By Ryan Bologna
The trade deadline has come and gone in the NFL, and it was an active one. Multiple notable players changed teams, and that could impact your fantasy team. Here is whom top experts think you should start in week nine.
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa was the most popular quarterback in the start ’em category this week. He is coming off a good game against Detroit and has been showing his confidence in press conferences. Miami is a different team with him at quarterback. Tagovailoa is someone who could cement himself as your starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
It’s no secret that Matthew Stafford hasn’t played as well as many expected so far this year, but this is one of the toughest matchups he will have this season. The Buccaneers haven’t been the same on the offensive side of the ball, but that is still one of the best defenses. Experts recommend leaving Stafford on your bench this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers | Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, PJ Walker, Mac Jones |
| ESPN | Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields | Tom Brady, Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford |
| CBS | Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Geno Smith | Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Derek Carr, Tom Brady |
| Yahoo | Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Joe Burrow | Jared Goff, Marcus Mariota, Derek Carr, Andy Dalton, Matthew Stafford |
| Sporting News | Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, Geno Smith | Tom Brady, Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford |
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams and D’Onta Foreman stand out in the start ’em category. Williams has been productive in multiple games this year, and is coming off a good one against Miami. Experts see another good one coming against the Packers this week. Foreman is seeing a bug role in the Panthers offense after the Christian McCaffrey trade. If you picked him up recently, he could be worth a start.
Experts aren’t as high on Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Brian Robinson. Edwards-Helaire is no longer the outright starter in Kansas City due to Isiah Pacheco, and experts are higher on Kansas City’s pass catchers this week. Brian Robinson’s role in the Commanders offense is in question. With players like Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic on the roster, experts think he is a risky start.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Aaron Jones, Miles Sanders, Raheem Mostert, Tyler Allgeier | James Robinson, Darrell Henderson, Brian Robinson, Kenyan Drake |
| ESPN | Devin Singletary, David Montgomery, D’Onta Foreman, Jamaal Williams, Antonio Gibson | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, AJ Dillon, Eno Benjamin, Kenyan Drake, Brian Robinson |
| CBS | Miles Sanders, D’Onta Foreman, Raheem Mostert, Jamaal Williams, Antonio Gibson | Michael Carter, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Brian Robinson, Darrell Henderson |
| Yahoo | D’Onta Foreman, Raheem Mostert, Jamaal Williams, Devin Singletary, Khalil Herbert | Kenyan Drake, Eno Benjamin, Brian Robinson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrell Henderson |
| Sporting News | Raheem Mostert, David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert, AJ Dillon, Jamaal Williams | Devin Singletary, James Robinson, Michael Carter, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Brian Robinson |
Wide Receivers
As mentioned earlier, experts are high on Kansas City pass catchers this week. After a slow start to the season, JuJu Smith-Schuster has been the most reliable target for the Chiefs so far this season, and experts like the matchup this week against the Titans. Tennessee usually gives up a significant amount of fantasy points to wide receivers.
Experts are not as high on the rookie receivers. Garrett Wilson had a great start to the season, but he has not produced much since Zach Wilson returned to the starting lineup. With the Bills coming to town, it’s another tough matchup for the Jets this week. The Falcons passing offense isn’t particularly strong either, and experts don’t see Drake London doing much against the Chargers this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Keenan Allen, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyler Boyd, Chris Olave | Allen Robinson, Robert Woods, Isaiah McKenzie, Garrett Wilson |
| ESPN | DJ Moore, Terry Mclaurin, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Adam Thielen, Jakobi Myers | Zay Jones, Curtis Samuel, Garrett Wilson, Allen Robinson, Drake London |
| CBS | DJ Moore, Terry Mclaurin, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyler Boyd, Jakobi Myers | Brandin Cooks, Drake London, Kadarius Toney, Allen Robinson, Michael Pittman |
| Yahoo | Chris Olave, DJ Moore, Terry Mclaurin, Chris Godwin, Gabe Davis | Darnell Mooney, Romeo Doubs, Allen Robinson, Drake London, Garrett Wilson |
| Sporting News | JuJu Smith-Schuster, Adam Thielen, Romeo Doubs, Curtis Samuel, Darnell Mooney | Michael Pittman, Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Hunter Renfrow, Zay Jones |
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett, who was a popular waiver wire pickup early in the season, is the most popular tight end in the start ’em category this week. With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen missing time, Everett should see more targets than he usually does. Experts believe he is a strong streaming option this week.
T.J. Hockenson was just traded from the Lions to the Vikings. With Irv Smith being out, he should be the main tight end in the Vikings offense. However, he might not be heavily involved this week, as he is still learning the Vikings offensive system. Experts also believe he was propped up by one very strong game.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Zach Ertz, Evan Engram, Gerald Everett, Noah Fant | T.J. Hockenson, Hunter Henry, Cole Kmet, Cade Otton |
| ESPN | Gerald Everett, Zach Ertz, T.J. Hockenson, Evan Engram, Robert Tonyan | Mike Gesicki, Dawson Knox, Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson, Cole Kmet |
| CBS | Gerald Everett, Evan Engram, Robert Tonyan | Cade Otton, Taysom Hill, Hayden Hurst, T.J. Hockenson |
| Yahoo | Zach Ertz, T.J. Hockenson, Taysom Hill, Kyle Pitts, Tyler Higbee | Dawson Knox, Mike Gesicki, Tyler Conklin, Isaiah Likely, Juwan Johnson |
| Sporting News | Evan Engram, Zach Ertz, Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Robert Tonyan | T.J. Hockenson, Taysom Hill, Hayden Hurst, Dawson Knox, Mike Gesicki |
