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RotoBaller staff's fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and start 'em sit 'em picks for Week 9 of 2025. Expert lineup advice from Adam Koffler, Frank Ammirante, and Thunder Dan Palyo.
Six teams are back in action after a Week 8 bye, but fantasy managers with key players on the Buccaneers, Browns, Jets, and Eagles will have to find replacement options in Week 9. Injuries, bye weeks, and role changes have shaken up the rankings pecking order, and our experts are here to help.
It's time for the next edition of our RotoBaller staff start-or-sit calls. Three of the industry's best analysts are here to break down potential sleepers and busts ahead of the full slate of Week 9 NFL action.
These fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and busts are from top RotoBaller contributors Adam Koffler, Frank Ammirante, and "Thunder Dan" Palyo. Good luck in Week 9!
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Week 9 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Picks
Khalil Shakir, Bills vs. Chiefs (Adam Koffler)
Shakir has firmly established himself as the WR1 in Buffalo. He put up 88 yards and a touchdown on seven targets on just a 48% snap share in a Week 8 blowout. But this week, the Bills face the Chiefs in a game that features an over/under of 52.5 points. Expect more passing from Josh Allen as he tries to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and company. Shakir averaged seven catches for 58 yards on 9.5 targets per game in two games vs. Kansas City last season. Start ‘em
Kareem Hunt, Chiefs at Bills (Thunder Dan)
Isaiah Pacheco's status for Sunday continues to be in doubt as he has yet to practice this week. It's looking more and more like he could be out for the showdown against the Bills, which would thrust Hunt into the lead back role for the Chiefs. Brashard Smith would function in more of a 3rd-down back or pass-catching back, with Hunt likely getting 60% or more of the touches. Against a Buffalo defense that ranks 30th (DVOA) against the run, Hunt would be a must-start. He's already the goal line back and would be in line for 15+ touches as a runner and receiver in a great spot.
Kareem Hunt for 6️⃣
WASvsKC on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/4xBwqQbuxl— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2025
Jameson Williams, Lions vs. Vikings (Frank Ammirante)
After getting a ton of buzz in the offseason, with some even believing that there was a potential new WR1 in Detroit, Williams has been one of the biggest busts in fantasy football this season. Currently, the WR53 in fantasy PPG, "Jamo" has fantasy managers hesitant to fire him up in Week 9. Here's why I'm hopeful: Offensive coordinator John Morton has publicly stated that he needs to do a better job getting Jamo the ball. The fact that the Lions had an extra week of prep coming off their bye leads me to believe that they made it a point of emphasis to get Williams going this week. With one of the highest implied totals on the slate, it's a great spot for a spike week.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants vs. 49ers (Adam Koffler)
Some may be hesitant to start Tracy this week just because he’s the “starter” in New York. Don’t be. He was the clear RB1 after Cam Skattebo went down last weekend, and he’s going to get a lot of volume. Tracy had 13 opportunities in Week 8 to just three for Devin Singletary. And as a rookie, he averaged 13.2 fantasy points on 17.4 opportunities per game after taking over as the starter in Week 5. The offense with Jaxson Dart this season is much better than it was last season, as evidenced by the Giants’ implied team total of 23 in Week 9 vs. the 49ers. Fire away.
Kimani Vidal, Chargers at Titans (Thunder Dan)
The Chargers are a team that we have to feel good about going into Week 9. The Titans have failed to stop anyone this season, especially on the ground, as they rank 29th in rush DVOA defense. We've seen Vidal go off in good spots since taking over as the lead runner for the Chargers, including 117 yards on the ground last week against Minnesota and 124 yards rushing in Week 6 against Miami. Vidal is a safe start in all formats and should have a favorable game script this week with the Chargers installed as 9.5-point favorites on the road.
Keon Coleman, Bills vs. Chiefs (Frank Ammirante)
This one is a bit more of a gut feeling call. After a 112-yard game in Week 1 against the Ravens, Coleman has been a major disappointment, failing to clear 40 yards in five of his last six matchups. This has led to Coleman being called out in the media by Steve Smith. I think that's going to put a chip on his shoulder for this pivotal matchup against the Chiefs. Expect to see a close game that comes down to the wire, which is exactly the type of game script that you want, since it would force Josh Allen to air it out more. I wouldn't be surprised to see Coleman find the end zone in this spot.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Busts and Sits
Troy Franklin, Broncos at Texans (Frank Ammirante)
Franklin made me proud last week, providing us with a major spike week that included two touchdowns and 80+ yards. I hyped up Franklin in my Week 8 Bold Predictions at RotoBaller, but I'm fading him this time around. Boom-or-bust is Franklin's archetype, so you have to deal with the duds along with the big games. This feels like one of those down weeks against a tough Texans defense that ranks 3rd in fantasy PPG allowed to wide receivers. There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Broncos offense, so we could see Bo Nix look elsewhere this time around.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders vs. Seahawks (Adam Koffler)
Bill is coming off a rough outing, producing just 25 rushing yards on nine attempts. He played 57% of the snaps, but lost meaningful work in the passing game to Jeremy McNichols. Croskey-Merritt had just one target in a game for the fifth time and has not earned more than two targets in any one game this season. That’ll be a problem vs. one of the best run defenses in the league, the Seattle Seahawks, in Week 9. They’ve allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game this season (57.4). The Commanders also find themselves as three-point home underdogs in this one, which could mean a negative game script, favoring McNichols over Croskey-Merritt. Tread lightly on Bill this week in a really tough matchup.
J.K. Dobbins, Broncos at Texans (Thunder Dan)
Dobbins has had a pair of favorable matchups the last few weeks, and yet he has managed just 9 and 17.1 PPR points in those as the Broncos insist on throwing the football and giving valuable touches to rookie RJ Harvey (who scored both of the rushing touchdowns last week). This week, you may consider leaving him on the bench, as the Texans have been pretty stout against the run this season and have allowed the 7th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. This looks like a game where Bo Nix and the passing game will have to keep the chains moving, and the scoring dry spell from Dobbins (three straight games without a TD) is a bit concerning.
Chimere Dike, Titans vs. Chargers (Frank Ammirante)
Dike is really starting to emerge as the top target for the Titans, but we can't get ahead of ourselves here. This is still an unproven rookie coming off only two good games. But, more importantly, the Titans' offense continues to be hard to trust. Cam Ward has been a major disappointment, so we have to acknowledge how low the floor can be here. I'm betting that the Chargers dominate the line of scrimmage in this one, resulting in a huge advantage in time of possession since they're able to run the ball efficiently. That means fewer plays for the Titans and fewer chances for Dike to do damage. Leave him on your bench this time around.
Rico Dowdle, Panthers at Packers (Adam Koffler)
Sure, head coach Dave Canales has hinted at more work for Dowdle in the coming weeks, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be immediately successful. He gets a tough matchup vs. a stout Packers run defense in Week 9. With an implied team total of just 15.5 at Lambeau Field, it could be tough sledding for a guy who probably still splits work in some capacity with Chuba Hubbard. This is a situation to avoid this weekend, regardless of the steam from the coaching staff leading up to the game.
Jaylin Noel, Texans vs. Broncos (Frank Ammirante)
Noel has looked impressive in the last two weeks, but now Nico Collins is ready to return to the lineup. We can't assume that Noel will maintain a role in this offense because Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley hasn't acted rationally this season, instead featuring journeyman veterans over his talented rookies. Add in the fact that it's a matchup against a tough Broncos defense, and you can see why I'm out on Noel in deeper formats this week.
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