Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 9? Stefon Diggs, George Pickens, Tee Higgins, Tony Pollard, J.K. Dobbins, Alvin Kamara, D'Andre Swift, Marvin Mims Jr., Jaylen Warren, Josh Downs

The Dallas Cowboys have not engaged in contract extension talks with wide receiver George Pickens or his representatives with a week remaining before this year's trade deadline, a source told Ed Werder of ESPN. Pickens is on an expiring contract that will end after the 2025 season.

Werder mentions that placing the franchise tag on Pickens is an option to Dallas that would cost a projected $28 million for the 2026 campaign. The 24-year-old former second-round pick has been an excellent addition to the Cowboys' offense this year, catching 43 of his 63 targets for 685 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in eight games played.

Not only has Pickens been an excellent WR2 to help take attention off CeeDee Lamb, but he has also avoided any off-the-field distractions and has had a mature approach after character concerns surfaced in Pittsburgh. Even though an extension hasn't really been discussed, it doesn't mean he won't be back in Dallas next year.

The Tennessee Titans have reportedly made running back Tony Pollard available in trade discussions after having already dealt away cornerbacks Jason Brownlee and Roger McCreary. The 28-year-old back has been workmanlike in his efforts this year, averaging just under four yards per carry on an offense that's had to fight for every inch.

Pollard's contract runs through the 2026 season, but his dead cap for next year is only $2 million, and with him and 24-year-old Tyjae Spears seeing a near 50/50 split in recent weeks, he is clearly not a part of the Titans' long-term plans.

With the NFL trade deadline just over a week away, some teams that have reportedly been in the running back market are the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots.

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins finished with his second game this season with over 100 rushing yards in Week 8, totaling 111 rushing yards on 15 carries and adding two catches for 10 yards in the blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Despite having a great day on the ground, the tough news for fantasy managers is that Dobbins' fellow backfield mate, rookie running back RJ Harvey, had a breakout game with two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.

With Harvey now contributing four touchdowns in the past two weeks combined, Dobbins' fantasy managers are likely to feel robbed of their true potential upside. Dobbins will look to get back in the end zone against a tougher defense in Week 9 at the Houston Texans.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. entered concussion protocol following Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The team never announced an injury status for Mims mid-game, so it's unclear exactly when he suffered the injury.

It may have occurred with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter when Mims returned a kick 26 yards. He finished the game with two punt returns and three kick returns. On offense, he was unable to haul in his lone target. The 23-year-old faces an uphill battle to clear concussion protocol in the seven days between now and Denver's Week 9 contest against the Houston Texans.

Perhaps Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders is a more reasonable date to target for Mims' return to action. Pat Bryant will likely step up as the Broncos' No. 3 receiver behind Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren turned 13 carries into 62 yards and caught two of three targets for 11 yards in a Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Warren ran efficiently in the first half but became an afterthought late as Pittsburgh fell behind early in the fourth quarter.

His utilization will be worth monitoring in Week 9 against the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts, who shouldn't struggle to score on the Steelers' faltering defense.

The Colts have been strong against the run this season, so Warren's best path to production likely comes as a receiving weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Fantasy managers can continue to roll with the 27-year-old as a solid RB2 heading into Sunday's matchup.