Week 9 is knocking on the door, and Sunday is right around the corner! If you’re sitting at 3-5 or 2-6, you’re not out of the race just yet. Getting those lineups set correctly is imperative. The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all on byes this week as well. So while some of fantasy football’s main weapons are on break, there are still moves to make to help you make adjustments to your fantasy lineups.
Here are a few options to target in your Week 9 lineups.
Week 9 Starts And Sits
Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams
Sep 14, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Start: Caleb Williams vs. CIN
Now and then, a player needs a “get right” game. Caleb Williams has been struggling in recent weeks, but he has an opportunity to bounce back for fantasy managers. Williams has not risen above 15 fantasy points in his last two games, scoring just 11 fantasy points or less over that span. In Week 9, Williams gets a Bengals defense that’s still allowing 20.5 fantasy points per game to enemy quarterbacks. Williams is crashing 8.2 yards per attempt through the air. The Bengals are allowing 7.6 yards per attempt, the third-most among defenses heading into Week 9.
Start: Mac Jones vs. NYG
Recent reports have stated that Brock Purdy (toe) has shown “dramatic improvement” despite being listed as limited in practice. However, it looks like Mac Jones will get at least one more start as he’s been taking first-team reps all week. Mac Jones has been solid so far in Purdy’s place, averaging 228 passing yards and a 65.9 completion percentage. Jones gets a decent matchup against the New York Giants, who allow the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks at just over 22 fantasy points per game. Jones also ranks ninth in pass attempts from weeks 2-8 with 226. So Jones isn’t afraid to toss the pill around.
Sit: Bryce Young vs. GB
Bryce Young is returning from a one-game injury stint after missing Week 8 with an ankle injury. Young returns to the starting lineup to face off against the Green Bay Packers. Young’s production hasn’t been the greatest this season for fantasy. Young is averaging just 13.2 fantasy points per game and currently ranks as the QB25 in total fantasy points. Young has just 11 touchdowns to five interceptions heading into Week 9. The Packers, though, have been a bit tough on opposing offenses. The Packers defense is averaging just 21.4 points per game and has been putting heat on opposing quarterbacks. The Packers currently rank seventh in Pressures with 70. Young could be under duress going up against the Packers’ defense, led by a hungry Micah Parsons.
Running Backs
Start: Kimani Vidal vs. TEN
Kimani Vidal’s time may be coming to an end as a starter, as recent news is that Omarion Hampton will be returning soon from injury. While that may be the case, Vidal is still going to be the lead back against the Tennessee Titans this week. The Titans are giving up the third-most fantasy points to running backs at 29.2 fantasy points per game. The Titans are allowing 142 yards per game on the ground, ranking seventh among defenses. On the other hand, Vidal is averaging nearly 17 carries per game over his last three starts and should continue to see work in the red zone. Over that same span, Vidal is averaging 16.7 fantasy points per game. Vidal can take advantage of this matchup and should be a good play for fantasy managers this week.
Start: Kyren Williams vs. NO
Kyren Williams and the Los Angeles Rams return from their bye week to take on the New Orleans Saints for Week 9. The Saints are allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs at 23.5. Williams is averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the ground and has five total touchdowns on the season. The Saints rank tenth in yards allowed at 994 (124 per game), so Williams should be involved on the ground often in this contest. Williams is also dominating the Rams’ backfield in Red Zone touches, 18-8 between him and Blake Corum.
Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. SEA
The Commanders have been taking their lumps over the last few weeks. The run game has been an area of concern for the Commanders with Jacory Croskey-Merritt. JCM hasn’t hit double-digit fantasy points since his 27 fantasy point game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the better defenses in defending running backs this season. The Seahawks are allowing the fewest rushing yards per game to running backs at just 75.7 yards per game. Not only that, but the Seahawks have allowed just two rushing touchdowns on the season. With JCM not involved much in the passing game, he’s worth a sit this week until a better matchup comes around.
Wide Receivers
Start: Chimere Dike vs. LAC
The Titans’ starting wide receiver, Calvin Ridley, has been ruled out due to injury, so the path is open for Dike to get more starting reps. Dike has been playing solid football with his opportunity, seeing 12 targets over the last two games and averaging 16.7 fantasy points per game over that span. Dike should continue to see work from Cam Ward, as Ward loves to target the slot wide receiver. The Chargers have been a good defense, but have shown a weakness against wide receivers. The Chargers are allowing 28.1 fantasy points per game to the position. Dike is a deeper option for fantasy managers to flex this week.
Start: Brian Thomas Jr. vs. LVR
With Travis Hunter landing on injured reserve, Brian Thomas Jr’s stock steps up to another level. While his slow start has been a bit disheartening to begin the season, his volume as the Jaguars’ undisputed top option in the passing game should lead to fantasy points. The Las Vegas Raiders are on the docket for Week 9. The Raiders are allowing nearly 37 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers over the last eight weeks of the season. BTJ is also cleared to play as he was dealing with a shoulder injury before the Jaguars went on their bye week. More volume plus a clean bill of health should be positives for Thomas to be ready to go for fantasy managers this week.
Sit: Darius Slayton vs. SF
The Giants lost Malik Nabers earlier this season and are now using whatever players are left. Darius Slayton has seen 11 targets over the last two games but hasn’t eclipsed 50 yards in either of those games. Slayton hasn’t topped seven fantasy points in any of his last three games. The 49ers rank 13th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers but this feels like a trap play. Slayton should be on the bench unless you’re truly desperate for wide receiver play.
Tight Ends
Start: Zach Ertz vs. SEA
The Commanders’ tight end has another opportunity to be productive for fantasy managers in Week 9. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quad) was ruled OUT, leaving just Deebo Samuel as the top option for the returning Jayden Daniels. Ertz will be a safety release for Daniels underneath should things get hairy on the field. Ertz is also a solid red zone target as he’s caught two touchdowns in his last three games. The Seahawks are giving up nearly 16 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, eighth-most among fantasy defenses.
Sit: Dalton Kincaid vs. KC
You would think, with the lack of ball-dominant receivers in the Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver room, that Dalton Kincaid would see more work than he has. Kincaid has been on the inconsistent side for fantasy managers this year. Kincaid has three games with double-digit fantasy points in a year. Kincaid bombed out against the Carolina Panthers last week, scoring just 3.3 fantasy points. Now he goes up against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that’s shutting down opposing tight ends. The Chiefs are allowing just 8.3 fantasy points per game to enemy tight ends, the fourth-fewest in fantasy football.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images