Fantasy Football Week 9: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position

As you sit back and set your fantasy football lineups, a particular game may stand out as the matchup to focus on for a ton of points. That’s the case in Week 9.

Bettors will place wagers on the over point total if they think two teams will light up the scoreboard. In a similar vein, fantasy managers should load up on players in those matchups.

This week, you can pick up some streamers for a game that features two teams with weak defenses and injuries at key positions. Half of our suggested sleepers will play in one contest—two for each club.

While some managers may be wary about putting all their eggs in one basket, you can pick and choose who’s available and which players fit your roster needs with six squads on a bye week.

Let’s discuss the sleeper picks in the fantasy football game of the week and a few other under-the-radar names to consider in point-per-reception leagues for Week 9. All the selections below are available in at least 40 percent of Yahoo leagues as of Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,300

In Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, Marcus Mariota produced his best fantasy performance, scoring 24.4 points. He threw for 253 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions and ran for 43 yards against a defense ranked 23rd against the run and 20th against passing attacks.

This week, Mariota draws a matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, who rank 18th in pass defense and allow the sixth-most rushing yards leaguewide. Moreover, the AFC West club surrenders the most yards per rush attempt (5.7).

Mariota has rushed for at least 43 yards in three of his last four games (with a touchdown in Week 6). As Atlanta Falcons lead rusher Cordarrelle Patterson continues to work his way back from a knee injury at practice, the dual-threat quarterback could maintain a big role in a run-heavy offense, which ranks third in total carries and fifth in rushing yards.

Fantasy managers in need of a high-floor quarterback may strike gold with Mariota, who also has a high production ceiling in this matchup.

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,400

Taylor Heinicke isn’t a flashy fantasy option, but he’s played well enough to stabilize the Washington Commanders offense. He’s thrown for 480 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in place of Carson Wentz, who’s missed the last two games while on injured reserve following finger surgery.

While Heinicke’s passing numbers seem modest for fantasy consideration, he offers a little bit of rushing production as well. As a full-time starter in 2021, he ran for 313 yards and a touchdown. Last week, he scored the game-winning touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts on a one-yard run.

In Week 9, Heinicke has a favorable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who allow the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. On top of that, the NFC North club has surrendered the fourth-most passing yards so far this season. The former Vikings practice squad player (2015-17) may have a little more motivation going into this matchup, and he’s in a good spot to produce a fantasy gem.

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,200

Fantasy managers should swipe Deon Jackson off the waiver wire for two reasons.

First, the Colts will likely turn to him for primary pass-catching duties out of the backfield after they traded Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.

Secondly, star running back Jonathan Taylor missed practice Wednesday because he reaggravated an ankle injury that kept him out of two games this season.

Now, think back to Week 6 when Taylor sat out, and the Colts leaned on Jackson as the starting running back. He caught 10 passes for 79 yards in addition to 42 yards and a touchdown on the ground. For managers in PPR leagues, that’s a dream stat line for a sleeper at running back. Jackson could post similar numbers if he takes on an expanded role again.

Already in a position to handle pass-catching work, Jackson can tack on 10-plus carries against the New England Patriots, who rank 22nd versus the run and allow 4.8 yards per carry (ranked 23rd leaguewide).

Don’t leave Jackson on your waiver wire.

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,900

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons designated their lead rusher, Cordarrelle Patterson, for return from injured reserve. He practiced, but the versatile offensive playmaker may need some time before he suits up after four weeks on the sideline because of a knee injury.

In the meantime, Tyler Allgeier, whom we recommended last week, and Caleb Huntley will likely continue to handle the rushing workload out of the backfield.

Allgeier is rostered in 64 percent of Yahoo leagues, but Huntley remains available in more than 80 percent of leagues. Though the former has played more snaps than the latter in recent weeks, both can make a fantasy impact against the Los Angeles Chargers’ 27th-ranked run defense, which allows the most yards per carry (5.7).

Huntley won’t provide any value as a pass-catcher with zero receptions in his career, but he’s registered double-digit carries in three out of six appearances this season (twice in the last three weeks).

We can assume head coach Arthur Smith remains committed to his fifth-ranked ground attack and tests the Chargers’ weak run defense. At 5’10”, 229 pounds, Huntley may have an opportunity to pound the rock across the goal line for a touchdown to go along with 50-60 rushing yards.

