Week 9 Fantasy Football Start/Sit 2026: 7 Lineup Calls

START · RB · DENVER BRONCOS

Jonah Coleman: Carolina Is a Matchup Worth Attacking

The most important number from Denver’s win over Kansas City isn’t Jonah Coleman’s yardage. It’s 41 snaps to J.K. Dobbins’ 13. Coleman gained 104 yards from scrimmage, caught passes and stayed on the field while the Broncos were trying to finish the game. That is the kind of usage a fantasy manager can build around.

Now as we look at the matchup there are more things to like. Carolina has allowed 26.1 Half-PPR points per game to opposing RBs, the second-most in the league through Week 8. That figure covers every back Carolina has faced, not a projection for Coleman. Dobbins can still take carries, especially near the goal line, but the combination of Coleman’s recent playing time and a defense giving up that much RB production makes the RB17 ranking compelling.

My Call Start Coleman as an RB2 or flex. The Panthers’ RB points allowed are a legitimate reason to lean in, and his receiving work offers another way to score if the carries are split.

START · WR · GREEN BAY PACKERS

Matthew Golden: This Receiver Matchup Is Better Than It Looks

Matthew Golden saw 13 targets against Carolina after getting 12 the previous week. That’s 25 chances in two games, and PFM’s advanced receiver numbers put him at a 27.2% target share with 1,165 air yards on the season. His 14.2-yard average depth of target tells us Jordan Love is giving him opportunities downfield, not just short catches.

New England’s reputation as a solid overall defense isn’t the same as its fantasy results against receivers. The Patriots have allowed 27.8 Half-PPR points per game to opposing WRs, a more inviting figure than the overall team ranking suggested. Christian Watson will still draw targets, and Golden needs to clean up the drops, but a receiver getting this much work deserves to stay in the lineup. The matchup adds to his case instead of taking away from it.

My Call Start Golden as a WR2. The recent target totals and the Patriots’ WR points allowed support the decision, even if Green Bay spreads some looks around.

START · TE · CLEVELAND BROWNS

Harold Fannin Jr.: The Targets Come With a Friendly TE Matchup

Harold Fannin Jr. just caught 10 passes for 154 yards against Pittsburgh, but the part that matters most is the work behind it: 12 targets and 42 routes. He also caught six passes for 91 yards against Tennessee the week before. Cleveland is giving him a real role in the passing game rather than waiting for one touchdown to save his fantasy week.

New Orleans has allowed 13.8 Half-PPR points per game to tight ends through Week 8, one of the friendlier TE matchups in the league. That’s an independent tight-end defense-versus-position figure, not a metric currently displayed in PFM’s Start/Sit tool. Fannin may not get 12 targets every Sunday, and the fumbles are worth monitoring, but his recent routes and catches make him more trustworthy than the typical touchdown-or-bust tight end.

My Call Start Fannin as a TE1. The Saints have given up enough tight-end production to make this a favorable spot, and Cleveland is finally feeding him the ball.

START · WR · JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Parker Washington: Baltimore’s WR Matchup Favors a Rebound

Parker Washington managed one catch for 16 yards on two targets against Indianapolis. That’s a disappointing fantasy game, especially when Jacksonville scored 42 points. But Trevor Lawrence didn’t need to throw often with the Jaguars in control. PFM’s receiver stats still show Washington with 48 targets, a 24.6% target share and 618 air yards this season.

Here’s the part last week’s box score hides: Baltimore has allowed 28.6 Half-PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers, one of the more forgiving WR matchups entering Week 9. That doesn’t guarantee Washington gets eight targets on Thursday. The Ravens’ quarterback situation could turn the game into another afternoon when Jacksonville doesn’t have to throw much. Still, a receiver with Washington’s season-long involvement and this matchup is a much better bet than his two targets last week suggest.

My Call Start Washington as a WR2 or flex. Baltimore’s WR points allowed support the bounce-back case, but keep the Thursday kickoff and a potentially run-heavy Jacksonville game script in mind.

SIT · RB · NEW YORK JETS

Breece Hall: Kansas City Gives His Return Little Margin

Breece Hall is expected to return after missing five straight games with a quad injury. That’s a real decision if he’s on your roster, especially with Braelon Allen proving he can handle the job. PFM’s running back stats show Allen with 112 carries for 565 yards, an average of 5.04 yards per rush. The Jets don’t need to rush Hall back into every carry to have a functional running game.

The matchup gives New York another reason not to force the issue. Kansas City has allowed just 17.5 Half-PPR points per game to opposing running backs, a tougher RB matchup than Carolina is for Coleman. Those points are shared across an opponent’s entire backfield. Hall’s receiving ability can still produce a useful fantasy day, but getting a reduced piece of a difficult matchup is not what managers want from a borderline RB2.

My Call Sit Hall for a healthy RB2 or dependable flex if the Jets don’t confirm a full role. If Friday’s practice report points to a normal workload, revisit the call; the injury and the RB matchup are both part of the concern.

SIT · WR · LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Tre Tucker: The Routes, Not the 49ers, Drive This Sit

Tre Tucker’s zero catches against the Jets were frustrating, but the playing time is the bigger issue. With Jack Bech back, Tucker played 54% of the offensive snaps and ran a route on 63% of dropbacks. PFM’s receiver stats give him a 17.2% target share and a 13.4-yard average depth of target. That’s a risky combination when he’s not consistently on the field for passing plays.

San Francisco has allowed 23.7 Half-PPR points per game to wide receivers. That’s a less generous WR matchup than New England or Baltimore, but it is not proof that the 49ers are a top-five fantasy defense against the position. This sit is mainly about Tucker’s opportunity. Kirk Cousins can lean on Brock Bowers and other targets while Tucker waits for a downfield shot. One long catch could change his afternoon; the recent route totals make it difficult to count on enough chances.

My Call Sit Tucker for a receiver with steadier targets. The 49ers’ WR numbers aren’t terrible enough to make the call on their own, but his reduced role and dependence on a big play are.

SIT · TE · BALTIMORE RAVENS

Mark Andrews: Jacksonville Has Been Stingy Against TEs

Mark Andrews hasn’t topped 5.3 PPR points in four straight games, and Baltimore’s quarterback situation adds another obstacle. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is in line for his first NFL start Thursday because Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are injured. He went 10-of-21 for 91 yards and an interception against Buffalo. PFM’s advanced QB numbers put that short appearance at minus-0.43 EPA per dropback, a rough first sample.

Jacksonville has allowed only 8.9 Half-PPR points per game to opposing tight ends through Week 8. That figure comes from independent TE matchup data; PFM’s current Start/Sit tool doesn’t calculate TE defense-versus-position results. So Andrews is dealing with two problems: a difficult TE matchup and an inexperienced quarterback who may need Baltimore to lean more heavily on Derrick Henry. There’s a chance Fagnano looks for Andrews on short throws, but the recent production isn’t enough to assume that will happen.

My Call Sit Andrews for an available top-12 tight end, especially Fannin. Jacksonville’s TE points allowed and the short-week quarterback change both argue against chasing the name.