November 4, 2017

Potential Week 9 fantasy football sleepers and busts. RotoBaller's red zone tool identifies player TD scoring potential based on touches and opportunity.

We're starting to get a sense of which players are integral parts of their team's offense, especially in the red zone. Still, injuries and bye weeks demand that we find under-the-radar players who have great opportunity to contribute as well. We always need to dig deeper to find great values at the skill positions. Just like targets are the lifeblood of a receiver's value in PPR leagues, red zone touches are the most relevant factor to consider for standard leagues.

In this article each week, we'll identify red zone risers and fallers who could see their fantasy value impacted by usage in the most critical area of the field. RotoBaller's Red Zone Sleepers tool is a great way to get an edge on the competition by identifying players with greater scoring opportunities.

Let's take a look at which players could be touchdown risers or fallers in fantasy football for Week 9 of the 2017 NFL season, based on red zone opportunities.

Red Zone Risers

RUNNING BACK

LeGarrette Blount (RB, PHI) - 30.2% Red-zone touch%

LeGarrette Blount has been solid, all things considered. He enjoys a better than 30% red-zone touch percentage and has been a solid flex play the past few weeks. Even with a revolving door running back scenario, Blount manages to make due. However, the addition of Jay Ajayi changes everything. Blount will more than likely take a backseat to Ajayi between the 20's, but watch out for the big-bruising back to continue to get very important goal line carries. He should still be the starter this week and could continue to get the ball for short-yardage situations.

WIDE RECEIVER

Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) - 16.7% Red-zone touch%

This rookie has been putting up average numbers all season consistent with WR3 numbers. His touch percentage in the red-zone proves he has worth and will be able to get in the endzone. Kupp currently has three red-zone touchdowns for the season and will look to increase that number against a discombobulated New York Giants squad in Week 9. Start him this week as your flex play.

TIGHT END

George Kittle (TE, SF) - 14.1% Red-zone touch%

The rookie TE is currently fifth in red-zone touch percentage among all tight ends. In terms of fantasy football points, Kittle only has eclipsed the 10-point mark one time this season, but continues to get a chunk of the team's red-zone touches. He only has one touchdown to date, but a change in quarterback is coming soon in the form of recently acquired Jimmy Garoppolo. Perhaps Garoppolo will boost his numbers even more, although it's not clear when he'll take the field for San Fran. Pick up Kittle as a potential backup at the moment, and wait to see his chemistry with the new QB.

Red Zone Fallers

RUNNING BACK

Eddie Lacy (RB, prSEA) - 5.8% Red-zone touch%

Where have you gone Eddie Lacy? It's really hard to believe that only a few years ago Lacy was picked as a top three player in fantasy football. Now, he is a shell of his former self. Despite being labeled a grinder and short-yardage specialist, Lacy only has four red-zone touches in 69 plays. Seattle's run offense is one of the worst in the league. He might be starting this week, but don't count on Lacy improving any time soon. Proper advice would be to drop him off your squad.

WIDE RECEIVER

Robert Woods (WR, LAR) - 2.6% Red-zone touch%

While fellow teammate Cooper Kupp enjoys a healthy red-zone percentage, Robert Woods has been awful. The Rams have had 78 red-zone plays and Woods has only two touches. Quarterback Jared Goff never seems to look his way at all once the team approaches TD territory. Interestingly enough, Woods has actually been a decent flex play in full PRR leagues and has averaged 65 yards per contest in the past three weeks. Flex him if you must, but don't expect any touchdowns as he has zero on the year.

TIGHT END

Ed Dickson (TE, CAR) - 6.9% Red-zone touch%

Backup tight end Ed Dickson has done an average job at holding down the fort until star Greg Olsen returns from a broken foot. The one thing he hasn't done too well is earn any red-zone touches. He has only four on the year. He simply hasn't been any sort of scoring threat throughout his career, collecting a total of 11 touchdowns over eight NFL seasons. With fellow wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin traded to the Buffalo Bills, look for a small rise in his number of red zone touches, but don't expect miracles.

Red Zone Sleepers Tool

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