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,100

Fantasy managers in need of wide receiver help should pick up Joshua Palmer without hesitation.

Before the Los Angeles Chargers' bye week, Palmer missed a Week 7 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks because of a concussion, but he went through a full practice Wednesday, which bodes well for his availability in Week 9. With that said, monitor his status because head coach Brandon Staley isn't sure whether the receiver will play Sunday.

With wideout Mike Williams on injured reserve (ankle) and Keenan Allen battling a hamstring injury, Palmer should be rostered in more leagues.

In Week 7, Allen returned to action after he missed five games but only played 32 percent of the offensive snaps. Even if the five-time Pro Bowler gets back on the field for game action after missing practice this week, Palmer can fill a void on the perimeter with Williams on the sideline.

In Palmer’s last showing, he hauled in nine out of 12 targets for 57 yards against the Denver Broncos’ No. 1-ranked pass defense. In a much softer matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who allow the most yards through the air, the second-year wideout could post gaudy receiving numbers.

By the way, the Falcons have allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Furthermore, their top cornerback (A.J. Terrell) missed last week’s game as well as practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury, and fellow boundary cover man Casey Hayward (shoulder) is on injured reserve.

This week, Palmer has strong WR2 appeal with quarterback Justin Herbert going against an extremely leaky, injury-riddled pass defense. If he's not available by the time you read this, grab his wide receiver teammate DeAndre Carter, who's available in 25 percent of Yahoo leagues as of Friday morning.

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,100

We may have a Zay Jones revenge game on our hands. Though he may not have harsh feelings about his former team, the sixth-year wideout has a great matchup.

Through eight weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders have surrendered the most fantasy points to quarterbacks and the second-most passing touchdowns. Also, they rank 25th in yards allowed through the air.

Despite recent struggles in the passing game, with just two touchdowns and four interceptions since Week 5, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence could get back on the right track against the Silver and Black’s porous pass defense, which would serve Jones well.

Going into Week 9, Jones ranks second on the Jaguars in targets (50) and receptions (34), which illustrates his significant role in Jacksonville’s aerial attack. Assuming the Raiders continue to surrender passing yards and touchdowns at a high rate, Jones has legitimate flex appeal. Keep in mind that he’s seen at least eight targets in four out of seven games this season.

DraftKings DFS Price: $2,900

This suggestion looks like a dart throw with wideouts DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the field, but they’re both battling injuries.

Last week, Metcalf (knee) and Lockett (hamstring and ribs) posted solid stat lines in a matchup with the New York Giants, combining for 11 catches, 118 yards and a touchdown apiece.

Nonetheless, Fant had one of his most productive outings of the season against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, hauling in six passes for 45 yards. Through the first eight weeks of the campaign, he’s been targeted more than fellow tight end Will Dissly (28-22), so the 2019 first-rounder may be the preferred pass-catching option at the position against a defense that’s vulnerable in the middle of the field.

The Cardinals allow the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. Over the past two weeks, Arizona has surrendered three touchdowns to players at the position. Fant can extend that streak and add 40-50 receiving yards for a decent Week 9 stat line.

DraftKings DFS Price: $2,600

You’re probably weeks too late to pick up Gerald Everett, who’s rostered in 81 percent of Yahoo leagues, but Donald Parham Jr. is available just about everywhere.

As noted above in our suggestion to add Joshua Palmer, the Los Angeles Chargers may be without their top two wideouts in Mike Williams, who’s on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and Keenan Allen.

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Allen is day-to-day with a hamstring issue and told reporters that the injury "hasn’t responded the way we have wanted." Remember, the wideout had what some people would call a setback with the issue at practice in late September.

With the uncertainty around Allen, the Chargers may feature Everett and Parham in two-tight end sets.

In Week 6, against the Denver Broncos, Parham caught all three of his targets for 53 yards. He didn’t take the field the following week because of a concussion, but the team has cleared him to play. Just like Palmer, check on Parham's status leading up to Sunday's game because Staley isn't sure about his availability.

Parham may have an opportunity to feast on the Atlanta Falcons' pass defense, which allows the most yards leaguewide and gives up the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends.

Editor's note: Staley told reporters that Parham reaggravated a hamstring injury and will be out for weeks.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.