5 must starts for fantasy football in Week 9

It was a comedown week for my must starts in Week 8, with 4 of my 6 starters giving you a poor return for your faith in my forecasting. Tarik Cohen (7.6 points), Ted Ginn (6.2), Kenny Stills (5.2) and Ty Johnson (4.8) points were all disappointing, though on the positive side, James White once again hit his solid floor of double digit points (11.9) and the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t disappoint as they finished week 8 with 15 points against the Dolphins as the D/ST 4 in week 8.

Onto Week 9 and here are my must starts to drive you on towards the fantasy playoffs.

WR Diontae Johnson, Steelers vs Colts - 16.4% owned

With seemingly no healthy running backs on the Steelers’ roster, it falls on Mason Rudolph and his receivers to get the job done this weekend. Johnson is coming off his best game for the Steelers in Week 8 where he reeled in 5 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in the victory over the Dolphins. He is second in targets for the Steelers this season and faces a Colts’ pass defense that is a below average unit, ranking 20th against the pass in 2019.

RB Ronald Jones II, Buccaneers @ Seahawks - 39.1% owned

In a running back by committee situation, it’s always difficult to predict who will go off on a particular week. In the Bucs’ case this week it’s easy as Jones is by far the more dynamic back and despite 5 fewer rushing attempts than Peyton Barber on the season, has 52 more yards at almost 1 yard per attempt more (4.2 vs 3.3). The Seahawks have been pretty poor at defending the run, ranking 26th in rushing defense and Jones can take advantage this week.

RB Jamaal Williams, Packers @ Chargers - 62.3% owned

Williams is proving to be the perfect foil for Aaron Jones’ breakout season and has found the knack of getting into the end zone with 5 total touchdowns so far in 2019. His floor is around 10 touches per game, and Williams has 5 double digit PPR scores under his belt already and facing a Chargers team that has been a bottom 10 defense so far this season, can add further to his major supporting role.

WR Michael Gallup, Cowboys @ Giants - 81.7% owned

This a bit of a flier based on the match up as the Giants have allowed the second most fantasy points to receivers, but Gallup flashed early this season and an opponent like the Giants is just what he needs to get back on track.

WR Tyrell Williams, Raiders vs Lions - 85.3% owned

Williams is a touchdown machine so far this season, getting into the paint in each of the five games he’s played in 2019. Back healthy after a couple of weeks missing with a foot injury, he faces a Lions team ranked 24th against the pass and are sneakily one of the worst defenses in the NFL. He’s highly owned but a definite must start in any league you have him in.