Below you will find our Week 9 Start Bench Advice for the 2013 fantasy football season. Who should you start entering Week 9? Who should you sit? If you have start ‘em and sit ‘em dilemmas not mentioned below, be sure to post a comment at the end of the article; I, or one of our awesome DraftCalc moderators, will try and hit you back with an answer!
We also have your Week 9 Add/Drop Advice below!
Also, don’t forget to check out our Week 9 Projections.
Let’s get to it!
- Week 9: Sneaky Starts
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Terrelle Pryor vs. PHI
The Eagles are second-to-last against the pass, and given how explosive Terrelle Pryor is on the ground (two 100-yard games and two 50+ outings so far this year), this match-up is gold. Don’t go sitting an obvious top 5QB for the guy, but if you have yourself a little dilemma at the position this week, jump on our forums and create a poll (a new feature that we added to our forums)!
Terrance Williams vs. MIN
Terrance Williams pulled in two passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 against the Lions, and he now has four-straight games with a touchdown. Four! He also has pulled in over 70 yards three times over the last five weeks. You’re looking at one of the bigger fantasy WR3 steals of the year so far! Start him with a smile against this Eagles defense. Of course, Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and gang are all in for big days as well! It wouldn’t shock me if Romo threw for well over 300 with 2-3TDs, at least one going to Dez.
Chris Johnson at STL
The Rams have the fourth-worst rushing defense in the NFL, and CJ2K is coming fresh off a bye… and, before that, he dropped 110 total yards and a score against the 49ers. With Jake Locker back under center, this offense isn’t one dimensional any longer. It’s not New Orleans, but it’s potent enough to keep defenses honest, especially poor ones, and all this spells a big day for CJ2K.
Danny Woodhead at WAS
Washington ranks in the bottom six in the NFL against the run, so Danny Woodhead could see more than what some would expect on the ground, which is his usual 30 yards or so… let’s call it 40-45 yards rushing this week, then, of course, he will do his damage through the air, and WAS is in the bottom 10 against the pass… so, 100 total yards and a rushing score (or a receiving one if he can’t run one in) wouldn’t shock me here.
Le’Veon Bell at NE
New England is second-to-last against the run and Le’Veon Bell will be leaned on in this battle. Heading into his last outing, where he got just 13 carries, he had 16, 16 and 19 carries in back-to-back-to-back games, so blame his 13 carries in Week 8 on flow of game, but note that he scored in the game. Also note that he had 93 rushing yards the week prior (again the game he had 19 carries). He is a strong start this week and really it’s all about things coming together for him. I think things will come together here in this game.
Trent Richardson at HOU
I said it a week or so ago, that while I still had hope that Trent Richardson would have some good games prior to his bye week, there was a chance he wouldn’t shine until after the bye. Well, while there is still risk, given how Indy has used him thus far, his match-up against HOU is gold, as they rank inside the bottom 10 in the league against the run. This might be that 100-yard game (with a score) we have all been waiting for. If not, it might be time to give up on his 2013 season (at least until he proves reliable, and of course assuming you have similar options on your bench), but no matter how things shake out this year, he is a young player in a great offense, so you can bet that no matter what, he will be a strong buy-low recommendation in dynasty leagues this off-season.
Ben Tate vs IND
While Ben Tate (ribs) is hurt, he could start this week. That said, Arian Foster (hamstring) could play and Tate could sit, it’s that up in the air. Stay on the news! Just know that if Tate starts, he could easily crank out top 10RB numbers this week against Indy.
Philip Rivers at WAS
Washington ranks in the bottom 10 in the league against the pass. Philip Rivers could have a nice game in this one, as could an underrated guy like Eddie Royal. Of course, Keenan Allen is a strong play, capable of 80-100 and a score.
Jarrett Boykin vs. CHI
Jarrett Boykin had five catches for 89 yards in Week 8, and he is coming off 8-103-1TD the week prior. With CHI likely looking to focus on Jordy Nelson (7-123-2TDs last week) in Week 9, Boykin is a great bet to have a big game this week!
- Week 9: Add-Drop Advice
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Marvin Jones – WR (CIN)
I have always liked Marvin Jones, and I wrote about him in a preseason sleeper article. Well, it’s taken a long time for him to emerge, but boy did he ever in Week 8, as he scored 4TDs and pulled in 8 receptions for 122 yards. Wow. If you started him in Week 8, congrats. Brilliant move! Will he ever repeat this performance? Well, not likely this season, but the dude is fantasy WR3-ready, and he is capable of 80 and a score during any given week. He is a must-add, and he isn’t likely available in dynasty formats (but check your waiver wire just in case!).
