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Kalif Raymond Belongs on the Bench for Week 9
Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond has seen a reduced role on offense over the last five weeks, making him an unappealing fantasy option for Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Raymond appeared to be headed for a much larger role than expected at the start of the year, but he cooled off in Week 4 and has yet to rebound since then. He did post 7.3 PPR points last week, but even that number was inflated by a 39-yard rush, which he likely won't replicate going forward. If you ignore the rushing attempt, Raymond would have fewer than 4.0 PPR points in each of his last five games. This week's matchup won't do him any favors, either, as the Bucs have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2026. Raymond can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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Colts Have Told Teams They Aren't Trading Daniel Jones
Quarterback Daniel Jones might prefer a trade, but the Indianapolis Colts have told interested teams that they are not trading him, according to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero. Teams have reached out to the Colts about acquiring the 29-year-old signal-caller, but they apparently have not received any offers to their liking, and he is likely to stick around for the rest of the 2026 season. In addition to Jones, it is increasingly unlikely that Indy will trade star running back Jonathan Taylor by Tuesday's deadline unless they receive an offer that they cannot refuse. Jones has mostly struggled this year after tearing his right Achilles tendon on Dec. 7 of last year, completing a career-low 60.4% of his pass attempts for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions in eight starts. The Colts are 2-6 going into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, and Jones may need to turn things around quickly to avoid being benched in favor of Anthony Richardson Sr. It has not helped Jones' cause that his top wideout, Alec Pierce (heel), has missed most of the season. Even in a good matchup in Week 9 against Dallas, Jones is a low-end QB2 option in fantasy football.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Jonathan Taylor Unlikely to be Traded by Colts
The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reports that the most likely destination for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor at the Nov. 10 trade deadline is staying with the Colts. Only the type of blockbuster trade offer that no team has made could potentially pry him away from Indianapolis. The Colts reportedly quickly rejected an offer of a 2027 second-round pick plus another pick for Taylor. Pelissero adds that no team has come close to offering the type of premium capital that would persuade Indy to deal him. Taylor is still only 27 years old and just signed a two-year, $4 million contract extension in August. Barring an injury during the rest of the 2026 season, he will have just as much, if not more, trade value next March, when a new general manager will be in place for the Colts. At this point, only a blockbuster offer would change the Colts' mind. For fantasy football purposes, a trade to a contender would certainly be a boost for Taylor's immediate value, but it does not look like that is going to happen. Regardless, he will continue to be a high-end, must-start RB1, and he has a nice bounce-back opportunity against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Dameon Pierce Drawing Interest From Teams
Free-agent running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring), who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles with an injury settlement, is recovering quickly from a relatively minor hamstring injury and is rehabbing in Houston, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The former Houston Texans starter and Pro Bowl alternate has already drawn interest from multiple NFL teams, including being contacted by the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers, according to agent Elton Patterson. In his three games with the Eagles in 2026, Pierce was productive, rushing for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries while adding seven catches for 14 yards on 11 targets. He has rushed for 1,780 career yards and 10 touchdowns, with 52 receptions for 282 yards and one touchdown in the passing game. As long as Pierce recovers from his hamstring injury soon, he could find himself back with a new team, although that will not guarantee that he will become an attractive waiver-wire target at RB in fantasy football.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Denver Broncos D/ST Can Capitalize on Carolina's Protection Issues
The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit is a Week 9 start at Carolina after the Panthers allowed 11 sacks in their last two games. Green Bay sacked Bryce Young six times and intercepted him once last week. Tampa Bay recorded five sacks and forced three offensive turnovers the game before. Carolina left guard Damien Lewis (knee) missed Friday's practice and will sit again, leaving the line shorthanded against a Denver defense with 15 sacks over its last four games. The Broncos got to Patrick Mahomes twice in Week 8, though he still passed for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Denver safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) is out after missing practice all week, and Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) is questionable after limited sessions Thursday and Friday. They've accounted for four of the team's seven interceptions, so Hufanga's status matters to the secondary. RotoBaller ranks Denver D/ST8 for Week 9. The pass rush gives the Broncos a route to a strong fantasy day in 12-team leagues even if the secondary gives up some production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Samaje