Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Lineup Advice, Stars to Exploit and Sleeper Options

Week 9 is set to kick off on Thursday with a showdown between the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. Another 13 games will follow, with only four teams on bye this week.

The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be out of action.

While the fantasy player pool should be deeper than it was last week—when six teams were on bye—that doesn't mean that managers will have easy lineup choices across the board.

Let's dive into some of the best and worst matchups of Week 9 and examine a few sleepers who might be available on the waiver wire.

Start: D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Erin Hooley

The Chicago Bears fell behind early on Sunday, which left them leaning on the pass against the Ravens. Running back D'Andre Swift ended up logging just 11 carries in the contest.

The Bears may have also wanted to limit Swift, who was dealing with a groin injury.

The risk of Chicago falling behind Joe Flacco and the Bengals this week is real, though Ben Johnson should be willing to commit to the run. During the New York Jets' Week 8 upset of Cincinnati, the Jets rushed for 254 total yards.

The Bears aren't going to use Caleb Williams as a dedicated runner the way that New York used Justin Fields. They should, however, give Swift a significant workload as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield.

No team has surrendered as many fantasy points to opposing running backs as Cincinnati.

Sit: Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Ella Hall

It's almost painful to list Alvin Kamara as a 'sit" in a week with multiple teams on bye. The longtime New Orleans Saints standout has been one of the most reliable fantasy performers when healthy over the years, but things are different in 2025.

Opposing defenses aren't respecting New Orleans' passing attack, and Kamara's point-per-reception (PPR) floor is low in Kellen Moore's offense.

Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, Kamara caught just two passes and tallied just 45 scrimmage yards. Even with several backs injured or on bye, those numbers aren't good enough.

Kamara's numbers aren't likely to get any better this week on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. No team has surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs than Los Angeles.

Start: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Colin Hubbard

Something finally clicked for the Dolphins' offense in Week 8. Miami racked up 338 total yards and 34 points during its blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons, while Tua Tagovailoa finished with four touchdown passes.

Wideout Jaylen Waddle, who was held to one 15-yard catch in Week 7, tallied five receptions for 99 yards and a score. Now, this doesn't mean that managers can fully trust Waddle moving forward, but he should deliver in the right matchups.

Baltimore is likely to provide Miami with a solid matchup on Thursday night. While the Ravens' defense did look better coming out of its bye, it didn't exactly shut down Chicago's top pass-catchers. Rome Odunze caught seven passes for 114 yards, while D.J. Moore grabbed four for 73 yards.

The Ravens have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, and it appears that trend is likely to continue.

Sit: Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

At some point, rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden has to have an impactful and consistent role for the Green Bay Packers, right? Maybe, but we haven't seen it yet, and we're unlikely to see it in Week 9.

While Golden has topped 50 receiving yards three times this season, he's also topped five targets only once. Despite playing 42 offensive snaps against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, he finished with three receptions for four yards.

The Packers probably aren't going to force-feed Golden this week when they host the Carolina Panthers. Green Bay is far more likely to get ahead early and lean on its running game to close things out.

And when the Packers do pass, they'll likely target tight end Tucker Kraft early and often. The Panthers have played respectably against opposing receivers, allowing just 21.3 combined fantasy points to the position weekly.

Sleepers

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants

New York Giants rookie starter Cam Skattebo suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8, which leaves managers without another quality starter for the remainder of the season.

With Skattebo out, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is likely to regain the starting role. While his Week 9 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers isn't ideal, Tracy should see enough volume to justify a flex start. He's still available in over half of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos seem to have found their offensive rhythm over the past five quarters. They racked up 33 points in the fourth quarter during their Week 7 comeback win over the Giants. They carved up the Dallas Cowboys to the tune of 44 points on Sunday.

Wideout Troy Franklin has been a big part of Denver's evolving passing attack, with 18 targets and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. The Houston Texans defense will provide challenges, but again, volume is critical.

Franklin is rostered in 37 percent of Yahoo leagues and 44 percent of ESPN leagues.

Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

Like Golden, Bears rookie first-round pick Colston Loveland hasn't made a major impact to this point in the season. However, he got some opportunities (5 targets, 3 catches) while Cole Kmet (back) was sidelined in Week 8.

If Loveland gets similar opportunities this week against Cincinnati, he could thrive. The Bengals have surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing TEs this season. While Loveland is a true deep sleeper, he's available in over 75 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.