Kenny Stills – WR (NO)
I love this kid, and honestly, he almost needs to be listed in the “note” section at the bottom of this page, where I state “and these guys are not likely available in your league, but look just in case.” Seriously, he has that kind of value in that NO passing attack. That said, the guy is still a free agent in a grip of leagues, so here he sits at No. 2 overall on this Week 9 add/drop list. Last week, Stills had 3 receptions for 129 yards and 2TDs… he had 3 receptions for 64 yards and 1TD the week prior. He is the real deal, at least in that offense. He is a fine fantasy WR3 down the stretch!
Mike Tolbert – RB (CAR)
Who knows how many carries he can get his hands on moving forward? Honestly, it’s just so unclear, especially with Jonathan Stewart on the verge of returning to action. Where will all these CAR backs fit into the offense? Well, Tolbert looks explosive. I like the guy a lot and I love how he runs. He touched the ball 11 times for 64 yards and a score in Week 8. He is the TD threat – for now.
Daryl Richardson – RB (STL)
Zach Stacy is the starter, make no mistake about it, but he hurt his ankle at the very end of last week’s game, so this is more of an insurance move, or a “play him if he starts” move. Monitor the Stacy news in order to know what kind of value Richardson holds this week.
Jake Locker – QB (TEN)
While he is tough to count on as a starter, there are a ton of byes this week, and other QBs, like Mike Vick, aren’t leaving fantasy owners a lot of options. Locker is 240-280 and 2-3TD capable if he is on his game, so he isn’t a bad play if you need a bye week or injury plug-in. He has a nice match-up against STL in Week 9.
Nick Foles – QB (PHI)
Again, as just mentioned above, byes and injuries are forcing fantasy owners to turn to risky QB plays this week, but Foles still has appeal despite an awful performance the last time he ran out onto the field. His offense puts him in a good position to produce, and he should do well against OAK this week. He is totally capable of busting, sure, know that, but no one is advising you start Foles unless you’re in extreme need… risk and all, he is totally capable for 250+ and 2TDs as well.
Lance Moore – WR (NO)
His 3 receptions for 34 yards and 1TD last week proves he still has some fantasy WR4/5 value.
Drew Davis – WR (ATL)
It’s tough to know how consistent he will be, but 5 receptions for 77 yards and a score last week makes him an attractive fantasy WR5/6 right now.
Note
While these guys are not likely available in your league, it’s worth checking: Andre Brown, Shane Vereen, Montee Ball, Ben Tate and Darrius Heyward-Bey. All were on our previous list(s) in Weeks 6-8, so clearly move them to the top of your list this week if you find that any of them/all are somehow available in your player pool. Vereen was looking as good as we advertised in Week 1, which is/was top 5-10RB capable, but then he broke his wrist. Well, he comes back soon… Brown should be starting for the Giants coming out of the bye, Ball is a total wait-and-see, but would rock the house if Knowshon Moreno ever got hurt (and Ball got 4 touchdown opportunities last week, which is interesting… and he punched one in)… Tate has four broken ribs, but with Arian Foster (hamstring) possibly more questionable than Tate this week, it makes Tate a must-own for even non-Foster owners… finally, there is good old Darrius Heyward-Bey, a player that will never shine unless handed a “tough to fail” opportunity, and this might be that opportunity, as Reggie Wayne (ACL) is out for the year. Again, all of these guys are likely gone in your league, but check just in case!
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Our Week 9 Player Projections are sortable, so that you can list only running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers or tight ends individually. Or, you can list all positions at once. We also have a PPR and non-PPR sorting option. Your line-up decisions just got a whole lot easier!
View Week 9 Projections
Sorry about this being about 2 hours late tonight, DC Nation!
Note, for my opinion on who to start and sit, I point you to my projections link just right above… but, BDD and the mods will also answer some of those if you post em, and please post some start bench polls on our forums, which is a new feature.
Post any trade questions below!
No offense Smitty but its more than 2 hours late. The add/drop is pretty much useless after waivers. This is why I paid the in season special. Its been being posted later and later each week. I’ve been following you for a couple years and enjoy your work but you need to do better. This is unprofessional.
I post the start bench advice every Tuesday late night. And the add/drop advice is often inside the article. I’ll try posting it as a separate article on Monday nights for ya.
Thanks for replying. I think that is a lot more reasonable. Waiver wires are super completive in my 14 person league, and you’re my secret weapon
Also I’m in 2nd place in my 14 team league and have been stashing RBs. Because of a bye to Stafford, (starting Campbell) I don’t currently have a kicker. Is it worth dropping Doug Martin if I am looking to be a lock for the playoffs?
