Week 9 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em: Marshall and WRs Worth Benching

With as much passing as there is in the NFL today, wide receivers are becoming increasingly reliable fantasy producers. It used to be that receivers were tough to count upon from a production standpoint since running backs received the majority of the touches, but that isn't necessarily true any longer.

At the same time, defending the pass is more important than it ever has been, as well. This has prompted the development of several shut-down cornerbacks capable of taking stud receivers out of games. Here are three receivers you would be best off benching in Week 9.

Anquan Boldin - Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin's production really depends upon quarterback Joe Flacco, and Flacco happens to be a fairly inconsistent passer. Because of that, Boldin often alternates between monster performances and mediocre ones.

Boldin has alternated between good and bad games over the past several weeks and that trend seems likely to continue. He exploded for seven catches and 145 yards against the Arizona Cardinals' porous secondary last week, but things most definitely won't come so easily against the Pittsburgh Steelers' top-ranked pass defense on Sunday night.

Although Flacco had a nice three-touchdown performance against Pittsburgh in Week 1, the Steelers are playing far better at this point and surely won't be pushed around. Boldin will likely work against Ike Taylor, and while Taylor isn't exactly a shut-down corner, he certainly has the ability to hang with Boldin.

Stevie Johnson - Buffalo Bills

Perhaps the biggest reason for the 5-2 Buffalo Bills turnaround this season has been the play of the Buffalo offense. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has developed into a legitimate NFL starter, and his receivers are reaping the benefits.

Wide receiver Stevie Johnson became Fitzpatrick's main target last season and broke out with over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. While Johnson has been solid this season with 39 grabs for 439 yards through seven games, he hasn't been the explosive player he was last season. He has yet to record a 100-yard game this year and hasn't had more than 58 yards in a game in over a month.

His fortunes are unlikely to change this week against the New York Jets and their dynamic secondary. It is almost guaranteed that the Jets will force Johnson to operate against All-Pro corner Darrelle Revis on "Revis Island." Few receivers have gotten the better of Revis over the past few seasons, and I expect that to continue on Sunday.

Brandon Marshall - Miami Dolphins

Perhaps the person who has been most adversely affected by the season-ending injury to Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne has been wide receiver Brandon Marshall. While Henne was nothing special, he was adamant about getting the ball to Marshall, and he often did.

While replacement Matt Moore continues to look in Marshall's direction, his numbers have certainly dipped a bit. Marshall hasn't had less than four catches in a game this season, but he has just one touchdown reception and has lacked the big-play ability that makes him an elite pass catcher.

Marshall will draw another tough assignment this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Cornerback Brandon Flowers is likely to be assigned to Marshall in what should be a great matchup. Flowers is quickly developing into one of the league's premier cover corners and won't give Marshall much space to operate. I wouldn't expect anything significant from Marshall on Sunday.