Bye Weeks: Chicago, Cleveland,
LA Chargers, Minnesota, New England, Pittsburgh
This is one of those fun weeks when you get to explore the depth
at receiving positions, only to find that TE is gross and players
like Stefon Diggs and Antonio Brown aren’t as easily replaceable
as some would have you to believe. But if you’re in need
of some players to trust, you’re in the right place. And
as an added bonus, I’ll dash your high hopes for a few players
you might be looking at as starters.
Will Fuller's insane TD efficiency will
come to an end at some point. Until then, no need to bench
him.
Grab a Helmet
Will
Fuller vs. Indianapolis: At some point, Fuller’s touchdown
production will regress back to the mean. He’s currently scoring
on 31.8 percent of his targets and is leading WRs on a points per
game basis, which would seem to be unsustainable. But this isn’t
the week to bench any of your Texans. The Colts allow the fifth
most fantasy points (23.9) to opposing WRs. Six wide receivers have
scored at least 10 fantasy points against the Colts. Both DeAndre
Hopkins and Will Fuller are top 12 WRs for the week.
Ted
Ginn Jr. vs. Tampa Bay: Ginn isn’t super consistent,
but he has managed to score double digits in three of the team’s
seven games. With Willie Snead not reestablished in the Saints’
offense, Ginn has emerged as the clear WR2 behind Michael Thomas.
And with a positive matchup on deck, Ginn appears to have increased
value in Week 9. Tampa Bay allows the second most points to opposing
WRs and has allowed 8 touchdowns over seven games. Ginn needs
only one big play to return value as a WR2, but it may require
some patience as he’s only exceeded five targets on two occasions
this season.
Delanie
Walker vs. Baltimore: If you’re a Delanie Walker owner,
you might be a little disappointed with his season, so far. Walker
ranks 15th in fantasy points among TEs. But he’s also averaging
seven targets per game which ranks sixth among TEs and he’s yet
to have a game under four targets. And now he faces a positive
matchup. Baltimore allows the seventh most points to the position,
including two games over 10 fantasy points. Walker should return
low-end TE1 value in Week 9. Walker is dealing with an ankle injury
and didn’t practice on Wednesday so make sure he’s good to go
before plugging him into your lineup.
Grab Some Wood
All Titans WRs vs. Baltimore: I wanted to single out a
single receiver for the Tennessee Titans, but they’re all terrible
plays this week, including rookie Corey Davis who should return
from his hamstring injury. Of the bunch, Rishard Mathews has been
the most effective for fantasy and he ranks 43rd among WRs with
only one game with more than 10 fantasy points. Baltimore allows
the second fewest points to WRs and the inconsistent usage of
the group makes this team a complete stay-away, if possible.
Nelson
Agholor vs. Denver: Agholor has been a fun redemption
story this season and he currently stands as the WR11, but this
is the week to leave him on your bench. Despite the offense scoring
more than 20 points every game this season, this is the most difficult
matchup their WRs have faced. Denver allows the fourth fewest
points to opposing fantasy WRs. The Denver defense has yet to
allow two WRs on the same team to score more than 10 points and
with Jeffery still leading the team in targets, he’s the safer
Eagle receiver.
Cameron
Brate @ New Orleans: I like Cameron Brate’s redzone
usage as much as anyone, but he’s got an unfavorable matchup
against a Saints defense that has only allowed one double-digit
TE performance in 2017 (Rob Gronkowski) and allows the seventh
fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Playing Brate has largely
been touchdown chasing despite ranking fourth in total fantasy
points and the Saints have only allowed three tight end touchdowns
this season. Brate is a risky play and ranks as a TE2 this week.
