Many players are beginning to hit their stride while others are outperforming expectations. Let’s dive in and discuss metrics that highlight Week 9.
Metrics That Matter in Week 9 of Fantasy Football
Zay Flowers Has Officially Entered Into Superstardom
The Baltimore Ravens are known for their run-heavy style of play, and for good reason. The combination of Lamar Jackson as quarterback and Derrick Henry as running back creates one of the best QB-RB duos of the last decade. Consequently, Jackson’s passing abilities and his skill players may have been overlooked in discussions about fantasy football. However, after eight weeks, wide receiver Zay Flowers has exceeded expectations, emerging as a strong fantasy option.
Currently ranked in the top 10 for wide receiver points in every fantasy format, Flowers has developed into a dynamic playmaker. Flowers excels in the open field and is a powerful threat both over the middle and along the sidelines. Metrics indicate that he has experienced one of the best stretches in all of fantasy football collecting 33 receptions and four 100 receiving yards games in four of the last five games.
Flowers has established himself as a PPR (points per reception) goldmine this season. He is currently on pace for over 1,200 yards and more than 70 catches, which could keep him within the top 10 among wide receivers by the end of the year. In week nine specifically, Flowers’ impressive performance was remarkable given the matchup. Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain has been one of the top lockdown corners in the NFL for the last three seasons. When healthy this season, Surtain has successfully shut down notable receivers such as DK Metcalf, Mike Evans, George Pickens, and Garrett Wilson—none of whom exceeded 30 receiving yards while covered by him. Although Flowers faced Surtain on nearly as many routes (70% of theirs), he was significantly more effective. In every respect, it’s clear that Flowers has been a fantasy star.
Courtland Sutton’s becoming one of fantasy’s biggest mid-round steals
As the season began, Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had an average draft position (ADP) of 110, making him a late-round selection (around rounds 9-10) due to his circumstances. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix at the helm, there were concerns about Sutton’s performance, leading many to believe he would underperform for the second consecutive year. However, after eight weeks of play, Sutton has proven the doubters wrong, outperforming his ADP and emerging as a top-25 wide receiver.
The connection between Sutton and Nix has exceeded expectations, contributing to the Broncos holding a winning record for the first time in three seasons. Excluding a week seven game where he did not receive any targets, Sutton ranks ninth among wide receivers in target share and fourth in red-zone targets. This impressive target share has resulted in Sutton accumulating 36 receptions, 499 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Although his touchdown count is lower than what fantasy managers would prefer, there is one significant advantage for him moving forward: from weeks 10 to 17, Sutton faces one of the top-10 easiest schedules remaining for wide receivers, making it a good bet for him to increase his touchdown total.
Drafted alongside players such as Diontae Johnson, Keon Coleman, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Jameson Williams, Sutton has performed at least as well, if not better, than all of them.
Justin Herbert Is Creeping Back Into Fantasy Relevance
The Los Angeles Chargers have high hopes as they enter the season, thanks to the presence of Jim Harbaugh. Despite the team’s history of underperforming, even with a wealth of skilled players, the only way for them is up. In 2024, they are indeed on the rise, starting with their fourth-year quarterback, Justin Herbert. He has turned his career around, playing a productive season that has improved his fantasy value. Herbert has completed 65% of his passes—his best performance to date—with over 1,700 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes. The most notable improvement has been in ball security; he has committed only two total turnovers through nine weeks this season, compared to seven during the same period last year.
The Chargers have shifted away from a run-heavy approach and are now reliant on Herbert’s arm to secure victories. Coming into the season, the trio of Quentin Johnson, Ladd McConkey, and Joshua Palmer did not appear to offer much for fantasy managers. However, after nine weeks, all three have exceeded their Average Draft Position (ADP), demonstrating that Herbert has enough weapons to win games and generate the points necessary to remain a viable streaming option going forward.
Rico Dowdle Owns The Dallas Cowboys Backfield Enough To Trust Him In Fantasy
Ranked as the league’s worst rushing attack, the Dallas Cowboys’ backfield is struggling significantly. Amid this already disappointing season as a team, the running back committee of Rico Dowdle, and Ezekiel Elliott, along with occasional contributions from Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Lupeke, has underperformed for most of the year. However, metrics reveal that when one particular running back carries the bulk of the workload, positive outcomes often follow.
Third-year running back Rico Dowdle may lack elite explosiveness, but he is shifty enough to make plays and overall has shown potential as a valuable fantasy asset. In a week nine game where Elliott was a “healthy scratch,” Dowdle stepped up, carrying the ball 14 times for 75 yards, averaging 6 yards per carry. He also caught 5 passes for 32 yards and a touchdown, resulting in a total of 21 fantasy points. This marked the second-most carries he has received this season and his highest total since week five against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dowdle has now scored double-digit fantasy points in each of the last four games he has played. If Elliott remains sidelined, Dowdle will likely be an RB2 or solid flex option at the very least. He is undoubtedly the most capable player in this backfield and deserves the additional workload he is expected to receive. The only concern is that the overall offensive production may decline with Dak Prescott out for the next month. However, without their star quarterback, the team might prioritize Dowdle to help keep them competitive in upcoming games.
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