November 1, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will return from a one-week absence to face the Patriots on Sunday. The 25-year-old was a full participant on Friday and heads into the contest without an injury designation. The left-handed QB has thrown just five touchdown passes in six games played this season (three interceptions), and will face a New England defense that is yielding the ninth-fewest passing yards per game (194.7) over their last three and the fourth-fewest points allowed per game on the season (18.3 PPG; 15.0 PPG last three). The second-year pro owns a 1:2 TD:INT in three road games this season, averaging just around 183 yards passing in those contests. The Falcons have an implied point total of under 20 points for Sunday's matchup, which does not foretell great things from Penix, leaving him as a low-end QB2 option in Week 9.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the New York Jets are looking for "at least a third-round pick" in return for running back
Breece Hall ahead of the NFL's November 4 trade deadline. Russini also notes that the Jets "have been getting calls for a while" on Hall. The 24-year-old is in the final year of his rookie contract with the 1-7 Jets. Across eight games this season, Hall has recorded 759 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 138 touches. If Hall does get traded, second-year back
Isaiah Davis would likely dominate backfield work in New York until
Braelon Allen (knee) returns from a knee injury that currently has him on Injured Reserve.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
November 1, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins caught six of his 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Thursday night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he was held to just one catch in the disappointing one-point loss to the New York Jets in Week 8, the reception at least resulted in another trip to the end zone. With a touchdown in three of the Bengals' previous four outings, Higgins will look to stay relevant for fantasy managers versus the Chicago Bears. Granted, his lack of consistent volume from week-to-week is concerning.
Joe Flacco (shoulder) appears to have the offense once again clicking on all cylinders, which is great news for fantasy participants. There's a chance Flacco may not be out there due to an AC joint sprain, meaning
Jake Browning would be back under center. Still, regardless of who is starting, Higgins remains a risky, high-upside fantasy option, considering Sunday's contest between the Bears and Bengals is projected to be one of the highest-scoring games on the Week 9 schedule. Fortunately, Flacco is trending in a positive direction.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase entered the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets by catching at least one touchdown in each of his previous three games. While the former LSU Tiger didn't find the end zone in that one, he still had 12 catches for 91 yards. With the Bengals coming off a disappointing loss, they will try to get on track on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Quarterback
Joe Flacco (shoulder) didn't practice on Wednesday, which is not uncommon for older players, before being limited in Thursday's session. However, panic set in for fantasy managers when he didn't practice on Friday and was slapped with a questionable designation for Week 9. Fortunately, there's reason to believe the signal-caller will be out there on Sunday. It appears Flacco and Chase have quickly developed strong on-field chemistry in a short span, so the duo should continue to connect in the meeting with the Bears. If Flacco can't suit up,
Jake Browning would be back under center. Although Browning's presence would presumably lower Chase's ceiling, the wideout remains a must-start for obvious reasons.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ja'Marr Chase
November 1, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST has an opportunity to feast against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. New Orleans' offense has already been one of the worst in the league this season, and now, they could take a brief step backward with the installation of rookie
Tyler Shough as the starting quarterback over
Spencer Rattler. Shough played the second half last week and struggled, completing 17 of 30 pass attempts for 128 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. If the turnover problem grows and Shough has trouble moving the ball down the field, the Rams could easily have the highest-scoring D/ST in Week 9. For now, RotoBaller's expert rankings have the Rams listed at #2 for the week, trailing only the Los Angeles Chargers D/ST.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee has low-end streaming appeal ahead of Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Higbee has delivered modest production recently, catching seven passes for 59 yards and one touchdown over his last two games. He also commanded six targets during his last contest back in Week 7. Most importantly, Higbee has established himself as the No. 1 tight end in Los Angeles, holding onto his role over players such as
Colby Parkinson and
Terrance Ferguson. This week, Higbee gets a decent matchup against the Saints, who have allowed the eighth-most touchdowns and 12th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2025. He should be viewed as a low-end TE2 with borderline streaming appeal in a productive offense.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington has officially cemented himself as the No. 3 option on the depth chart after
Tutu Atwell (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve. Whittington has multiple catches in each of his last three games, but he has been held to fewer than 6.5 fantasy points (PPR) in all seven of his contests so far. Even with
Puka Nacua (ankle) sidelined in Week 7, Whittington was unable to achieve fantasy relevance. As a result, he remains off the fantasy radar in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. With Nacua back and the Rams having a chance to go run-heavy this week, there aren't enough opportunities to go around for Whittington.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams will drop back down to second on the depth chart with
Puka Nacua (ankle) returning against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. Nevertheless, he's still one of the better No. 2 options in the NFL and is a borderline must-start in fantasy football. The 32-year-old comes off his bye week ranking as the overall WR13 in PPR leagues, tallying a solid six touchdowns to this point. Even with Nacua back in action, managers shouldn't overthink this decision. New Orleans is a great matchup for Adams, as the Saints have allowed the seventh-most receiving touchdowns in 2025. Start him as a high-end WR2 or low-end WR1 in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
New Orleans Saints tight end
Juwan Johnson recorded five receptions on eight targets for 53 yards in the Week 8 blowout loss to the Buccaneers. This marked his second straight game with five catches, a welcome sign after totaling just seven receptions for 60 yards from Weeks 4-6. Johnson has only one touchdown on the season, but with
Tyler Shough now under center, the passing game is unlikely to slow down, and he should remain involved as a receiver. In their limited time together in Week 8, Shough and Johnson connected on three passes for 35 yards. Johnson profiles as a TE2 this week, though building chemistry with the rookie quarterback could raise his value going forward.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua is immediately back in must-start territory as he returns from an ankle injury ahead of Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Nacua ranked as the overall WR1 entering Week 6, but he injured his ankle in that contest, missed Week 7, and was on bye last week. As a result, he has slipped down to the WR5 spot in PPR leagues. Despite the hiccup, Nacua should have no trouble bouncing back as one of the best receivers in fantasy football. His production when healthy was otherworldly, and he should quickly return to that level of play now that he's cleared to suit up. A clash with the Saints bodes well for Nacua, as New Orleans has allowed the ninth-most receiving touchdowns in 2025. He's a must-start WR1 in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
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.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
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.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
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.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
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.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
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.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
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