and rankings… cut out the fluff.
I guess I should take the inquiry as a compliment. I simply felt most of my readers weren’t that interested in my life lessons, real world examples and connections to Fantasy Football, etc. They just want the fun, accurate rankings and of course, GIFs!
Maybe I’ll drop one or two meatier intros this year, although, work is consuming nearly 90 hours a week during the football season with all of the writing, video and radio (hey, listen!).
In fact, I might be one of those people without time for the fluff too. So… time to deal up the Week 9 rankings and sleepers… heck, you probably aren’t even reading this!
As a reminder, if you missed this week’s Waiver Wire and Quarterback Streamers piece, click over to find help at every position, including quarterback streamers.
Week 9 QB Sleepers
Colin Kaepernick, SF – Despite not reaching 190 passing yards in either start, Kaepernick’s rushing ability helped him notch a QB15 rank in both games. Kaepernick has 66 and 84 rushing yards in his two starts, and he hasn’t even run for a score yet. Think about it; if Kaep rushes for 80 yards or just 20 and a score, that’s two free touchdowns. He’s thrown one in each game, which all adds up to Kaepernick averaging three touchdowns per start, and he faces a Saints defense ranking among the worst against the pass and run.
Week 9 RB Sleepers
Tim Hightower and Mark Ingram, NO – Obviously, Ingram is a big risk after last week, but Sean Payton is at least saying the right things, and by right things, I am referring to Ingram “still having a key role.” This could be the first time in years that the Saints utilize a timeshare, which would give both running backs value. The 49ers are the only team in the NFL with over 1,100 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns allowed. Hightower and Ingram carry risk but also carry RB2 value with potential for more.
Antone Smith, TB – Revenge game!
No, I kid. But Smith is the more explosive option for the Buccaneers. We can expect Peyton Barber to see the early down work, but as with Jacquizz Rodgers before him, Smith could easily succeed as more than just a change-of-pace option. What helps Smith even more is the fact that the Falcons have allowed the second most receiving touchdowns and yards to running backs.
Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon, BAL – As with the Saints, the Ravens backfield is dicey, especially with John Harbaugh talking up Dixon during their bye. The Steelers started the season strong against the run, but over the last four weeks, only the 49ers are allowing more FPPG to running backs. In addition, the Steelers have allowed the fourth most rushing touchdowns and third most receiving yards to opposing RBs. The upside is here, but so is the risk.
Week 9 WR Sleepers
Sammie Coates, PIT – Obviously contingent on Ben Roethlisberger being at quarterback, Coates is finally living up to the preseason hype some of us poured over him. Even if Landry Jones is under center, there is still big-play ability with Coates, but the best news is that Darrius Heyward-Bey is the team’s No. 3 receiver. Yes, not only has Markus Wheaton fallen behind DHB, it’s clear that the team values Coates’ ability as their No. 2 across from Antonio Brown. Oh, and the Browns give up the third most FPPG to receivers with a league high 13 touchdowns allowed.
Brian Quick, LA – No one is more forgiving to opposing receivers than the Panthers. In fact, they helped Carson Palmer rebound last week with 363 passing yards and three touchdowns – both season highs. Kenny Britt is a strong play this week, especially with six teams on a bye, but don’t overlook Quick. Not only is he WR40 on the year, but Quick also has double-digit PPR points in four of his last five games and 8.1 in the other.
Dontrelle Inman, SD – Travis Benjamin is going for a second opinion on his knee, and how many times have second opinions come back with good news? More often than not, it comes back with a Jamaal Charles level of disappointment.
Even if Benjamin plays, he’s behind Inman and Tyrell Williams in snaps over the last few weeks. Part of that could be due to the knee issue, but no matter the cause, Benjamin isn’t the second best option in San Diego anymore, it’s Inman. The Titans have given up 588 yards and five touchdowns to receivers over their last three games, and that include the Browns and Jaguars. If you need receiver help, Inman is a sneaky play in Week 9.
Week 9 TE Sleepers
Jason Witten, DAL – Very few teams haven’t dominated the Browns at the tight end position: Eagles (Zach Ertz a disappointment… if you bought in), Dolphins (who?), Bengals (Tyler Eifert limited return) and Jets (who part deux?). The Ravens, Redskins, Patriots and Titans combined for 442 yards and six touchdowns in the other four games. Tight end is thin this week, putting Witten in the TE1 discussion.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Rankings | Week 9 Flex Rankings
Week 9 Blind Spot Players
In case you’re new to this, the Fantasy Blind Spot refers to players that you want to target in tournaments, such as the Millionaire Maker, etc… contrarian players if you will. They usually have one of the following characteristics:
1) have been performing well but haven’t had a breakout game or big enough numbers to get Fantasy players talking, and/or
2) are in a price range of other more popular option, and/or
3) have frustrated with disappointing performances but have a great matchup to finally break through
DraftKings Week 9 Sleepers
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FanDuel Week 9 Sleepers
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Main Image Credit: Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire
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