Welcome to Week 9 of another NFL season of fantasy football start/sit lineup advice from The Sporting News.

Vinnie Iyer’s analysis, aka “The Decider,” remains your one-stop shop for fantasy start ’em/sit ’em advice in 2026, a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and whom to sit:

• Several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups most weeks when healthy and active are the “must starts.”
• Borderline options with favorable matchups are “stronger starts,” while the recommended plays to avoid are “weaker starts.”
• The advice is based on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.

Going beyond redraft league starts and sits, “The Decider” also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel. Keep scrolling for tips on how to deploy the best fantasy football lineup for your league opener.

Teams on a bye in Week 9: Steelers, Titans

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Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Must-start Week 9 QBs

1. Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. ATL)
2. Josh Allen, Bills (at MIN)
3. Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. LV)
4. Jared Goff, Lions (at MIA)
5. Drake Maye, Patriots (vs. GB)
6. Jordan Love, Packers (at NE)
7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at BAL)

Strong Week 9 QB starts

8. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at WAS): The Commanders have a tough run defense, leading to Stafford chucking for big numbers.

9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at IND): It’s a controlled environment vs. a bad defense, so go back to trusting Dak to deliver.

10. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. NYJ): Mahomes broke his two-game TD-less skid in a big way in Denver and won’t show mercy to the Jets back at home after two losses.

11. Caleb Williams, Bears (vs. TB): He cooled a little in Seattle because and failed to record multiple TDs, but he does the job at home in prime time.:

12. Drew Lock, Seahawks (vs. ARI): The Cardinals’ pass defense stinks and Lock, like he did once before, can ride JSN to a strong day.

13. Kirk Cousins, Raiders (at SF): He should be busy throwing often to keep up with Purdy against a meh pass defense.

DFS QB Week 9 pick

Malik Willis, Dolphins (vs. DET, $5,100 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel): Willis can’t be trusted outside of two-QB and superflex leagues as a seasonal play, but he’s worth a shot here for such a low price, as 15.3-19.5 points can give you the needed 3X return floor.

MORE: Week 9 NFL picks against the spread

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker Week 9 QB plays

14. Jayden Daniels, Commanders (vs. LAR): It’s a bit risky with limited weapons against the Rams defense despite being at home.

15. C.J. Stroud, Texans (at LAC): He’s been playing well but the Chargers is a get-well game with limited passing volume.

16. Tyler Shough, Saints (vs. CLE): He’s a volatile roller coaster, and the Browns aren’t total pass-defense chumps.

17. Geno Smith, Jets (at KC): The Chiefs’ defense will be eager to make some big amends vs. the pass at home.

18. Carson Wentz, Vikings (vs. BUF): The matchup looks pretty good on paper and he’s connected with the wide receivers, but you really can’t trust this beyond two-QB leagues.

19. Bo Nix, Broncos (at CAR): The Broncos have found more juice in the running game, so he won’t need to throw in rally mode for a change.

MORE: Week 9 NFL power rankings

Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Must-start Week 9 RBs

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at MIA)
2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (if the plays, vs. LV)
3. Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs (vs. NYJ)
4. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. CIN)
5. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. DAL)
6. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at CHI)
7. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (at IND)
8. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (if he plays, at BAL)
9. D’Andre Swift, Bears (vs. TB)
10. James Cook, Bills (at MIN)
11. Kyren Williams, Rams (at WAS)
12. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. ATL)
13. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. DEN)
14. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (vs. NYG)
15. Braelon Allen, Jets (at KC)
16. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (at NO)
17. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. GB)
18. Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. JAX)

Strong Week 9 RB starts1

19. Jonah Coleman and 20. JK Dobbins, Broncos (at CAR). The Panthers’ run defense is putrid and these guys will be motivated to produce RB2- and FLEX-worthy numbers.

20. Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (vs. DET): He was slowed down by the Patriots but can find a little running room in garbage time on the Lions.

