Week 9 Start Em Sit Em: Reggie Wayne and Other WRs You Must Bench

Despite the NFL's pass-happy evolution, there are still going to be WRs that you must bench in fantasy football that you may not want to.

Also, you have to take into account that defenses are beginning to adjust, which is why we don't see QBs hitting over 300 passing yards every single game. To that end, here are four WRs to bench in Week 9.

Reggie Wayne, Colts (vs Atlanta)

His QB is Curtis Painter; need I say more? The Colts rank No. 27 in passing offense, and Reggie Wayne has yet to accumulate over 500 receiving yards this season, not to mention he only has one TD.

Now, you could say that he will have a solid game because of the Falcons' weak pass defense, but they're a little deceptive, because Atlanta has been gradually improving in shutting opposing offenses down.

That said, it's not like the Colts are explosive enough to throw against Atlanta anyway, because Indy also ranks No. 22 in rushing offense to the Falcons' No. 7-ranked rush defense.

Brandon Marshall, Dolphins (at Kansas City)

Against the Giants in Week 8, Brandon Marshall had arguably his worst performance of the year. He caught four passes for just 55 yards despite facing the NFL's No. 13-ranked pass defense. When he went against the Browns early in the year, Marshall only compiled 43 yards on four catches.

The difference, however, is that Cleveland ranks No. 2 in pass defense, so you would expect better numbers from Marshall against a weaker pass defense. This week Miami travels to Kansas City and the Chiefs possess the No. 20 ranked pass defense.

Sure, it may look like Marshall should have a good game, but until he's proven to get you a respectable number of points, keep him on the bench because the Chiefs are on fire right now.

Hines Ward, Steelers (vs Baltimore)

If the Steelers have any success this week against the Ravens, it will be an established ground game that sets up WR Mike Wallace going deep.

Baltimore has a Top 5 defense against the rush and pass, and Hines Ward isn't even Pittsburgh's third best receiving target. Big Ben has spread the rock around a fair amount, but Ward only ranks fourth on the team in targets, yards and receptions.

And although he's arguably Roethlisberger's most reliable target, Ward's best game was against Tennessee back in early October, where he scored both of his two TDs for the year. Even with Pittsburgh's dynamic offense, bench Ward, because there's much better matchups than him against the Ravens.

Johnny Knox, Bears (at Philadelphia)

Prior to the beginning of 2011, Bears WR Johnny Knox would be a viable No. 2/flex option. However, he's now a backup at best thanks to Chicago's lack of passing offense.

Knox may be quick, have a great top speed, and be able to accelerate about as fast as anyone in the NFL, but he's only accounted for 348 yards on 19 receptions, and has yet to reach the end zone.

He may be second on the team in receiving, but that's because RB Matt Forte is Mr. Everything at the moment. After the season's first few weeks, this may have been a better matchup for Knox, as the Eagles were struggling.

But the tides have since turned, and if Chicago has any success this week, it will be on the ground.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

You can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.