Perine a Risky Play Despite Favorable Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has cooled off over the last couple of weeks, making him a risky fantasy football option for Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Perine remains the No. 2 option behind Chase Brown in the Cincinnati backfield, and he's been a modest contributor in the passing game behind the likes of Brown, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Mike Gesicki. The most intriguing factor to consider is the matchup, as the Falcons have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards, fifth-most rushing touchdowns, fourth-most receptions, and second-most receiving touchdowns to running backs this year. However, Perine's role remains a primary concern for fantasy managers. There's a chance that we could see Perine get a little more involved if the Bengals blow out the Falcons, but the fact that he has just one game with more than 8.0 PPR points this season is enough to justify staying away from him in fantasy football this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Wil Lutz Is a Week 9 Streaming Option
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz has converted nine of his last 10 field-goal attempts. He hit from 39 and 45 yards against Kansas City in Week 8 and made all 3 of his tries at Arizona the week before. He also went 5-for-5 on extra points across those two games, as the Broncos scored 28 and 30 points. Lutz is a reasonable streamer for Sunday's trip to Carolina, where the Panthers are allowing 27.6 points per game. RotoBaller ranks him K12 for Week 9. Opponents have attempted only 11 field goals against Carolina in seven games, converting 10. Green Bay scored four touchdowns against the Panthers last week without attempting a field goal, so the favorable scoring matchup can still turn into a day with mostly extra points. Lutz is 14-for-17 on field goals this season and has been perfect on 7 attempts inside 40 yards. He has also made 2 of 3 attempts from 50 or longer, including a 53-yarder, which gives him added appeal in leagues with distance bonuses.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Evan Engram Remains a Bench Option Despite Favorable Matchup
Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram faces a Carolina defense that has allowed five receiving touchdowns to tight ends in seven games. The Panthers also gave up 34 catches for 331 yards to the position, including six receptions for 53 yards and a score to Tucker Kraft last week. Denver's rotation makes it difficult to bet on Engram taking advantage Sunday. He played 30 offensive snaps against Kansas City in Week 8 and failed to catch any of his three targets. Adam Trautman played 35 snaps and caught two passes for 30 yards, while Nate Adkins scored on one of his two catches despite playing just 19 snaps. Engram had four catches for 55 yards against the Chargers in Week 5, but he has combined for three catches and 15 yards in the three games since. He has one touchdown on the season and sits at TE31 in RotoBaller's weekend PPR rankings. Carolina's track record gives Engram some appeal in leagues that start two tight ends. He belongs on the bench in standard 12-team formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton Is a Deep-League Flex Against Carolina
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has climbed from 19 receiving yards in Week 6 to 45 at Arizona and a season-high 53 against Kansas City. He caught all 4 of his targets against the Chiefs and led Denver's wide receivers with 50 offensive snaps. Jaylen Waddle drew 6 targets on 28 snaps, though, so Sutton's edge in playing time hasn't meant an edge in opportunities. Sutton was limited Wednesday for rest, practiced fully Thursday and Friday and carries no game designation for Sunday's trip to Carolina. The Panthers allowed 7 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown to Green Bay's Matthew Golden last week and will be without cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring), who did not practice Friday. That gives Sutton a chance to build on his recent yardage gains. He has 20 catches for 221 yards and one touchdown in eight games, and RotoBaller ranks him WR49 in its weekend PPR rankings. That profile fits a flex in deeper leagues, where his regular playing time and the matchup carry more weight.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Carries WR2 Appeal at Carolina
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle practiced fully all week and carries no game designation for Sunday's visit to Carolina. He was questionable against Kansas City last week and played 28 of Denver's 62 offensive snaps, yet still led the team with six targets. A 35-yard catch and a one-yard touchdown highlighted his three-catch, 39-yard day. Waddle has finished below 50 receiving yards in four straight games, making the possibility of more playing time particularly important this week. He still leads Denver with 29 catches and 315 receiving yards. Carolina gave up a 53-yard completion to Christian Watson in Week 8, and the Packers wideout finished with 113 yards on eight receptions. Panthers cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring) went down on the long completion, missed Friday's practice, and has been ruled out. Waddle's full practice week and the matchup support using him as a WR2 in 12-team PPR leagues, where RotoBaller ranks him WR22. He's the stronger Denver receiver to start if managers are choosing between him and Courtland Sutton.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.K. Dobbins Hard to Trust as Carries Decline
