This trade deadline has shaken things up in the NFL and thus, altered the fantasy landscape as we know it! The biggest impact in my opinion would be the trade of Jay Ajayi to the Eagles. He goes from one of the worst offenses in the league to arguably the top team in the NFL. He should regain his status as an RB1 even with LeGarrette Blount in the picture as the starting running back (for now).

Kelvin Benjamin gets a fresh start with the Bills, but I am not sure if this is an upgrade for him. The trade definitely boosts Devin Funchess’ value as he becomes the undisputed number one option in the passing game until Greg Olsen returns in Week 11 or later.

The biggest Ace in the hole could turn out to be Josh Gordon who has recently been conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The Browns retain the rights to the wide receiver and he cannot be traded to another team. If the Browns elect to keep him on the team and let him play, Gordon should be able to provide value for owners for the fantasy playoffs and potentially championship run. There’s a possibility Gordon will play in the NFL as early as Week 13 this season. Now for the list…

Week 9 Start ’em

Tyrod Taylor – Buf QB

Taylor has been a solid QB2 all season long without a meaningful outside threat to throw to, not counting the injured Charles Clay. That changes this week as the Bills acquired Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin at yesterday’s trade deadline.

Benjamin is slated to slide into the “X” receiver spot in Buffalo and should immediately become their go-to red-zone target and deep threat. Although this should be a run-heavy game plan for the Bills’ offense, I expect Taylor to have a solid game running the ball and should be able to pass for a couple of touchdowns, which he did in the Week 1 opener against the Jets.

Tyrod Taylor Week 9 Projections: 245 passing yards, 63 rushing yards, 1 rush TD, 2 passing TD’s

QBs to Start

Drew Brees
Dak Prescott
Matthew Stafford
Jared Goff
Josh McCown

RBs to Start

Leonard Fournette
Adrian Peterson
Carlos Hyde
Doug Martin
Christian McCaffrey
DeMarco Murray
Aaron Jones
Joe Mixon
Marlon Mack
Alex Collins
Alex Jones
Alfred Morris (If Zeke OUT)

WRs to Start

Will Fuller V
Michael Crabtree
Golden Tate
Devin Funchess
Amari Cooper
DeVante Parker
Marvin Jones Jr.
Alshon Jeffery
DeSean Jackson
Mohamed Sanu
Ted Ginn Jr.
Sterling Shepard
John Brown

TEs to Start

Jack Doyle
Evan Engram
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Jimmy Graham
Vernon Davis (If Reed out)
Austin Hooper

Sit Cam Newton

Week 9 Sit ’em

Cam Newton – Car QB

Superman has returned back down to Earth after his strong performances in weeks 4-6, and he recently lost his best receiver in a trade to the Bills as mentioned in the featured start em section.

He has been able to stay fantasy relevant with his rushing ability but faces a Falcons defense in Week 9 that is known for putting pressure on Cam in recent years, and causing turnovers. With only Devin Funchess remaining as a true outside threat, I predict Cam will struggle with another subpar fantasy performance.

Expect this year’s most up-and-down QB (Newton) to have a down game. Watch this video about why Cam Newton was horrible last year, and a lot of this applies to this year as well.

Cam Newton Week 9 Projection: 172 yards passing, 33 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 0 passing TD’s, 2 INT’s

QBs to Sit

Jameis Winston
Andy Dalton
Marcus Mariota
Jacoby Brissett
Brett Hundley
Drew Stanton
Brock Osweiler

RBs to Sit

Jay Ajayi
LeGarrette Blount
Frank Gore
Marshawn Lynch
Ty Montgomery
Derrick Henry
Javorius Allen
Darren McFadden
Kenyan Drake
Damien Williams
Wendell Smallwood
Chris Ivory
Jonathan Stewart
Orleans Darkwa
Bilal Powell
DeAndre Washington

WRs to Sit

Kelvin Benjamin
Pierre Garcon
Davante Adams
Jamison Crowder
Mike Wallace
Josh Doctson
Robby Anderson
Paul Richardson
Sammy Watkins
Allen Hurns
Marqise Lee
Willie Snead
Kenny Stills
Kenny Golladay
J.J. Nelson
Donte Moncrief
Bennie Fowler

TEs to Sit

Jason Witten
Tyler Kroft
Ed Dickson
O.J. Howard
George Kittle
Julius Thomas

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There are still free agents available in a lot of leagues that deserve to be picked up. Huseyin The Brain ranks the top waiver wire pickups and free agent adds by position in his Week 9 waiver video.

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