Faux Football Preview - Week 9
Chew previews Week 9 in the NFL with some redraft and dynasty fantasy advice.
Week 8 hopefully ended in a win for you, and (hopefully) you are poised for another in Week 9. There were surprise boom weeks from Joe Flacco (again!), R.J. Harvey, Troy Franklin, and Oronde Gadsden (again); however, there were duds from Baker Mayfield, Jordan Mason, Matthew Golden, and Dalton Kincaid. Let’s look ahead to a healthy, fantasy-point-filled Week 9.
Check out last week’s preview here to see how things shook out. As a reminder, both redraft and dynasty are considered in this weekly roundup, so without further ado, let’s get to it.
DYNASTY BUY/SELL
Once the NFL season starts, the dynasty mindset can take a backseat to the redraft mindset. Each week, I will highlight two players to buy and two players to sell in dynasty, providing examples for each. As always, the trades are taken from the dynasty-daddy.com trade database.
Buy #1 - JAYLIN NOEL
Jaylin Noel was one of “my guys” heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The acquisition of Christian Kirk threw a wrench into things, but his injury has opened the door for Noel to step up. Despite still not exceeding 50% of the starting receiver snaps, Noel has performed well in his past two games with seven and six targets, respectively, and is churning out yards. Looking to 2026 and beyond, it is clear that Noel has a role, and the only thing hindering his opportunity is the return and resurgence of Tank Dell.
Trade #1: Jaylin Noel ←→ ‘26 3rd
Trade #2: Jaylin Noel + ‘26 2nd ←→ Jameson Williams
Sell #1 - TYRONE TRACY
For the remainder of the 2025 season, the Giants’ backfield is in the hands of Tyrone Tracy following the gruesome Cam Skattebo injury. Tracy has performed so-so in limited duties this season after his own injuries and Skattebo’s bursting onto the scene. Tracy’s fantasy value is limited to this season with the return of Skattebo in 2026, but there is value in a starting running back for someone in need. I was high on Tracy heading into the season, but I would be foolish to think that this is not Skattebo’s backfield when healthy, so he is a sell.
Trade #1: Tyrone Tracy ←→ ‘26 2nd
Trade #2: Tyrone Tracy + ‘26 2nd ←→ Ricky Pearsall
Buy #2 - DANIEL JONES
Indiana Jones is here to stay! The Colts will not be foolish to make the same mistake that the Vikings did in letting Sam Darnold leave in free agency. The rumblings are that Jones is to get a long-term extension to stay in Indianapolis, and that could not be better for dynasty. Not apples to apples, but this feels like Jared Goff finding a home in Detroit. Jones has weekly rushing upside and is surrounded by the best collection of weapons in his career, so he is a screaming buy in dynasty.
Trade #1: Daniel Jones + ‘26 3rd ←→ J.J. McCarthy
Trade #2: Daniel Jones + Tucker Kraft ←→ Patrick Mahomes
Sell #2 - KENNETH WALKER
Kenneth Walker has finished in the top 12 for running backs twice thus far, but that was back in Weeks 2 and 3. The backfield split between Walker and Zach Charbonnet is one of frustration for those fantasy managers who are setting starting lineups. The optimism that you are selling for Walker is that he will leave Seattle in free agency after 2025 for more touches elsewhere. The home run upside is undeniable for Walker, which will be his selling point here. I am looking to get off the Walker rollercoaster now in dynasty.
Trade #1: Kenneth Walker + Keenan Allen ←→ Travis Hunter + ‘26 3rd
Trade #2: Kenneth Walker ←→ Brandon Aiyuk + ‘27 3rd
HANDCUFF HIERARCHY
The running back position can be one of frustration in fantasy as we scour the bench and waiver wire to fill in when injuries and bye weeks strike. But since we are just now getting started with the NFL season, here is a look at the various tiers for all 32 backup running backs. As the season progresses, we will see players rise and fall amongst the tiers, so stay tuned!
