Drake London Returns in Week 9, but as WR2 Against the Patriots
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (hip) will return to action in Week 9 after missing last week's game with a hip injury. The 24-year-old had been rolling before last week's absence, logging three straight games with double-digit targets and totaling 22 receptions in those contests, including two touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 wideout is the clear-cut No. 1 receiving option in this offense, amassing 27.8 percent target share on the season and 34.1 percent of the team's air yards. He'll take on the Patriots' pass defense in Week 9, which is middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers and pass yards allowed per game (224.4), although they've been stingier more recently, allowing just 192.7 per game over their last three. With the Falcons 4.5-point underdogs in this one, they may be playing from behind, which could mean more passing, but the matchup against cornerback Christian Gonzalez only projects London as a middling WR2 this week.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Blake Corum Looks to Build on Expanded Role
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum will look to build on his expanded role as he takes on the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. For most of this season, Corum has served as the clear backup to Kyren Williams. However, he has shown flashes of playing at the same level, such as in Week 7 when he and Williams each handled 12 touches against the Jaguars. At the time, this split was likely the product of Los Angeles leading by multiple possessions. However, coming out of the bye week, it could be an indicator of the backfield usage going forward. Corum has the potential to carve out standalone value against the Saints, who have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards to running backs in 2025. That's especially the case if the Rams jump out to a large lead early on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyren Williams Gets Favorable Matchup in Return from Bye Week
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams will look to bounce back as the team returns from its bye week. This week, the Rams take on the New Orleans Saints, who have struggled on both sides of the ball. This matchup comes at a perfect time for Williams, who was relatively quiet in the Rams' win over the Jaguars prior to the bye. This was a direct result of Los Angeles taking an early lead and leaving a reduced workload for several starters, but it still hurt his fantasy performance nonetheless. Although a matchup against the Saints could put Williams in a similar situation, we can't ignore how poor the New Orleans run defense has been. The Saints are allowing the seventh-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2025, putting Williams in a position to feast if he handles at least 15 touches or so. The 25-year-old is a fantasy RB2 with RB1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Olave Aims to Form Chemistry With Tyler Shough
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave recorded eight receptions on 12 targets for 63 yards against the Buccaneers in Week 8, marking his sixth game with 10 or more targets. He is second in the league in targets with 83 and has built great chemistry with quarterback Spencer Rattler. Olave is possibly the most questionable outlook with Tyler Shough now under center, though his 52-503-3 line through eight weeks easily makes him the most reliable option in the passing game for the rookie. Even with the change at quarterback, Olave profiles as a WR2 against a tough Rams defense allowing 208.3 passing yards per game.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Alvin Kamara Hopes to Bounce Back Against Rams
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is officially listed as questionable to play against the Rams, currently nursing an ankle issue. Head coach Kellen Moore said he is trending in the right direction, so the 30-year-old is likely to suit up. Kamara has struggled all year, averaging a career-low 4.0 yards per touch and scoring only once, back in Week 1 against the Cardinals. He never built much chemistry with Spencer Rattler in the passing game, but with Tyler Shough under center, there is hope Kamara gets more involved as a receiver. The Saints are averaging just 93.6 rushing yards per game, while the Rams allow 105.9, so Kamara retains low-end RB2/Flex appeal if healthy.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Devin Neal Could See Increased Role in Week 9
New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal could be in line for more action against the Rams in Week 9, with starter Alvin Kamara questionable due to an ankle injury. Although offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said Kamara is "trending in the right direction," his snap share has fluctuated throughout the season and hit a season-low 51% last week. The Saints rank 28th in the league with just 93.6 rushing yards per game, so they may be searching for a spark on the ground. Neal has managed only 21 yards on six touches this season and, even if Kamara is limited, remains off the fantasy radar for now.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Matthew Stafford Looks to Continue Surging in Favorable Matchup
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been an excellent fantasy surprise so far this season, ranking as the overall QB10 with 1,866 yards, 17 touchdowns, and two interceptions so far. He's coming off a bye, and right before that bye, he struck for an international record five passing touchdowns against the Jaguars in London. Stafford returns stateside in Week 9 to play against the New Orleans Saints, who have been struggling immensely. We could see Los Angeles go run-heavy in an anticipated lopsided game, but there should be many opportunities for Stafford to pass, too. New Orleans has allowed the 11th-most fantasy quarterbacks in 2025, putting Stafford in a great spot to thrive once again. We expect him to showcase more turnover-free football while throwing for at least a couple of touchdowns.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bears Defense Could Feast if Backup Quarterback Plays
The Chicago Bears defense/special teams currently ranks 12th in the latest RotoBaller expert fantasy rankings, but they could jump even higher with one key piece of injury news. The Bears face the Cincinnati Bengals this week, and their position at #12 in the rankings reflects the expectation that Joe Flacco (shoulder) will start at quarterback. However, Flacco is questionable and trending toward being a true game-time decision. If he can't play, the Bengals would hand the offense off to Jake Browning. A matchup against Browning would be quite favorable for Chicago, as he has six passing touchdowns and eight interceptions through parts of four games in 2025. The Bears have been playing excellent defense lately, too, amassing 10 interceptions and five fumble recoveries over their last five games. This D/ST should be started even if Flacco plays. However, if he doesn't, the Bears will jump into the top five.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bijan Robinson a Top Option Despite Tough Matchup Against the Patriots
