Fantasy football managers heading into Week 9 have several wide receivers trending upward, led by Chicago's Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, who have thrived since quarterback Caleb Williams returned from a hamstring injury.
WRs to Start
Burden caught seven passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on nine targets against Seattle in Week 8, marking his third consecutive game with at least 17.5 PPR points. Odunze added four catches for 87 yards on six targets and has scored at least 10.7 PPR points in each of his past two outings. Both are recommended as No. 2 fantasy receivers against Tampa Bay, despite the Buccaneers ranking sixth in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers.
Detroit's Jameson Williams extended his hot streak with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota, his fourth straight game with 16.2-plus PPR points. He faces a Dolphins defense that ranks third in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers, but four receivers have topped 11.3 PPR points against Miami in the past three weeks.
Kansas City's Rashee Rice returned from a hamstring injury with seven catches for 53 yards and a touchdown versus Denver, posting at least 12.3 PPR points in each of his last three healthy games. He draws a Jets defense that has allowed a receiver to score 13.6-plus PPR points in five consecutive games.
Jacksonville's Parker Washington struggled with one catch for 16 yards in a blowout win over Indianapolis, but the Ravens rank eighth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers, with eight receivers reaching 15.2 PPR points against Baltimore this season.
Denver's Jaylen Waddle played through a chest injury to record three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown plus a two-point conversion against Kansas City, his best game since Week 4. Carolina has allowed seven receivers to score at least 12.7 PPR points in its past four games.
Indianapolis' Keenan Allen caught seven passes for 67 yards against Jacksonville and has hit 13.7-plus PPR points in three of his last five games. Dallas ranks seventh in most fantasy points allowed to receivers, with nine receivers surpassing 11.9 PPR points versus the Cowboys this year.
Sleepers
Miami's Caleb Douglas faces a Lions defense that ranks fourth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers; eight receivers have scored 11.3-plus PPR points against Detroit this season. Douglas has topped 14.4 PPR points in two of his last three games.
Philadelphia rookie Makai Lemon should see an expanded role with DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) sidelined. Lemon has 13 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown over his past two games, scoring at least 11.7 PPR points each time, and faces a Giants defense that has allowed seven receivers to reach 11.8 PPR points.
New York Jets' Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. could become high-end No. 3 options if Garrett Wilson (concussion protocol) misses the game at Kansas City. Mitchell erupted for seven catches, 142 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas, while Cooper scored 22.3-plus PPR points in his previous two games.
New England's Demario Douglas remains a go-to target for Drake Maye with A.J. Brown (ankle/knee) out again. Douglas has scored at least 16.6 PPR points in three of his last four games with four touchdowns, and Green Bay ranks ninth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Dallas' Ryan Flournoy has posted 11-plus PPR points in four straight games with two touchdowns and could benefit if George Pickens (shoulder/hamstring) is limited against Indianapolis.
WRs to Sit
Arizona's Michael Wilson impressed with eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown against Dallas but is dealing with two broken ribs and faces a Seahawks defense that leads the league in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers. Wilson managed just 3.8 PPR points against Seattle in Week 2.
Carolina's Jalen Coker has cooled off with only three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown over his past two games (11.5 PPR total). Denver ranks eighth in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Las Vegas' Tre Tucker is a boom-or-bust option after posting zero catches on one target against the Jets, following two games with 21.3-plus PPR points each. San Francisco has struggled against No. 1 receivers, but Tucker is not the primary target.
Los Angeles Chargers' Ladd McConkey's Week 8 line (four catches, 86 yards) was inflated by a 54-yard Hail Mary deflection. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 1 and faces a Texans defense that ranks third in most fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Bust Alert
Baltimore's Zay Flowers faces quarterback uncertainty with Joe Fagnano starting against Jacksonville. Flowers saw five targets but zero catches in Week 8 when Fagnano replaced Lamar Jackson. The Jaguars rank sixth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers, but Flowers is a low-end No. 2 option at best given the situation.
