NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Drop
Rex Burkhead & James White
NFL: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Despite winning a Super Bowl in 2019, the Patriots offense has been something to avoid in fantasy with the exception of their franchise quarterback and Julian Edelman.
Committing to spread the ball amongst RBs is great for game-planning, but not so great for fantasy managers. It's always been a gamble with Patriots running backs, but in a 3-5 season, James White and Rex Burkhead haven't gotten the necessary volume to maintain a bench spot. While waivers are always thin at RBs, avoid starting these two at all costs.
Syndication: The Enquirer
The #Steelers now own the second-best #SuperBowlLV odds after beating the #Ravens to improve to 7-0.… https://t.co/2TV3fazOpg— Steelers Now (@Steelers Now) 1604429236.0
Lamar Jackson said that the #Chiefs are the #Ravens "kryptonite" - what does it make the Steelers? Lamar's career… https://t.co/Sc6PC3vYYM— Dov Kleiman (@Dov Kleiman) 1604421264.0
If you're competing for your own divisional title in your fantasy league, here are the drops, swaps and shops to make in Week 9.
Drop
Mo Alie-Cox
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
Colin Boyle/IndyStar via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Alie-Cox had promising performances in Weeks 2-4, but after a knee injury sidelined him in Week 5, he hasn't been much of a fantasy factor since then. While he recently returned in Week 8, his workload has gone to Jack Doyle and Trey Burton, meaning Alie-Cox is third in line for tight end work. He's only rostered in three percent of ESPN Leagues, but if Mo Alie-Cox is still on your roster, it's best to leave him on the wire.
Also, some notes on the Colts' target share since Burton's return in Week 4: Frank Reich was literally showing Bu… https://t.co/b5dQX8MICM— Isaiah Sirois (@Isaiah Sirois) 1603156609.0
Swap
Corey Davis
Syndication: The Enquirer
Kareem Elgazzar via Imagn Content Services, LLC
After a bye week and two weeks out with injury, Corey Davis was sitting on waiver wires everywhere until last week—he was picked up in 30.4 percent of leagues, and he's now rostered in 52.4 percent of them. Chances are 50/50 as to whether he's available or not, but do whatever you have to land the number one receiver in the Titans offense. In Week 8, Davis landed eight catches for 128 yards and a touchdown, so it looks like this guy is back on track for a significant season.
Conversely look at the difference for Corey Davis. Again small sample but he has performed SIGNIFICANTLY better wit… https://t.co/RvwTHpDfYN— Jordan Richards (@Jordan Richards) 1604423138.0
DJ Moore
NFL: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Don't let his fantasy points fool you: DJ Moore is a high risk, high reward play, but he's been pretty high reward the past few weeks. Three weeks in a row, Moore turned four or five passes into 93 yards each game, scoring three touchdowns in that three-game spread. While he doesn't get a lot of targets per game, Moore is a deep threat that sees a lot of opportunities, especially for touchdowns, so he's an ideal flex for the remainder of this season.
Receiving Yds #NFL 1. DeAndre Hopkins 704 2. Stefon Diggs 695 3. Robby Anderson 688 4. DK Metcalf 680 5. Calvin Ri… https://t.co/TjL0wAVLp4— El Ovoide (@El Ovoide) 1604416111.0
Chase Edmonds
NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports
Coming off a bye week, Chase Edmonds is ready to run the Arizona backfield as the top RB option in Week 9. With Kenyan Drake expected to be out for the next few weeks, Edmonds could be someone you want to trade for if you have a few extra wide receivers and lack RB depth. Edmonds is a pass-catching back, which bolsters his fantasy value enough to make him a safe bet as long as he starts.
@Rotoworld_FB Oh really, I was only expecting to ride Chase Edmonds to glory the next few weeks. I’m just gonna go… https://t.co/xE71IXJ7Q4— Flex RB (@Flex RB) 1604328579.0
Shop
Zack Moss
NFL: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
In a game prediction I wrote for PatriotMaven, I predicted that Bill Belichick would force the Bills to rely on the run. While that turned out to be true, what I didn't anticipate was that Zack Moss would be so good at it. In his highest amount of snaps this season, Moss took 14 carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns. It seems more and more like Moss is the future of the Bills backfield—if he's available in your league, invest in him for the remainder of the Bills' season.
