RADIO
Week 9 of the fantasy football season is underway and while we may have drafted certain players at a premium, it is okay to consider benching them despite their name value. We often hear the phrase "start your studs" and it is a tried and true method, especially earlier in the season. When injuries, tough matchups, and/or questionable team situations arise, we must adjust. Today, I'll be looking at Will Levis, D'Onta Foreman, and Puka Nacua.
This may be difficult to stomach benching a player drafted within the top 100 for a possible free-agent acquisition, but sometimes such measures must be taken to ensure victory throughout the fantasy football season.
Here is a look at some fantasy football players who have shown warning signals recently, and you should think twice about putting them in your lineup in Week 9. Will they bounce back or continue to underperform? For any and all issues or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on X.
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Quarterback Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 9?
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Will Levis played with his hair on fire in his first-ever NFL start last Sunday but we have to remain cautious with the second-round QB. While a four-touchdown performance is nothing to scoff at, he was at home facing the Atlanta Falcons' pass defense that ranks 28th (via DVOA).
Levis made several impressive throws downfield and was a revelation for veteran star DeAndre Hopkins, who caught three of the four touchdown passes. Nevertheless, the Steelers rank ninth against the pass and despite losing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for the week, we will see Cam Heyward return to fortify their greatest strength, the defensive line. Levis will be under a lot more pressure this week in a hostile Pittsburgh environment. Let him play out whatever occurs on your bench for good measure.
Who To Start Instead?
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Derek Carr's struggles early in this season can largely be linked to the absence of Alvin Kamara and the AC joint injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Buccaneers. Carr played like an extremely timid QB after his injury but this past week against Indianapolis, he put up an impressive stat line of 310 yards and two touchdowns on just 27 pass attempts.
Carr's shoulder looked good throwing the ball deep and he even hit Chris Olave directly on a walk-in score which bounced off the wide receiver's helmet. This week, Carr faces a Bears defense that is the second-worst in pass defense. Despite the addition of edge rusher Montez Sweat, the unit should remain poor for the time being.
Running Back Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 9?
D'Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears @ New Orleans Saints
Foreman was a monster in Week 7 against the Raiders but as we have witnessed all season, the Raiders are porous against the run as they rank 29th. This past week against the Chargers, we witnessed the more typical performance from Foreman and he faces a similarly average Saints run defense in Week 9.
While Foreman may be the best pure runner active in Chicago, the Bears will mix in Roschon Johnson and Darrynton Evans for their abilities in the passing game which is likely to be necessary as the Saints should hold a steady lead throughout the matchup. This is a difficult game to rely on Foreman receiving the necessary volume for fantasy relevance.
Who To Start Instead?
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Chuba Hubbard went from outgaining Miles Sanders all season to finally earning the true lead role in Week 8. While the overall production of 54 yards on 17 touches was mediocre, Hubbard earned 17 of the 24 backfield touches. This is what is most significant heading into a matchup with a declining Colts defense that ranks 21st against both the rush and pass. Most importantly, Indianapolis is without stud nose tackle Grover Stewart, who anchored the run defense. Hubbard is a must-start in this matchup assuming he continues to lead the backfield.
Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 9?
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams @ Green Bay Packers
Puka Nacua is averaging just 12.4 points per game in PPR formats over the past three weeks. While he is not a fluke as some (including myself) believed to start the season, Nacua is clearly impacted by the presence of Cooper Kupp and to make matters worse, Matthew Stafford is likely to miss Sunday's game in Green Bay. Backup QB Brett Rypien has started three games in his four-year career and is likely a massive downgrade from what Nacua's experienced thus far in the NFL.
Who To Start Instead?
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Watson's season to date has been a fantasy disaster due to a string of injuries but he is fully healthy heading into Week 9. While QB Jordan Love's recent stretch of games is concerning, Watson's talented enough to make plays downfield thanks to his speed and athleticism. Meanwhile, the Rams rank bottom-10 against the pass and made no moves at the trade deadline to improve. With 20 targets over his past three games and just 7.8 PPG in PPR to show for it, Watson is due for fantasy regression.
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