Fantasy Football Week 9: 25 Late Season Must-Make Roster Moves

Fantasy Football Week 9 is all I can think about lately. It is a sickness really.

I wake up in the morning and look at my roster filled with running backs listed as questionable and receivers as probable. Then I have my tight end to worry about, and that is never fun.

Well, if you are like me, then your team has at least one question mark on a weekly basis. Whether it is injury, a bye week or uninspired play, it happens to all of us.

Whether it be to buy or sell, I am here to alleviate the pain with 25 suggestions that will help you win the rest of the season.

25: Bills Defense

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Keith Ellison #56 of the Buffalo Bills directs the defense against the Miami Dolphins during the NFL season opener at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Miami won 15-10. (Photo by Rick St

Start (This Week)

Here is a suggestion for those teams looking for a defense to pick up during a bye week. The Bills are playing the Bears.

Before you get all huffy, let me explain the obvious: The Bears have the ability to make mediocre defenses seem remarkable.

They also have the propensity to allow anyone and their mother to walk into the pocket and sack Jay Cutler. I see it happening again against Buffalo.

24: Redskins Defense

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washingon Redskins intercepts the pass during the second quarter as Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions atempts to defend during the game at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by

Buy

The Redskins have become one of the most volatile defenses in recent weeks. They already touted a prolific pass rush, which netted a good number of sacks. But behind the recent play of DeAngelo Hall, they have shined. The ball just seems to find Hall lately, and you should get on board.

23: Brandon Tate WR (New England)

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Brandon Tate #19 of the New England Patriots gains yards against the defense of Chris Carr #25 and Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash

Waiver Pickup

As Randy Moss has left and Wes Welker falls on hard times, Brandon Tate has excelled. He had a breakout game last week where he showed his athleticism on some breakaway runs. He should get more touches as the season unfolds.

22: Jacob Tamme TE (Indianapolis)

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Jacob Tamme #84 of Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Waiver Pickup

Many fantasy owners are hurting for a solid tight end about this time. Well, one has emerged in Indianapolis. Jacob Tamme came out of the bye week last Sunday and made the most of his six catches.

Tamme could be the sure-handed receiver of choice to punch in those red zone touchdowns Peyton Manning so loves to throw.

21: Matthew Stafford QB (Detroit)

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Redskins 37-25. (Photo

Start 

You may have shelved him, as you should have during his injury. But the steady franchise player for the Lions makes his debut against the Jets. Last week he threw for four touchdowns and 200 yards.

If he does struggle this week, you may be able to trade for him cheap. Keep in mind that his two games after this week are Buffalo and then Dallas.

20: Ryan Fitzpatrick QB (Buffalo)

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills gets ready to take the snap agaisnt the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Jacksonville won 36-26. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Get

Buy 

Ryan Fitzpatrick could be a No. 1 QB on your team, and you could get great value in a trade for him. He is only owned in 54 percent of Yahoo! leagues. He also carries the stigma of playing for the worst team in the league.

19: Brandon Jackson RB (Green Bay)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Buy 

The Packers have been in need of a consistent producer to helm their backfield. One has slowly begun to emerge in Brandon Jackson. His touches and yardage should increase as the year continues. I expect a breakout game against Dallas this weekend.

18: Mike Williams WR (Tampa Bay)

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Mike Williams #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Buy 

Mike Williams has slowly emerged as a viable option for Josh Freeman to pass to. He has flirted with 100-yard games all year. On Sunday, he finally passed the century mark. His numbers should continue to grow.

17: Wes Welker WR (New England)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Sell

The time has come. It was bound to happen one day. It it clear that Wes Welker can no longer be the No. 1 option. His name still carries so much cachet that you can get tremendous value for him.

16: Josh Freeman QB (Tampa Bay)

Harry How/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Buy

Josh Freeman has slowly and quietly put together a fantastic year at quarterback. Last week he torched the Cardinals for 270 yards with a 70 percent completion rate. He is learning how to take care of the ball.

Whereas previously he would be prone to take chances deep, he now respects the fine art of check-down passing. His interceptions thrown should soon diminish.

15: Davone Bess WR (Miami)

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 24: Receiver Davone Bess #15 scores a touchdown against linebacker Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Life Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Trade/Sell 

Many fantasy pundits are asking you to buy on Davone Bess. He just won a starting job last week, but his production remained the same. It is clear that Brandon Marshall will continue to get the bulk of the meaningful passes when the Dolphins are not running the wildcat.

14: Seyi Ajirotutu WR (San Diego)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Seyi Ajirotutu #2 of the Frenso State Bulldogs catches a pass ahead of Courtney Viney #7 of the UCLA Bruins during the game on September 27, 2008 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Waiver Pickup 

Philip Rivers is a great quarterback. No matter how good he is, he still needs a receiver on the other side to catch the ball. With most of his receivers out due to injury, the young Seyi Ajirotutu will get the start. If you are hurting at WR, might as well take a gamble on the rookie.

