Fantasy Football: 5 Bye-Week Fill-Ins for Week 9

Week 9 may be the week Rachaad White helps fantasy managers.

Author:
Sarah Lewis
Publish date:
Nov 4, 2022

With six teams on a bye in Week 9, fantasy managers may be struggling a bit to fill their rosters. Between injuries and teams that have a week off, here are five bye-week fill-ins with rosters already thinned out because six teams aren't playing.

Keep in mind that two teams have already played as well, so eight teams are now off the table (unless you already played your Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans).

Week 9 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K I Flex

Teams on bye: Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, New York Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco

Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

White has looked like the better back on a Tampa Bay team that desperately needs something to change. Leonard Fournette is just not the answer. White had 19 yards on four carries in Week 8 and added three receptions for 24 yards. In comparison, Fournette had nine carries that he only turned into 24 yards. He did get a touchdown, which gave him more value. Fournette also had three receptions for 34 yards. It seems like both backs are being used, but at some point the tide is going to change to the rookie White getting more work. Will that be in Week 9? Perhaps, so fantasy managers looking for a fill-in running back can take a chance on a guy that is available in more than two-thirds of leagues.

Joshua Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Keenan Allen’s hamstring injury somehow got worse during the bye week (to be fair, this is what happens when you turn 30). He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, so chances are he's not returning this week. Mike Williams also is out as he's on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Palmer has cleared concussion protocol, so and DeAndre Carter will likely be the primary wide receivers. Palmer would be the No. 1 in this situation and he's available in 40 percent of leagues.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson had been signed to the Ravens practice squad a few weeks ago, but now that Rashod Bateman is done for the year, there's a need. Reports have come out that he will likely be elevated to the active roster for the Monday night game in New Orleans. Fantasy managers need to have a bit of trust here, first, that he will be active, and second, that he will actually have a meaningful role. Jackson has always been a boom-or-bust option. With one catch, he can get you 70 yards and a touchdown, and Lamar Jackson is capable of getting him the ball. Or, he can give fantasy managers one catch for six yards. Risky, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Somewhat surprisingly still available in two-thirds of leagues, Likely may have another big role this week. Mark Andrews’ status is unknown. He started Week 8 with a knee injury and left with a shoulder injury. The Ravens have a bye in Week 10 and they play on Monday night in Week 9. Andrews hasn’t been right since Week 6, and odds are that even if he is active, it’s going to be a rough go this week. Likely has done very well stepping in for him: 6/77/1 stat line in Week 8. The Ravens would be smart to go with Likely and let Andrews sit MNF out. Fantasy managers should pick up Likely as a one-week fill-in and hope that the Ravens do the smart thing.

James Mitchell, TE, Detroit Lions

This is a total dart throw, but the Lions just traded away T.J. Hockenson. The other tight end on the roster, Brock Wright, is dealing with a concussion. Mitchell will get the opportunity to show what he can do. So far this season, the rookie has one catch for 14 yards. With a void at the position (both in real life for the Lions and in the fantasy world for players), Mitchell is someone that is a risk: he certainly may offer some solid production or he could post a goose egg. But if you're the fantasy manager who is already down George Kittle, Dalton Schultz, Greg Dulichic, or Pat Freiermuth, you could probably do worse.

— Written by Sarah Lewis, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and lives, eats, and breathes fantasy football. Have a fantasy football question? Send it to her on Twitter @Sarah_Lewis32.