21. Devin Singletary, Giants (at PHI): He’s their healthiest, most dynamic back to use against the Eagles.

22. Woody Marks, Texans (vs. LAC): He’ll come through as the Texans turn in a solid offensive performance through the air and on the ground after the bye.

23. Jordan Mason, Vikings (vs. BUF): He’ll also be motivated by trade rumors to be more productive in a prime matchup.

24. Rachaad White, Commanders (vs. LAR): He’s getting the high-leverage touches through scoring positions to make him an RB2 play.

MORE: The best, worst, wildest and wackiest moments from the NFL season so far

DFS RB Week 9 Picks

Javonte Williams, Cowboys (at IND, $7,300 on DraftKings, $7,700 on FanDuel): The Cowboys are bound to overcorrect by leaning more on the running game again with Brian Schottenheimer, so Williams can follow Tuten’s lead.

Jonah Coleman, Broncos (at CAR, $5,300 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel): The Broncos wasted no time unleashing the kid once he was healthy, with no RJ Harvey, and he destroyed the Chiefs’ defense late. The Panthers are much more giving.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker RB Week 9 plays

25. Omarion Hampton, Chargers (vs. HOU) This might be a reverse jinx situation, but you can’t really trust anything in this offense against a Texans defense that figures to be improved.

26. Josh Jacobs, Packers (at NE): He might be nearing the end of the line with the Packers and the NFL as a whole.

27. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at SF): You can’t really feel good about this, and deeper leaguers can take a shot on Mike Washington Jr.

28. Blake Corum. Rams (at WAS): The Commanders’ run defense is good enough to allow only one Rams rusher to succeed.

29. Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (at SEA): Don’t chase the Cowboys box score even with no Love against the Seahawks’ defense on the road.

30.  Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. ARI): He’s still trying to find any kind of burst in their new-look committee and you can feel iffy about Jadarian Price, too.

31. Alvin Kamara, Saints  (vs. CLE): This backfield might remix again out of the bye and even the Browns’ defense meltdown last week can’t make you love this play.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers

Must-start Week 9 WRs

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. ARI)
2. Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. LAC)
3. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at IND)
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (assuming he plays, at MIA)
5. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. ATL)
6. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. ATL)
7. Christian Watson, Packers (assuming he plays, at NE)
8. Nico Collins, Texans (at LAC)
9. Malik Nabers, Giants (assuming he plays, at PHI)
10. Chris Olave, Saints (vs. CLE)
11. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. NYJ)
12. Parker Washington, Jaguars (at BAL)
13. Matthew Golden, Packers (at NE)
14. George Pickens, Cowboys (if he plays, at IND)
15. Drake London, Falcons (vs. CIN)
16. Mike Evans, 49ers (but unlikely to play, vs. LV)
17. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. BUF)
18. Luther Burden III, Bears (vs. TB)
19. Jameson Williams, Lions (at MIA)
20. D.J. Moore, Bills (likely to play, at MIN)
21. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. DEN)
22. Jaylen Waddle, Broncos (at CAR)

Strong WR Week 9 starts

23. Stefon Diggs, Commanders (vs. LAR): He’s their default No. 1 even in a tough matchup and Daniels is feeling with him.

24. Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. JAX): The QB situation has turned awful for him but here’s trusting he can make a late garbage-time big play on a beatable secondary.

25. Omar Cooper Jr., Jets (at KC): Speaking of garbage time, this rookie gets greased as the squeaky wheel with no Garrett Wilson.

26. Denzel Boston, Browns (at NO): This is a better big outside target game than an inside quickness game.

27. Caleb Douglas, Dolphins (vs. DET): He has the best matchup among their young receivers to take a shot.

28. Demario Douglas, Patriots (vs. GB): He’s playing more like. their No. 1 with the injuries elsewhere and Maye trusts him.

29. Keenan Allen, Colts (vs. DAL): The Cowboys’ defense is so bad he can get it done with decent targets.

30. Devaughn Vele, Saints (vs. CLE): Jordyn Tyson is looming, but the Browns can struggle more with slot coverage.

DFS WR Week 9 picks

Malik Nabers, Giants (at PHI, $7,300 on DraftKings, $7,800 on FanDuel): Nabers will exploit the Eagles’ secondary with some added high volume from J.J. McCarthy.