@thadbrown7 Zack Moss be like. https://t.co/fWBp9ndPRu— #BILLSMAFIA-TJDMCR (@#BILLSMAFIA-TJDMCR) 1604425044.0
Kendrick Bourne
NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
As we said in Week 7, the 49ers roster is like a revolving door: each week, a new player gets injured, and a new guy comes to take his place. With Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out, Nick Mullens is likely to rely on Bourne, who is owned in only 9.3 percent of ESPN leagues. As with many NFL teams at this point in the season, Bourne is a sure bet because… he's the only one left to bet on.
WR Pickups: Owned in less than 50% of leagues Curtis Samuel Mecole Hardman Marvin Hall Jakobi Meyers Denzel Mims… https://t.co/MdsF0gTDlR— TheFantasyInsiders (@TheFantasyInsiders) 1604419683.0
Logan Thomas
NFL: Washington Football Team at New York Giants
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
If you are reeling from the loss of Kittle and Bourne isn't right for your roster, consider picking up Logan Thomas. While his target share is concerning, Thomas made the most of his catches by scoring a touchdown in each of his last two games. Although he got four targets, he scored second in most major receiving categories in Week 7, and he stands to benefit against the Giants in Week 9 and from being in football's worst division this year.
TE Pickups: Owned in less than 50% of leagues Eric Ebron Trey Burton Jordan Reed Logan Thomas Ross Dwelley Albert… https://t.co/FD5oS4L4JR— TheFantasyInsiders (@TheFantasyInsiders) 1604436361.0
NFL: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Drop
Julian Edelman
NFL: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
It was heartbreaking to watch the bromance between Tom Brady and Julian Edelman dissolve this season, but what's even more heartbreaking is that the Patriots' top receiver isn't putting up justifiable numbers for any fantasy roster.
AB and Brady are officially reunited with the Bucs. Julian Edelman: https://t.co/B0O6PoTQFD— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) 1603823167.0
To be clear, the 34-year-old receiver's still got it—he put up a 179 yard game in Week 2—but that was against the hole-ridden Seahawks secondary. In the four weeks since, he's put up 13.32 total points, which makes him a non-starter. If you have trouble letting go of Jules, keep him on your bench for another week in case he finds redemption against the Bills.
Michael Gallup
NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys are lighting the way in the NFC East… as a brightly-lit dumpster fire in an abysmal division. Despite the losses, Cowboys receivers were hot at the beginning of the season, but with Dak's departure, Michael Gallup's fantasy value went with him. Andy Dalton hasn't delivered since throwing Gallup a few surprise passes in Week 5, and besides a 22-point outlier scored against the Seahawks, he hasn't broken 10 points all season. With an upcoming Steelers matchup followed by a bye, Gallup's a WR3 that belongs on the wire.
@JeffRatcliffe Dump Michael Gallup for Rashard Higgins? #ratpack— B. 😷✊🏽⚔️👑😇 (@B. 😷✊🏽⚔️👑😇) 1603814653.0
Noah Fant
NFL: Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, Noah Fant is the 12th-ranked fantasy tight end and the unequivocal starter for the Denver Broncos. But if you look closely at Fant's numbers, you'll see that in his past four games, he's gotten five or less targets for under 50 yards. His first two weeks were fantastic, but if Fant isn't getting touchdowns, he's not getting enough points to start on your roster. If you're not ready to drop Fant, at least start looking for a replacement as you wait and see.
"It takes everyone to fix this passing game," Broncos Noah Fant. "We aren't living up to our potential." https://t.co/mQmPL7r910— Dave Althouse (@Dave Althouse) 1603821486.0
Swap
Ezekiel Elliott
NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Football Team
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Ezekiel Elliott clearly wants to be fed—he's trying to trademark "Feed Me" after tattooing it on his stomach—but that doesn't change the fact that Zeke now runs in an opportunity-starved offense. The Cowboys are a sinking ship, meaning it might be time to jump and trade the prolific running back to save your season.
