Happy week 9 to football fans everywhere. With Covid-19 still looming large across the league, the landscape of the NFL was shocked on Wednesday after Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers tested positive for the virus. With A.J. Green and Noah Fant also being placed on the reserve list, many owners are left scrambling as they look to fill out their respective lineups.
Home to a four-team bye this weekend, we are back with our sleepers article. Finding some success with our picks last Sunday, New York Jets running back Michael Carter amassed 15 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. In addition to this, he also added nine receptions for 95 yards. Along with this, Evan Engram hauled in three receptions for 15 yards while adding in a score.
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams
Jefferson has begun to carve out a more prominent role in the Rams offense over the last two weeks. He has gotten 13 targets. After one of his finest performances of the season in week 7, the 25-year-old followed it up last Sunday. He hauled in three receptions for 88 yards. With DeSean Jackson no longer with the franchise after being granted his release, the University of Florida product will be moved into an every-down role for the duration of the season.
Headed into a matchup with the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football, play him. One of the worst units in the league at slowing down opposing passing attacks, Mike Vrabel‘s team has allowed 267.4 yards through the air on average. Furthermore, they have surrendered 16.6 reception yards per game to opposing wideouts, leading to 28.9 points. A big-bodied receiver with the ability to make plays in the red zone, he is a reliable flex option.
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings
Conklin has continued to be a dependable option for fantasy owners. He finished as TE13 a week ago after hauling in five receptions for 57 yards. The 26-year-old has ranked as TE15 in full PPR scoring leagues through the first half of the season. Scheduled to square off against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the early window, start him if you need help at the position. Continuing to be one of the worst secondaries in football, John Harbaugh’s team was picked apart by Joe Burrow and company in their last outing.
Along with this, they have struggled all year long to slow down opposing tight ends. This has led the position to average 6.6 receptions and 77.9 receiving yards per contest against them. Even with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson dominating the target share for Minnesota’s passing attack, look for there to be enough volume for Conklin to have a good week.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Back with the Saints after suffering a concussion, Hill has been out since week 5. With Jameis Winston now out after suffering a season-ending ACL and MCL injury, look for the 31-year-old to be under center on Sunday if he is indeed a full go. Recording his best game of the season against the New York Giants in week 4 before being knocked out a week later, Hill amassed six rushing attempts for 28 yards and two scores. In a plus matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, start him as a high-end QB2/low-end QB1.
Struggling mightily on the defensive side of the ball, Arthur Smith’s team ranks 26th in both rushing yards and points per game. This has led opposing signal-callers to average 24.7 points each time out against them. Owned in just 23% of Yahoo leagues and 6% of ESPN leagues, his rushing numbers should offer a high floor for owners.
Mark Ingram, Houston Texans
Ingram is back with the Saints after landing with the team at the trade deadline. He enjoyed his second-best fantasy finish of the season a week ago. The University of Alabama product recorded six rushes for 27 yards while adding two receptions for 25 yards. Primarily operating as a heavy rushing attack under Winston, New Orleans has run the ball on 51.5 percent of their plays.
Destined to rise under Hill, look for Ingram to carve out a more significant role behind star running back Alvin Kamara. With an inter-divisional battle against the Falcons on tap for Sunday, play him as a low-end RB3. One of the worst units league-wide at stopping the run, Atlanta allows 1251.1 yards per matchup on the ground. In addition to this, they have also given up six rushing scores to opposing backs.
Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
Renfrow has remained one of the favorite targets for Derek Carr all year long. The 25-year-old hauled in seven balls for 57 yards in the Raider’s Week 7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He now has six or more targets in every game but one during his 2021 campaign. The 25-year-old should see an uptick amongst a thin group of pass catchers for Las Vegas. This is because Henry Ruggs is no longer with the team after being charged with a DUI.
In a cross-conference game in week 9 against the struggling New York Giants, stream him as a WR3 with an added boost in PPR leagues. The Giants are slotted in the middle of the pack on the defensive side of the ball. They continue to make their fall down the standings. The team has given up 14.5 receptions on average to opposing wideouts. Currently ranked 18th in Adjusted Fantasy Points Per Game to the position, Renfrow should see plenty of work.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Chris Gallagher on Twitter @ChrisGally06
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
