If you’re new to this series, we’ll be diving into some of the biggest start or sit decisions for Week 9 to help your fantasy football teams. Now the rules for who’s eligible for the start and sit of the week are as follows.
This list will only have running backs and wide receivers ranked outside the Top 20 for the best start of the week, which means everyone ranked at 20 or lower is eligible for the best sit of the week.
At tight end, quarterback, and defense, that number now goes down to the Top 10. We’ll be referencing rankings from the Fantasy Pros Week 9 expert consensus rankings (PPR).
One more quick note is that for the fantasy points allowed references, those are made for 0.5 PPR scoring. With that being said, the overall idea is still helpful and applies to PPR rankings.
Breakout Wide Receiver: Travis Hunter (WR26 – Start)
Travis Hunter is in a prime spot to continue his breakout in Week 9 of the NFL season. Hunter just had 14 targets and 24.1 points (PPR) in Week 7, and now he takes on the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the 3rd most fantasy PPG to wide receivers in 2025.
There’s risk with Hunter playing both sides of the ball, but seeing him draw seven and then 14 targets should make you feel good about his involvement. When you pair this recent success with a great matchup, it makes sense to plug Hunter into your lineup in Week 9.
Wide Receiver to Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr (WR19 – Sit)
We have our first of two players who are taking on the Dallas Cowboys, who are a great matchup. That doesn’t always mean that you need to start said player, though.
For context, the Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy PPG to wide receivers this year. At the same time, Marvin Harrison Jr has 10.8 PPG on the season.
With Harrison having less than seven targets in all but one game this year, if you can find a slightly better option, he would be better off on your bench.
Breakout Running Back: Kareem Hunt (RB27 – Start)
As of now, it seems like Isiah Pacheco will not be playing in Week 9. That benefits Kareem Hunt a ton because he’s the clear goal line back now, and he’ll be seeing even more touches in this elite Kansas City Chiefs offense.
Hunt just scored 17.2 points and two touchdowns last week, and while that’s not the most reliable production, the matchup is fantastic. These are two great offenses facing off, and the Buffalo Bills have allowed the 6th most PPG to running backs this year.
Running Back to Sit: Bam Knight (RB19 – Sit)
Despite a great matchup against the Cowboys, who have allowed the 4th most PPG to running backs this year, it’s tough to trust Bam Knight. In the last three weeks, Knight has had one game over 10 points.
While Knight is coming off a game with 17 touches, there’s players being ranked behind him such as Hunt who are in much better situations. It’s tough to rely on Knight when he’s yet to do much with these carries, never running for more than 4.2 YPC this year.
Breakout Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (QB11 – Start)
Matthew Stafford is coming off a 27.4 point Week 8 performance and his numbers were better than you might expect. Stafford has now gone for over 25 fantasy points in three of seven weeks, and he’s averaging 19.2 PPG on the year.
If you don’t have a top end quarterback and you’re looking for a streamer for the week, Stafford is a good option. The Los Angeles Rams’ matchup against the New Orleans Saints is very neutral, as they’ve allowed the 16th most PPG to quarterbacks this year.
Quarterback to Sit: Jaxson Dart (QB10 – Sit)
Although Jaxson Dart has been in the start section before, things have changed for this offense. With Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo down, this offense could really struggle in Week 9.
The numbers we have up to this point aren’t too useful because even having Skattebo really lifted this Giants offense up. Considering that the San Francisco 49ers have allowed the 21st most PPG to quarterbacks this year, all signs point towards a lot of risk in starting Dart.
Breakout Tight End: Zach Ertz (TE14 – Start)
If you’re forced to start a tight end from outside the Top 10 this week, Zach Ertz is your best play. Ertz is not consistent at all, scoring less than seven points in four games.
On the flip side, Ertz has also scored at least 11 points four times. In Week 9, Ertz has a good matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, who have allowed the 8th most PPG this year to tight ends. For that reason, it’s a good week to take a shot on Ertz.
Tight End to Sit: Sam LaPorta (TE8 – Sit)
Sam LaPorta has a bit of a better matchup, taking on the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the 15th most PPG to tight ends this year, but he struggled in Week 7. Now, prior to that, LaPorta had 16.5 points in week six and 20.2 in Week 5.
However, LaPorta has gone under eight fantasy points four times this year. With LaPorta not having more than seven targets since Week 1, he’s a fine upside play, but if you can start a tight end like Kelce instead, that makes more sense.
Breakout Defense: San Francisco 49ers (D/ST 12 – Start)
So far this year, the New York Giants have allowed the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. This week, the Giants take on the San Francisco 49ers.
While that number in itself isn’t great, the logic of the Giants having a rough time in Week 9 also applies here. Having lost two crucial players in their offense now, the 49ers could benefit from the Giants possibly struggling in Week 9.
Defense to Sit: Houston Texans (D/ST9 – Sit)
In Week 9, the Houston Texans take on the Denver Broncos, which is not what you want to see. On the season, the Broncos have allowed the 26th most PPG to opposing defenses.
With the Broncos likely heading into this game with confidence since they just scored 30 points in back to back weeks, avoid the Texans’ defense in your fantasy football league. Overall, avoiding good offenses when making your start or sit decisions of defense is a good rule of thumb.