Stars of Week 9

QB: Matt Ryan, ATL: 25-34, 344 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs

RB: Latavius Murray, OAK: 20 carries, 114 yards, 3 TDs   

WR: Mike Evans, TB: 11 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs     

TE: Jason Witten, DAL: 8 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD

We have familiar names atop our leaderboard for week 9. Sure, we’re missing Gronk this week, but that’s due in large part to the fact that this was the Patriots’ bye week. Anyways, starting at the top we have the new life Matt Ryan, who has been a top five QB this season. Ryan has had stellar seasons before, but fell off the last few seasons. We’ve seen enough now to know that he’s back – he’s a weekly starter if you have him. Latavius Murray had his way with the Broncos, not only clearing the century mark but also finding the end zone thrice. And talk of Murray being demoted should be non-existent after this performance. Mike Evans had himself a game against the Falcons, albeit in a losing effort. Evans sits squarely as a stud WR1, and could find himself drafted in first rounds of fantasy drafts next year. Finally, we’ve got one of the best tight ends in NFL history leading the way this week. Jason Witten found the end zone and easily cleared the century mark against the Browns. He’s been more of a TE2 this year than TE1, but it’s worth watching to see if his chemistry with QB Dak Prescott continues to improve. 

Week 9 Takeaways – A Closer Look

Each week we’ll take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward.

- Dak Prescott, QB - DAL: 21-27, 247 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs 

Analysis: The league’s most loved and hated franchise (that’s right, the Cowboys are both) have found their successor to Tony Romo. Dak Prescott has taken the NFL by storm and led the Cowboys to an NFC best 7-1 record. Early in the season, Prescott served as an extreme game manager, with 4 total TD tosses in the first five games combined (to go along with 0 INTs). While his yardage totals haven’t drastically changed over the last three games compared to the first five, his TDs have – Prescott has 8 TDs over this span, to go along with 2 INTs. There’s a cloud named Tony Romo hanging over Prescott’s fantasy value, but the good news is that Prescott has been given more freedom to make plays. This is a similar blueprint to what Russell Wilson had in his first season. While no one knows for sure what Jerry Jones will decide for his team, the smart money here is that Prescott remains the starter unless he falters. From a fantasy perspective, you should view him as a high end QB2 who bumps up to QB1 level status for the right matchups. This was certainly the case against Cleveland this past week, and he’ll be close again next week against the Steelers.

- Melvin Gordon, RB - SD: 32 carries, 196 yards 1 TD (4 catches, 65 yards, 0 TDs)

Analysis: What a difference a year makes. Melvin Gordon had exactly 0 TDs last season in his rookie year, but now leads the NFL in touchdowns this season with 9. Through the first part of the season, Gordon’s numbers looked to be more of circumstance than improvement, as his average yards per carry sat in the low 3s through his seventh game. In other words, Gordon looked to be a sell high candidate. Well, Gordon has really turned it on over the last two games, with 111 yards from 23 carries against Denver last week (for a 4.8 YPC average) and 196 yards over 32 carries against Tennessee this past week 9 (for a 6.1 YPC average). Importantly, just watching Gordon’s film the last two games, he has looked more explosive than ever. So has Gordon truly turned the corner into a clear cut RB1? I want to say yes, but we still need to see a few more starts from the new, improved Gordon to fully buy in as a fantasy superstar. He remains a must start in standard leagues, but let’s see how he does over the coming weeks before we lock him in as a top five RB. But the last few weeks have certainly helped his case. 

- Le’Veon Bell, RB - PIT: 14 carries, 32 yards, 0 TDs (6 catches, 38 yards, 0 TDs)

Analysis: Now let’s take a look at an established superstar who has provided his owners some anxiety. Le’Veon Bell would have been a candidate for number 1 overall pick in fantasy leagues this season, if not for his three game suspension to start the season. Instead Bell was drafted in the second round of most leagues, with the thought that he’d provide high first round pick level production if you can keep afloat the first few weeks without him. With Bell now having played five games, he’s been disappointing, especially in leagues where TDs factor heavily in the scoring. Bell has yet to score a TD this season, so yes that’s a problem. Yardage wise, Bell had been great up until this game with the Ravens – he was averaging 147 yards per game between rushing and receiving through his first four games. Circling back to the question – should you be concerned with Bell? My answer is no. Big Ben was horrific this game, which was the main cause of Bell’s problem. Roethlisberger will rebound next week, as will Bell and his stats. Hang tight and don’t panic if you have Bell.

