As fantasy football managers gear up for the crucial Week 9 matchups, getting expert insight on the top players to start, sleepers to stash, and risky picks to avoid can make all the difference between victory and defeat. According to ESPN’s fantasy football gurus, nailing your draft strategy this week is essential to keeping your championship hopes alive.
Insider Tips for a Winning Week 9 Lineup
Setting a winning fantasy lineup in Week 9 requires carefully analyzing the matchups, monitoring injury reports, and identifying under-the-radar sleepers who could break out. Here are some key pieces of advice from ESPN’s fantasy football experts:
Target These Must-Start Studs
Certain players are matchup-proof and should be locked into your lineups every week. For Week 9, the consensus must-starts include:
- Josh Allen, QB, Bills – Allen is an elite fantasy QB with a high floor and ceiling every week.
- Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants – Barkley is a true workhorse back in a smash-spot against Houston. Start with confidence.
- Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams – Kupp has been the most consistent WR this season and is a must-start every week, especially against the Bucs’ vulnerable secondary.
Sleepers to Stash on Your Bench
Having some high-upside bench stashes can give you a huge edge if they hit. Here are some of the top Week 9 sleeper candidates to target, according to ESPN’s experts:
- Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears – With David Montgomery banged up, Herbert could see an expanded workload and is an intriguing flex option.
- Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals – The speedy slot receiver has flashed tantalizing upside and could be a sneaky-good play against Seattle.
- Greg Dulcich, TE, Broncos – The rookie TE has earned Russell Wilson’s trust and gets a premium matchup vs the Jaguars. Stash and stream him if you need TE help.
Risky Picks to Think Twice About
Sometimes, knowing who not to start is just as important as knowing who to start. Here are some big-name players that ESPN’s experts advise treating with caution in Week 9:
- Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers – Rodgers has struggled mightily this year and faces a brutal matchup in Buffalo. Bench him if you have a decent alternative.
- Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys – Zeke has been losing work to Tony Pollard and could see his workload managed coming off a knee injury. View him as a low-end RB2.
- Mike Evans, WR, Bucs – Evans has been boom-or-bust all year, and he could be smothered by Jalen Ramsey this week. Consider benching him in shallow leagues.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, setting a winning lineup comes down to getting your studs active, making some calculated bets on sleepers, and not being afraid to bench big-name stars in brutal matchups. As one ESPN expert put it:
Fantasy football is all about playing the odds and being bold with your start-sit decisions. Do your research, but also trust your gut. And most importantly – have fun with it!
By following the advice of these fantasy football gurus and staying flexible with your Week 9 lineup decisions, you’ll give yourself the best shot at earning a crucial win and keeping your title hopes alive. The only question is: do you have what it takes to bring home the hardware?
