- Starts of the Week, not sit-your-studs: This is a list of players poised to beat expectations, accompanied by my confidence rating at the end of each outlook. Use them to win close decisions, not to bench superstars.
- Kyler Murray is a strong Week 9 start: Murray faces a Cowboys defense allowing 28.7 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the highest mark in the league. With Marvin Harrison Jr. poised for favorable matchups against the NFL’s lowest-graded coverage unit, Murray returns in an ideal spot to post QB1 numbers.
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray returns to action in Week 9 and is in a great spot to be plugged right back into fantasy lineups.
He faces a Cowboys defense we’ve been targeting with starting quarterbacks all season. Dallas is allowing 28.7 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. His WR1, Marvin Harrison Jr., should also have mismatches across the field against a Cowboys secondary that ranks 32nd in PFF coverage grade this season. All signs point to a smash spot for Murray in his return.
Confidence Level: Mid-tier QB1 with high-end upside
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
It’s been an up-and-down season for Caleb Williams’ fantasy managers, and he’s coming off a 12.8-point, QB20 finish against the Ravens.
This week, however, Williams is in a smash spot with mismatches all over the field against a struggling Bengals defense. Cincinnati ranks 25th of 32 teams in PFF coverage grade against running backs, 26th in defensive line pass-rush grade, 22nd in coverage grade against wide receivers, and 29th against tight ends. It sets up as a strong bounce-back opportunity for the Bears’ passing attack.
The only real risk for Williams is game script — if Chicago jumps out to an early lead against a potentially Flacco-less Bengals team, the offense could lean heavily on D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai to close it out on the ground.
Confidence level: High-end QB1
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
We’re going to heat-check Jordan Love after his 28-point, QB1 finish in Week 8.
He has a real chance to repeat that performance in Week 9, as Carolina ranks in the bottom half of the league in PFF coverage grade this season. The Panthers now face a Packers offense that’s finally healthy and finding its rhythm. With Christian Watson back, Love has once again unlocked the deep ball and has four viable weapons at his disposal.
The Panthers simply don’t have the secondary talent to contain Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs and Tucker Kraft — all of whom can create mismatches downfield.
Confidence Level: Top-five upside
Wide receivers
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
This is a dream spot for Ladd McConkey. The Titans already have one of the league’s weaker secondaries, ranking 26th of 32 teams in PFF coverage grade. And after trading away Rodger McCreary, that group is even more vulnerable.
McConkey has an elite matchup advantage against the two corners he’s expected to see most often, and with the way Justin Herbert has been playing recently, he should be heavily involved early and often. We can’t expect another week where Quentin Johnston goes without a catch, but both wideouts should have plenty of production in this matchup.
Confidence level: Mid-tier WR1
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Thomas has been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2025 season, but if you’re still rostering him, this is the week to get him back in your lineup.
The Raiders are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and Thomas continues to lead the Jaguars in adjusted target rate at 26.7%. If Jacksonville’s offense can find some rhythm against a Raiders defense that ranks 31st in overall PFF grade, the Jguars receiver should be able to deliver for fantasy managers.
Confidence Level: High-end WR2
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Similar to Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. is in a get-right spot this week.
The Cowboys have allowed the most receiving yards to opposing offenses (2,185) and the eighth-most receptions of 15-plus yards this season (43). Harrison also draws an elite individual matchup against Trikweze Bridges, the cornerback he’s projected to see on most of his routes this week.
Confidence Level: High-end WR2
Running backs
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Swift has quietly been elite over the past few weeks, averaging 20.5 PPR points per game since Week 5. This should be another 20-plus-point week for Swift.
He faces a Bengals defense we’ve routinely targeted with running backs, most recently Breece Hall last week. The Bears should look to lean on Swift to close out this matchup, and Kyle Monangai remains a viable spot flex if needed.
Confidence Level: Mid-tier RB1
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
This could be one of the final feature weeks for Kimani Vidal, with Omarion Hampton’s return on the horizon. He draws a favorable matchup against a Titans defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and the most yards after contact this season.
The Chargers are expected to jump out to an early lead, which should give Vidal plenty of opportunities to close things out on the ground in Week 9.
Confidence Level: High-end RB2
Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals
Similar to Kimani Vidal, this is one of the final opportunities to get Bam Knight into your lineup, with Trey Benson likely to return within the next two weeks. But Knight should go out with a bang.
He draws a Cowboys run defense that ranks 30th of 32 teams in PFF grade. Dallas has been extremely friendly to opposing fantasy backs, allowing the third-most rushing yards and nearly 5.0 yards per carry this season.
Confidence Level: Mid-tier RB2
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