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

We've reached the official halfway point of the 2016 season. For most of you, this means that the fantasy playoffs are about a month away. However, there are still a few weeks left to either make a strong push or maintain your spot near the top.

From here on out, roster decisions are going to be as critical as during any point of the fantasy year. One or two wrong moves over the next few weeks could easily cost you a playoff spot. The difficulty involved will be amplified thanks to the bye-week blues.

The New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals will be on Bye in Week 9.

We're here to help you sort out some of the fringe fantasy starters. We're not talking about the clear-cut stars like Ezekiel Elliott or Julio Jones. We're talking about guys who look just as at home on your bench or on the waiver wire as they do in a starting lineup.

We'll base our decisions on factors like past performances, projected role, matchup and player health.

Fringe Lineup

Position	Player	Opponent	Start//Sit
QB	Dak Prescott, DAL	@ CLE	Start
QB	Trevor Siemian, DEN	@ OAK	Start
QB	Case Keenum, LA	CAR	Sit
RB	Bilal Powell, NYJ	@ MIA	Start
RB	Duke Johnson Jr., CLE	DAL	Start
RB	Ryan Mathews, PHI`	@ NYG	Sit
WR	Mohamed Sanu, ATL	@ TB	Start
WR	Adam Humphries, TB	ATL	Start
WR	Nelson Agholor, PHI	@ NYG	Sit
TE	Cameron Brate, TB	ATL	Start
TE	Jesse James, PIT	@ BAL	Sit

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

Start 'Em: Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver Broncos

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Second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian has taken control of the starting job for the Denver Broncos. However, he hasn't established himself as a surefire fantasy starter.

Siemian has only topped the 250-yard mark three times during his seven starts, but he has also tossed eight touchdowns to go with just four interceptions. This week he draws a favorable matchup against the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders are allowing an average of 285.4 passing yards per game (27th in the NFL). The team is rated just 19th in overall defense by Pro Football Focus.

However, Oakland is also rated first in overall offense by Pro Football Focus. This suggests that Oakland has the firepower to instigate a shootout with Denver, meaning a higher potential for prime passing production.

Sit 'Em: Case Keenum, Los Angeles Rams

Case Keenum is still clinging to the starting job for the Los Angeles Rams, but this doesn't mean he deserves a starting spot on your fantasy team.

Keenum has been extremely hit or miss. He tossed three touchdowns and 321 yards against the Detroit Lions three weeks ago, but threw for just 291 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions against the New York Giants in Week 7. Despite this up-and-down nature, the Rams are sticking by Keenum.

"The quarterback's not the reason, by the way, that we lost three games," Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said, per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. "I'm staying with Case."

Don't stick by Keenum this week. He's going against a Carolina Panthers defense that seemed to regroup during its Week 7 bye. The Panthers came out strong against the Arizona Cardinals last week, sacking quarterback Carson Palmer eight times and forcing him to turn the ball over twice.

Palmer still managed to pass for 363 yards and three touchdowns, but he has a cadre of pass-catching targets that Keenum simply does not.

Start 'Em: Duke Johnson Jr., RB, Cleveland Browns

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The Cleveland Browns began the season leaning on Isaiah Crowell in the running game. However, second-year back Duke Johnson Jr. has proved to be the more explosive option. He is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 8.7 yards per reception. He's also averaging just over four receptions per game.

Last week against the New York Jets, Johnson caught six passes and produced 116 total yards.

While the Browns don't have a favorable matchup with the Dallas Cowboys coming to town, Johnson should have an opportunity to produce. The Cowboys defense is rated just 27th against the run by Pro Football Focus.

Johnson could easily have another half-dozen-catch, 100-yard day.

Sit 'Em: Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews may have found the end zone in Week 8, but this doesn't mean he's getting back to being a reliable fantasy option. On the contrary, Mathews seems to be losing his role in the Eagles offense.

Mathews saw just five touches against the Cowboys last week, while fellow back Darren Sproles touched the ball 20 times. According to Pro Football Focus, Mathews has only seen 34 offensive snaps over the past two weeks. Sproles has seen 88.

Toss in the fact that this week's opponent, the New York Giants, is only allowing an average of 93.6 yards rushing per game, and Mathews looks bench-worthy.

Start 'Em: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons

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Everyone knows that Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is a fantasy star. After last week's stunning performance, though, it looks like fellow Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu could be headed in the same direction.

Sanu started his Falcons career off strong with a five-catch, 80-yard, one-touchdown game in Week 1. However, he has battled through a shoulder injury and been on the inconsistent side since. One good thing about Sanu—at least in relation to points-per-reception leagues—is that he has produced multiple catches in every single game.

If Sanu, who had 84 yards and a touchdown in Week 8, has found his groove in the Falcons offense, he could on his way to a big Week 9 performance. The Falcons head to Tampa Bay this week to battle the rival Buccaneers.

Pro Football Focus rates the Buccaneers just 23rd in pass coverage.

Sit 'Em: Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles wideout Nelson Agholor also got off to a good start in 2016. He racked up four catches, 57 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. While Agholor also has multiple receptions in every game this season, it doesn't feel like he has a clearly defined role in the Eagles offense or any sense of consistency.

He hasn't topped the 50-yard mark since Week 1 and has failed to reach 30 yards four different times. Agholor has minimal PPR value and almost none in standard formats.

This week, Agholor and the Eagles go up against a Giants team that is rated fifth overall in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.

It's probably time to stop waiting for Agholor to break out and banish him to the waiver pile.