of yards last week (51), but he scored a touchdown for the fourth straight game. More importantly, he has at least 18 carries in each of the last three games, including a 21-carry, 97-yard performance against the Cardinals in Week 6.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,900 / FanDuel — $6,100
Why you should sit him: The Titans are the second-stingiest defense when it comes to giving up rushing yards, at just 89.1 per game. In addition, Edwards-Helaire has just 15 carries and one target through the air in last two games combined.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,300/ FanDuel — $7,600
Why you should start him: After Etienne only had double-digit carries and failed to break 50 yards in the first four games of the season, he has had at least 10 carries and 70 yards in every game since. That includes a 24-carry, 156-yard performance last week. This week he gets the Raiders, which just gave up three touchdowns to Alvin Kamara.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,900 / FanDuel — $7,500
Why you should sit him: The Lions are easing D'Andre Swift back into the lineup, which means he should see an increase over his five carries and five targets from last week, his first game back. That means fewer opportunities for Williams in a game where they will likely be playing catch-up in the second half.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,500 / FanDuel — $6,300
Why you should start him: Kirk has at least nine targets in half the games this season. He will likely go over that number against the Raiders, who give up nearly 260 yards per game passing.
AP Photo/Danny Karnik
Week 9 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,700 / FanDuel — $7,000
Why you should sit him: Thomas has missed five straight games with a foot injury. At best, he plays at less than 100% against the Ravens. At worst, you don't find out until Monday afternoon that he is out again, and you are stuck with terrible backup options. You are better off just picking somebody else.
AP Photo/Jeff Dean
Week 9 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $7,300 / FanDuel — $8,000
Why you should start him: Higgins only had six targets against the Browns, his lowest total since Week 1. However, he did pull in a long touchdown late in the game. With Ja'Marr Chase still out, look for Joe Burrow to find Higgins earlier and more often in the game against the Panthers.
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
Week 9 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,400 / FanDuel — $6,800
Why you should sit him: It's a cliché to say that you can't predict where the ball will go in the Patriots offense from week to week. But Meyers' targets over the last four games are all over the place (8, 4, 2, 13). After a big game against the Jets last week and the decent Colts pass defense this week, this feels like an off week for Meyers.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,900 / FanDuel — $7,200
Why you should start him: In two games with Taylor Heinicke under center, McLaurin has combined for 11 catches, 186 yards and a score. He also had eight targets in each of those games. With the porous Vikings pass defense coming to town, McLaurin is a must-start.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,200 / FanDuel — $5,600
Why you should sit him: While McLaurin has thrived with Heinicke, Samuel has seen his targets suffer. After averaging over eight targets per game in the first six weeks, he has just 12 in the last two games, including four last week.
AP Photo/Ron Schwane
Week 9 opponent: at Arizona Cardinals
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,400 / FanDuel — $7,400
Why you should start him: Metcalf is questionable, but if he plays, he should start. He had 10 targets and a score last week at less than 100%.
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Week 9 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $4,800 / FanDuel — $5,800
Why you should start him: The Falcons are one of the worst defenses against tight ends this season. With the Chargers dealing with injuries at wide receiver, they should lean even more on Everett this week.
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Week 9 opponent: at Washington Commanders
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,000/ FanDuel — $6,200
Why you should sit him: With Hockenson traded to the Vikings this week, it is a tough ask for him to know much more than just a handful of plays. And even then, he is going up against the Commanders, who have allowed just one touchdown to tight ends this season.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $4,000/ FanDuel — $4,400
Why you should start him: The Bengals have given up 17 or fewer points in four of the last six games. This week they get PJ Walker at quarterback, who is making just his sixth career start.
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Week 9 opponent: vs. Buffalo Bills
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $2,000 / FanDuel — $3,400
Why you should start him: The Jets defense has been solid most of the year. But this week, it is facing Josh Allen and the Bills. There are better options.