Two months in and all of the current AFC division leaders are surprising. You look at the Patriots, Steelers, Colts and Broncos and probably think there’s not an immediate player from any of those teams that you just had to have on your fantasy team before the season began.
You blinked and are having to learn the value of Drake Maye, Kayshon Boutte, Jaylen Warren, J.K. Dobbins – and the true league-winning gift of Jonathan Taylor.
Otherwise, you’re looking for players on a week featuring another four teams on their bye, with significant injuries hurting your chances of playing someone you picked up to cover for the guy you lost to a season-ending injury.
Back by popular demand this season: the top five sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, more times than not so far this season, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball.
What you may need is that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with.
Last week, we saw Bengals’ QB Joe Flacco, Texans’ RB Woody Marks, Colts’ WR Josh Downs, Texans’ WR Jaylin Noel and Broncos’ TE Evan Engram make the list.
Through halftime, Noel was Houston’s leading receiver…I don’t want to hear it.
To help you make these decisions, this article contains my top five sleepers of the week, and why.
Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 9 SLEEPERS
Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks
@ Washington Commanders
Two times in three weeks, huh?
My analysis of Sam Darnold needing to throw for the Seahawks to beat Houston was proved wrong, I can admit it. But I think the run success against the Texans surprised more than just me.
Washington allows the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and let’s call it for what it is: Corner Marshon Lattimore is washed and won’t be able to guard Jaxson Smith-Njigba.
So far this season, Darnold’s floor is the mid-20s, that I think could break 30 if he can find the end zone at least twice.
I’m aware of the injuries to Cooper Kupp (hamstring) and Jake Bobo (Achilles, out), but Tory Horton has had multiple games this season with double-digit fantasy points in all formats, as well as three touchdowns. Tight end A.J. Barner is also coming into his own; he has four scores on the season and as many as seven catches in a game already this season when stepping up due to teammate injuries.
Zach Charbonnet should also see a blanket of targets, making Darnold able to rebound.
Darnold ranks in Tier 4 (QB 17) on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings.
*Points are based off standard, CBSSports.com settings.
Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
@ Las Vegas Raiders
Fantasy managers likely are skeptical of Travis Etienne with his dip in production since Week 4. He has been held to single-digit fantasy points in weeks 5-7 heading into the Jaguars’ bye.
But, that came against Kansas City, Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams, who sport solid run defenses.
Travis Hunter (knee) has also been placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 9, and Tim Patrick is also ruled out. Dyami Brown and Parker Washington don’t exactly scare defenses, but they’re successful for deep plays and in the slot, making defenses stay honest or be burned.
The Raiders have also allowed a running back to score more than 13 PPR points in four of their last five games (CBSSports).
Etienne ranks in Tier 4 (RB 17) on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings.
Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals
@ Dallas Cowboys
No matter who was starting in the backfield for Arizona this week, he would’ve been on the list.
Dallas gives up the second-most points to running backs so far this season, including 157 to Josh Jacobs (two touchdowns), 155 to Breece Hall, 239 to Rico Dowdle and 172 combined to J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey.
To not make this analysis two sentences, we can add that Arizona has given Bam Knight double-digit carries in his last two games and has two touchdowns in his last three.
I’m also fully aware that Jacoby Brissett started over Kyler Murray (foot) in those weeks, but he passed for 599 yards in that span. Arizona didn’t need to run Knight.
Knight ranks in Tier 4 (RB 21) on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
@ Green Bay Packers
As a Tetairoa McMillan owner, he’s still not a must-start for me. But this week I’m going to start with him.
Even with Andy Dalton last week and the Panthers’ poor showing, McMillan tied his highest target amount of his young career (10) and caught seven balls for 99 yards.
Bryce Young (ankle) should be back this week, barring any pregame setback, and Carolina should again be in a game of catch-up.
I like McMillan better in any form of PPR, as he only has touchdowns in one game so far this season, but top receiving options have done well so far against the Packers (George Pickens, Ja’Marr Chase, D.K. Metcalf).
McMillan is a rookie, but neither corners Carrington Valentine nor Keisean Nixon scares me in this matchup. Green Bay could see wind gusts near 20 miles per hour, but the temperature will still be in the 50s, working in Carolina’s favor.
McMillan ranks in Tier 4 (WR 22) on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings.
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders
Vs Seattle Seahawks
Zach Ertz can have a sigh of relief that he gets Jayden Daniels (hamstring) back.
It comes just in time to face a Seattle defense who’s in the bottom third of defense against tight ends.
Ertz didn’t secure more than 37 yards with backup Marcus Mariota and saw his red zone target share drop. But, Terry McLaurin (quad) will miss another game this week, leaving Ertz, Deebo Samuel and Luke McCaffrey as the top receiving options.
With Dallas Goedert and Cade Otton on bye, and Mark Andrews already playing on Thursday, check Ertz’s availability in your league.
Ertz ranks in Tier 3 (TE 10) on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings. Please note that players at this position appear in higher tiers, as it features the smallest number of options per fantasy offense position.
Bonus Unit: Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
@ Buffalo Bills
Returning readers will find this as bonus content, and you new eyes simply see the first season with the installment of “Bonus Unit” without needing to work for it.
While Kareem Hunt is not a “unit” he is my bonus content pick this week.
Hunt was already chipping away at Isaiah Pacheco’s work load, but Pacheco has been ruled out with a knee injury.
I again like Hunt more in PPR formats, but in a game against the Bills, who are also in the bottom third for points per game against running backs, he is sneaky. I think it’s fully possible he gets around 10 total touches and scores. He has four touchdowns in his last four games.
Hunt ranks in Tier 4 (RB 19) on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings.
