Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 9: Flex, PPR Advice for Fringe Fantasy Football Stars

Not only did the past weekend feature too many key injuries to count, but now, fantasy owners have to deal with six teams on bye in Week 9. Filling a lineup will certainly be a challenge.  

If you were desperate for replacements, hopefully you did a good job on the waiver wire to bring in DeAngelo Williams or Jeremy Langford. Even if you didn't, there are likely plenty of quality options still on your bench capable of giving you one good game of production.

Picking the right players at each spot is never easy, but here is a look at some borderline options to start and sit for Week 9.

Start 'Em

Pos.	Player	Team	Opp.
RB	Darren McFadden	Dallas Cowboys	PHI
RB	Jeremy Hill	Cincinnati Bengals	CLE
RB	Antonio Andrews	Tennessee Titans	NO
RB	Duke Johnson Jr.	Cleveland Browns	CIN
WR	Stevie Johnson	San Diego Chargers	CHI
WR	Martavis Bryant	Pittsburgh Steelers	OAK
WR	Willie Snead	New Orleans Saints	TEN
WR	Rishard Matthews	Miami Dolphins	BUF
TE	Heath Miller	Pittsburgh Steelers	OAK

Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Despite averaging just 3.2 yards per carry last week against the Seattle Seahawks, Darren McFadden has quietly moved into must-start territory.

He took over the starting job at running back for the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago, and now he has that role solidified after the team released Joseph Randle, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Christine Michael might get a few touches here or there, but this job is McFadden's to lose.

More importantly, the veteran back has actually looked really good running the ball in the last two games. Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com thinks this is the best he has played since college:

Although the Philadelphia Eagles have defended the run well this season, McFadden should get enough chances behind an elite offensive line to do real damage.

Stevie Johnson, WR, San Diego Chargers

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

If Stevie Johnson is in the free-agent pool, pick him up. If he is on your bench, put him in your lineup.

According to Ricky Henne of Chargers.com, the Chargers placed Keenan Allen on injured reserve because of a lacerated kidney. This opens the door for both Johnson and Malcom Floyd to take on much bigger roles in the San Diego offense.

Thanks to Philip Rivers and a constant deficit, the Chargers currently lead the NFL with 337 passing yards per game. Keenan Allen was responsible for 725 yards this year, good for third most in the league. Someone is going to have to replace this production.

Johnson might not automatically put up the numbers Allen did, but he will get a major boost after failing to top 50 receiving yards in any of his last five games.

PPR Start: Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns

It's not easy to trust a player who only got three touches last game, especially with both Isaiah Crowell and Robert Turbin apparently ahead of Duke Johnson in the Cleveland Browns' pecking order. However, the coaching staff certainly took notice of the running back's 68 receiving yards on two catches.

According to Tom Reed of Cleveland.com, head coach Mike Pettine admitted after the game the need to get Johnson the ball more often:

"

Duke is a guy who has showed he can do some damage with the football. I think that is on us as a staff to find more creative ways to get him the football, whether that is in the run game or whether that's in the pass game. He is showing to be the guy we thought he was. [...]

I just think it was the way the game flowed. I never felt like there was a point in time in the second half where 'Hey, we can't go to Duke anymore.'

"

With neither Crowell nor Turbin doing much with his chances, Johnson could be a useful part of the offense to move the ball against the tough Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 9. Considering his playmaking skills in the passing game, he is especially of value in points-per-reception leagues.

Sit 'Em

Pos.	Player	Team	Opp.
RB	T.J. Yeldon	Jacksonville Jaguars	NYJ
RB	Alfred Morris	Washington Redskins	NE
RB	Shane Vereen	New York Giants	TB
RB	Shaun Draughn/Pierre Thomas	San Francisco 49ers	ATL
WR	Jordan Matthews	Philadelphia Eagles	DAL
WR	Donte Moncrief	Indianapolis Colts	DEN
WR	James Jones	Green Bay Packers	CAR
WR	Pierre Garcon	Washington Redskins	NE
TE	Larry Donnell	New York Giants	TB

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

His last game was his best one (115 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 8), but T.J. Yeldon will have a hard time replicating this feat against a tough New York Jets run defense that ranks second in fantasy in points allowed to running backs this season.

While the unit did give up 113 rushing yards to Latavius Murray last week, a lot of that had to do with the flow of the game. The Oakland Raiders got an early lead and were able to rely on the run for most of the second half. The Jacksonville Jaguars are unlikely to have this same luxury.

Another issue has been a lack of touchdowns for Yeldon with just one score in six games this season. The Jaguars are a pass-heavy attack with plenty of reliable receiving targets who can make plays in the end zone, including tight end Julius Thomas who is just recently returning to health.

Without the likelihood of many yards and a small chance of scoring, Yeldon should remain on your bench.

Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

The bye week might have given Jordan Matthews a chance to recover from a hand injury that has been bothering him, but the fact is he has simply been awful since the start of the year.

Adam Levitan of DraftKings broke down just how bad the receiver has been:

Between Sam Bradford not throwing accurate passes and Matthews dropping balls, it has all added up to just 17 combined fantasy points in standard leagues over his last five games. The role in the offense still provides hope for big things in the future, but there is little reason to trust him at the moment.

Against a Dallas defense that has been surprisingly good against the pass this year, this is simply too big of a risk.

PPR Sit: Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts

This might actually go for all Colts receivers but especially Donte Moncrief, who seemed like an afterthought in the Week 8 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Monday. The second-year receiver had been a revelation this season but caught just two of seven targets as Andrew Luck struggled with his accuracy.

Although he is always a threat to score, a PPR league requires consistency, and Moncrief doesn't have it.

Of course, the bigger issue for Moncrief, T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson is the Denver Broncos defense. This unit put on a show Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, limiting Aaron Rodgers to just 77 passing yards.

Cecil Lammey of ESPN.com gave his thoughts on the Denver defense:

With multiple cornerbacks who can shut down opposing receivers, you might want to look for better options this week.

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