Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore (12) runs the ball past Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on October 21 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI |
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Oct. 30 (UPI) -- It is now Week 9 of the 2018 fantasy football season and that means its time for you to stock up your team for depth down the stretch, make some moves to improve your squad to fight for a playoff spot or maybe just play spoiler if you haven't had a great season.
Either way, there is still fun to be had in your league. Picking up some high-upside free agents is one way to help your team immediately. Below I have listed some of my favorite targets and drops for Week 9.
There are also six teams on a bye this week, so you need to make sure you have your starting lineup filled out so you don't end up with a zero in the scoring column. Bench all players from the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, as those teams are sitting out in Week 9.
Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 9.
ALL-ADD TEAM
QB | Ryan Fitzpatrick; RB | Josh Adams, Elijah McGuire; WR | Keke Coutee, D.J. Moore, Chris Conley; TE | Ed Dickson; D/ST | New York Jets; K | Matt Bryant
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Derek Carr; RB | Trenton Cannon, Darren Sproles, Mike Davis. Devontae Booker; WR | David Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Josh Reynolds, Courtland Sutton; TE | Chris Herndon; D/ST | Kansas City Chiefs
TOP DROPS
QB | Jameis Winston; RB | Carlos Hyde, Corey Clement, Ronald Jones; WR | Will Fuller, Keelan Cole; TE | C.J. Uzomah
QUARTERBACK
The "Fitzmagic" is back in Tampa Bay after the Buccaneers announced that Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers. That means he should be added if you need a quarterback or are facing a team that needs a quarterback. Fitzpatrick opened the season as one of the best fantasy football gunslingers and if he has any magic left in the tank, you don't want it used against you. There are also six teams on a bye this week, so you should add him to your bench if you have the space. The veteran quarterback nearly led his team to a comeback victory in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, throwing for 194 yards and two touchdowns in two quarters.
He likely has the highest ceiling of any quarterback on your waiver wire if you are in a league with at least 12 teams.
RUNNING BACK
Even though the Philadelphia Eagles have a Week 9 bye, it would be a good idea to stash rookie running back Josh Adams. Adams showed some signs of life in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing for 61 yards on nine carries. I expect his workload to increase after the Eagles come back from their bye, as they are looking for someone to be productive out of the backfield following Jay Ajayi's injury. Adams has the potential to be an RB2 play down the stretch in the right matchup.
New York Jets running back Elijah McGuire has some sleeper appeal down the stretch. McGuire recently returned to practice for the Jets and could be a nice stash. His upside is worth a roster spot in deeper leagues if you have the space.
WIDE RECEIVER
Houston Texans burner Will Fuller is out for the season, so if anyone dropped Keke Coutee in your league you need to scoop him up immediately. Coutee sat out in Week 8 due to a hamstring injury but he is in for a major role once again in Week 9, if he plays. The rookie pass catcher has just one score on the season, but did go off for 11 receptions for 109 yards in Week 4. He has very high upside playing opposite of DeAndre Hopkins and is worth a bench spot even if he doesn't suit up this week. If he does play, he is a WR3.
TIGHT END
The tight end position is usually a dart throw in fantasy football if you don't have one of the elite players. Ed Dickson is a dart throw of dart throws if you choose to insert him into your lineup, but the veteran is coming off of a good game. Last week, Dickson had two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. You could gamble on that performance again against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed three touchdowns to opposing tight ends on the season. Pick up Dickson if you have the bench space and are in a deep league that requires starting a tight end, but only plug him into your lineup if you are desperate.
