We’re entering the second half of the NFL season, and this is when fantasy football owners really need to start focusing on the push to their league playoffs. The right waiver add or lineup tweak can make all the difference. Hopefully my top-five sleeper picks for Week 9 help on your quest to fantasy dominance!
As always, hit me up with any questions on Twitter @AndyMc81 using #AskAndy.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
Yahoo! League ownership = 7%
Draft Kings salary = $4,700
There’s not much to like about New England’s offence this season. Injuries and overall poor performances have tumbled the perennial contenders to third in the AFC East. The good news is that they play the Jets this Sunday. New York is unquestionably the laughing stock of the league making this a perfect chance for Cam Newton and company to get back on track. However, who should you play outside of Cam on a club void of playmakers?
The answer at wide receiver is Jakobi Meyers. Damiere Byrd has regressed since Week 4 whereas the chemistry between Meyers and his quarterback has grown. The six-foot-two sophomore has caught 10 passes on 16 targets over the past two games that saw him earn double digit FPTs in each for PPR formats. I like the odds of Meyers’ stock continuing to rise in this inter-division showdown.
Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Yahoo! League ownership = 85%
Draft Kings salary = $4,100
Quietly, Hayden Hurst finds himself as a TE-6 in all of fantasy football at the beginning of November ahead of the likes of Mark Andrews and Rob Gronkowski. Atlanta’s train wreck of a season has distracted from Hurst’s consistent output, especially during the past month. The former Baltimore Raven has averaged 12.96-FPTs over his last three outings and is seeing in the range of six-to-seven targets per game.
Whether the ailing Calvin Ridley dresses or not, Hurst is a solid high floor option versus a middle of the pack Broncos defence and a bargain salary in DFS.
Troymaine Pope, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Yahoo! League ownership = 2%
Draft Kings salary = $4,000
It seems like the Joshua Kelley experiment is on pause for the time being in Los Angeles. Even with Austin Ekeler placed on IR the backfield usage favoured Justin Jackson and last week also turned to Troymaine Pope.
The undrafted journeyman played 29 per cent of the Chargers' offensive snaps for 67 yards on 10 carries as well as five receptions. Pope’s also got a terrific matchup in front of him against a Raiders unit that’s allowed the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL and is sixth in fantasy points allowed to running backs.
He cleared concussion protocol as of Thursday, but is still listed as doubtful, so keep a close eye on the situation prior to kickoff. Pope makes for a savvy Flex start and contrarian play in DFS contests if he suits up.
Drew Lock, QB, Denver Broncos
Yahoo! League ownership = 18%
Draft Kings salary = $5,200
In a perfect world, would you want to slide Drew Lock into your fantasy lineup? Of course not, but if you’re in bye week trouble or looking for a cheaper DFS quarterback choice with upside, there is a path where the Broncos signal-caller makes sense.
Lock looks like he’s shaken off the rust from missing three games early in the year and tossed an impressive last-minute TD pass to beat the Chargers last weekend. He posted three touchdowns in the victory and faces an inferior Atlanta defence Sunday afternoon.
The Falcons have given up the second-most fantasy points to QBs in 2020 and Denver is getting healthier. At the very least, Lock should be at the top of your list as the second in two quarterback leagues.
Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Football Team
Yahoo! League ownership = 91%
Draft Kings salary = $5,800
It’s easy to forget about the 2-5 Washington Football Team, especially coming out of the bye. This may not be must-see real-life action, but Antonio Gibson is on the upswing after delivering his first 100-yard rushing effort in Week 7.
I’ve had my eye on the rookie ever since head coach Ron Rivera called him a “Christian McCaffrey type of weapon” in training camp. While he’s not operating at a CMC level quite yet, Gibson’s workload has steadily increased as someone that can rumble between the tackles and lineup as a receiver.
The third-round draft pick is clearly the most dynamic running back for Washington, and hopefully he’ll continue to dominate the touches in a rematch with the Giants.
