Well we’re heading into week nine and Fitzmagic is back, and some huge moves were made at the trade deadline. Some huge trades at the deadline included Demaryius Thomas is now a Texan, Golden Tate is an Eagle, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a Redskins. We have a huge week 9 ahead of us, so let’s jump right into it. All point totals are done in basic ESPN PPR point format.

Must Start:

Alex Smith- Quarterback- Washington Redskins- Alex Smith has had a pretty average season so far averaging 14.9 points per game. The Skins take on the Falcons this Sunday at home, and the Falcons have given up a ton of points to opposing QBs. The Falcons have allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing QBs and the second most fantasy PPG to opposing QBs. The Falcons have also allowed the third most passing YPG too, so Smith should be able to go off for a large amount of yards. If Smith is going to have a break out game it will be Sunday against the Falcons.

Nick Chubb- Running Back- Cleveland Browns- The Browns traded Carlos Hyde two weeks ago to the Jaguars, and Chubb stepped into the feature back role for the Browns. Chubb and the Browns go on to take on the Chiefs at home. The Chiefs have allowed the most rushing YPG to opposing RB, and have allowed the most total fantasy points to opposing RB all season. Chubb has 18 rushing attempts in both of his first two starts, so with a large number of carries he should be able to go off against a bad Chief run defense.

Danny Amendola- Wide Receiver- Miami Dolphins- Amendola has looked really good recently as he put up 13.9/20.4/14.4 in his last three games, and is starting to live up to the large contract he received this offseason. This week the Dolphins take on the Jets who have been terrible against opposing WR. The Jets have allowed third most total fantasy points to opposing WR (45.5 PPG), and have also allowed the second most passing YPG to WR. Amendola will look to capitalize on his really good form by going north of 20 points.

Do not Start:

Alex Collins- Running Back- Baltimore Ravens- Collins has still only rushed for over 60 yards once this season after eight games. Collins is TD dependant, and against the Steelers it will be very difficult for him. The Steelers have only allowed five TDs to opposing RB all season. The Steeler rush defense has also allowed the second least total PPG to opposing RB, and is one of three teams in the NFL to allow a total average YPG to running backs that is under 100. Collins is somehow still a top 20 RB, but he is someone you really cannot trust this week.

Corey Davis- Wide Receiver- Tennessee Titans- Corey Davis is currently still averaging 10.7 PPG in the tragic Titan offense. I think Davis is going to develop to have a nice career, but this is definitely not the year. Davis and the Titans take on the Cowboys pass defense who has quietly done a very good job with opposing WR this season. The Cowboys are third best in the league in total yards allowed to WRs per game with 146, and have also allowed the second lowest amount of total fantasy PPG to opposing WR. Davis with Mariota as his QB, not to mention the Titans are away, just does not look good for Davis.

Philip Rivers- Quarterback- Los Angeles Chargers- Rivers has put together a very solid year so far establishing himself as a top 13 QB who averages 20.9 PPG. The Chargers head to Seattle to take on the Seahawk pass defense who is ranked number one in the NFL in fantasy PPG allowed to opposing QBs. Rivers and the Chargers should be able to go up on the Seahawks, so Rivers could see limitation in his passing attempts. Rivers is not a great play this week against a non QB friendly Seahawk defense.

Waiver wire Pickups:

Tyrell Williams- Wide Receiver- Los Angeles Chargers-  Williams was one of my pickups last week and is again. Williams is owned in less than 30% of ESPN leagues, and averages 12.6 fantasy PPG. Williams has 27 and 22 points in his last two games, and is establishing himself a name in the Chargers WR corp. Williams has great flex value and is a low end WR2 at the moment.

Jack Doyle- Tight End- Indianapolis Colts- Doyle struggles with injuries, but when he is healthy he is a force. Doyle came back last week from sitting out five weeks and dropped 19 points. Doyle has TE1 potential every week, and is a favorite target of Andrew Luck in a pass heavy offense. Doyle is owned in only 38.8% of leagues, and is a rare gem in the TE free agent market.

Courtland Sutton- Wide Receiver- Denver Broncos- Demaryius Thomas is now out of the picture for the future star. Sutton is now the WR2 in Denver, and is potential to become a great fantasy play just skyrocketed. Sutton has put up eight or more points in all five of his last five games, and now will see his targets spike. Sutton is only owned in 40.5%. This kid could end up being special, so take advantage of it quickly.