Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 9: Justin Herbert, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Courtland Sutton are among the breakout picks

The Sporting News fantasy team is back with our fantasy football sleepers for Week 9. Bo Nix and Cedric Tillman highlighted this list in Week 8, and both went on to have top-3 weekly performances at their respective positions. In Tillman’s case, it appears he is one of Jameis Winston’s favorite targets in Cleveland and could be a consistent fantasy option moving forward, as you’ll see again below this week.

It’s fun to look back on past successes, but fantasy season moves quickly and we have to adapt as the week progresses. Week 9 offers a brand new series of games with matchups that we can leverage in fantasy football.

If you don’t have time to dive into each game’s prospects, don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We first dove into each matchup on the Week 9 slate to determine which situations and matchups to attack in fantasy football. Three of our fantasy analysts have identified a player at each position.

WEEK 9 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

Fantasy QB Sleepers for Week 9

Michael O’Hara: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks — There’s one common theme across the games in which Geno Smith has found fantasy success. He threw at least 40 passes in every top-10 appearance this season. Seahawks vs. Rams certainly have shooting potential, and Smith could be placed in a spot where he is forced to complete 40-50 passes. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are back, the Rams’ offense is humming and Smith could benefit from the return of DK Metcalf. If these offenses disappoint for four quarters, Smith has a great chance to squeeze into QB1 territory this week.

Ed Williams: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers — With Jim Harbaugh at the helm, it was no surprise that the Chargers opened the season leaning primarily on the offensive side of the ball. Through the first four weeks of the season, while Herbert was also dealing with an ankle injury, he averaged 22.75 pass attempts per game. Coming out of the bye, that number has increased to 35 attempts per game over the last three games. They get the Browns this week, who are in the middle of the road and passing the defense. If the offensive line can contain Myles Garrett and give Herbert time in the pocket, he could have another big day.

Vinnie Iyer: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings — He started well before cooling off against the Rams last Thursday night, but he should remain sharp in prime time at home against a reeling Colts defense. Darnold will play well off the run and get it downfield well to Justin Jefferson and his other wide receivers for at least another 250 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.

WEEK 9 REMOTE WIRE ADVICE
Complete exemption list | How to issue FAAB | Main exemption purposes

Fantasy RB Sleepers for Week 9

O’Hara: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rachaad White has fallen out of favor with many fantasy managers, but has quietly scored over 15 PPR points in two straight weeks. The depletion of Tampa Bay’s receiving corps has done wonders for White’s value in PPR leagues; he has now seen six targets in consecutive weeks. As long as Jalen McMillan is the WR1 in Tampa Bay, White should see a decent amount of check-downs to support his fantasy production.

Williams: Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons — While Allgeier may be the bane of Bijan Robinson’s managers’ existence, that doesn’t mean he can’t be an effective player for other managers. Allgeier is coming off one of his worst games of the season, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry against Tampa Bay, but he still got 12 carries in that game to Robinson’s 13. One subpar game (in a winning effort) is’ ​​It will not result in a drastic limitation of its use. Additionally, they face the Cowboys who give up the second-most points per game to running backs.

Iyer: Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants — Devin Singletary started as the top defender, including 95 rushing yards and a TD in the first meeting with Washington. Now Tracy has the momentum in the backfield with quick outside running and pass catching in the home rematch. Tracy should be busy putting pressure on Daniel Jones again as the Giants try to limit the field time of the Commanders offense.

Fantasy WR sleepers for week 9

O’Hara: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos — Courtland Sutton had his second WR2 week of the year last Sunday against a putrid Panthers defense. Sutton has another chance this week to take advantage of another secondary that is prone to big days from opponents. Game script has played a big role in this, but Baltimore ranks second in fantasy points allowed to receivers this season. If starting corner Marlon Humphrey remains sidelined, Sutton will get another boost to his prospects.

Williams: Carlo Tillman, Cleveland Browns — Tillman is clearly the biggest beneficiary of the Amari Cooper trade. In addition to freeing up all of these targets, the Browns also turned to Jameis Winston following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury. That’s a recipe for success, and Tillman has taken full advantage of the opportunity. He has converted 15 of his 21 targets into 180 yards and two touchdowns over the past two games. The Chargers give up the third-fewest points per game to wide receivers, but with the fearless Jameis slinging the rock, Tillman should still be able to stack up some productive fantasy play.

Iyer: Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers — Palmer has quietly emerged as Justin Herbert’s biggest threat over the past two weeks, and the Browns tend to give up a lot of big passing plays outside while Denzel Ward struggles. He has a chance to score somewhere in the neighborhood of four catches for 80-plus yards with a fair shot at a long touchdown.

Fantasy TE Sleepers for week 9

O’Hara: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints – If you want to play the touchdown lottery at tight end this week, look no further than Taysom Hill. The Saints take on the Panthers, who happen to have the worst defense I’ve seen in the last decade. This is a unit that is allowing 3.9 touchdowns per game, easily the worst mark of any team this season. This is a perfect spot for the Saints to get back on track and utilize a patented Taysom Hill package at the goal line.

Williams: Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks have a tough performance against the Bills and should be motivated to light a fire in a rivalry matchup against the Rams. Los Angeles gives up the third-most points per game to tight ends, which bodes well for Noah Fant. Additionally, the Seahawks will likely get DK Metcalf back, which should open up the opening for the offense.

Iyer: Grant Calcaterra, Philadelphia Eagles — If you opt not to back tight end George Kittle and are looking for a one-week plug-and-play, this would be the choice if Dallas Goedert misses another game. Calcaterra only caught three passes for 58 yards against the Bengals, but he should be more active in helping Jalen Hurts’ wide receivers against the Jaguars’ terrible overall pass defense at home.

Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 9

O’Hara: Cincinnati Bengals – Against quality offenses, the Bengals’ defense often looks foolish. It was quite comical to see them try to contain Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith last week. Luckily, they get a four-headed “monster” this week from Gardner Minshew, Alexander Mattison, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Cincinnati has proven its ability to shut down offenses without talent, holding the Giants and Browns to just 21 points combined. This should be a one-sided affair in Cincinnati this week.

Williams: Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles looked like a different team coming out of their bye. They won 3-0, but the way they did it is encouraging for both attack and defense. Snapping the offense makes it much easier for the defense to tee off on the QB in passing situations, which in turn makes life easier for the secondary because the QB has less time in his pocket. Since the bye, the Eagles rank first in the league in defensive points allowed, points allowed per drive, total defense, yards allowed per play, passing defense, yards allowed per pass, sacks and first downs allowed per game. With the Jags potentially missing their top three receivers (Christian Kirk out, Brian Thomas and Gabe Davis questionable), the Eagles could feast at home against old friend Doug Pederson.

Iyer: New England Patriots —They’ll have a nice matchup against the Titans, who have been prone to both defensive big plays and special teams explosives. Jerod Mayo’s defense responded better against the Jets and should bring that momentum back home against whoever starts at QB.