5 Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 9: Undervalued Starts
Looking for that winning edge in Week 9 of the fantasy football season? We’ve got you covered with five fantasy football sleepers and undervalued starts that could give your lineup a major boost. Whether you’re dealing with bye weeks, injuries, or simply want to outsmart your competition, these hidden gems can help you secure a crucial victory. Read on to discover the players flying under the radar who could deliver big fantasy points in Week 9.
5 Fantasy Football Sleepers and Undervalued Starts for Week 8
Arguably, the most frustrating part of fantasy football is setting your lineup each week. Everyone hates seeing a player you almost started go off on your bench, leading to your opponent taunting you all weekend. With these 5 fantasy football sleepers, hopefully, you get that much closer to a playoff run this year in your leagues.
Starting your superstar players every week, regardless of the matchup, is an easy call. However, what about the rest of your roster?
Let’s look at 5 undervalued fantasy football sleepers for Week 9.
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mahomes is the clear-cut top quarterback in the NFL. Unfortunately, fantasy football and real-life football don’t always match. The superstar has been far from the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback, averaging 14.4 fantasy points per game. However, he is coming off his best performance this season, completing 71.1% of his pass attempts for 262 yards, two touchdowns, and 18.2 fantasy points. Fantasy players should expect Mahomes to have an even better performance on Monday night.
Tampa Bay has arguably the worst pass defense in the NFL. They have surrendered 22.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the most in the league. The Buccaneers “held” Spencer Rattler to one passing touchdown and 12.4 fantasy points. However, they surrendered at least four passing touchdowns and 28.6 fantasy points in the other three games over the past four weeks. Don’t be surprised if Mahomes has a four-touchdown performance against the Buccaneers. Oddly enough, he kicks off our fantasy football sleepers this week.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The second-year pro is one of my must-start running backs in Week 9. Brown had a slow start to the season, totaling 14 rushing attempts over the first three weeks. However, he has been productive over the past five contests, totaling double-digit rushing attempts in every game. More importantly, the former Illinois star has averaged 51 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 13.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past five weeks.
This week, Brown faces a Raiders defense that has had issues slowing down running backs. They have surrendered 22.7 fantasy points per game to running backs, the 10th-most in the NFL. Running backs have scored 20 or more fantasy points against Las Vegas in 75% of their games. Furthermore, the Raiders have given up four rushing touchdowns to running backs over their past three weeks. Don’t be surprised if Brown has over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC) vs. Cleveland Browns
While many expected the Chargers to have a run-heavy offense this season despite having Justin Herbert under center, Los Angeles has leaned on their franchise quarterback more since their bye week. McConkey has been the biggest beneficiary in the team opening up the passing game. The rookie has averaged seven targets and 13.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game since the bye week, totaling two touchdowns in Week 8 in the win over the New Orleans Saints.
Meanwhile, the Browns have struggled to slow down wide receivers this year. They have surrendered 31 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the fifth-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Cleveland has surrendered 175.5 receiving yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 33.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past four weeks despite giving up only 10.3 receptions per game. McConkey has become Herbert’s new Keenan Allen. Ultimately, the rookie could have another two-touchdown performance.
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN) vs. Buffalo Bills
Sutton let fantasy players down in Week 7, totaling zero targets and zero fantasy points against the New Orleans Saints. However, he scored 13 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in the other two games over the past three weeks. Furthermore, the veteran wide receiver had 100 receiving yards or a touchdown in both games. More importantly, Sutton and Bo Nix were on the same page last week, as the former SMU star performed best this year.
However, fantasy players should expect a better outing from the veteran wide receiver on Sunday. Sutton faces a Ravens defense that has surrendered 37.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. Furthermore, they have given up the most receiving yards to wide receivers. Last week, Baltimore gave up 99 receiving yards and 25.4 fantasy points to Cedric Tillman, 85 and 12.5 to Elijah Moore, and 79 and 10.4 to Jerry Jeudy.
Cade Otton (TE – TB) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Unfortunately, Tampa Bay lost Mike Evans for a few weeks to a hamstring injury and Chris Godwin for the season to a dislocated ankle in Week 7. However, Otton has stepped up for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers’ passing attack. He was the TE1 last week, totaling nine receptions on 10 targets for 81 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 24.6 half-point fantasy points against the Atlanta Falcons. Otton has back-to-back games with double-digit targets.
Furthermore, he has averaged one touchdown and 15.7 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling 14 or more twice. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have surrendered 13.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. They have given up 22 or more fantasy points to tight ends in two games this year. Otton should see a massive target share on Monday night and finish the week as a top-three tight end.
All things considered, Otton should build on this energy from last week moving forward. For Week 9 in the 2024 NFL season, Otton wraps up our fantasy football sleepers for this week.
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