By this point in a challenging 2022 season, every roster has faced adversity. This week’s brutal byes also won’t help. With our Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 9, we can help you recognize hidden values in competitive fantasy leagues that may need to be plugged into your starting lineup.
Whether it is as a bye-week replacement or longer, here are some Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 9 to consider.
Week 9 Byes: Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Giants, Steelers, 49ers
Quarterbacks
P.J. Walker – Carolina Panthers
Walker seems to be coming into his own in a suddenly revitalized Panthers’ offense. Last week he threw for 317 yards, a 62-yard TD pass, and added 20 yards on the ground. The former XFL star has brought some juice to this team and has brought D.J. Moore back to fantasy relevancy. Many will avoid him because of a tough matchup with the Bengals, but he has proven that he has a big arm and more chemistry with his weapons than Baker Mayfield could even dream of.
Ryan Tannehill – Tennessee Titans
It looks like Tannehill will be back this week to take on the Chiefs. This passing game hasn’t been great this season, but no team is giving up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than Kansas City. This is a combination of poor play and teams being forced to throw to keep pace. Patrick Mahomes has the ability to put Derek Henry in a negative game script and force Tannehill to beat them through the air. This is bad news for the Titans but good news for your fantasy team.
Running Backs
Isaiah Pacheco – Kansas City Chiefs
Coming off the bye week there is a good chance Pacheco has more of a stranglehold on the RB1 job in Kansas City. It will still be a committee; however, his role should look similar to the role Clyde Edwards-Helaire was playing early on in the season. The Titans are a bad matchup for running backs. Nonetheless, you could be getting a more clear-cut RB1 in a Mahomes-led offense with plenty of upside.
Deon Jackson – Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor is not healthy after re-aggravating his ankle last week, and Nyheim Hines has been shipped to Buffalo. Even if Taylor does play this week, Jackson could still see a significant role in the offense. If Taylor is out it’s a full-go for Jackson. The only other running backs on the team are Zack Moss and Jordan Wilkins. In the two games, he started this season with Taylor sidelined he totaled 104 yards and a TD on the ground and caught 14 passes for 108 yards. Add him now and monitor this situation closely.
Ronnie Rivers – Los Angeles Rams
Rivers served as the RB1 for the Rams last week. It’s unclear what that means, but we can’t just ignore it
because there is a chance that’s the case again this week. He led all Rams’ backs in both carries and
targets last week. There is plenty of risk with him, nevertheless, that’s why he’s a sleeper and not a
must-start. If you’re searching a barren wire looking for a running back there’s a good chance a potential
NFL RB1 is sitting there.
Jeff Wilson – Miami Dolphins
Generally, you shouldn’t start a player days after he was traded. However, this is a bit of a unique situation because Wilson already knows the system from his days in San Francisco with current Dolphins head coach and former 49ers’ offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins want to use more than one back, but Chase Edmonds’ terrible play made that impossible. Wilson could step directly into a significant role.
Wide Receivers
Demarcus Robinson – Baltimore Ravens
Robinson led the Ravens with eight targets last week doubling the amount any other wideout saw. Rashod Bateman will be out this week and Mark Andrews could miss this one too. That could open up another big target day for Robinson who will serve as a starting WR opposite Devin Duvernay. Coming off a 6-catch, 64-yard performance, he should be viewed as more than a dart throw if Andrews is sidelined.
Tyquan Thornton – New England Patriots
DeVante Parker injured his knee last week which could slide Thornton into the WR2 role in New England this week. Parker is no stranger to missing games so it would be a surprise to no one if he sits this one out. The rookie wideout has immense talent and has shown flashes this season. An increase in opportunity could lead to a big game this week.
Ben Skowronek – Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp appeared to get injured at the end of Week 8 and did not practice on Wednesday. If he is out Skowronek could slide into his role. No one should expect production close to Kupp, but he could serve as a solid flex option. He has seen 30 targets this season compared to Allen Robinson’s 36 so you shouldn’t expect Robinson to serve as the clear WR1. It wouldn’t be shocking at all if Skowronek led their receiving corps in targets this week if Kupp is ruled out.
Terrace Marshall Jr – Carolina Panthers
Marshall has separated himself as the WR2 in Carolina with Robbie Anderson gone. He saw nine targets last week and put up 87 yards. There is a legitimate shot he is in the midst of his breakout. Because of the offense he’s in you shouldn’t expect him to put up monster numbers, nonetheless, if Walker continues to play well and target him he could be a viable flex option.
Tight Ends
Will Dissly – Seattle Seahawks
The Cardinals have been atrocious against tight ends this season. Arizona has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position. They have also allowed the most touchdown receptions and receptions to tight ends this season. They should be targeted every chance you can if you’re streaming the position. Dissly is a great option this week as his teammate Noah Fant.
Kylen Granson – Indianapolis Colts
We’ve only seen one game of Sam Ehlinger, but Granson was his tight end of choice. He’s the only tight end who even caught a pass for Indy. It’s been tough sifting through this committee, nonetheless, maybe we found the top guy for the rest of the season. He draws the Patriots this week who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. So if you’re going to roll the dice on a Colts’ TE this is the week to do it.
