Week 9 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Deep Sleepers Who Could Emerge
As we enter Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season, the fantasy football playoffs are in sight. Managers still have several weeks to solidify their postseason spots, but now is not the time to slip because of a bad matchup or the bye-week blues.
Byes are back in Week 9, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers will be out of action. This means that weekly starters like George Pickens, Najee Harris, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle will be unavailable.
The good news is that 30 other teams will be in action, and managers can still find some help on the waiver wire. You'll find a look at some of the top sleepers for Week 9 here, along with a flex cheat sheet based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Week 9 PPR Flex Rankings
1. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
4. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
5. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
6. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
8. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
9. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
10. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
11. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
12. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
13. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
14. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
15. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
16. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
17. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
18. Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
19. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
20. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
21. D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
22. Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings
23. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
24. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
25. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
26. Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
27. Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
28. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
29. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
30. David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
31. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
32. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
33. Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers
34. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
35. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
36. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
37. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
38. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
39. Davante Adams, WR, New York Jets
40. Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Sleeper: Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
There may not be many managers who have been relying on Russell Wilson or Brock Purdy this season, but some will inevitably be looking for a quarterback—the status of Jordan Love (groin) remains uncertain.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is an enticing option on the waiver wire. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both back in the lineup last week, Stafford tallied 279 passing yards with four touchdowns and an interception. He'll have a mid-level matchup against the rival Seattle Seahawks in Week 9.
Seattle has allowed the 15th-most fantasy points to opposing QBs in 2024. While Stafford may not replicate his numbers from last week, he should have a solid outing with a few extra days to prepare.
Stafford is rostered in just 41 percent of Yahoo leagues and 22 percent of ESPN leagues. Other QB sleepers to consider on the waiver wire include:
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
- Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Sleeper: Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Managers aren't going to find a surefire starting RB on the wire this late in Week 9. However, Atlanta Falcons backup Tyler Allgeier has some intriguing flex value in a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Falcons continue to platoon Allgeier and Bijan Robinson in the running game, which gives Allgeier a non-zero floor. Allgeier doesn't have a ton of upside because Robinson sees most of the receiving work, but he's had a couple of strong outings this season.
Allgeier had two receptions and 80 scrimmage yards in Week 4. He had one catch, 108 yards and a touchdown in Week 6.
This could be another good week for Allgeier, as the Cowboys have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Allgeier is rostered in 50 percent of ESPN leagues and only 37 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Other RB sleepers to target on the wire include:
- Braelon Allen, New York Jets
- Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
- Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
Sleeper: Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson's torn Achilles forced the Cleveland Browns to finally turn to Jameis Winston at quarterback. Unsurprisingly, the Browns offense got an immediate boost.
So did second-year receiver Cedric Tillman, who may be emerging as Cleveland's new No. 1 receiver—the Browns traded Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. Tillman finished Week 7 with eight catches and 81 yards. Playing with Watson for a full game on Sunday, he caught seven passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
Expectations should be low this week, as the Browns will host the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.
However, Tillman carries a decent floor this week because of his target share, and he's a strong option to start moving forward. The 24-year-old is rostered in 22 percent of Yahoo leagues and 28 percent of ESPN leagues.
Other WRs who may be available on the waiver wire include:
- Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
- Jalen McMillian, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.