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What to do with Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder, Demaryius Thomas in Week 9 fantasy football

The Jets give their Top-3 wide receivers similar opportunity, which of Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder, Demaryius Thomas can take advantage in Week 9?

New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson looks on during warmups before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets receivers get a great matchup this week against the Dolphins, but who is in line to see the most significant fantasy benefits? Over the last four games, Demaryius Thomas has played a big role with the team, so let’s take a look at those games to help us see how Sam Darnold is using his receivers.

Over the last four games, Robby Anderson leads the receivers with an 88 percent snap share, then Thomas at 73 percent and Crowder comes in at 71 percent. Targets have been distributed Thomas 27, Anderson 25, and Crowder 22. Air yards are at Anderson 342 yards, Thomas 320 and Crowder 239. Results have been mostly in Thomas’ favor, as he’s put up a 16/214 line to Anderson’s 11/194/1 and Crowder’s 15/158.

Overall the stats have been relatively even, with Anderson holding the most upside due to his big-play ability and Thomas showing a consistent floor. Still, none have put up substantial numbers, as Darnold hasn’t looked good in his last two games against the Patriots and Jaguars and Week 5 being a dreaded Luke Falk affair. But the skies are clearing with a game against Miami.

Fantasy football analysis: New York Jets WRs Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder, Demaryius Thomas

Last week the Dolphins gave up big games to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson on Monday night. On the year, they’ve given up two-touchdown games to Marquise Brown, Amari Cooper, and Terry McLaurin. And no other team has allowed as many fantasy points per reception. Now they will be without their best cornerback, Xavien Howard, for the rest of the year.

So the matchup is good enough for any of the Jets receivers to have a chance to put up good numbers this week, but can we predict who has the best chance? The answer, of course, is always maybe, but that doesn’t stop us from trying!

The absence of Howard is significant for Robby Anderson. He won’t see his shadow coverage, so any other Dolphins’ defensive back he faces will be a relief. Crowder also gets an advantageous matchup, as Miami has been giving up big numbers to slot receivers this year. Opponents have completed 33-of-49 passes for 490 yards and seven touchdowns when targeting their slot receivers against the Dolphins. Crowder hasn’t seen the targets he had earlier in the year now with Thomas playing, but that could change in such a soft matchup.

Thomas remains a good target and has gotten enough work of late to start, but it does seem like this might be the week where Crowder and Anderson take priority. The continued absence of Chris Herndon helps, but we’ve yet to see an upside game from Thomas despite consistent work.

Traditional Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation

Start Robby Anderson across all leagues.

Start Jamison Crowder across all leagues but prioritize in PPR.

Start Demaryius Thomas in deeper leagues as a WR4.

DraftKings DFS Recommendation

This game has a chance to give Darnold some redemption after two awful performances, and I expect him to get back on track. Stacking Darnold ($5,900) with Anderson ($5,500) and Crowder ($5,300) in GPPs is a good strategy while using Anderson alone for upside and Crowder for PPR safety make sense.