Choosing the players who will succeed and benching the ones who will not is essential to winning in fantasy football. Each week, fantasy owners will have to make the tough decision to put a player they like on the bench because the truth is that player is a bust. The willingness to do so is what separates good fantasy owners from bad ones. Let’s take a look at five players who could bust in Week 9.
Jalen Hurts – QB, Philadelphia Eagles (vs LAC)
Hurts has been an excellent quarterback in fantasy football this year. The second-year man is averaging 22.7 fantasy points per game, which is the fourth most at this position. However, last week against the Detroit Lions he struggled, and he could again this week. The Eagles are playing a good Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. With linebacker, Kenneth Murray, potentially coming back from injury, the Chargers’ defense could look even better, making Hurts a risky play this week.
Elijah Mitchell – RB, San Francisco 49ers (vs ARI)
Mitchell, when healthy, has been a fantasy star this year. After Raheem Mostert went down due to injury, the 49ers have relied on Mitchell to take a majority of the snaps at running back. However, this week Jeff Wilson Jr. could be back from injury. Even if he does not take many snaps away from Mitchell, the 49ers are playing a tough Arizona Cardinals defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the running backs they have faced. Mitchell is a solid flex option this week, but if a fantasy team has other options, they should be considered.
Jeremy McNichols – RB, Tennessee Titans (vs LAR)
Derrick Henry is down because of an injury and two backs could take over the Titans backfield: Adrian Peterson or McNichols. However, fantasy owners should be cautious starting either this week. Although McNichols provides passing upside, his ability to rush the ball is unknown. If another back steals a majority of the carries, McNichols could be in line for a poor Week 9. Additionally, the Titans are playing one of the top defenses in the NFL in the Los Angeles Rams, which makes McNichols’ fantasy outlook even worse.
DeVante Parker – WR, Miami Dolphins (vs HOU)
Parker had a breakout fantasy performance in Week 8, scoring 16.5 fantasy points against the Buffalo Bills. However this week, Parker could struggle. He has been inconsistent throughout the year with two performances under 10 fantasy points in the five games he has played. Even if the Dolphins blow out the Houston Texans, which seems unlikely considering their 1-7 record, the passing work could still go to others, such as Jaylen Waddle.
Pat Freiermuth – TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs CHI)
Freiermuth has had two good fantasy performances in the Steelers’ past two games. The rookie tight end has posted 12.8 and 14.4 fantasy point weeks and looks like he could have an increased role in the offense. However, their offense has struggled to move the ball this season and Freiermuth could struggle as a result. The Steelers rank in the bottom half of the league for passing yards. With two other strong options in Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool for Ben Roethlisberger to pass to, Freiermuth could have a poor week. Lastly, the Steelers are playing a good Chicago Bears defense who has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
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