# Week 9 Start/Sit: Closest Calls at Every Position

Source page: https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/news/week-9-start-sit-closest-calls-at-every-position

> The closest call on the board The tightest decision this week sits at wide receiver, where Treylon Burks and Xavier Worthy carry the exact same 6.5-point New...

By Rhett Zone · Published 2026-11-06 13:06 UTC

_Drafted with AI from our own data and checked by an editor._

## The closest call on the board

The tightest decision this week sits at wide receiver, where [Treylon Burks](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/treylon-burks) and [Xavier Worthy](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/xavier-worthy) carry the exact same 6.5-point News Hub Fantasy projection on either side of the WR36 cutoff. Every game on the schedule has a projection attached, so nothing is excluded from this column. Below is a position-by-position breakdown of who to start and who to sit, in rank order on each side of the starting line.

## Quarterbacks: the line is QB12

Start: [Geno Smith](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/geno-smith), [New York Jets](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/new-york-jets), at [Kansas City Chiefs](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/kansas-city-chiefs). His last four outings (290, 287, 252 and 182 yards passing) run a bit ahead of his season pace of 29.9 attempts and 239.1 yards a game, a steady workload rather than a spike. He projects for 17.5 points against a tough matchup that allows only 13.0 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks. The call leans start because his volume has held up even as the matchup tightens.

Start: [Malik Willis](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/malik-willis), [Miami Dolphins](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/miami-dolphins), vs [Detroit Lions](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/detroit-lions). His passing yardage has climbed in three of his last four games (211, 208, 136, 85) and he has rushed for a touchdown in two of those contests, well above his season average of 26.1 attempts and 5.1 carries a game. That points to a growing role. He projects for 17.5 points in an easy matchup that allows 24.8 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks, making this the easiest call among the starts.

Start: [Jordan Love](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/jordan-love), [Green Bay Packers](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/green-bay-packers), at [New England Patriots](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/new-england-patriots). His recent attempt and yardage totals (41, 45, 41 and 31 attempts) track right with his season average of 39.0 attempts and 280.8 yards a game, a steady workload. He projects for 17.5 points, matching his season scoring pace, against a tough matchup allowing 14.1 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks. The volume supports the start even though the matchup works against him.

Sit: [Bo Nix](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/bo-nix), [Denver Broncos](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/denver-broncos), at [Carolina Panthers](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/carolina-panthers). His passing yardage has been inconsistent the last four weeks (222, 222, 107, 123) despite attempt totals near his season average of 31.2 a game, with his 12.4 season points a game leaning on rushing production. He projects for 16.0 points in an average matchup allowing 17.3 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks. He sits just outside the top 12, and the passing numbers have not grown enough to flip the call.

Sit: [Bryce Young](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/bryce-young), Carolina Panthers, vs Denver Broncos. His last two games (209 and 163 yards, with three interceptions combined) sit below his season average of 274.4 yards and 18.0 fantasy points a game, a step back rather than growth. He projects for 15.5 points in an average matchup allowing 16.7 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks. The dip in efficiency keeps him on the bench this week.

Sit: [Sam Darnold](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/sam-darnold), [Seattle Seahawks](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/seattle-seahawks), vs [Arizona Cardinals](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/arizona-cardinals). Darnold did not practice this week, with no game status yet. His recent turnovers (four interceptions over his last three games) have kept his scoring near his season average of 12.6 fantasy points a game rather than pushing it higher. He projects for 15.5 points in an easy matchup allowing 22.8 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks, but between the practice absence and the flat recent output, he stays on the bench.

## Running backs: the line is RB24

Start: [Saquon Barkley](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/saquon-barkley), [Philadelphia Eagles](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/philadelphia-eagles), vs [New York Giants](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants). Barkley was limited in practice this week, with no game status yet. His carries have swung from 13 to 7 to 2 to 15 over his last four games, but he has scored a touchdown in back-to-back weeks, well above his season pace of 9.3 carries and 45.7 rushing yards a game. His role is growing with [Dameon Pierce](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/dameon-pierce) on Injured Reserve after leading the team in touches this season at 16.0 a game. He projects for 9.0 points in a tough matchup allowing 17.6 fantasy points a game to running backs. The added opportunity behind an injured Pierce makes this a start despite the tough matchup.

