Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Expert Advice from Around the Web

Week 9 got underway on Thursday night in a game that saw the return of Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Unfortunately, several other injured standouts are not expected back this week.

The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will also be on bye.

With options relatively limited—which has been an ongoing theme this season—many managers will be turning to second-tier stars and sleepers to navigate the remaining Week 9 schedule. Let's dive into some of the best and worst matchups of the week and see what experts from around the web have to say.

Start: Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

The Los Angeles Chargers have turned their ground game over to Kimani Vidal while Omarion Hampton recovers from an ankle injury. Hampton is on injured reserve but is expected to return during the regular season—Najee Harris is out for the year.

Vidal is a strong start this week against a Tennessee Titans defense that has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. He's coming off a 127-yard, one-touchdown outing and could potentially surpass those numbers against Tennessee.

As Ryan Shea of SI.com recently noted, Vidal's value remains high for as long as Hampton is out. However, managers might want to consider selling off the spot-starter before Hampton's return appears imminent.

"Vidal should continue to see a bulk of the carries and have big-game potential," Shea wrote. "However, with Harris out for the year and Hampton expected back later in the season, his workload will likely decrease."

Leaning on Vidal this week and then trying to move him ahead of next week's Pittsburgh Steelers matchup feels like a terrific plan.

Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round rookie known colloquially as "Bill", was a popular sleeper pick back during fantasy-draft season. He has indeed played a big role for the Washington Commanders, though he's largely been matchup/situational dependent.

Croskey-Merritt doesn't see regular work in the passing game and has just seven catches on the season. This gives him a low PPR floor and makes him most valuable in matchups against lackluster run defenses.

The Seattle Seahawks, who will visit the Commanders on Sunday night, do not have a lackluster Run D. In fact, they rank first in both rushing yards allowed and yards per carry allowed.

"Seattle has allowed the most catches to backs, but that doesn't help Croskey-Merritt," ESPN's Mike Clay wrote. "...'Bill' is no more than a flex option and is best left on benches."

Croskey-Merritt sees too much volume to deliver a total blank, but managers who have other flex options should use them.

Start: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey was limited with a calf injury this week, though it appears likely that he'll play on Sunday. He certainly didn't seem limited last week, as he caught six passes for 88 yards and a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

There are reasons to be a little wary of McConkey this week. Los Angeles may not pass a ton if they get an early lead. McConkey has also had issues with two-high coverage, which Tennessee uses a lot, as FantasyPros' Derek Brown pointed out.

Brown also pointed out, though, that Tennessee's trade or Roger McCreary could open things up for McConkey.

"Samuel Womack III (career 67.6% catch rate and 106.6 passer rating) is set to take over as the new starting nickel for Tennessee. McConkey should have no issues getting open this week against him," Brown wrote.

McConkey may not replicate last week's numbers, but he should keep pace with the 13.5 fantasy points he's averaged this season.

Sit: Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

McConkey is likely to get his fair share of targets for however long the Chargers are willing to throw in Week 9. The same can't be said for Green Bay Packers rookie Matthew Golden.

Golden, first-round pick out of Texas, was expected to be Jordan Love's new No. 1 target. He's been anything but, though, and is averaging a modest 7.3 fantasy points per week as a result.

As Gary Davenport noted for The Athletic, Golden's role might even be on the decline with Christian Watson returning to the lineup already headlined by tight end Tucker Kraft.

"Golden has seen more than five targets just once this year, and last week's three looks are likely to be more rule than exception moving forward," Davenport wrote.

Davenport labeled Golden as a player droppable in most leagues. Managers who choose to keep him shouldn't trust him against a Carolina Panthers team that has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.