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Week 9 Lineup Sleepers & Busts for Fantasy Football

The Boom or Bust play is one of the most talked about aspects of fantasy football each week. Boom or Bust players can be used in the deep lineup leagues, when it appears you are a heavy underdog in your head-to-head matchup or even in Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments in DFS.

In this article, I will cover five of my favorite boom or bust plays for Week 9 of the fantasy football season.

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Quarterback

Matthew Stafford, Lions QB vs MIN

Matthew Stafford is having one of the best campaigns of his career in the first season of the post-Calvin Johnson era in Detroit. Stafford is the QB9 in fantasy points per game with 19 points or more in six of eight games so far this season.

Due to injuries to Ameer Abdullah and Dwayne Washington, the Lions have struggled to get anything going in the running game as the Lions rank 27th in the NFL, averaging 85.5 rushing yards per game. Theo Riddick is returning to full health, but he has proven porous in the running game with a 3.7 yards per carry. To an extent, it has been a positive for the volume of Matthew Stafford as a passer. However, in a tough matchup on the road against a Minnesota defense that has allowed the second fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks so far this season, I think the lack of an ability to establish a run game will mean that the Lions won’t be able to move the ball against the Vikings defense, making Stafford an unattractive play in week 9.

Verdict: Bust

Running Back

Mark Ingram, Saints RB at SF

“The benching”. The horror story that was Mark Ingram in Week 8. Mark Ingram had 18 or more touches in each of his previous games before Week 8. However, Ingram was benched after fumbling, cutting his day short. Ingram has never had a fumbling problem during his career, but he was quickly benched after his mishap against the Seahawks.

The question fantasy players and analysts are asking now are whether or not the benching punishment will carry into the Saints Week 9 matchup against the 49ers. Ingram is a risky play, but I do think that the Saints coaching staff will return to trusting Ingram as the workhorse. He heads into a plus matchup against a 49ers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs so far this season.

Verdict: Boom

Wide Receiver

Corey Coleman, Browns WR vs DAL

Corey Coleman is expected to make his return to the Browns offense after being out with a broken hand since Week 2. Coleman was the first wide receiver drafted in the 2016 NFL draft at 15th overall, and showed early on he was worth that selection with seven catches for 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his first two NFL games.

Along with Coleman, Cody Kessler returns at quarterback against the Cowboys this week. I think that the return of Coleman will dampen much of the excitement around Terrelle Pryor. Coleman will be getting a bulk of the targets for a Browns team that will be trailing early. The Cowboys are 7 point favorites on the road. With heavy volume and his abilities, Coleman could be a top 10 play at wide receiver this week.

Verdict: Boom

Tight End

Lance Kendricks, Rams TE vs CAR

Lance Kendricks is the perfect example of an “unsexy” boom/bust play this week. Kendricks is the TE23 so far this season, but he has scored 10+ PPR points in four of seven games so far. When searching for a tight end streamer, targets are one of the most important things to look at and Kendricks has seen six-plus targets in four of seven games, as well as eight-plus targets in each of the last two games.

This week, Kendricks faces a Carolina defense that has allowed the second most fantasy points to the tight end position. In a plus matchup, and as one of the most targeted weapons on the team, Kendricks is definitely in a position to be a top-six scorer at tight end this week. You can’t ask for much more from a player who is on most waiver wires.

Verdict: Boom

Hail Mary of the Week

In the Hail Mary of the Week, I will choose a Boom/Bust candidate who is available on the waiver wire or at the end of benches in most fantasy football leagues and could have a big week.