- Michael Thomas, WR – NO: 5 catches, 73 yards, 2 TDs

Analysis: Who’s been the most productive rookie wide receiver this year? If you guessed Michael Thomas – and not just because this question’s being presented in his writeup – then pat yourself on the back. Thomas found the end zone twice against the 49ers (including once with a TD that bounced off a 49ers cornerback’s shoulder). Through 8 games, Thomas has 47 catches for 573 yards and 5 TDs. The Saints’ rookie WR is an immensely talented player, and with Drew Brees as his quarterback, his current pace (94 catches for 1,146 yards and 10 TDs is certainly sustainable. While not a burner as a runner, Thomas has excellent route running skills for a rookie and good hands. In this Saints’ high flying offense, Thomas will continue to be a major part of the action. Thomas deserves to be considered a WR3/flex play, especially in home matchups. 

- Marqise Lee, WR - JAX:  4 catches, 84 yards, 0 TDs 

Analysis: The Jaguars drafted a star WR with their second round pick in the 2014 draft. Marquise Lee, a star WR at USC, was drafted by the Jaguars in the second round in the 2014 draft. With that information and nothing else, you’d logically conclude that Marquise Lee is the stud WR that the Jaguars drafted in the second round in 2014. But, that’s not what transpired, as the Jaguars also took WR Allen Robinson later in the second round in 2014. Robinson has been the star, and the higher pedigree Marquise Lee has been virtually off the radar. The good news for Lee is that now in his third season, he’s beginning to show signs of production. Lee has yet to find the end zone, but he has racked up 442 yards receiving off of 34 catches through 8 games. Also promisingly, Lee has been targeted 6 or more times in six out of eight games this year, so he’s getting looks. Will Lee win you your fantasy league? No, but he can help you if you are short on WRs, more so in deeper leagues (think 12 teams or more).

- Vance McDonald, TE - SF: 3 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD

Analysis: Vance McDonald has had a quiet season thus far, as have the 49ers offense as a whole. In Sunday’s shootout with the Saints, McDonald had three catches for 84 yards, finding the end zone once. McDonald has always had talent, but has fallen short of meaningful production throughout his career. So what to make of McDonald’s game this past Sunday? Chalk it up to a good game for an inconsistent performer – but otherwise nothing major here. McDonald had 8 catches and 142 yards coming into the game (through five games), and only had one game with more than 25 yards receiving. To further set the table, consider that McDonald only had 617 yards receiving for his career coming into this game – this now being his fourth season. McDonald remains nothing more than a low end TE2, so don’t read too much into this game. 

Rapid Fire Pickups

Each week we’ll throw out potential free agent pickups from each position, in each case 1) someone who has NOT been referenced above, and 2) a player available in most leagues.

QB: Carson Wentz, PHI

RB: Rob Kelley, WAS (has a shot to hold onto the starting spot)

RB: Kapri Bibbs, DEN

RB: CJ Prosise, SEA (bonus RB pickup, likely to start vs New England)

WR: Rishard Matthews, TEN

WR: Robert Woods, BUF

TE: Lance Kendricks, LA

Week 10 Rankings 

Quarterbacks:

1. Aaron Rodgers, GB (at TEN)
2. Tom Brady, NE (vs SEA)
3. Matt Ryan, ATL (at PHI)
4. Cam Newton, CAR (vs KC)
5. Philip Rivers, SD (vs MIA)
6. Drew Brees, NO (vs DEN)
7. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs DAL)
8. Carson Palmer, ARZ (vs SF)
9. Russell Wilson, SEA (at NE)
10. Marcus Mariota, TEN (vs GB)
11. Dak Prescott, DAL (at PIT)
12. Jameis Winston, TB (vs CHI)
13. Eli Manning, NYG (vs CIN)
14. Jay Cutler, CHI (at TB)
15. Andy Dalton, CIN (at NYG)
16. Trevor Siemian, DEN (at NO)
17. Blake Bortles, JAX (vs HOU)
18. Carson Wentz, PHI (vs ATL)
19. Kirk Cousins, WAS (vs MIN)
20. Ryan Tannehill, MIA (at SD)

Running Backs:

