Fantasy Football: Top 5 sleepers to consider in Week 9

Fantasy football sleepers will get you through the Week 9 injuries, byes and inactive players. Here are the top five to consider starting.

It’s Week 9 of fantasy football, and what a season it’s been! We have been plagued with detrimental injuries. Carson Palmer and DeShaun Watson are among the two newest players to end their fantasy season.

With the trade deadline this week, several teams made unexpected power moves this week. Kelvin Benjamin was traded to the Buffalo Bills, while Jay Ajayi lands himself on the Philadelphia Eagles. And the most peculiar trade was Jimmy Garappolo. The New England Patriots have now gotten rid of their second and third-string quarterback, and have welcomed Brian Hoyer to their team; let’s hope Tom Brady remains healthy! Keep in mind, these trades also leave many inactive players.

If that wasn’t stressful enough, we have six teams on a bye week: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers

This week’s injuries, trades, and byes could leave your roster empty. With this week’s matchups, come some great sleeper options heading into Week 9. Don’t go down with only a few weeks left! Here are this week’s top 5 sleeper picks to consider adding to your Week 9 starting lineup.

Next: 5. Keep an eye on this Cowboy

5. Cole Beasley, WR Dallas Cowboys

With Ezekiel Elliott starting his ongoing suspension escapade, there will be more opportunity for other players to have field time. Week 9 will be the week we finally see the Cole Beasley we all remember from last year.

Beasley led the Dallas Cowboys in receiving yards last season. However, this year is reflecting that. He’s only earned double-digit fantasy football points once this season and hasn’t topped five points per game.

This week, Beasley is coming back after receiving a concussion in Week 8, and the matchup couldn’t be better. The Kansas City Chiefs struggle with slot receivers. Beasley has the fourth most targets in the slot this season.

With the Chiefs are allowing a little over 90 slot targets, Beasley is a shoe in this week. Only owned in 20 percent of leagues, this is the week to steal him while you can.

Next: 4. This Ram continues to step up

4. Jared Goff, QB Los Angeles Rams

Jared Goff is set up to have an amazing fantasy football outing this week against the New York Giants. Goff has shown us he’s capable of being the future, but his issue is that he’s not consistent enough to be an every-week starter.

But, with six bye teams and unimaginable injuries, this week Goff has good odds. The Giants defense, their secondary specifically will be missing three cornerbacks. Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie both have one game suspensions, while Eli Apple will be benched for the first quarter.

On a good day, the Giants secondary surrenders almost 260 yards through the air per game. Imagine them now, with key defenders missing Week 9!

This is the week to go in with Goff. Don’t miss out, his fantasy ownership has increased by almost 25 percent in the last week.

Next: 3. This Raider is entering a favorable matchup

3. Jared Cook, TE Oakland Raiders

Jared Cook is another player who has had a rough fantasy football season. He’s only had two double-digit fantasy outings this season.

Over the last two weeks, Cook has completed 10-of-12 targets for almost 165 yards. This week’s matchup could bring bigger opportunities to Cook.

The Miami Dolphins are surrendering 15 or more points per game to the position. They have also offered the third most pass completions to opposing tight ends.

START OR SIT?: Fantasy Pros Start or Sit Assistant Tool

Cook’s ownership has increased 10 percent over the last week. With almost 75 percent ownership, you better make a move fast, I am confident by game time someone in your league has drafted him.

Next: 2. A legendary Cardinal ready to break out

2. Larry Fitzgerald, WR Arizona Cardinals

What happened to Larry Fitzgerald? Double man coverage is what happened. We see this all of the time, a star receiver getting shut down because teams have finally debunked their schemes and plays.

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Fitzgerald has only earned 10 or more points twice this season. And now, with Carson Palmer out, and Drew Stanton in, fantasy owners think Fitzgerald’s season is over. But, don’t be so quick to lose faith in the Cardinals.

Two years ago, Palmer missed one game, and ironically it was against the San Francisco 49ers. If this a repeat of that game, Fitzgerald is a must start!

Stanton completed a pitiful 11 passes, but six were to Fitzgerald. He had a little over 80 yards and posted two touchdowns with Stanton throwing him balls. If history repeats itself, Fitzgerald is on track for a great 49ers face-off. It also helps that the 49ers are offering opponents a little over 250 passing per game.

Next: 1. A Dolphin who is ready to step up

1. Drake Kenya, RB Miami Dolphins

With Ajayi being traded to the Eagles, Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake will have an opportunity to continue to rise. But, Drake seems to have the higher value this week.

Last season, he averaged a little over five yards per carry with nine pass completions. It’s no wonder he out snapped Williams in last week’s matchup.

This week’s Oakland Raiders matchup is going to highlight Drake’s talents because they’re surrendering the sixth most points to opposing backs this season. It doesn’t stop there, they have also given the ninth most receiving yards to the position in the league.

Must Read: Midseason mark shows Jets are better than we expected

This game has upset written all of it. Hop on the Drake wagon while there’s still room! Your fantasy football squad will thank you in the end.