Cole Beasley, Cowboys WR at CLE

With the return of Dez Bryant to the Cowboys lineup, many have soured on Cole Beasley as a fantasy asset. I think that souring may be a bit premature, though, as Beasley has nine-plus PPR points in every game this season and has had six or more targets in five of seven games. The two games where he didn't, Bryant was out anyways. I think that a false correlation between the two has been developed. Beasley is a great play this week against a Browns defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Olivier-Maxence Prosper

to Miss Monday's Game
Marvin Bagley III

Won't Play Vs. Minnesota
Davante Adams

Expected to Stay With Rams
Daniel Gafford

Cleared to Play Monday
Walter Clayton Jr.

to Suit Up on Monday
Ausar Thompson

is Cleared for Monday's Game
P.J. Washington

Naji Marshall Ruled Out Monday
Jordan Addison

Vikings Picking Up Jordan Addison's Fifth-Year Option
Jalen Duren

to Sit Out on Monday
Anthony Edwards

Set to Return Monday
Nick Richards

to Miss Third Straight Game
Guerschon Yabusele

is Active on Monday
Grayson Allen

is Ruled Out for Monday
Jock Landale

Won't Play Monday
Ron Harper Jr.

Unavailable Against Hawks
Neemias Queta

Ruled Out Monday
Derrick White

Slated to Suit Up Against Hawks
Aliaksei Protas

Won't Play Tuesday
Jaden Ivey

Waived on Monday
Pavel Mintyukov

Returns to Action Monday
Radko Gudas

Ready to Face Maple Leafs
John Klingberg

to Remain Sidelined Monday
Jalen Williams

Ruled Out on Monday
Aleksander Barkov

to Remain Out Until End of Season
Jaylen Brown

Set to Suit Up Monday
Evgeni Malkin

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Sidney Crosby

a Game-Time Decision Monday
Jayson Tatum

Sidelined on Monday
Matt McCarty

Seeking to Play into the Weekend in San Antonio
Brian Harman

Looking to Continue Form From The Players Championship
Bucky Irving

Could See Reduced Workload in 2026 and Beyond
Kenneth Walker III

Could See Major Workload Increase in Kansas City
Steven Fisk

Attempting to String Better Rounds Together at San Antonio
Emeka Egbuka

Has WR1 Upside in Dynasty Formats
Bo Nix

"Ahead of Schedule" in Recovery From Ankle Surgery
Luke Clanton

Still Having Rough Time Contending at Events
Cooper Kupp

Dynasty Value is Fading Quickly
Jaylen Warren

Production Upside is Limited in Pittsburgh
Kirk Cousins

an Option for Rams as Backup Quarterback?
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Worried About George Pickens' Offseason Participation
Dalton Kincaid

Bills Pick Up Dalton Kincaid's Fifth-Year Option
Max Homa

Looks to Get Back on Track at Valero Texas Open
Russell Henley

Continues Blistering Start to 2026 Season
Tommy Fleetwood

Returns to Valero Texas Open
Daniel Berger

Returns to Action For Valero Texas Open
Chase Elliott

Takes Advantage of Pit Strategies for Second Career Martinsville Win
Denny Hamlin

Dominates but Finishes Second at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Bounces Back with Third-Place Finish at Martinsville
Ty Gibbs

Gains his Fourth Top-Five Finish of the Season at Martinsville
William Byron

Scores Another Top-Five Finish at Martinsville
Christian McCaffrey

49ers Looking to Spell Christian McCaffrey More in 2026?
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers in No Rush on Brandon Aiyuk Situation
Michael Penix Jr.

Falcons Don't Want to Rush Michael Penix Jr.'s Rehab
A.J. Brown

is a "Member" of the Eagles
Jonathon Brooks

Panthers Expect Jonathon Brooks to be Ready for OTAs and Minicamp
Alvin Kamara

Saints Going Through "Offseason Process" With Alvin Kamara
Alec Pierce

Can Alec Pierce Perform Like One of the Highest-Paid Receivers in the League?
Michael Pittman Jr.

