Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 9 of the 2024 NFL Season

The ship is leaking, but we’ll find all the holes that need plugging to keep our fantasy seasons afloat. Here’s the fallout going into Week 9 of the NFL season… 

 

 Vikings – 20 @ Rams – 30

• TJ Hockenson couldn’t come back soon enough, as the Vikings have dropped 2 straight games. He’ll make his season debut in WK9, and he’s available in over 25% of leagues. 

 

• Both Puka Nacua(7/106) and Cooper Kupp(5/51/1) returned to live action last week, though it was Demarcus Robinson(2/35) who managed to vulture 2 scores. With both Rams star WRs back on the field, Robinson will have days like this, but his low target share leaves him in deep league flex territory.

 

Eagles – 37 @ Bengals – 17

• Grant Calcaterra(3/58) has been pretty productive, as far as TEs go, in Dallas Goedert’s stead, catching at least 3 balls for 55 yards in 2 of his last 3 games. He could be in line for decent production this week against the Jags’ ho-hum defense, if Goedert(hamstring) sits again. 

 

• Chase Brown(14/34/1) bested Zack Moss(9/39) in touches on Sunday, adding more fuel to the fire of the position that Brown has supplanted Moss as the 1A in the Bengals backfield. Moss’ involvement in the passing game gives him some standalone value, but Moss’ ceiling is abysmally low. 

 

• Mike Gesicki(7/73) led the Bengals in receiving, with Tee Higgins sidelined. He’ll be a streaming option this week against Las Vegas, if Higgins can’t make it back. 

 

Falcons – 31 @ Buccaneers – 26

• Darnell Mooney(5/92/1) would be contesting Drake London(4/34) for the no.1 WR role in Atlanta, if he was used as often as London is in the red-zone. Still available in over 25% of leagues, Mooney needs to be owned in all formats. 

 

• Tyler Allgeier(12/33) is limited in the Atlanta offense, as he’s rarely involved in the passing game, but he continues to see double-digit carries on an almost weekly basis. 

 

• Cade Otton(9/81/2) led the Bucs in receiving, with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans sidelined. He’ll remain a top tier TE option this week, as Godwin and Evans will both miss multiple games. He’s available in over 40% of leagues. 

 

• Rakim Jarrett(3/58) led all Bucs pass-catchers, with a WR designation, behind a couple of big plays. 5 players had more targets on the day, but the performance could lead to more snaps in WK9. 

 

• Jalen McMillan(4/35) led Bucs WRs in targets(7), and is still the guy I like to lead them while Godwin and Evans are out. He’s still available in 50% of leagues. 

 

• Bucky Irving(16/84) out touched and out gained Rachaad White(11/67/1), but White managed to find the end-zone on Sunday. Both backs will be viable in most formats, as long as Godwin and Evans are both out. 

 

Jets – 22 @ Patriots – 25

• Braelon Allen(12/32/1) broke the double-digit touch mark on Sunday, probably in an effort to keep Breece Hall(17/89) relatively fresh for their Thursday night game this week. Houston has a top tier run defense, so I don’t see Allen remaining viable for fantasy. 

 

• Tyler Conklin(3/42/1) scored his 2nd TD in as many games on Sunday, as the 3rd most targeted(4) Jet on the day. He’s been TD dependent as of late, but Conklin is a top 10 TE option in WK9. 

 

• Jacoby Brissett(15/132) led the Pats to a comeback victory over the Jets, after Drake Maye left with a concussion, but he diminishes the fantasy outlooks of all Pats skill players if he has to start this week. Hopefully Paye can clear protocol before Sunday afternoon’s tilt with the Titans. 

 

• Kayshon Boutte(3/48) is the de facto no.1 WR for the Pats, playing 55 of 67 snaps on Sunday. The underwhelming nature of the New England passing game limits his upside, but he’s worth a look in dynasty formats. 

 

Cardinals – 28 @ Dolphins – 27

• Michael Wilson(5/31/1) has scored or gone over 75 yards in 3 of his last 4 contests. Averaging 5 targets a game since WK3, Wilson is a middling flex option in most formats.

 

• Raheem Mostert(10/30/2) was used primarily in short-yardage situations, but fortunately, those included goal line carries. Miami has some favorable matchups coming, so Mostert will continue to be a viable play. 

 

• Jonnu Smith(4/20) kept up the target share(6) even with Tua under center. He’s a solid streaming option this week against Buffalo. 

 

Packers – 30 @ Jaguars – 27

• Jordan Love’s WK9 availability is in doubt, after injuring his groin in Sunday’s game with the Jags. Malik Willis has actually been solid in relief of love, but he’d still be a downgrade for all parties involved if he has to start against Detroit’s stout defense this week. 

 

• Brenton Strange(5/59) led the Jags in receptions, even with Evan Engram(4/36/1) back in the fold. Strange is less of a streaming option than he is a value suck on Engram. 

 

• Christian Kirk(2/59) had a decent line compared to his fellow Jags, but he’s now out for the season (collarbone). With Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis now also ailing, the Jags WR corps is a shell of itself for the short term. 

 

Colts – 20 @ Texans – 23

• It certainly appears that Josh Downs(4/109/1) is the no.1 WR for the Colts, as he’s retained his dominance through a QB change. 

 

• There’s a chance that Stefon Diggs go on IR or worse, after suffering a non-contact knee injury on Sunday. Tank Dell would step into the no.1 WR role, while Nico Collins is out, and Dalton Schultz would get a boost as well. John Metchie(3/29) had 4 targets on Sunday and could slide into the no.2 WR role this week. 