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins averaged 15.8 carries per game from Weeks 3 through 6. In the two games since Jonah Coleman returned, Dobbins has carried 13 times for 36 yards without a reception. His touchdown at Arizona was his third in as many games, but that streak ended against Kansas City, when he played only 21% of Denver's offensive snaps. Coleman also got the carry from the five-yard line that put Denver ahead for good. Carolina has allowed 4.8 yards per carry this season, but the Panthers held Green Bay's running backs to 48 yards on 25 carries in Week 8. Josh Jacobs still scored from a yard out, which shows where Dobbins could find value if he gets a similar chance on Sunday. That's a narrow path given Denver's recent usage. Dobbins has just 27 receiving yards all season and is RB39 in RotoBaller's Week 9 PPR rankings. Leave him on the bench in 12-team leagues and treat him as an emergency flex in deeper formats with multiple flex spots.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonah Coleman Enters Week 9 With the Lead-Back Role
Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman turned a short pass into a 51-yard gain on the winning drive against Kansas City, then ran in the go-ahead touchdown from five yards out. He finished with 104 scrimmage yards on 11 carries and 4 catches, playing 41 offensive snaps to J.K. Dobbins' 13. He also gained 69 yards on 11 touches at Arizona the previous week, giving him 173 scrimmage yards on 26 touches since returning from injured reserve. With RJ Harvey (knee) on injured reserve, the rookie is in line to lead the backfield again on the road Sunday at Carolina. The Panthers have allowed 985 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in seven games, though they held Josh Jacobs to 39 yards on 21 carries last week. Jacobs still scored on the ground and caught 6 passes for 13 yards and another touchdown. Coleman can stay involved through the air if Carolina is similarly stingy between the tackles. He ranks as RotoBaller's RB12 in Week 9 PPR and belongs in 12-team lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bo Nix Is a Week 9 Superflex Start
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is a QB2 for Sunday's game at Carolina, where the Panthers will be without cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring) and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (hamstring). Neither practiced Friday. Carolina gave up 288 yards and 3 touchdown passes to Jordan Love on 41 attempts in Week 8 without recording a sack. Nix has shown some improvement through the air, throwing for 222 yards in each of his last two games after being held to 107 and 123 in the previous two. He threw 2 touchdown passes against Kansas City last week and accounted for 2 scores at Arizona in Week 7, including a 62-yard touchdown run. He has 114 rushing yards and 2 scores on the ground through eight games, which helps in Superflex when his passing volume is modest. RotoBaller's weekend rankings have him at QB17. Carolina makes him a reasonable bye-week fill-in in deeper one-quarterback leagues, though his 6.0 yards per attempt this season still leave him dependent on touchdowns or a productive day as a runner.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mason Taylor Offers PPR Streaming Value Against Kansas City
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (back) has drawn at least five targets in three straight games and could see more work Sunday at Kansas City with receiver Garrett Wilson (concussion) out. Taylor practiced fully on Thursday and Friday after being limited Wednesday and carries no game designation. His five catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns against Miami in Week 7 were followed by three catches for 19 yards against Las Vegas. The Chiefs have allowed 48 catches, 459 yards and five touchdowns to tight ends in seven games, a matchup that puts Taylor in play as a streamer in 12-team PPR leagues. Denver tight ends Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins combined for four catches, 34 yards and a touchdown against Kansas City in Week 8, while Evan Engram went catchless on three targets. New York also rotates at the position. Taylor drew five targets to Kenyon Sadiq's two against Las Vegas, but their playing time was closer, with Taylor logging 39 offensive snaps and Sadiq playing 31. That target edge gives Taylor a better chance to help PPR managers even if the two continue to share playing time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omar Cooper Jr. Has Rebound Potential in Week 9
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. played 50 of 64 offensive snaps against Las Vegas last week without drawing a target. He remains a viable flex in deeper leagues for Sunday's road game against Kansas City with Garrett Wilson (concussion) out and more receiving work available. Before the Raiders game, Cooper put up 103 yards and a touchdown on six catches against New England, followed by 115 yards and a score on five catches against Miami. Those games included gains of 48 and 60 yards, respectively, showing how quickly he can turn a few opportunities into a productive fantasy day. The Jets also lined him up in the backfield on his three-yard touchdown against Miami, giving them another way to get him the ball. Adonai Mitchell is coming off a 142-yard game and figures to command a share of the work Wilson leaves behind. Kansas City held Denver's wide receivers to 115 yards on 11 catches in Week 8. The matchup and the uncertainty around how many targets Cooper will draw make him a bench option in shallow leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Adonai Mitchell in the Flex Mix After Week 8 Breakout
