Who to Start in Fantasy Football? NFL Week 9 First Look & Projections
Only the 49ers and Steelers are on a bye in Week 9, leaving plenty of start and sit decisions for fantasy football this week. Among the more appealing matchups for Week 9 is the Packers hosting the Lions, and the Cowboys visiting the Falcons in Atlanta.
In this first look at the PrizePicks board, we have a wide variety of projections to consider on PrizePicks to help decide who to start in fantasy football. Let’s take an early look at the NFL board and highlight some of the more appealing players to start in fantasy football this week at each position.
If you’re looking for real money action on NFL Week 9, PrizePicks is the easiest way to play. Just pick more or less on at least two player projections — like the ones below — and lock in your Lineup for Sunday football.
On PrizePicks, you can build new Lineups every week, so the season isn’t over until the Super Bowl.
Use Promo Code "Playbook": Get $50 instantly after your first $5 NFL Lineup
Who to Start in Fantasy Football? Week 9
Here’s our full list of who to start in fantasy football for Week 9. Click the player to view their PrizePicks Projections
- Who to Start: Quarterbacks
- Who to Start: Running Backs
- Who to Start: Wide Receivers
- Who to Start: Tight Ends
Who to Start in Week 9: Quarterbacks
Broncos QB Bo Nix 212.5 Pass Yards — More
Broncos QB Bo Nix took advantage of a favorable matchup against the Panthers last week to throw for 284 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded a rushing touchdown, which was his fourth rushing score of the season.
Another favorable matchup awaits him in Week 9 against the Ravens. As good as the Ravens’ offense is, their defense has allowed the highest explosive pass percentage (16.25%) in the league, per 4for4 Fantasy Football. The Ravens are also tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (17) in the league.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels 235.5 Pass Yards — More
A rib injury did not prevent Commanders QB Jayden Daniels from playing against the Bears last week. He finished with 326 passing yards and one touchdown, which came on a miracle Hail Mary pass to end the game. Daniels wasn’t hesitant to run, either, turning eight carries into 52 yards.
Daniels has rushed for at least 44 yards in six of eight games. That’s a noteworthy stat because the Giants have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to quarterbacks in the league. Their 7.61 yards per pass attempt allowed is also tied for the seventh-highest mark.
The combination of the dual-threat makes Daniels a prime candidate to start at QB in fantasy football this week.
Use Promo Code "Playbook": Get $50 instantly after your first $5 NFL Lineup
Who to Start in Week 9: Running Backs
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley 88.5 Rush Yards — More
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley ran for 108 yards against the Bengals last week, marking his fourth game with at least 100 rushing yards this season. He has rushed for fewer than 84 yards in only one game this year.
One of the reasons for his lofty rushing projections is that he has received at least 17 carries in six of his seven games.
The Jaguars are allowing 27.1 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in PPR scoring formats, which is tied for the second-most in the league. Another juicy stat line could be on the horizon for Barkley.
Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. 61.5 Rush Yards — More
Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. turned 17 carries into 133 yards against the Giants in Week 2. He has also recorded at least 65 rushing yards in four of his last six games.
The Giants have allowed the ninth-highest explosive rush percentage (11.11%) per 4for4, leaving Robinson with significant upside in this rematch.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara 70.5 Rush Yards — More
After a disappointing performance versus the Broncos in Week 7, Saints RB Alvin Kamara bounced back with 122 total yards against the Chargers on Sunday. He was the focal point of the Saints offense, receiving 10 carries and 11 targets as they struggled through QB issues with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
It doesn’t get much better than his Week 9 matchup versus the Panthers, who have allowed the highest Expected Points Added per play (0.12) in the league, per 4for4. When he faced them in Week 1, Kamara finished with 110 total yards and a touchdown.
It’s worth noting that although Kamara hasn’t seen 15 carries in the last four games, in the four games that the Saints have won or lost by one possession, Kamara averaged 20 carries per game. Stick with Kamara in your starting lineups again this week.
Who to Start in Week 9: Wide Receivers
Eagles WR A.J. Brown 79.5 Receiving Yards — More
Eagles WR A.J. Brown caught five of six targets for 84 yards against the Bengals last week. He has posted at least 84 receiving yards in all four games that he has played in, thanks to him having an average depth of target of 13.3 yards and averaging 6.2 yards after the catch.
He’s averaging over 100 yards per game. Look for him to smoke the Jaguars, who have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to wide receivers (1,417) in the league.
Falcons WR Drake London 69.5 Receiving Yards — More
Falcons WR Drake London was held in check by the Buccaneers last week, catching four of six targets for 34 yards. That broke his streak of five-straight games with at least six receptions and 63 receiving yards.
This is a good bounce-back spot for London against the Cowboys, who have allowed the fifth-highest explosive pass percentage (14.94%) in the league, per 4for4.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton 51.5 Receiving Yards – MORE
With Nix picking apart the Panthers on Sunday, Broncos WR Courtland Sutton caught eight of 11 targets for 100 yards. That marked the fourth time this season that Sutton has received at least nine targets in a game.
The Broncos should be forced to throw a lot against the Ravens, considering that the Ravens have averaged the second-most points per game (30.3) in the league.
Plenty of targets against a bad secondary leaves Sutton as an appealing fantasy option.
Use Promo Code "Playbook": Get $50 instantly after your first $5 NFL Lineup
Who to Start in Week 9: Tight End
Browns TE David Njoku 57.5 Receiving Yards — More
Browns TE David Njoku had another big game last week, catching five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. In two games since the Browns traded WR Amari Cooper to the Bills, Njoku has caught 15 of 21 targets for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
Njoku seems to have benefited greatly from the switch to QB Jameis Winston being the guy under center. The Chargers have a good defense, but they are tied for the eighth-most receptions allowed to tight ends this season.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta 41.5 Receiving Yards — More
Lions WR Jameson Williams is set to miss his second straight game because of a suspension this week. With him sidelined last week, Lions TE Sam LaPorta received a season high six targets. He caught all of them, finishing with 48 yards and a touchdown.
Another increased workload could be in the cards for him against the Packers, who have allowed the fourth-most receptions to tight ends in the league.
Build Your Week 9 NFL DFS Lineup on PrizePicks
Only two teams will be on a bye during Week 9, one of which is a Steelers team that isn’t exactly loaded with fantasy-friendly options. However, injuries across the league could still make for some difficult start or sit decisions in fantasy football.
You can get in on the action in Week 9 by building a team on PrizePicks for the Sunday main slate. There are no salary constraints, so pick two or more projections for your favorite players, finalize your lineup, sit back, and enjoy the games.
Use Promo Code "Playbook": Get $50 instantly after your first $5 NFL Lineup
Follow Mike Barner for more NFL Picks: @rotomikebarner
More Resources from PrizePicks