*This list only includes each team’s RB-2; thus, if the RB-1 is injured, then the RB-3 will take the place of the RB-2 on this list.
STANDALONE VALUE
These players have flex appeal even with the RB-1 being healthy in Week 9.
Chuba Hubbard appears to have given way to Rico Dowdle, at least in the short term. Hubbard still has plenty of value in the Panthers’ backfield, but it is certainly capped.
R.J. Harvey have yourself a day! Multiple touchdowns showed off Sean Payton’s trust in him as a playmaker. Do not expect similar performances, but the second half of the season should show improvement over the first.
Woody Marks, Tyler Allgeier, and Kenneth Gainwell are firmly behind their respective lead backs, but they have consistent roles that can be elevated in a given week with touchdown upside.
Zach Charbonnet and David Montgomery are fresh off bye weeks but are still splitting snaps with their backfield counterparts.
Kareem Hunt may be bumped up to the starter, with Isiah Pacheco questionable to start the week. If so, Brashard Smith climbs the depth chart, but his role is more complementary to Pacheco/Hunt than it is supplementary.
Tyjae Spears and Jordan Mason are looking like they could serve as the 1A options in their respective backfields, but the upside is limited based on their offenses.
SPOT STARTER
The initial RB-1 is injured, and everyone moves up the depth chart, or the player has a specialized role.
Ty Johnson and Jeremy McNichols have their pass-catching roles in their respective offenses, which are unlikely to change anytime soon.
Bhayshul Tuten, TreVeyon Henderson, Justice Hill, and Devin Singletary do not offer much optimism, barring a touchdown opportunity in limited touches.
Kyle Monangai continues to offer real upside given his volume of opportunities; however, he is on the Bears’ offense, and D’Andre Swift provides more of a home run threat.
Emanuel Wilson and Blake Corum are squarely behind their respective bell cow backs, so much of the same.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If you are in a DEEP league, these are the rest of the bunch that you’re forced to pick from for Week 9.
This group is completely overshadowed by a bellcow back or limited by an anemic offense.
TIGHT END STREAMERS
Of all the fantasy-relevant positions, it’s the tight end that is my favorite to stream. If you were not fortunate enough to get one of the top few tight ends, it can be a futile process to find fantasy points at the tight end position. Here are three tight ends ranked outside the top 12 who are stream-worthy in Week 9.
A Look Back At Week 8 (If Top-12 ✅)
Evan Engram → 7.6 points ❌
T.J. Hockenson → 4.6 points ❌
Theo Johnson → 5.0 points ❌
Week 9
ZACH ERTZ (TE-13) v. SEA
No matter the matchup, if Ertz is outside the top 12, I am interested. With Terry McLaurin picking up another injury in his Week 8 return, there is reason for optimism for Ertz’s role going forward. And what is even better is the matchup, where the Seahawks offer a strong opportunity for opposing tight ends. Regardless of whether it is Marcus Mariota or Jayden Daniels under center, I like Ertz to show out in Week 9.
HUNTER HENRY (TE-18) v. ATL
The matchup is not friendly for Hunter Henry in Week 9, but his chemistry with star quarterback Drake Maye is what has me intrigued. Henry only has three games with at least one touchdown on the season, but this feels like an opportunity for him to step up against a top-end defense. After Maye’s three-touchdown performance in Week 8 against the Browns, I am optimistic that Henry can rise to the top 12.
A.J. BARNER (TE-21) v. WAS
The Seahawks are fresh off their bye week, and A.J. Barner is primed for a top 12 performance against a vulnerable Commanders’ defense. Barner’s three top 12 performances thus far have been buoyed by four total touchdowns. I think Week 9 could provide the same upside with Jaxon Smith-Njigba garnering his usual volume and Barner capitalizing with a touchdown. As has been the case with many of the tight ends outside of the top 12, we are looking for touchdown upside.
So you made it this far, and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow fantasy football degenerates, I would greatly appreciate it!
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