a Buy-Low Candidate Following Post-Trade Dip
Rhamondre Stevenson

Should Still See Volume in Shared Backfield
NFL

Skyler Bell Hype Warrants Cautious Optimism
Jack Hughes

Amasses Four Points Against Blackhawks
Viktor Arvidsson

Plays Key Role in Comeback Victory
Lane Hutson

Celebrates New Assists Record Sunday
Adam Fox

Collects Two Points in Sunday's Win
Jake Guentzel

Leads Lightning Offense Sunday
Mathieu Olivier

Exits Early With Upper-Body Injury
Michael Bunting

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Sunday
Joe Pyfer

Extends His Winning Streak
Israel Adesanya

Loses Fourth Consecutive Fight
Nick Suzuki

Collects Three Points Against Hurricanes
Maycee Barber

Suffers Her First Knockout Loss
Frank Nazar

Scores Twice on Sunday
Alexa Grasso

Scores Highlight-Reel Knockout
Niko Price

Retires After UFC Seattle Loss
Keyonte George

Isaiah Collier Still Out Monday
Michael Chiesa

Victorious In His Retirement Fight
Max Strus

to Sit Out Monday's Game
Julian Erosa

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Lerryan Douglas

Scores First-Round Knockout Win In His UFC Debut
Alex Bregman

Clobbers First Two Homers in Sunday's Loss at Wrigley
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Records Five Hits, Drives in Four in Win Over Cardinals
Jeremy Swayman

Remains in Bruins Crease Sunday
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Against Predators
Nikita Kucherov

Remains Out Sunday
Mason Lohrei

Unavailable Sunday
Dmitri Voronkov

Considered Week-to-Week
Kyle Larson

Is Likely to Pay Off for DFS at Martinsville
Christopher Bell

Could Have Another Top-10 Performance At Martinsville
William Byron

Is A Threat to Win Again at Martinsville
Chase Elliott

is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Chase Briscoe

has Plenty of Upside for DFS Lineups at Martinsville
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Unlikely to See High-Leverage Opportunities in Near Future
Jacob deGrom

Feels "Much Better," Hopeful he Can Start This Week
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Martinsville?
Ryan Preece

Is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Josh Berry

Could Josh Berry Pay Off for Tournament DFS Lineups At Martinsville?
Carson Hocevar

May be Too Inconsistent to Start in Martinsville DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Is Austin Cindric Worth Rostering for DFS At Martinsville?
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Martinsville
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Martinsville
Tyler Reddick

Should Come Back Down to Earth at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Will Be Strong at Martinsville
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looking to Rebound at Martinsville
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Showing Progress, Qualifies Fifth at Martinsville
Dylan Cease

Fans 12 in Blue Jays Debut on Saturday
Andrew Vaughn

Needs Hand Surgery, Expected to be Out 4-6 Weeks
Jacob deGrom

"Confident" he Will Make his Next Start
Jacob deGrom

Scratched From Saturday's Start Due to Neck Stiffness
Jeferson Quero

Brewers Calling Up Catching Prospect Jeferson Quero
Deyvison De Los Santos

Marlins Promote Deyvison De Los Santos to Major Leagues
Shea Langeliers

Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
Kevin Gausman

Picks Up No-Decision But Strikes Out 11 on Opening Day
Tanner Bibee

Day-to-Day, Could Make his Next Start
Shane Baz

Orioles Agree to Five-Year Extension
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Making Season Debut on Friday Against Angels
Tiger Woods

Involved In Rollover Car Crash
Tanner Bibee

Shoulder Issue Not Considered Serious
Joe Pyfer

Set For UFC Seattle Main Event
Israel Adesanya

Returns At UFC Seattle
Maycee Barber

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak To Eight
Alexa Grasso

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Dominic Canzone

a Top Pickup After Two-Homer Game
Niko Price

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michael Chiesa

Set For Retirement Fight
Chase DeLauter

Launches Two Home Runs, Emerges as Top Waiver-Wire Target
Lerryan Douglas

Set For His UFC Debut
Julian Erosa

Looks To Bounce Back
Tanner Bibee

Leaves Opening Day Start Early With Shoulder Inflammation
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes a Statement on Opening Day With 10 Strikeouts
Kevin McGonigle

has Four Hits in Impressive MLB Debut
Ryan Fox

a High-Upside Value in Houston
Marco Penge

a Boom-or-Bust Option in Houston
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back in Houston
Jason Day

a Volatile Option at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Harris English

Eyes a Bounce-Back at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Ben Griffin

Looks for Turnaround at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Rickie Fowler

Brings Strong Form Into Texas Children's Houston Open
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