 

Titans – 14 @ Lions – 52

• Calvin Ridley(10/143) had his 2nd best day of the season, with the Titans playing catch up all day. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine(2/39/1) had the next best line for a Titan WR, but both Tyler Boyd(3/14) and Chig Okonkwo(2/14) had more targets(6 and 5). In any case, they’re all in better stead with Mason Rudolph under center, but their upsides, aside from Ridley, are severely limited.

 

• Because of the lopsided nature of the game, the Lions only threw the ball 15 times on Sunday. Sam LaPorta(6/48/1) led the team in receiving for the first time this season, and honestly, I’d be shopping him if I owned him, as the game script and the lack of Jameson Williams in the lineup definitely had something to do with his production. 

 

Ravens – 24 @ Browns – 29

• Mark Andrews(5/36/1) has scored in 3 straight contests and averaged 4.5 targets over his last 4 games. His target share isn’t what it used to be, and he’s heavily TD dependent, but he’s back in every week starter contention. 

 

• Rashod Bateman(1/28) had his first stinker in weeks, but he still tied for 2nd in targets. It’s probably best you sit him this week against Denver’s top notch secondary. 

 

• What a difference a QB change can make. Cedric Tillman(7/99/2), Elijah Moore(8/85), Jerry Jeudy(5/79) and David Njoku(5/61/1) all had 7+ targets on Sunday, as gunslinger Jameis Winston brought his team to victory. Jameis is an every week QB starter in plus matchups, though his penchant for turning the ball over is sure to rear its head now and then. All of his WRs should be added where you can get them, with Tillman being the top priority.

 

Bills – 31 @ Seahawks – 10

• Keon Coleman(5/70/1) is getting open at will, with most of the defensive attention going towards Amari Cooper(⅓) these days. The powerful rookie has scored or reached 125 yards in 3 of his last 4 games and needs to be owned in all formats. The same can be said for Khalil Shakir, though he’s available in only 30% of leagues. Cooper will face the top secondary in football, Miami, this week so temper your expectations again.

 

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba(6/69) was the only Seahawks pass-catcher to post a decent line on Sunday, as the Seahawks offense was stymied all day. With DK Metcalf sidelined, I expected a lot more out of Tyler Lockett(1/9), but he failed to capitalize. He’ll be a shaky WR3 against the Rams this week, whether Metcalf is around or not.

 

Saints – 8 @ Chargers – 26

• Derek Carr is expected to be back in WK9, after missing 3 games with an oblique injury. He’ll bolster the fantasy outlooks of Mason Tipton(2/14), Juwan Johnson(3/48) and perhaps Cedric Wilson or Marquez Valdes-Scantling, as Bub Means suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday. 

 

• Ladd McConkey(6/111/2) had a breakout on Sunday, leading the team in receiving, though both Will Dissly(5/41) and JK Dobbins(21/68/1) had more targets(7). McConkey is available in almost 40% of leagues and could be a 2nd half season saver.

 

• Dissly is averaging 8 targets over his last 3 games and has developed into a streaming option in a Chargers passing game that is increasing in activity but lacking in talent.

 

Chiefs  – 27 @ Raiders – 20

• DeAndre Hopkins(3/29) was eased into the Chiefs’ game plan on Sunday, but look for him to see more involvement this week against Tampa. The matchup is right for a fantasy explosion. 

 

• Jakobi Meyers(6/52/1) stepped back into a major role after missing 2 games. He should vie with Brock Bowers for team lead in receiving on most weeks, now that Davante Adams is gone. Meyers is available in over 40% of leagues. 

 

Panthers – 14 @ Broncos – 38

• Shrine Bowl standout Jalen Coker(4/78/1) led the Panthers in receiving on Sunday, with Diontae Johnson(ribs) and Adam Thielen(hamstring) still ailing. He could see more work this week against the Saints, should they not make it back. 

 

• The same goes for Xavier Legette(4/34/1) who has scored in 3 of his last 5 games. It makes sense for the Panthers to see what they have in their young receivers in a lost season. 

 

• It’s time to pick up Jonathon Brooks if he’s out there, as he’s available in about 40% of leagues. His NFI-R time is almost up. 

 

• Adam Trautman(4/85/1) capitalized on his opportunity, with Greg Dulcich on the outs and Luke Krull forced to leave with a shoulder injury. The Denver offense is improving and Trautman could see more looks this week against a weak Baltimore secondary. 

 

Bears – 15 @ Commanders – 18

• The Bears decidedly went run heavy, leaving little meat on the bones for Bears pass-catchers. Rome Odunze(3/41) led the team with only 41 yards. They’ll have a nice bounceback spot against Arizona’s burnable secondary this week. 

 

• Noah Brown(3/73/1) looks like the closest thing the Commanders have to a no.3 WR, though the 52 yard hail-mary he was on the other end of, was a thing of chance. 

 

Cowboys – 24 @ 49ers – 30

• Zeke Elliott(11/38/1) led the Cowboys backfield, as Rico Dowdle missed the game with an illness. Dalvin Cook(7/22) was active for the Cowboys but only offered a mild bump out of the backfield. He’s not an option against the Falcons this week. Elliott is available in 75% of leagues, but it’s likely that Dowdle returns to the lineup in WK9. 

 

• Isaac Guerendo(17/102/1) led the 49ers backfield in relief of Jordan Mason(shoulder). The 49ers have a bye this week and Christian McCaffrey could return in WK10, but Guerendo can be added if you have the luxury on your bench.