🚦 To Start or to Sit?

Welcome to the Fantasy Drop Army newsletter!

We all have our first WRs and RBs set to go, but what about those difficult matchup-based decisions? Read on to make your lineup setting easy as can be for Week 9.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• The MUST-START players of Week 9 🔥 

• Players to consider leaving on your bench 🪑 

• The latest news from around the NFL 🏈

SIT: Tampa Bay Bucs’ RBs

If you have Bucky Irving or Rachaad White, let’s hope you’re already leading your matchup going into Monday Night. The Chiefs are the best fantasy defense in football when it comes to stopping running backs. They allow a mere 3.5 yards per carry, and tend not to allow a lot of receiving work to the position. Even in a game with a high total, look elsewhere for your starters.

START: Chuba Hubbard (CAR)

Hubbard has been Panthers’ top back, but that doesn’t always help on a 1-7 team when game script gets in the way. Luckily for him, the matchup is finally favorable this week. The Saints have allowed a rushing touchdown in 4 straight weeks and have allowed over 5 yards per carry on the season. Combine that with the ineptitude of Spencer Rattler’s offense, and Hubbard should have himself a day.

SIT: Nick Chubb (CLE)

Chubb remains on my sit list this week for multiple reasons: he’s still finding his footing after the long absence, the offense is getting used to playing under Jameis Winston, and the Chargers represent another tough matchup. They’re giving up just 73 rushing yards and 16.1 RB PPR points per game. Chubb might help down the stretch, but give him another week to get it going at least.

START: Tony Pollard (TEN)

I’ve been picking on New England a lot, but for good reason. They’re 3rd-worst in the league in allowing nearly 27 PPR points per game to running backs. In the win over the Jets, they still allowed Breece Hall and Braelon Allen to run for 112 yards and a touchdown combined. With Pollard ranking 8th in the league in targets, he’ll find space to work against that team.

SIT: Josh Jacobs (GB)

The Lions present a very difficult matchup for Jacobs. They’re 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game, and also 3rd in fantasy points allowed to the RB position. Could Jacobs find the end zone and save a decent fantasy day? Sure. But, he’ll have a tough time getting there.

SIT: Amari Cooper (BUF)

Cooper will undoubtedly help the Bills down the stretch, but the Dolphins are working their way back to playing decent football, and their defense doesn’t give up a lot to their opponents’ WRs. They’re 2nd in the NFL behind the Chargers in fantasy points allowed per game. Plus, Cooper hasn’t quite found his footing with Josh Allen yet. Give it time to allow him to work his way in.

START: Ladd McConkey (LAC)

I wrote about McConkey yesterday as a premium trade target, and I feel he’ll have another good week. 8 weeks into his NFL career, Ladd is starting to build a solid rapport with Justin Herbert. He’s got at least 6 targets in every game since Week 3, and the Browns are vulnerable to their opponents’ passing attacks.

SIT: Tank Dell (HOU)

With Nico Collins still out, and Stefon Diggs trending in the wrong direction for Thursday night, Dell should be a theoretical lock for lineups. But, I’m not so sure. He has been mostly ineffective this year, posting just one singular week in the top-16 scoring WRs. It doesn’t get any easier on a short week against a stingy Jets’ defense looking for retribution after an embarrassing loss.

START: Courtland Sutton (DEN)

Sutton's target total blew the rest of his teammates’ out of the water against Carolina last weekend. He ended up catching 8 of 11 for 100 yards. He’s Bo Nix’s favorite WR and now has 2 WR2 finishes in the last 3 weeks. Against the Ravens, he’ll see a defense now allowing an incredible 44.5 PPR points to WRs each week.

SIT: Zay Flowers (BAL)

Flowers has put together some good performances lately, but he’s likely to draw tough coverage against Denver. Their strong point is their pass defense. Even though they can be beat for a touchdown every now and then, they haven’t allowed a 100-yard receiver all season. Flowers is best left on benches if you have a comparable player.

👀 Ravens Trade for Target Hog Diontae Johnson

🚔 Warrant Issued for Jameson Williams

🤢 Stefon Diggs Out For Season for Texans

💪 Vikings Reinforce Line: Robinson joins the team

🧑‍🏫 Colts' Plan Growth Break for Anthony Richardson

🚨 Benched Giants to Get a Shot at Redemption

🚑 Jets Kicker Woes: injury adds drama

📉 Texans RB Misses Practice with Groin

✂️ Vikings Cut Myles Gaskin: Rejoins practice squad

🆕 Jaguars Add Velus Jones Jr.: Ex-Bear joins practice squad

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