The NFL season is beyond the midway point now with Week 9 getting underway on Thursday. This past week, an abundance of wide receivers produced in fantasy football, which makes for some intriguing start 'em sit 'em decisions.
The two wide receivers who really aided in people securing a win in fantasy football in Week 8 was Mike Evans and Cooper Kupp. Evans finished with 11 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns as he led all receivers with 42.8 fantasy points.
On the other hand, Kupp caught seven passes for a career-high 220 yards and a touchdown. As we head into the upcoming week, who could have a stat-filled performance like Evans or Kupp?
Prior to doing that, all of the picks in this article are based on PPR (points per reception) scoring and can be used in season-long or DFS (daily fantasy sports) leagues. In light of that, here are the wide receivers to start and sit in fantasy football in Week 9.
WRs to Start in Week 9
Cowboys' Michael Gallup (vs. Giants): The Dallas Cowboys have made a concerted effort to throw the ball more in 2019 and Michael Gallup is one player who's benefited from it. Despite being out for two games, Gallup has still totaled 75.1 fantasy points this season.
Coming out of the bye week, the second-year wideout will get a chance to face a downtrodden New York Giants defense. The Giants defense has allowed 11 touchdowns to WRs (tied for third-most in the NFL).
Seahawks' D.K. Metcalf (vs. Buccaneers): D.K. Metcalf didn't receive a ton of volume in Week 8 but he did the most he could with his limited opportunities. The rookie wideout out of Ole Miss caught three passed for 13 yards; with two of those receptions turning into touchdowns.
Following his two-touchdown performance, Metcalf will draw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next. The Buccaneers have allowed 41.8 fantasy points per game to WRs (fourth-most in the NFL). Of course, Tyler Lockett is the guy to have but Metcalf should thrive as well.
49ers' Emmanuel Sanders (vs. Cardinals): Emmanuel Sanders had a somewhat quiet debut for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8. With that being said, he was able to catch a touchdown while totaling four receptions for 25 yards.
As he enters his second game with the team, it's hard not to believe he won't be a bigger part of the gameplan in Week 9 versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals defense has given up 110 receptions to WRs (fifth-most in the NFL).
Other WRs to Start: Lions' Marvin Jones (vs. Raiders), Bills' John Brown (vs. Redskins), Jets' Jamison Crowder (vs. Dolphins), Raiders' Tyrell Williams (vs. Lions)
WRs to Sit in Week 9
Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (vs. 49ers): Over the past two weeks, Larry Fitzgerald has had favorable matchups and has been unable to produce. As a matter of fact, the longtime Cardinals receiver has combined for a mere five points in Weeks 7-8.
This week, Fitzgerald will face the toughest defense he's faced so far in the 49ers on Thursday night. The 49ers defense has held WRs to just 785 yards (fewest in the NFL).
Any Baltimore Ravens WR (vs. Patriots): The Baltimore Ravens face the New England Patriots in Week 9 and that's all that needs to be said. Marquise Brown could return from injury this Sunday but that won't matter against New England.
If the Ravens hope to win this game, they'll need to run the ball and control the clock. That is due to the Patriots allowing just one touchdown to WRs and having 25 takeaways on defense (both are best in the NFL).
Redskins' Terry McLaurin (vs. Bills): Terry McLaurin has been arguably the only bright spot for the Washington Redskins. But a rookie wide receiver can only do so much considering the circumstances in the Redskins offense.
McLaurin has combined for five receptions for 50 yards in the past two weeks and his matchup in Week 9 doesn't help him much. The Ohio State product will square off with a Buffalo Bills defense that has surrendered just two touchdowns to WRs (second-best in the NFL).