By james art Fantasy football arrests are an unfortunate but important aspect of a consistently winning team’s performance throughout a long and sometimes difficult season.
Week 9 of the NFL season is always full of surprises, and it’s important to keep up with the flow of the season, but with only a few weeks in the books, it’s just as important not to overreact.
*More from Fantasy Football Week 9: Sneaky Starts & Sleepers*
On the other hand, there’s no reason to keep fielding underperforming players only to watch the score near zero while he continues to see nominal usage. Below, we’ll take a look at each fantasy roster position and find some Week 9 fantasy football busts that should stay on your bench or end up on the waiver wire.
*More from Fantasy Football Week 9: Good vibes, bad vibes (who to start)*
Week 9 Fantasy Football Busts: Quarterbacks
CJ Stroud @ Jets
The sentiment around CJ Stroud this week isn’t the best, as they’re without Nico Collins for another week and they’re without Stefon Diggs for the rest of the season. Stroud has scored under 16 fantasy points in three of his last four games, and the Jets are quite strong against opposing signal players, surrendering an average of just 13.7 per game. The Houston QB is giving off some fantastic QB2 vibes this week.
Tua Tagovailoa @ Accounts
Seeing Tua Tagovailoa back on the field last week was a pretty good vibe, but a tough game in Buffalo will put a damper on the feels for at least a week.
The Bills just seem to have his number, as Tagovailoa is averaging just 9.0 fantasy points in each of the last four games against them. And it’s not just the Miami QB. So far this season, Buffalo is allowing just 13.2 in QB aFPA, which ranks fifth among NFL defensive units.
Get the complete Week 9 Fantasy Football QB Rankings!
Week 9 Fantasy Football Busts: Running Backs
Bucky Irving @ Chiefs
Bucky Irving sentiment has been pretty high in recent weeks considering he’s part of a three-headed monster at RB for the Bucs. The rookie is averaging 14.9 in half PPR over his last three games, but gets a tough ask this week in Kansas City. The Chiefs have allowed just two rushing touchdowns from his position all season and just 10.1 RB aFPA through eight weeks.
Nick Chubb vs. Chargers
Since returning from a brutal knee injury he suffered in 2023, Nick Chubb has posted a total of just 14.9 half PPR points in two contests. He’ll continue to improve with more volume, but this week should be a tough sled for the 28-year-old as he faces a stout Chargers defense that surrenders just 84.3 yards per tilt to opposing backfields and only one rushing touchdown in 2024 .
Get the complete Week 9 Fantasy Football RB Rankings!
Week 9 Fantasy Football Busts: Wide Receivers
Zay Flowers vs Broncos
Negative vibes for Zay Flowers are high this week for two reasons. Denver is a tough secondary and Patrick Certain II is no joke. No team’s WR1 has had success against this unit, including DK Metcalf (4.4 half-PPR), George Pickens (3.9) and Garrett Wilson (4.6). Of course, there’s also the addition of Diontae Johnson, which happened via trade on Tuesday.
We won’t know how the target distribution shakes out, but things look dangerous for Flowers as more than a Week 9 flexibility.
Jaylen Waddle @ Bills
Unfortunately, Tua Tagovailoa’s return didn’t boost Jalen Waddle’s numbers, as he posted just four receptions for 45 yards in Week 8.
On Sunday, he will face a Buffalo team on the road that has held them to under seven points in half PPR scoring in their last two contests. Hopefully Waddle will be back in 2024, but that might not be the week.
Get the complete fantasy football WR rankings for Week 9!
Week 9 Fantasy Football Busts: Tight Ends
Cole Mayor @ Cardinals
Zach Ertz @ Giants
Jonu Smith @ Bills
Get the complete Week 9 Fantasy Football TE Rankings!
Get the complete fantasy football defensive rankings for Week 9!