Week 9 of the NFL season presents a pivotal moment for fantasy football managers, with multiple teams on bye and significant quarterback injuries elevating fringe players into mainstream consideration. CBS Sports analyst Dave Richard delivers a comprehensive matchup breakdown covering defensive coverages, pass-rush pressure, backfield workloads, and target distribution to guide lineup decisions.
In the Thursday night game, Richard advises starting Trevor Lawrence, Bhayshul Tuten, Derrick Henry as a No. 2 running back, Parker Washington, Zay Flowers as a No. 2 wide receiver, and the Jaguars defense, while sitting Joe Fagnano, Chris Rodriguez, Mark Andrews, Jakobi Meyers, and the Ravens defense.
For Sunday's early slate, he highlights must-starts such as Joe Burrow, Bijan Robinson, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Drake London in the Bengals-Falcons matchup; Chuba Hubbard for the Panthers against Denver; Javonte Williams and CeeDee Lamb for the Cowboys at Indianapolis; and Kenneth Walker III for the Jets versus Kansas City.
Other notable recommendations include starting Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown for Detroit at Miami, Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara for New Orleans versus Cleveland, Malik Nabers and Saquon Barkley for the Giants at Philadelphia, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams for the Rams at Washington, C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins for Houston at the Chargers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Trey McBride for Seattle against Arizona, Josh Jacobs for Green Bay at New England, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Brock Bowers for San Francisco versus Las Vegas, Bucky Irving and D'Andre Swift for Chicago against Tampa Bay, and Josh Allen and James Cook for Buffalo at Minnesota.
Richard also identifies several players to avoid, including Daniel Jones, Bryce Young, Geno Smith, Shedeur Sanders, Joe Milton III, Drew Lock, Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield, and Carson Wentz, along with various defenses facing unfavorable matchups.