Nico Collins, Texans (at LAC, $7,200 on DraftKings, $7,700 on FanDuel): Collins is coming off a bye and should lock into being busy for Stroud, pulling off his best Nacua.

Matthew Golden, Packers (at NE, $7,000 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel): With the coverage attention on Watson, Golden will see favorable downfield coverage and have a big day for Love.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker Week 9 WR plays

31. Michael Wilson, Cardinals (at SEA): He destroyed Dallas but Seattle is a different territory, especially with battered ribs on the road.

32. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. BUF): You can’t feel good about him with Murray despite the matchup.

33. Rome Odunze, Bears (vs. TB): It’s the Burden and Loveland show vs. the Bucs.

34. Jalen Coker, Panthers (vs. DEN): He’s too TD-dependent with Young struggling.

35. KC Concepcion, Browns (at NO): This is more of a Boston game in the Big Easy.

36. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. HOU). He still has a major Justin Herbert problem.

37. Tre Tucker, Raiders (at SF): The 49ers are pretty good at stopping limited No. 1 receivers.

38. Makai Lemon, Eagles (at NYG): He disappeared again with McKee last week.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Tight ends

Must-start Week 9 TEs

1. Brock Bowers, Raiders (at SF)
2. George Kittle, 49ers (vs. LV)
3. Sam LaPorta, Lions (at MIA)
4. Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. TB)
5. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at SEA)
6. Tucker Kraft, Packers (at NE)
7. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. NYJ)

Stronger Week 9 TE starts

8. Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. DAL): Let’s hope they let him get busy on this bad defense.

9. Isaiah Likely, Giants (at PHI): The Eagles have been good against traditional tight ends, but he’s more of a dangerous wideout hybrid.

10. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. BUF): He keeps doing better than expected despite Murray, and the Bills can be burned.

11. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (if he plays, at NO): The Saints have had issues at times covering the position.

12. Mike Gesicki, Bengals (vs. ATL): How can you sit Mr. Griddy in Spain after he keeps making it rain with Burrow?

13. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons (vs.CIN): On the flip side, the Bengals also tend to give it up to tight ends of this type of athleticism.

DFS TE Week 9 pick

Sam LaPorta, Lions (at MIA, $5,100 on DraftKings, $5,700 on FanDuel): Hunter Henry didn’t stay healthy enough to come through in this juicy matchup, so here’s trying again with an overdue Lion.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker TE Week 9 starts

14. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (if he plays, at MIN): Kincaid runs into a tough matchup with a limited floor on the road.

15. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. NYG): It’s not happening with Tanner McKee yet.

16. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (at BAL): They won’t need him to rip a reeling Ravens defense.

17. Darren Waller, Panthers (vs. DEN):  The numbers might say yes, but Bryce Young’s recent play says no against the Broncos’ D.

18. Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. CLE): They should be leaning more on the wide receivers after the bye.

19. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. JAX): Avoid extending much with Baltimore’s offense with two quarterbacks down.

Fantasy Football Week 9: Defense/special teams best starts

Best DST Week 9 starts

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (at BAL)
2. Chicago Bears (vs. TB)
3. Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
4. Houston Texans (at LAC)
5. Denver Broncos (at CAR)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NYJ)
7. Detroit Lions (at MIA)
8. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. ATL)
9. Minnesota Vikings (vs. BUF)
10. New England Patriots (vs. GB)
11. Los Angeles Rams (at WAS)
12. Green Bay Packers (at NE)
13. New Orleans Saints (vs. CLE)
14. Cleveland Browns (at NO)

D/ST Week 9 pick

New Orleans Saints (vs. CLE, $2,900 on DraftKings, $3,500 on FanDuel): Here’s taking a shot that Brandon Staley’s group comes out fired up after a bye and can rack up sacks and a couple of takeaways at home.