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has a chance to build on his career game when New York visits Kansas City on Sunday without Garrett Wilson (concussion). Mitchell caught seven of nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas in Week 8 while Wilson drew 12 targets. His snap share jumped from 44% in his Week 7 return from a finger injury to 61% against the Raiders. Even after missing four games, Mitchell leads the Jets with nine deep targets, catching four of them for 129 yards. The Chiefs will be without cornerback Mansoor Delane (shoulder), but their secondary held Denver's Courtland Sutton to 53 yards and Jaylen Waddle to 39 last Sunday. Waddle still found the end zone, scoring from one yard out. Mitchell's expanded playing time and downfield role put him in the WR3 or flex range in 12-team leagues. He went without a catch on three targets against Miami two weeks ago, and this will be his first chance to show what his workload looks like with Wilson out this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braelon Allen Has Flex Value as Backfield Changes
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen has surpassed 100 scrimmage yards in four straight games heading into Sunday's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. He reached a career-high 147 rushing yards on 21 carries against Las Vegas in Week 8 and added a touchdown and two catches for six yards. Allen played 53 of New York's 64 offensive snaps, with Isaiah Davis logging 11. That distribution is likely to change with Breece Hall (quadriceps) set to return after practicing fully Friday. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich plans to use both backs and still considers Hall the lead option. Allen remains a flex in 12-team leagues, but the matchup is less forgiving if his volume drops. Kansas City held Denver backs Jonah Coleman and J.K. Dobbins to 54 rushing yards on 18 combined carries last Sunday, though Coleman scored from five yards out. Allen's 17 receptions have produced just 81 yards this season. He averaged nearly 20 carries across those four 100-yard games, a workload that will be harder to sustain with Hall back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Breece Hall Returns to a Shared Backfield
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) carries no game designation for Sunday's matchup at Kansas City. He practiced fully Thursday and Friday after a limited Wednesday session and is set to return from a five-game absence. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich still views Hall as the lead back and said he would mix in Braelon Allen according to how the game unfolds. Allen rushed for 504 yards during Hall's absence, giving New York a productive second option. Hall averaged 20.3 touches across his three early-season appearances, rushing for 163 yards and a touchdown on 51 carries and catching 10 passes for 102 yards. His receiving work gives him a case as a flex in 12-team PPR leagues even if his carries dip. The Chiefs have allowed 674 rushing yards on 190 attempts this season. Denver's Jonah Coleman found more room through the air in Week 8, catching four passes for 63 yards, though 51 came on one play. Hall's previous workload would put him in the RB2 conversation, but that volume is harder to project in his first game back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Geno Smith Loses Top Target Ahead of Week 9
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday without Garrett Wilson (concussion), who leads the team with 43 catches and 527 receiving yards. Smith threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns against Las Vegas in Week 8, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt. The Jets have scored 25 and 33 points over their last two games, and Smith has thrown 12 touchdown passes against three interceptions this season. His 15 completions on passes traveling at least 20 yards in the air are tied for the league lead. Adonai Mitchell, coming off a 142-yard game, gives Smith another receiver who can win downfield. Kansas City has allowed seven passing touchdowns in seven games, though Bo Nix accounted for two of them on 222 passing yards last Sunday. Smith has rushed for just 46 yards without a touchdown in eight games, so replacing Wilson's production matters even more to his fantasy outlook. He is a low-end QB2 for Superflex managers and a sit in 12-team, one-quarterback leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints Defense Gets Favorable Matchup Against Browns
The New Orleans Saints Defense recorded three sacks against the Steelers in Week 7 but otherwise had a quiet game from a fantasy perspective. New Orleans has consistently generated pressure, led by Chase Young, who ranks third in the league with 7.0 sacks. The defense as a whole has struggled, however, allowing 27.7 points and 372.7 yards per game, both among the five highest marks in the league. This week, the Saints face a Cleveland offense that has allowed a league-high 33 sacks through eight games and will be starting second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has thrown at least one interception in five of his seven career starts. The favorable matchup, combined with the Saints' impressive defensive line play, makes them an appealing streaming option and pushes New Orleans to DEF10 in RotoBaller's rankings this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Juwan Johnson's Fantasy Value Continues to Trend Downward
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson recorded just one reception for seven yards on three targets in Week 7's loss to the Steelers. After averaging 5.2 receptions for 58 yards with three touchdowns through the first four weeks, Johnson has continued to trend downward, totaling just five catches for 23 yards over his last three games. His snap share has also declined, dropping to 56% in Week 7, while fellow tight ends Noah Fant and Oscar Delp played 46% and 28% of the snaps, respectively. Things may not improve much for Johnson moving forward, as rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is nearing his season debut and could further cut into his already declining target share. The Browns offer a potential get-right matchup, allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Still, Johnson is a high-risk option and ranks TE22 in RotoBaller's Week 8 rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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