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson will look to bounce back in Week 9 after falling flat in what should have been a bountiful fantasy day against the Dolphins in Week 8. Both Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Drake London (hip) will be back this week, so the offense should look more like what we've been accustomed to this season, which is a healthy dose of Robinson in both the run game and the passing attack. The 23-year-old will take on the Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday, a run defense that has been one of the stingiest in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs (fifth-fewest), and has allowed just 76 rush yards per contest and 3.5 yards per rush (both second-fewest). Regardless, the third-year pro has one of the highest floors in the game with his involvement in the passing game, averaging over six targets and four catches per game, making him a high-end RB1 again in Week 9 despite the tough matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tyler Shough Era Begins in New Orleans
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough took over for Spencer Rattler in the third quarter of the blowout loss to the Buccaneers, and head coach Kellen Moore will roll with the rookie for the rest of the season. In limited action thus far, Shough has completed 17 of 32 passes for 128 yards and an interception. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 219 pounds, he offers plenty of arm strength and averaged 9.7 yards per attempt last season at Louisville, highlighting his ability to attack downfield. While he offers little rushing upside, Moore said the team is "not looking back," so expect Shough to let it rip. He's a back-end QB2 or Superflex option against a tough Rams defense.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Cairo Santos a Solid Fantasy Option After Impressive Return
Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos returned from a multi-game absence last week. He immediately made an impact in his first game back, converting his lone extra point attempt while going 3-for-4 on field goals, including one from 40+ yards out. The 33-year-old has always been a solid kicker, and his productivity has improved this season as the Bears show more signs of life on offense. This week, Santos will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in a potentially close game that should feature high scoring. Cincinnati ranks near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers, giving Santos a chance to carve out a fantasy-revelant showing. He's on the border of the fantasy radar right now, ranking as the overall K13 in Week 9, according to RotoBaller's experts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Olamide Zaccheaus Climbs a Step Up the Depth Chart in Week 9
Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus will jump to third on the depth chart after Luther Burden III (concussion) was ruled out for Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Zaccheaus should operate behind Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. As the No. 3 receiver in Chicago, Zaccheaus doesn't exactly have a significant amount of fantasy appeal. Nevertheless, we could have said the same last week, and he ultimately broke out for 33 yards on seven catches. The 28-year-old is a solid veteran presence in the passing game, and the Bengals have allowed the 13th-most receiving yards to opposing receivers in 2025. Managers might be able to find better alternatives on the waiver wire, but if not, Zaccheaus can be a low-end WR3/flex in deep leagues. His ceiling is modest, but his floor is low.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colts Defense a Top-10 Option in Week 9
The Indianapolis Colts defense/special teams just kept rolling in a 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. Indy notched four sacks and forced one turnover in the blowout win against their division rivals. The Colts will now head on the road to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9. The Steelers have been a tough matchup for fantasy defenses this season, allowing just the 25th-most fantasy points per game thus far. The matchup isn't ideal, but the Colts' defense has been a top unit this season, allowing 19.3 points per game, the sixth-fewest in the NFL, notching 23 sacks, fifth-most in the league, and 10 interceptions, second-most. Fantasy managers can trust the Indianapolis defense as a top-10 option in Week 9.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Colston Loveland Has Upside Despite Added Competition
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland will remain a solid fantasy TE2 despite the return of Cole Kmet (back). This week, the Bears face off against the Cincinnati Bengals, offering Loveland a chance to break out. Cincinnati has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, as well as 10 touchdowns, and the gap between the Bengals and the No. 2 team is not particularly close. Loveland and Kmet can both carve out sizable roles against the Bengals, as we've seen from other teams this season. Just two weeks ago, Pittsburgh had three different tight ends score a touchdown against Cincinnati. That's why we're not particularly concerned about Loveland in Kmet's first game back, even though the rookie's workload will likely decline in future weeks. For now, though, Kmet and Loveland are mid-range TE2 options with TE1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Badgley a Top-10 Fantasy Kicker in Week 9
Indianapolis Colts kicker Michael Badgley will head on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9. Badgley has been excellent for the Colts since taking over kicking duties after Spencer Shrader was lost for the season with a knee injury. The veteran placekicker has made all three of his field-goal tries while hitting 12 of his 13 extra points in three contests. The Steelers have been generous to kickers this season, allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Although Badgley hasn't attempted multiple field goals in a game yet, Shrader was near the league lead in field-goal makes and attempts before he got hurt. Badgley sets up as a top-10 fantasy kicker in Week 9.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
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