13: Shonn Greene RB (New York Jets)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Shonn Green #23 of the New York Jets runs for a 23-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim

Drop/Trade

Good luck getting value for Shonn Greene. The running back was supposed to be the No. 1 option going into the season, and then LaDainian Tomlinson had to go and muck it all up.

You may be able to get some value out of him after this week. If the Jets are winning, they will give the bulk of the carries back to Greene to take the burden off the aging legs of LT. He could snag one of the bigger games of the season this Sunday.

12: Steve Breaston WR (Arizona)

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Steve Breaston #15 of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardin

Buy

Breaston came back from a knee injury and shined. The Cards now have two trustworthy receivers to catch the ball. Now they just have to figure out who is going to throw the thing.

11: Donovan McNabb QB (Washington)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Drop 

I never thought I would tell you to drop McNabb, but it is clear he just is not the same. He is no longer clutch, and his numbers are way down this year. Sadly, he is also now throwing interceptions at a depressing clip.

There is no trade value here. Just say goodbye before he really hurts you.

10: David Garrard QB (Jacksonville)

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Buy (after the BYE)

Jaguars fans had nothing to be happy about until last Sunday. David Garrard had a career game and absolutely tore up the Cowboys. He was precise and confident.

It was such a good game that I suggest you keep it in mind even though the Jags have a bye this week. He could be a valuable asset going into Week 10.

9: Tarvaris Jackson QB (Minnesota)

Tom Dahlin/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 2: Tarvaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball during an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, on September 2, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Waiver Pickup 

Now would be the time to pick up Jackson and store him away on your bench for a rainy day. Brett Favre did have a good game last Sunday, but it is clear that he is on his way out. He is hobbled and banged up. One more injury may not just force him from the game, but from the season as well.

8: Brett Favre QB (Minnesota)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings takes a breather between plays against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Trade

This brings me to the old gunslinger himself. Now although you should not have him starting on your team, I know some of you are forced to do just that. There are many more quarterbacks available with fewer headaches revolving around them.

Do yourself a favor and trade him now while he still has value. There has to be a Favre fan somewhere in your league. I know they used to exist and can't all be extinct.

7: Nate Burleson WR (Detroit)

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Nate Burleson #13 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a third quarter touchdown against the St. Louis Rams on October 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 44-6. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Buy 

As Stafford returns and shakes off any rust he might have accumulated, he will look more to one of his better targets, Nate Burleson.

You can bet that the Jets will be hammering down on Calvin Johnson this weekend, leaving Burleson as the only option left.

6: Sam Bradford QB (St. Louis)

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks for an open receiver against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Buy 

I was surprised to see that Bradford was owned in just 42 percent of Yahoo! leagues thus far. If you need a backup or a starter in deeper leagues, you can do no better than Sam. This is especially true with rumors that the Rams are at the front of the pack to land Randy Moss.

Bradford has been good so far, but imagine how good he will be when he has an actual target to throw to.

5: Jon Kitna QB (Dallas)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to throw a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Buy

I know it's Jon Kitna. But it is hard enough to find a decent backup to stick on your bench in deep leagues. Kitna is the starter and is capable of putting up 400 yards, as he almost did last weekend, as the starting QB.

4: Jahvid Best RB (Detroit)

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions runs for a first down as Carlos Rogers #22 of the Washington Redskins gets ready to make the stop during the first quarter of the game at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Phot

Sell

Jahvid Best started the season on a tear. No one in any league wanted to part with him. Some in your league may still remember that Best. If so, you trade him for whatever you can get.

Since Week 2 Best has underperformed and looked shaky doing so. It is clear he needs a full season under his belt before he becomes an NFL star.

3: Percy Harvin WR (Minnesota)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Percy Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Sell 

Percy Harvin finally started producing once Randy Moss showed up. But unless you have been under a rock, you know Moss is gone. That leaves an injured Harvin to go back to his underachieving.

2: Lance Moore WR (New Orleans)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Lance Moore #16 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Sell 

Good job on picking up Moore when Reggie Bush was gone. His receptions and production was up across the board. Now it's time to drop Moore as quickly as possible. You may be a week too late. But with a bye, he may be off some of your managers' radars. Trade him for whatever he will get you.

1: LeGarrette Blount RB (Tampa Bay)

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his touchdown with Arrelious Benn #17 and Maurice Stovall #85 for a 31-14 lead over the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium o

Buy

This is a waiver wire pickup that you must make immediately. Blount was a college phenom that had not yet shown his full potential in the NFL—that is until last Sunday in his breakout performance. We have been waiting for his emergence. It may continue this week at Atlanta.