NFL Fantasy Football: Week 9 Must-Start Sleepers

With six teams having a bye in Week 9, you’re going to need to dig deep to find the best fantasy sleepers. We will try and make that task a little easier on you by pointing out some guys you should take note of before making your final lineup decisions. Here they are.

Matt

QB: Mark Sanchez- With the performance of the Jets offense last week against the Packers, they will need to open up the playbook. Look for Sanchez to get it going against the Lions 250 yards passing two TDs and no interceptions.

RB: Thomas Jones – Yes, I have picked him before but, it is hard to argue that against the rival Raiders that he won’t put up sound numbers. Look for Jones to pound the Raiders defense earning 100 yards rushing and two TDs.

WR: Steve Breaston – If you do not have a wide receiver and he is available, you need to pick up Breaston. Fitz is taking the double teams leaving Breaston in single coverage. Steve will have 75 yards receiving and one TD.

TE: Benjamin Watson – Who else does Colt have to throw to? Well he does have a few options, but Watson seems to be his favorite. Look for Watson to get revenge on his former team by recording 50 yards receiving and one TD.

Eric

QB: Josh Freeman- I told you to start him last week and he had 17 points. I’m going right back to him again in Week 9. He’s still owned in only 33 percent of leagues, and he’s the seventh-ranked overall fantasy quarterback in terms of average fantasy points per game.

Atlanta’s secondary looked very suspect in their last two games before the bye. They gave up 738 yards and six touchdowns in those two contests. Start Freeman and look for 15-plus points.

RB: Beanie Wells - Wells is finally starting to get something going. He’s had double digits in his last two weeks and that trend should continue against a Minnesota defense that has allowed just under 19 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in their last four games. Wells should have at least 75 yards and a touchdown.

WR: Darrius Heyward-Bey – Only owned in four percent of leagues.  I’m the biggest Heyward-Bey hater there is, but I have a hunch this week. He had 19 points last week, and that was five more than he had in the first seven weeks combined. Last week’s game may be just the confidence booster he needs to be productive again this week.

Louis Murphy is out and someone has to step up. This is my biggest long shot of the year, but if you’re desperate for a receiver, pick him up and take his 11 points.

TE: Jacob Tamme - Who? Peyton Manning’s new favorite red zone target. The fact of the matter is that when the Colts get inside the 10-yard line, they throw the ball more than they run it. Over the last few years, Dallas Clark has the most touchdown catches inside the 10 yard line of anyone else in the league. Tamme is now that target and he will score a touchdown on Sunday and probably catch for 65 yards.

Jace

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick – 91.  That’s the number of times that Fitzpatrick has thrown the ball the last two weeks.  He also showed a new wrinkle in his game with 43 rushing yards.  Even though he had a rather pedestrian day last week, all you can ask from a sleeper is opportunities and he should have plenty.  Look for at least 225 and a TD with some rushing yards to boot.

RB: Legarrette Blount – He doesn’t have the best matchup against Atlanta’s stout run D, but he has the same thing that Fitzpatrick has…opportunity.  Blount has made the most of his culminating with his breakout two TD game last week.  He is the starter in Tampa Bay and should see close to 20 carries.  Look for 75 yds and a TD.

WR: Patrick Crayton – He’s pretty much the only healthy receiver on the leading passing offense in the league, going up against the leagues worst pass defense.  Do I really need to say anything else?

TE: Visanthe Shiancoe – I believe I’ve gone with him before, but with Randy Moss gone and Percy Harvin ailing, Shiancoe should go back to being the red zone threat that he was last year…regardless of who’s throwing him the ball.