'Playing The Heel': @WWE Wrestler Assaults #Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott Claiming 'Stolen' 'Feed Me' Slogan… https://t.co/4Q66qV7JGJ— fishsports (@fishsports) 1601590729.0
It could just be two bad games in a row, it could be a sign of a dismal season to come, but Zeke is still a huge name with a lot of pull on the trading block. If you're feeling uncertain about his future production, at least see what you can pull for the hungriest RB in the game.
Ronald Jones
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Las Vegas Raiders
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
A surprising star in a refurbished offense, Ronald Jones is the 12th-ranked running back that's been getting an average 13.2 fantasy points per game this season. However, the arrival of Leonard Fournette in a constantly-shifting offense could spell trouble for this dynamic back. Jones will likely remain a fixture in the Bucs offense, but now is the time to sell high before Fournette steps in for more carries.
From Weeks 4-6 without Fournette, Ronald Jones had a 14% target share. Leonard Fournette had 7 targets today, 17%… https://t.co/4PP0pvdd7p— Frank Stampfl (@Frank Stampfl) 1603669675.0
Terry McLaurin
NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Football Team
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
If you can afford to trade for "Scary Terry" during his Halloween bye week, he's a player worth having for the rest of the season. McLaurin has shined on a struggling offense—he's scored at least 10 points in five games, despite only scoring two touchdowns during that whole stretch. McLaurin makes the most of what he gets, and with an increased target share (he's kind of Washington Team's entire passing offense), expect McLaurin to remain solid as the season progresses.
Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs took a swipe at Terry McLaurin. The next play, Scary Terry burned him for a 54-yard to… https://t.co/HpkCPqt5Ce— B/R Gridiron (@B/R Gridiron) 1603651240.0
Shop
Nelson Agholor
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Las Vegas Raiders
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Maybe all Nelson Agholor needed was a change in scenery—since leaving the Eagles, Agholor's more than made up for the negative reputation he developed while there. In the absence of a preseason, Agholor's been developing a rapport with Carr over the past two months, which is finally coming to fruition: he's scored a touchdown in his last three games. Agholor even fared well against a tough Bucs defense, and with Waller drawing attention from secondaries, Agholor stands to see more targets for the remainder of this season. Somehow, he's only rostered in three percent of ESPN leagues, but don't expect that to be the case for too long.
We are at the point we all knew we would be with this season with more than one waiver column suggesting the addition of Nelson Agholor.— Former WeiYan gank tracker (@Former WeiYan gank tracker) 1603820351.0
Rashard Higgins
NFL: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Although the Browns' Dream Team 2.0 never really happened, there are some fantasy-worthy players to be found in that offense. In the absence of Odell Beckham Jr., Rashard Higgins stepped up his game this week, catching six targets for 110 yards against the Bengals. OBJ is out for the season, which means that Higgins should be in your waiver wire bids alongside teammate Harrison Bryant.
Logging on for the 10th season in a row to fulfill my annual duty of declaring Rashard Higgins a must-add in fantasy https://t.co/xesz8AMwjB— Matt Harmon (@Matt Harmon) 1603820284.0
Brandon Aiyuk
NFL: San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The disaster capitalism that has allowed some to profit from coronavirus also applies to fantasy rosters: every injured starter represents an opportunity for someone new. Rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk has benefitted from the dilapidated 49ers roster, as he notched a season-high 115 yards in a win against the Patriots. As the 49ers face off against that aforementioned Seahawks secondary in Week 8, you could potentially flex Aiyuk and see where it goes from there.
Hall of Famer Jerry Rice praises former ASU star receiver Brandon Aiyuk after 100-yard day https://t.co/IMTqL3LDIF— Arizona Sports (@Arizona Sports) 1603823282.0
Hall of Famer Jerry Rice praises former ASU star receiver Brandon Aiyuk after 100-yard day https://t.co/IMTqL3LDIF— Arizona Sports (@Arizona Sports) 1603823282.0
