RADIO
The ninth Sunday of the 2023 NFL season has come and gone. Hopefully, you woke up on Monday morning feeling very good about how your matchup went. However, this week's slate of games was certainly stress-inducing for many fantasy football managers.
Part of that stress was caused by a group of players who drastically underachieved in Week 9. These players simply did not meet fantasy expectations, and it cost their managers in a big way.
Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 9, as well as whether or not we can still have some trust in these players moving forward. All point totals are based on the PPR scoring system.
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Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts
Will Levis, 8.68 FPTS
Levis was unable to replicate his flashy debut. The rookie didn't have a bad game by any means, but his fantasy production was minimal as he finished with zero touchdowns, one interception, and four sacks. He should remain the Titans' starter heading into Week 10 versus the Buccaneers.
Lamar Jackson, 11.48 FPTS
It's not often that a quarterback puts up just 11.48 fantasy points in a game that his team wins 37-3, but here we are. Three of the Ravens' touchdowns occurred via the rushing attack while their fourth came on a pass from backup Tyler Huntley. To make matters worse, Jackson lost a fumble.
Fantasy Football Running Back Busts
Kenneth Walker III, 2.7 FPTS
What is happening in Seattle? Walker has played fewer than 50 percent of snaps in each of the last two weeks, registering just 17 carries during that span. Perhaps the fact that the Seahawks fell behind early contributed to Walker being phased out of the game plan, but it still feels a bit too strange. One would hope that he can bounce back against the Commanders in Week 10.
Isiah Pacheco, 6.6 FPTS
Pacheco was used purely as a runner on Sunday, rushing for 66 yards while failing to catch a pass. After a hot five-week stretch, the 24-year-old has underwhelmed in each of his last two games. Nevertheless, being the lead back on a top offense is a recipe for success in fantasy football. He should bounce back on the other side of the Chiefs' Week 10 bye.
Bijan Robinson, 5.9 FPTS
For some odd reason, Robinson's reduced role when he was sick in Week 7 triggered a sequence of low-usage performances from the rookie. He has 11 carries in each of the last two weeks and just two total catches during that span. Don't be surprised if expert rankers drop Robinson to the RB2 tier for Week 10 despite a favorable matchup against Arizona.
Darrell Henderson, 5.5 FPTS
Henderson salvaged his Week 7 outing with a touchdown and his Week 8 performance with 54 receiving yards. He didn't fare as well this past Sunday, rushing 10 times for 19 yards while catching just two passes. His struggles were part of the Rams' all-around offensive woes under the quarterbacking of backup Brett Rypien. Henderson heads into the bye week as a low-end RB3, at best.
Devin Singletary, 4.6 FPTS
Singletary operated as the Texans' clear-cut No. 1 running back Sunday with Dameon Pierce (ankle) inactive. However, he was relatively unimpressive, totaling 26 scrimmage yards on 13 carries and a pair of receptions. Even if Pierce remains inactive for Week 10, Singletary will be nothing more than a low-end RB3.
Zack Moss, 2.6 FPTS
Moss occupied the backup role behind Jonathan Taylor this past Sunday, totaling 26 rushing yards while failing to command a single target. He's the overall RB4 in fantasy football thus far but will see his value continue to decline going forward. This is Taylor's backfield and Moss is becoming tough to trust in lineups.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts
Cooper Kupp, 6.8 FPTS
Kupp was unable to get on the same page as Rypien on Sunday. He was targeted seven times, but the two linked up for just two completions and 48 yards. Kupp falls to the WR2 tier until Matthew Stafford (thumb) is able to return.
Puka Nacua, 6.2 FPTS
Nacua followed in Kupp's footsteps versus the Packers. He finished with just three catches and 32 yards on seven targets, producing single-digit fantasy points for the third time over the last four weeks. He'll be a high-end WR3 until Stafford returns. A Week 10 bye could be key for the Rams as they look to get back on track.
DK Metcalf, 6.0 FPTS
Metcalf caught just one pass Sunday. Although the completion went for 50 yards, it was frustrating to see Seattle's No. 1 receiver get repeatedly shut down by the Ravens' defense. On a positive note, he should be able to get back on track against the Commanders in Week 10.
DJ Moore, 5.4 FPTS
Tyson Bagent threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns, but Moore was not a major benefactor. The 26-year-old finished with just three catches for 44 yards, his worst outing since Bagent took the reins at quarterback. He's a fantasy WR3 heading into Thursday night's clash with Carolina.
George Pickens, 1.9 FPTS
Pickens was a non-factor on Thursday night, catching two passes for a grand total of negative one yards. It was his worst fantasy outing since Week 13 last season and casts serious doubt about his weekly fantasy relevance going forward. It's hard to trust Pickens as anything more than a low-end WR3/FLEX option at the moment.
Chris Godwin, 3.6 FPTS
The Texans defended Godwin quite well on Sunday, holding him to just two catches on eight targets. The 27-year-old's quiet game was most likely the product of an unfavorable matchup, though he could continue to struggle over the next two weeks against solid secondaries belonging to the Titans and 49ers.
Adam Thielen, 7.4 FPTS
Thielen had his quietest outing since Week 1, catching just five passes for a measly 24 yards. This was quite the anomaly for the veteran receiver after he strung together five consecutive games with double-digit fantasy points. Thielen should get back on track as a fantasy WR1 versus the Bears in Week 10.
Fantasy Football Tight End Busts
Travis Kelce, 4.4 FPTS
The tight end position had just one true bust this week, and it happened to be the best player at the position. Kelce's value suffered overseas as he caught just three passes for 14 yards, both of which are season-lows. He should return to high-end TE1 form on the other side of the Chiefs' Week 10 bye.
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