Fantasy Football Mailbag - Week 9

Kev Mahserejian answers reader questions from the fantasy football mailbag with his weekly Q&A session. In Week 9, he will provide lineup advice to answer pressing start/sit questions for tough matchups.

This article's content may vary week-to-week, but generally, it will be answering questions fielded from either the @RotoBallerNFL twitter account or my personal one (@RotoSurgeon). This week, the focus is on start/sit questions, and there were plenty. Every week, many of us struggle with which quarterback to start, or who to flex, and I am here to help.

The questions selected will combat difficult decisions that might be specific to Week 9 starters. We have seen plenty of early risers and fallers who may not make the cut in our lineup as we stumble through the season. The hype and shine wear off some places and beginning to glisten elsewhere. However, sometimes, it is just best to not rock the boat (particularly if things are going well).

If you need any questions answered in the coming weeks, feel free to follow and ask either account and we will make sure to respond promptly.

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Week 9 Mailbag

Verdict: Jamaal Williams

In a vacuum, this sounds crazy but it is not given the matchups. We've come to a point in the season where everyone facing the Patriots' defense is a sit unless you have no better options or are in bye week hell. Ingram will probably get a decent amount of volume as the Ravens attempt to establish the run rather than risk passing early on. The Patriots have allowed 100 rushing yards just twice all season and have yet to give up a touchdown on the ground. Jackson's usage as a runner along with Ingram's lack of involvement in the passing game makes this an extremely tough test that is better off avoided.

Williams might be on the short end of a committee but at least he gets the benefit of facing a Chargers' defense that is short on talent due to injuries. This defense has given up over 100 yards on the ground in three of the past four weeks and has allowed a rushing touchdown in every single one. Williams has had a knack for finding the endzone of late and could end up carrying a heavier load if the Packers want to limit Aaron Jones due to the shoulder injury he sustained last week.

Verdict: Jaylen Samuels

This is more-so due to volume than anything else. James Conner is out, Benny Snell is out and Jaylen Samuels is back. Samuels showed that he is capable of playing a workhorse in the tail-end of 2018 and is healthy after a knee scope that kept him out for a month. This is his first game back which may cause him to be a bit rusty but that is fine against a Colts' defense that ranks fourth-worst against the run by DVOA. Samuels will be used as a bell-cow with Trey Edmunds relieving him at times in a game that should not be a blow-out by either side. Samuels' abilities in the passing game make him a tantalizing option this week.

Singletary is a fine start this week as well but does not project to have the proper amount of touches despite the likely positive game-script. His role in the offense is limited with the presence of Frank Gore as the between-the-tackles horse. It would take a splash play or two for him to outproduce Samuels.

Verdict: JuJu Smith-Schuster

While Terry McLaurin and Dwayne Haskins share a college connection, it is hard to imagine them having much success this Sunday against a stout Bills' defense in Buffalo. There is hope for some garbage time volume but that is difficult to bank on in a rookie's first start. Sammy Watkins actually has a decent matchup against a suspect Vikings' pass defense but is often utilized as a decoy rather than a primary target. He could end up having a nice day with the more conservative Matt Moore though, it is just not something I would take over Smith-Schuster. JuJu has a great matchup against an average Colts' secondary in a game that should involve a lot of passing with James Conner out.

Verdict: Derek Carr

This one's tough. Winston always has the ability to go off in the second half when his team is down four scores. However, going into a rough road environment in Seattle could hamper him along with a game-plan that may include a lot more running due to Winston's recent boom in interceptions. Carr is a light home favorite playing against a Detroit Lions' defense that is towards the bottom of the league against the pass. There is a chance that Josh Jacobs just carries the entire load to ease the offense's burden but with Matthew Stafford on the other side playing as well as he has, Carr will have to air it out. With Tyrell Williams back/relatively healthy and Darren Waller coming into his own, Carr has a chance to ball out in fantasy and reality.

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