Start: [Alvin Kamara](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/alvin-kamara), [New Orleans Saints](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/new-orleans-saints), vs [Cleveland Browns](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/cleveland-browns). Kamara was limited in practice this week, with no game status yet. His target share over his last four games (18%, 13%, 8%, 15%) sits right at his season mark of 13%, a steady receiving role. [Travis Etienne Jr.](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/travis-etienne-jr) is on Injured Reserve after leading the backfield in touches at 14.3 a game, which has opened up added opportunity for Kamara. He projects for 8.5 points in an average matchup allowing 21.9 fantasy points a game to running backs, an easy call given the steady receiving work.

Start: [Emmett Johnson](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/emmett-johnson), Kansas City Chiefs, vs New York Jets. His target share jumped to 13% last week, well above his season average of 7%, and he turned five catches into 128 yards and a touchdown, a growing role rather than a one-week outlier given the trend over his last four games. He projects for 7.5 points in an easy matchup allowing 24.2 fantasy points a game to running backs. Sitting right at the RB24 line, the rising target share and the soft matchup tip this toward a start.

Sit: [J.K. Dobbins](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/j-k-dobbins), Denver Broncos, at Carolina Panthers. His carries have declined the last two weeks (7 and 6) after averaging closer to 18 earlier in the stretch, a shrinking role against his season average of 11.8 carries a game. He projects for 6.5 points in an easy matchup allowing 26.1 fantasy points a game to running backs, but the declining workload keeps him below the line.

Sit: [Dylan Sampson](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/dylan-sampson), Cleveland Browns, at New Orleans Saints. His target share spiked to 20% last week against a season mark of 11% over just three games, which looks like a one-week spike rather than an established role given the small sample. He projects for 6.5 points in an easy matchup allowing 27.5 fantasy points a game to running backs. With carries still inconsistent, he stays on the bench this week.

Sit: [Kaelon Black](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/kaelon-black), [San Francisco 49ers](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/san-francisco-49ers), vs [Las Vegas Raiders](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/las-vegas-raiders). His carries have held near his season average of 8.1 a game, but [Christian McCaffrey](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/christian-mccaffrey), who was limited in practice, sits ahead of him on the depth chart, capping his upside. He projects for 6.5 points in an easy matchup allowing 24.4 fantasy points a game to running backs, not enough to overcome the depth chart behind McCaffrey.

## Wide receivers: the line is WR36

Start: [Denzel Boston](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/denzel-boston), Cleveland Browns, at New Orleans Saints. Boston was limited in practice this week, with no game status yet. His target share hit 28% last week, up from his season mark of 21%, a growing role over his last four games (28%, 23%, 20%, 21%). He projects for 7.0 points in an average matchup allowing 28.4 fantasy points a game to wide receivers. The rising target share makes this a confident start.

Start: [Josh Downs](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/josh-downs), [Indianapolis Colts](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/indianapolis-colts), vs [Dallas Cowboys](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/dallas-cowboys). His target share over his last four games (17%, 19%, 21%, 14%) sits close to his season average of 20%, a steady role. He projects for 7.0 points in an easy matchup allowing 33.8 fantasy points a game to wide receivers, an easy call given the steady role and the soft matchup.

Start: Treylon Burks, [Washington Commanders](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/washington-commanders), vs [Los Angeles Rams](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/los-angeles-rams). Burks did not practice this week, with no game status yet. His target share has run well above his season average of 12% over his last four games (19%, 17%, 22%, 8%), a growing role. [Stefon Diggs](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/stefon-diggs), who also did not practice, and [Terry McLaurin](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/terry-mclaurin), who is on Injured Reserve after leading the team's wide receivers in touches this season, both sit ahead of him and have opened up the extra opportunity. He projects for 6.5 points in a tough matchup allowing 26.1 fantasy points a game to wide receivers, the same projection as Xavier Worthy right across the WR36 cutoff. The growing target share with two receivers out ahead of him tips this call to start.

Sit: Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs, vs New York Jets. His target share has fallen the last two weeks (16% and 19%) from 24% and 26% the two weeks before that against a season average of 19%, a shrinking role. He projects for 6.5 points in an average matchup allowing 29.0 fantasy points a game to wide receivers. With the role trending down and the projection tied with a receiver whose target share is climbing, this is a bench call.

