Week 9 of the NFL season has arrived! Injuries have thrown a wrench into multiple receiving corps around the league, so it’s time to take a deep dive into the position.
Let’s break down my Week 9 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football wide receiver picks.
Start ‘Em: Josh Downs (Colts) at Vikings
With Joe Flacco under center, Downs burst onto the scene as a legitimate fantasy WR1, racking up at least 15 PPR points in three straight games.
Upon Anthony Richardson’s return for Indy, fantasy managers proceeded with caution, as the former first-rounder has really struggled with his confidence in the pocket. Personally, I needed to see an established rapport between the two before trusting Downs in my fantasy lineups. Last Sunday, that’s exactly what happened, as the speedster caught four of nine targets for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Now, that won’t even matter. Amidst Richardson’s struggles, the Colts are going back to Joe Flacco for this week’s clash against Minnesota. With that being the case, fire Downs up as a low-end WR1.
Sit ‘Em: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks) vs. Rams
Typically a prime example of consistency, Lockett produced at least 11 PPR points from Weeks 4 to 6. That last two weeks haven’t up to par, however, as the veteran has racked up just five receptions for 51 yards.
That’s not what fantasy managers were hoping for, as Lockett was expected to receive an uptick in usage with DK Metcalf sidelined. This week, Metcalf is expected to return to the lineup, which doesn’t bode well for Seattle’s WR3. To make matters worse, the Seahawks are facing the Rams, who have been relatively stout against opposing receivers as of late.
Lockett has WR3/FLEX upside, but I wouldn’t trust him until he re-establishes his consistent rapport with Geno Smith.
Check out my full Week 9 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Cedric Tillman (Browns) vs. Chargers
This guy will be the No. 1 waiver claim — if he’s still available — for a reason.
Tillman burst onto the scene in Week 7 after Amari Cooper was traded, establishing himself as Cleveland’s new top receiver. Fantasy managers were eager to see if this would be recurring theme the next time he took the field with a new quarterback, and sure enough, Jameis Winston found him seven times for 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
After failing to score four combined PPR points over the first six weeks of the season, Tillman has now racked up a whopping 47 in his last two outings. That bump in production should continue against the Chargers as Cleveland’s offense has new life.
Fantasy Advice Twitter Takeover
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Sit ‘Em: Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins) at Bills
We’re going to the opposing receiving room in this matchup for my sit of the week.
No one is questioning Waddle’s talent, as the speedster produced three straight 1,000-yard seasons to open his career. As things currently stand, that streak will end with this campaign, as Waddle has racked up just 314 yards through eight weeks. That’s not entirely his fault, as Tua Tagovailoa has missed significant time. However, the 25-year-old struggled even in Tua’s return to action, catching just four balls for 45 yards.
This week, Waddle draws a tough matchup against Buffalo, who allow the sixth-fewest fantasy points to receivers. Keep Waddle on your bench until he re-establishes his rapport with Tagovailoa.
Start ‘Em: Khalil Shakir (Bills) vs. Dolphins
The biggest beneficiary from the Amari Cooper trade may just be his fellow receiver. For the second straight week following Cooper’s introduction to Buffalo’s offense, Shakir was heavily involved. The 24-year-old caught nine of 10 targets for 107 yards, leading the way as Josh Allen’s top target.
That may not be the case every week as Cooper continues to work his way into the offense, but Shakir’s established rapport with Allen has resulted in consistent fantasy production. With a clear top target now on the outside, that only opens up room for him to feast in the slot. He should be featured heavily once again this week in a pivotal AFC East clash against Miami.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 9 fantasy football wide receiver picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice later this week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