1. David Johnson, ARZ (vs SF)
2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (at PIT)
3. Melvin Gordon, SD (vs MIA)
4. Le'Veon Bell, PIT (vs DAL)
5. Jay Ajayi, MIA (at SD)
6. DeMarco Murray, TEN (vs GB)
7. Lamar Miller, HOU (at JAX)
8. Devonta Freeman, ATL (at PHI)
9. Jonathan Stewart, CAR (vs KC)
10. Jordan Howard, CHI (at TB)
11. Matt Forte, NYJ (vs LA)
12. Spencer Ware, KC (at CAR)
13. Todd Gurley, LA (at NYJ)
14. LeGarrette Blount, NE (vs SEA)
15. Devontae Booker, DEN (at NO)
16. Mark Ingram, NO (vs DEN)
17. Jeremy Hill, CIN (at NYG)
18. Darren Sproles, PHI (vs ATL)
19. Giovani Bernard, CIN (at NYG)
20. Chris Ivory, JAX (vs HOU)
21. Tim Hightower, NO (vs DEN)
22. Robert Kelley, WAS (vs MIN)
23. Carlos Hyde, SF (at ARZ)
24. James White, NE (vs SEA)
25. Peyton Barber, TB (vs CHI)
26. Ryan Mathews, PHI (vs ATL)
27. Christine Michael, SEA (at NE)
28. Rashad Jennings, NYG (vs CIN)
29. T.J. Yeldon, JAX (vs HOU)
30. Kapri Bibbs, DEN (at NO)
31. C.J. Prosise, SEA (at NE)
32. Matt Asiata, MIN (at WAS)
33. DuJuan Harris, SF (at ARZ)
34. Paul Perkins, NYG (vs CIN)
35. Jerick McKinnon, MIN (at WAS)
36. Bilal Powell, NYJ (vs LA)
37. DuJuan Harris, SF (at ARZ)
38. James Starks, GB (at TEN)
39. Chris Thompson, WAS (vs MIN)
40. Ronnie Hillman, MIN (at WAS)

Wide Receivers:

1. Antonio Brown, PIT (vs DAL)
2. Mike Evans, TB (vs CHI)
3. Julio Jones, ATL (at PHI)
4. A.J. Green, CIN (at NYG)
5. Odell Beckham Jr., NYG (vs CIN)
6. Jordy Nelson, GB (at TEN)
7. Alshon Jeffery, CHI (at TB)
8. Larry Fitzgerald, ARZ (vs SF)
9. Demaryius Thomas, DEN (at NO)
10. Emmanuel Sanders, DEN (at NO)
11. DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (at JAX)
12. Dez Bryant, DAL (at PIT)
13. Kelvin Benjamin, CAR (vs KC)
14. Brandon Marshall, NYJ (vs LA)
15. Allen Robinson, JAX (vs HOU)
16. Jarvis Landry, MIA (at SD)
17. Stefon Diggs, MIN (at WAS)
18. Brandin Cooks, NO (vs DEN)
19. Doug Baldwin, SEA (at NE)
20. Jordan Matthews, PHI (vs ATL)
21. Tyrell Williams, SD (vs MIA)
22. Randall Cobb, GB (at TEN)
23. Michael Thomas, NO (vs DEN)
24. Julian Edelman, NE (vs SEA)
25. Davante Adams, GB (at TEN)
26. Ty Montgomery, GB (at TEN)
27. Kenny Britt, LA (at NYJ)
28. Rishard Matthews, TEN (vs GB)
29. JJ Nelson, ARZ (vs SF)
30. Willie Snead, NO (vs DEN)
31. John Brown, ARZ (vs SF)
32. Sterling Shepard, NYG (vs CIN)
33. Quincy Enunwa, NYJ (vs LA)
34. Jamison Crowder, WAS (vs MIN)
35. Cole Beasley, DAL (at PIT)
36. Mohamed Sanu, ATL (at PHI)
37. Dontrelle Inman, SD (vs MIA)
38. Tavon Austin, LA (at NYJ)
39. Allen Turns, JAX (vs HOU)
40. DeVante Parker, MIA (at SD)

Tight End:

1. Rob Gronkowski, NE (vs SEA)
2. Greg Olsen, CAR (vs KC)
3. Jordan Reed, WAS (vs MIN)
4. Jimmy Graham, SEA (at NE)
5. Tyler Eifert, CIN (at NYG)
6. Delanie Walker, TEN (vs GB)
7. Travis Kelce, KC (at CAR)
8. Zach Miller, CHI (at TB)
9. Antonio Gates, SD (vs MIA)
10. Jason Witten, DAL (at PIT)
11. Kyle Rudolph, MIN (at WAS)
12. Zach Ertz, PHI (vs ATL)
13. C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU (at JAX)
14. Cameron Brate, TB (vs CHI)
15. Coby Fleener, NO (vs DEN)
16. Julius Thomas, JAX (vs HOU)
17. Martellus Bennett, NE (vs SEA)
18. Lance Kendricks, LA (at NYJ)
19. Austin Hooper, ATL (at PHI)
20. Virgil Green, DEN (at NO)

Defense/Special Teams:

1. Arizona Cardinals (vs SF)
2. Minnesota Vikings (at WAS)
3. Houston Texans (at JAX)
4. New York Jets (vs LA)
5. Carolina Panthers (vs KC)
6. Los Angeles Rams (at NYJ)
7. Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
8. Denver Broncos (at NO)
9. Green Bay Packers (at TEN)
10. New England Patriots (vs SEA)
11. Washington Redskins (vs MIN)
12. Seattle Seahawks (at NE)
13. San Diego Chargers (vs MIA)
14. Cincinnati Bengals (at NYG)
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs HOU)