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Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 9 boom or bust

By Jake VanZuiden

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 27: Allen Robinson #12 of the Chicago Bears rects after catching a pass during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Soldier Field on October 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 27: Allen Robinson #12 of the Chicago Bears rects after catching a pass during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Soldier Field on October 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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Fantasy Football - Giants TE Evan Engram
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 27: Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants scores a third quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 27, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated New York 31-26. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Tight End

Boom: Evan Engram, NYG vs. DAL

With how shallow the tight-end position is in fantasy, it’s no secret that you’re starting Engram on a weekly basis. Although he was white-hot to begin the year, he’s slowed down a bit since, averaging just under nine FPPG through his last four games. Even so, Engram remains one of the league’s premier talents at his position. The more time he gets to build chemistry with No. 6 overall pick Daniel Jones, the better off he’ll be.

This weekend, the G-Men will clash with the division-rival Cowboys. Dallas has been a less-than-ideal matchup for quarterbacks this season, but they’ve proven to have a soft spot for opposing TEs, yielding 15 FPPG to them (fifth-most in the league). This is a matchup Engram already dominated in Week 1, dismantling Jerry Jones‘ crew for 116 yards and a TD on 11 catches (28.6 points). He’ll get a second whack at things, this time with Jones under center.

Bust: Darren Fells, HOU @ JAX

At the tight-end spot, owners will likely take any sort of production they can get. The 33-year-old veteran Fells has done just that this year, hauling-in five touchdown receptions throughout the last six weeks. However, what we’ve seen is that when he doesn’t score, his fantasy output has plummeted. The Texans throw the ball a ton, but it’s still difficult to trust Fells on a weekly basis as the third option for Deshaun Watson.

I’m willing to bet against Fells in Week 9 against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has only permitted 25 total receptions by the position this season (T-6th-fewest) and currently allow an average of just 8.4 FPPG. The Texans’ o-line might struggle to protect Watson in this one with the Jags stepping up their pass-rush in recent games (eight sacks last week). Fells is no more than a streamer at TE, and should be treated as such in a substandard matchup.

Sleeper: Jack Doyle, IND @ PIT

Even working in a timeshare at TE with teammate Eric Ebron, it’s been Doyle whose seen more pass-catching work as of late. Last week, he complied a team-high 61 receiving yards against a stingy Denver secondary. The Steelers have been a bottom-half team against the position, and Brissett should continue looking his way in short-yardage situations.