Sit: [Xavier Hutchinson](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/xavier-hutchinson), [Houston Texans](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/houston-texans), at [Los Angeles Chargers](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/teams/los-angeles-chargers). His target share has bounced around his last four games (21%, 9%, 15%, 19%) close to his season mark of 18%, a steady but unspectacular role. He projects for 6.0 points in an average matchup allowing 28.1 fantasy points a game to wide receivers, not enough separation to crack the lineup.

Sit: [Antonio Williams](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/antonio-williams), Washington Commanders, vs Los Angeles Rams. His target share spiked to 26% last week against a season average of 15%, which looks like a one-week jump tied to Terry McLaurin's absence on Injured Reserve after leading the team's wideouts in touches. He projects for 6.0 points in a tough matchup allowing 26.1 fantasy points a game to wide receivers. The single-week spike against a tough matchup keeps him on the bench for now.

## Tight ends: the line is TE12

Start: [Travis Kelce](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/travis-kelce), Kansas City Chiefs, vs New York Jets. His target share over his last four games (18%, 25%, 17%, 15%) sits right at his season average of 19%, a steady role. He projects for 8.5 points in an easy matchup allowing 15.0 fantasy points a game to tight ends, a confident start.

Start: [Michael Mayer](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/michael-mayer), Las Vegas Raiders, at San Francisco 49ers. His target share has swung widely over his last four games (23%, 7%, 23%, 3%) against a season average of 15%, with big catch totals when targeted. He projects for 7.0 points in a tough matchup allowing 11.3 fantasy points a game to tight ends. The inconsistent volume makes this the shakier of the tight end starts, but his projection still clears the top-12 line.

Start: [Greg Dulcich](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/greg-dulcich), Miami Dolphins, vs Detroit Lions. His target share has held steady over his last four games (20%, 24%, 19%, 21%) against a season average of 18%. He projects for 6.5 points in an easy matchup allowing 28.3 fantasy points a game to tight ends, an easy call right at the cutoff.

Sit: [Mason Taylor](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/mason-taylor), New York Jets, at Kansas City Chiefs. His target share over his last four games (16%, 21%, 21%, 10%) is in line with his season average of 16%, a steady role. His 6.5-point projection matches Greg Dulcich's, but he sits one spot into TE13 outside the starting line, making this as tight a borderline call as there is at the position this week despite an easy matchup allowing 16.5 fantasy points a game to tight ends.

Sit: [Dallas Goedert](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/dallas-goedert), Philadelphia Eagles, vs New York Giants. His target share fell to 12% last week after sitting between 18% and 24% over the three games before that, a drop from his season average of 18%. He projects for 6.5 points, below his season pace of 8.5 fantasy points a game, in an average matchup allowing 11.9 fantasy points a game to tight ends. The recent dip keeps him out of the lineup.

Sit: [Dalton Schultz](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/dalton-schultz), Houston Texans, at Los Angeles Chargers. His target share has climbed slightly to 21% last week against a season average of 20%, a steady role. He projects for 5.5 points, below his season average of 7.0 fantasy points a game, in a tough matchup allowing only 10.0 fantasy points a game to tight ends, which caps his upside this week.

## Ruled out

Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints running back, is on Injured Reserve this week.

Dameon Pierce, Philadelphia Eagles running back, is on Injured Reserve this week.

[Jacory Croskey-Merritt](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/jacory-croskey-merritt), Washington Commanders running back, is on Injured Reserve this week.

[RJ Harvey](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/rj-harvey), Denver Broncos running back, is on Injured Reserve this week.

[Davante Adams](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/davante-adams), Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, is on Injured Reserve this week.

[Tyquan Thornton](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/tyquan-thornton), Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, is on Injured Reserve this week.

[Jaylin Noel](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/jaylin-noel), Houston Texans wide receiver, is on Injured Reserve this week.

[Romeo Doubs](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/romeo-doubs), New England Patriots wide receiver, is on Injured Reserve this week.

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders wide receiver, is on Injured Reserve this week.

[Demarcus Robinson](https://profootballnewshub.com/nfl/players/demarcus-robinson), San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, is on Injured Reserve this week.

*This article was drafted with AI from Pro Football News Hub data (News Hub Fantasy projections, injury reports, depth charts and the schedule) and reviewed by our editor before publishing. Read how we use AI in our [editorial standards](https://profootballnewshub.com/editorial-standards).*

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