Fantasy Football, Week 9: These 4 players should be in your starting lineup

While it was a very interesting Week 8 for many, my near-victorious DraftKings Daily Fantasy play was halted by a Fantasy nemesis that no one could have seen coming: Travis Kelce.

Sure, six receptions for 58 yards is a respectable outing for most tight end plays. But to invest so much money into the tight end position for that output ultimately cursed me (and many of my competitors) in the end.

Week 9 has many strong matchups (or at least even matchups) and the gambling becomes even more challenging as we learn more shocking truths regarding key players who are/were automatic plug-and-plays week in and week out.

Davante Adams is not a safe play in any facet. Kyle Pitts is not a top-10 tight end for Fantasy play. Mahomes is human after all. Bench or avoid Brock Purdy at all costs.

Trust me…I could keep going.

The 2023 season is shaping up to be one of the more puzzling Fantasy seasons in recent memory. With an abundance of injuries at the quarterback position (oof, Week 8 was a doozy in that regard…) and connections not clicking for key skill position players, it’s time to really strategize where the dollars are spent and where the risks are taken.

QB: Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) vs. KC

…But spend big money at quarterback on Tua. I am beyond hyped for this game in Germany. It’s a matchup that many people circled at the schedule announcement and it’s sure to be a shootout between two of the league’s best quarterbacks. And in this matchup, I’m picking Tua. Flu or no flu, Mahomes couldn’t notch a touchdown against a struggling Denver Broncos defense and the Chiefs haven’t exactly had many statement games this season (no, their blowout of the Bears was not a statement).

While I’m not surprised that the Chiefs are (-2.5), I think the Dolphins cover and win with a huge game from Tua. He’s arguably the most consistently-reliable quarterback in Fantasy play and I am without a doubt spending big again to have him leading the way for Fantasy points again.

WR: Jahan Dotson (WAS) vs. NE (‘Under the Radar’ Selection of the Week)

I’m taking a shot in the dark here in hopes that Jahan Dotson can carry his level of play from Week 8 into Week 9.

Dotson hasn’t always displayed consistent numbers for Fantasy play, but his Week 8 stats were beyond impressive against a strong Philadelphia defense: 8 receptions, 108 yards, 1 touchdown.

Was it a fluke?

The Commanders face off against a much more manageable New England defense in Week 9. Dotson should get the targets and be able to produce more favorable numbers against the Patriots. He’s also likely an affordable wide receiver with big upside potential in this matchup. This is a “lower-price meets high ceiling” option for Week 9.

RB: Alvin Kamara (NO) vs. CHI

Sorry to be picking against the Bears, but if Alvin Kamara can do what he did to the Colts defense again against the Bears, this is almost automatic. He’s featured in my Bears matchup of the week to watch, and while the Bears defense contained Austin Ekeler to some extent, I think the Saints will rely heavily on carries from Kamara in an attempt to win the game.

Kamara caught several passes out of the backfield, tallied a score, and had 17 carries in Week 8. It’s a workload that has been consistent over the last several weeks and one that has huge upside for potential Fantasy points. That makes this a battle for the Bears but a win for Fantasy players.

TE: Cole Kmet (CHI) vs. NO

The Tyson Bagent-Cole Kmet connection actually blossomed in the Chargers’ throttling of the Bears Sunday night (one of the only positives from that game). Bagent connected with Kmet ten times. Ten. Averaging 7.9 yards per reception, I can’t imagine that Luke Getsy would be dumb enough to abandon that favorable option on Sunday…right?

I led you astray (again) the one week that I picked Travis Kelce, but after seeing that Bagent can work with Kmet, he’s a very viable (and affordable) option at the tight end slot and honestly may be back on track to being a top-5 producing tight end for Fantasy players.