No way. That could change, but the most recent news on Martin is that he could play soon. Let’s even call it 2-3 weeks from now (just throwing out a number), he is capable of being a top 5-10RB if he does return and isn’t affected too much by the injury.
hey smitty im looking for your trade advice strandard NONppr league 12 man league
my team.. luck,jamaal,lamar miller,josh gordon,keenan allen,jordan cameron, julius thomas,ty hilton,steven jackson,victor cruz ben tate ,shane vereen, montee ball
now with this team im 5-3 and currently would be in playoffs … this guys wants my ty hilton for his ellington would you do that with my line up or stay put( he wants gordon but i told him the price tag on gordon is much higher). he needs a wr bad. i really like ellington and feel that i can use another back am i giving up too much?? i love ty but i think it might make my team better. also he is considering giving up bernard instead of ellington because bernard is not getting carries should i roll the dice on bernard instead?
Wow, tough call. I roll the dice on Bernard, and sure I consider Ellington, but AZ is a trap for RBs, or at least they have been. You could bank on that changing, and it could, but I think I’d rather bank on Gio getting more carries/receptions. Remember, Gio had a touchdown last week that was called back because his knee was down (and he lost the ball hitting the goal line with it). I think he scored, but that TD would have changed his stat line quite a bit.
Get a few more takes on this one, as it’s not absolute for me, but for now I say Gio for Hilton, sure. Ellington.. maybe, he certainly has the talent to be a top 10-15RB in fantasy, but AZ scares me a bit. No way I trade Gordon at all in these deals. Don’t even entertain those talks any longer.
Post a poll on the forums! I saw you registered, you should be all set to log onto the forums!
Cuse. Gotta agree with Smitty. Wouldn’t even consider giving up TY, especially with Wayne out, for Ellington. If it was ppr maybe, but non-ppr, ARZ is not gonna give him the volume you need. As a guy who has championed Beanie Wellls and Ryan Williams the past two years, trust me, you don’t want any part of any ARZ rb. That offensive line is just awful. Maybe if Cooper had been healthy all year it would be different. Gio on the other hand, I’d consider that trade. TY shoud be big 2nd half, but Gio could be as well. Depends on what you feel you need more. RB or WR.
Right, the key point is non-PPR. Great feedback, donvaughn.
Need some trade advice please. It’s a 12 team non ppr, 4 player keeper league. I’m 3-5 and only one game out of first in my division.
My team:
Romo and Locker
L. Miller B. Pierce
TRich B. Brown
Vereen C. Michael
Dez A. Jeffrey Julio
Gordon Marvin Jones
K. Allen D. Hopkins
I have pretty good depth at WR even though I lost Julio but I need help at RB, I believe. Julio would probably be one of my 4 keepers but I have received lots of offers for him. Should I trade Julio for L. Bell or maybe trade him for Doug Martin? If I trade for Martin even if he doesn’t come back this year Martin would be one of my keepers. Or should I trade Hopkins or Marvin Jones for Andre Brown? Would Brown do anything for me? Or should I do nothing right now?
I trade Marvin Jones for Andre Brown. I think that’s a fair move, one that helps you enough to make not doing any of the other mentioned trades, which helps your future. Julio is a top 12 pick next year. He may not seem like it for a while, and he could even lose value in the next few months as people worry about him more and more heading into the off-season. But come August, I have a feeling he will be back in everyone’s top 9-12. Could Martin? Sure, but for now, I keep Julio. I do like Martin, and I say trade for him as well somehow? I think he is a great buy-low, as is Julio, which this owner you’re dealing with knows. Don’t trade Julio, absolutely go get Andre Brown, he will have a good stretch run here soon, and go get Martin anyway using Hopkins or Allen or both? Great drafting/managing, tough break on Julio… if you still had him, your team is super dominant looking given your situation and only being 1 game out of first. You’ve endured a lot that no one could have predicted.
Thank u for your time Smitty. Great advice as always. Appreciate your response.
No prob, buddy!
Smitty,
Would you trade Sporles for Trent Richardson?
Phil
Redraft, probably not, at least in PPR. In non-PPR, depends. I think he has a bright future, so the answer is yes in dynasty, but in non-PPR redraft, it’s close, and depends on your team. If you need a home run to make the playoffs, I do it. If you just need a safe output each week from this spot, Sproles is safe.
who do i start hilton or allen…luck or rg3….woodhead or spiller?please help
My projections show my view. I think you could hit and miss on this group each week. PPR or not matters, as well. Luck is safer, so Luck at QB. Spiller, you gotta stay on the news and know he is the home run and Woodhead is the steady play, the guy that will get you 10-15 points. Spiller could get you 4pts or 25.
Hilton.