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USATSI

There's little doubt that DeAndre Hopkins and Davante Adams are two of the very best receivers in football over the past five years. But neither is a surefire starter in Week 9. Such is Fantasy Football in the year 2021.

Adams is the easiest to diagnose. He returned to the Packers on Thursday and the team is 'hopeful' he'll play in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But, of course, even if Adams plays he'll be without Aaron Rodgers, who is out Week 9 on the COVID-IR. 

Adams was so good the last time Rodgers was out (with Brett Hundley) that I imagine everyone will start him if he plays. But I don't love the idea of Jordan Love, making his first start at Arrowhead. Especially when Matt LaFleur knows he can just ram the ball down the Chiefs throat. I would start Michael Pittman on Thursday over Adams, but you probably don't have three bettter options.

Hopkins is far more complicated. For one thing, he left his last game with a hamstring injury, and hasn't practiced since. Neither has his quarterback, Kyler Murray. Even if Hopkins and Murray both play, this is a San Francisco defense that gave Murray fits in Week 5 and there would be a significant reinjury risk for both. I'm starting Pittman and Jamison Crowder (in full PPR) over Hopkins on Thursday night, and I don't have Hopkins in my top-20 receivers below. 

Here is the rest of the Week 9 WR Preview:

Week 9 WR Preview
WR Preview
Who's Out

The following players are not being projected to play Week 9 at this time. Here's what it means:

NYG N.Y. Giants • #3
Age: 31 • Experience: 8 yrs.
If Kenny Golladay remains out we could see a huge target share for Toney.
DAL Dallas • #13
Age: 34 • Experience: 11 year
Michael Pittman remains a true alpha and Zach Pascal becomes a TD-dependent flex.
ARI Arizona • #18
Age: 35 • Experience: 12 yrs.
Christian Kirk is a decent WR3 if Murray is active.
WR Preview
Numbers to Know
  • 190 -- Jakobi Meyers now has 190 career targets without a receiving touchdown. He is three targets away from Eric Bieniemy's record of 193.
  • 34% -- Deebo Samuel leads the NFL with a 34% target share.
  • 20 -- Cooper Kupp leads the NFL with 20 red zone targets. Chris Godwin is second at 15.
  • 5 -- Mike Williams has five targets or fewer in three of his past four games. One more game like that and I'm going to get very nervous.
  • 10.7 -- Hunter Renfrow has one game below 10.7 PPR Fantasy points this season.
  • 16% -- Four different Broncos had a 16% target share in Jerry Jeudy's first game back. They're going to need a lot more pass attempts to make that work.
  • 7 -- Devante Parker has at least seven targets in every game he's played this year.
WR Preview
Matchups that matter
Matchups that matter
Projections powered by Sportsline
DET Detroit
Age: 34 • Experience: 12 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs BUF BUF -14.5 O/U 49
OPP VS WR
1st
PROJ PTS
12
WR RNK
41st
YTD Stats
REC
33
TAR
54
REYDS
378
TD
3
FPTS/G
12.7
PHI Philadelphia • #6
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs LAC LAC -2.5 O/U 50.5
OPP VS WR
2nd
PROJ PTS
12
WR RNK
31st
YTD Stats
REC
33
TAR
56
REYDS
421
TD
1
FPTS/G
10.1
DAL Dallas • #3
Age: 30 • Experience: 11 year
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ MIA MIA -6.5 O/U 46
OPP VS WR
31st
PROJ PTS
13.3
WR RNK
17th
YTD Stats
REC
51
TAR
70
REYDS
585
TD
2
FPTS/G
15.3
HOU Houston • #2
Age: 31 • Experience: 12 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs TEN LAR -7.5 O/U 54
OPP VS WR
32nd
PROJ PTS
14.8
WR RNK
24th
YTD Stats
REC
38
TAR
59
REYDS
458
TD
5
FPTS/G
15
WR Preview
Waiver Wire Targets
Week 9 Waivers
WAS Washington • #80
Age: 30 • Experience: 10 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ IND IND -10 O/U 45
OPP VS WR
28th
WR RNK
34th
ROSTERED
62%
YTD Stats
REC
23
TAR
30
REYDS
203
TD
1
FPTS/G
12.8
As long as Corey Davis is out, Crowder should be a solid No. 3 wide reciever.
KC Kansas City • #12
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs GB KC -7.5 O/U 48
OPP VS WR
13th
WR RNK
44th
ROSTERED
47%
YTD Stats
REC
35
TAR
47
REYDS
352
TD
1
FPTS/G
9.4
Hardman has at least 10.8 PPR points in three of his past four and four of his past six games.
NE New England • #17
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ BAL BAL -6 O/U 49.5
OPP VS WR
8th
WR RNK
NR
ROSTERED
17%
YTD Stats
REC
28
TAR
38
REYDS
321
TD
2
FPTS/G
10.4
Osborn is a boom-bust option, but he does have three games already this season with at least 14.6 PPR points.
Stashes
NYG N.Y. Giants • #19
Age: 30 • Experience: 7 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs LV LV -3 O/U 46
OPP VS WR
3rd
WR RNK
NR
ROSTERED
55%
YTD Stats
REC
17
TAR
29
REYDS
282
TD
0
FPTS/G
9
We don't expect Golladay back this week, but he's getting closer. Once he's 100%, I would expect him to be a No. 3 wide receiver with top-20 upside in non-PPR.
WR Preview
DFS Plays
Top Play
Projections powered by Sportsline
MIA Miami • #10
Age: 30 • Experience: 9 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs GB KC -1 O/U 55.5
OPP VS WR
13th
PROJ PTS
19.7
WR RNK
3rd
YTD Stats
REC
64
TAR
90
REYDS
735
TD
6
FPTS/G
22.2
The Chiefs will likely be chasing the score against the Packers, and the Packers don't currently have a shutdown corner, which should mean double-digit targets for Tyreek Hill. He's scored at least 22 Fantasy points in four of five games with double-digit targets this season.
Contrarian Play
Projections powered by Sportsline
KC Kansas City • #2
Age: 26 • Experience: 6 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs MIN BAL -5.5 O/U 49.5
OPP VS WR
17th
PROJ PTS
16.5
WR RNK
10th
YTD Stats
REC
37
TAR
57
REYDS
566
TD
6
FPTS/G
18.6
Of all the breakout receivers, Brown seems to be the one people have the hardest time buying into. I expect him and the Ravens offense to come out with a big performance coming off their bye.
WR Preview
Heath's Projections

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