Fantasy Football: Week Nine Staff Must Start, Must Sit and Sleeper Picks

J.T. McGrath

START: Dez Bryant, WR – Dallas Cowboys

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Dez has been good this season. Not great, but good. But you didn’t draft for just ‘good’ now, did you? This week will be an opportunity for Bryant to put on a clinic against the Cardinals’ 32nd-ranked pass defense. One key concern here, however, is the health status of quarterback, Tony Romo. If he starts, Dez is a top five WR play. If Brandon Weeden gets the nod, you’re still starting Bryant, but temper back your expectations a bit. It is worth noting that with Romo out, and in a red zone situation against Washington this past Monday, Weeden did target Bryant on two consecutive end zone plays. Either way, Dez is in your lineup.

SIT: Robert Griffin III, QB – Washington Redskins

Folks might be surprised to learn that the Vikings’ defense is allowing the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Throw in a QB who hasn’t played since week two — one who quite frankly played less than spectacular when he did play — and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Plus, the game is in Minnesota. Even in a tough bye week replacement situation, rolling out RG3 is risky business.

SLEEPER: Charles Sims, RB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay is a complete mess. The offensive line couldn’t make a crease for a real hamster, let alone Doug Martin – “Muscle Hamster.” Bobby Rainey hasn’t exactly run away with the job either, so it really is hard to trust anyone toting the rock behind this line. BUT, the current coaching regime did shell out a third-round pick to snag Sims, and they are likely to activate him this week. Sims has drawn rave comparisons to Matt Forte, so there is cause for optimism here, especially in PPR leagues. He’s not necessarily in your lineup THIS week, but I expect him to take this job and run with it before long.  If you are in a PPR league (or any other league, for that matter) and he is available, pick him up NOW.