With four teams on a bye this week, we had to work a little bit harder to find the fringe QB1s and the flex upgrades for your lineups. But after watching the tape and focusing on the Week 9 matchups, there are some players I really like and a couple I need to downgrade.
So, let's check it out. There's a quarterback in here with a really good matchup versus a zone-heavy defense, an explosive-play threat at wide receiver and a running back you can play in the flex spot.
Here are my Week 9 fantasy upgrades, downgrades and the players we need to monitor moving forward.
Players to upgrade in Week 9
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
We knew last week's matchup versus the Bills' defense would drop Tagovailoa down into the QB2 ranks. That unit in Buffalo is really good. Fundamentals, coverage discipline and speed at the second and third levels. However, with an upcoming Week 9 game versus a Texans defense giving up 20.4 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, let's put Tagovailoa back in the discussion as a low-end QB1 in 12-team leagues.
So, what is Tagovailoa going to see from the Houston defense on Sunday? Cover 2. A lot of it. This season, the zone-heavy Texans have played two-deep on 39.6% of coverage snaps, the most in the league. And I think that caters to Tagovailoa's traits as a rhythm/timing thrower (see video below). Short-to-intermediate passing here. Schemed targets for the tight ends (get Mike Gesicki in your lineup, too). And the RPOs. Ball out quick to open zone windows. With a projection of 19.2 fantasy points this week, I'm playing the matchup with Tua here.
Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Howard is in the mix here for Philly. So is Kenneth Gainwell. But I'm going to roll with Scott this week after watching his tape versus the Lions in Week 8 (18.0 PPR points). There's juice there. Short-area speed, too. And I anticipate more touches for Scott in the Week 9 matchup against a Chargers defense giving up 5.4 yards per carry. Shotgun runs here, with Scott in a position to hit it downhill or press the ball to the edge. This guy can scoot, now. With four teams on a bye this week, you could have a need for a flex option. For me, Scott fits in both PPR and non-PPR formats.
Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Brown has scored a touchdown in five of seven games this season, and he has also produced at least one explosive-play reception (20 or more yards) in every game. Look, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman has been scheming up Lamar Jackson this season to attack split-safety coverage. Lift the top of the secondary, create a vertical coverage void to target. And that's exactly what Brown will see in Week 9 from the Vikings' defense. Cover 2, Quarters, Cover 6. I like Brown as an upside WR2 in non-PPR formats, but I'd also feel pretty good starting him in my PPR leagues. Deep crossers, in-breakers and the shot-play throws in which Roman can get Brown isolated on a safety (see video below). I'll take that.
Players to monitor in Week 9
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans
The Week 9 matchup versus the Rams isn't great for Tannehill, but we need to know what this Titans play-action passing game looks like without running back Derrick Henry on the field. And that's really my question here for Tannehill: Can he stay in the fringe-QB1 discussion moving forward without a dominant run game? Remember, Tannehill is at his best on defined throws, where he can hit the back foot (off play-action) and deliver the ball decisively on in-breakers. Regardless of your opinion on run-game efficiency/volume, as it pertains to play-action success, opposing defenses will prepare for the Titans differently without Henry in the lineup. He's a game-changer. Stay tuned here.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
With the rookie back in the mix for the Ravens -- after missing the first five games of the season due to an injury -- Bateman has now caught seven of 12 targets over the past two weeks. And, if we go back to the Week 7 game versus the Bengals, you can see how Baltimore set up the rookie. Play-action throws (with open grass to attack after the catch), the deep over route to beat quarters coverage, and more. Bateman averaged 26.7 yards per reception in that matchup. I think the arrow is pointing up here on the rook. He's a must-add for now. And he could be a viable WR3 in deeper leagues as the second half of the season progresses.
Players to downgrade in Week 9
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
Fields posted a season-high 25.3 fantasy points in the Bears' Week 8 game against the 49ers. It was his best game as a pro. The tape confirmed that, too. And we saw the natural playmaking ability he brings to the position. However, I don't see it this week versus a very multiple Pittsburgh defense that will really make the rookie quarterback work post-snap. Late movement, disguise, pressure. And the Steelers can rush the passer with four, too. Do the Bears have an answer up front for T.J. Watt? That's tough. Let's keep Fields in the QB2 ranks for this one.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
Meyers will always carry a reasonably high floor into weekly matchups given the pass-game structure in New England, plus the ability of rookie quarterback Mac Jones to read it out with speed from the pocket. But I don't love the Week 9 matchup versus a very multiple Panthers defensive scheme, with talent in the secondary. Meyers has failed to top the 10-point mark in PPR scoring in his past two games. I see him as a WR3 in deeper leagues only this week.