Fantasy Football Week 9 Wide Receiver Start Decision: Tank Dell, Josh Downs, Cedric Tillman, Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey and More

After putting together my weekly quarterback start decision story, it’s time to look at a receiver from the Thursday night game who is part of a few trending decisions on the FantasySP start/sit tool.

We’ll compare Tank Dell against Josh Downs, Cedric Tillman, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Garrett Wilson, Courtland Sutton, Ladd McConkey, Darnell Mooney, Keon Coleman and D.J. Moore. 

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Dell has 229 yards and two scores on 24 catches and 38 targets this season. He’s got his two best fantasy outings over the past three weeks, but the other showing was a goose egg. He’ll be heavily involved with Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs out.

Downs sits at 351 yards and three touchdowns across 32 receptions and 47 targets. After missing the first two games of the season, Downs has four average or better fantasy showings and two duds. He’ll have Joe Flacco throwing to him again in week 9, and he turned in most of his best outings this season with Flacco throwing to him.

Tillman barely did anything in weeks 1-6, but has erupted over the past two weeks. He had 81 yards on eight catches and 12 targets in week 7 before going for 99 yards and two touchdowns on seven grabs and nine targets.

Adams has 25 catches for 293 yards and a touchdown across 42 targets this season. In his two games with the Jets, Adams has seven catches, 84 yards and 15 targets.

Hill has 366 yards and a touchdown on 30 receptions and 50 targets this season. With Tua Tagovailoa back in the lineup in week 8, Hill had 72 yards on six catches and nine targets.

Wilson is up to 573 yards and three scores on 51 catches and 83 targets. Since Adams was traded to the Jets, Wilson has 174 yards on 10 catches and 17 targets.

Sutton has 377 yards and touchdowns on 29 catches and 58 targets so far this season. He bounced back from a zero-target game in week 7 with an eight-catch, 11-target and 100-yard performance in week 8.

McConkey has 376 yards and four touchdowns across 30 grabs and 45 targets as a rookie. He’s scored in double figures for fantasy points in three of the past four weeks and is coming off the best game of his young career.

Mooney has 500 yards and four touchdowns on 36 receptions and 59 targets. He’s scored in double figures in five of the eight games he’s played in and three of the past four.

Coleman now has 396 yards and three scores on 21 catches and 34 targets in his rookie campaign. He’s scored in double figures in three of the past four games, and is coming off his best two fantasy outings of the year.

Moore has 341 yards and three touchdowns across 33 receptions and 51 targets this season. He’s scored in double figures five times, but barely combined for 10 points the past two weeks combined. Moore has gone over 50 yards just three times in seven games. 

Week 9 Matchups

Dell, Adams and Wilson all play in the Thursday game. It sets up as a brutal matchup for Dell, as New York only allows 25 fantasy points per week to opposing wideouts. Houston allows 33 points per week, which is a slightly above-average matchup for Adams and Wilson.

Tillman and McConkey are also part of the same game. Tillman goes up against a Chargers’ defense that only allows 25 points a game. McConkey’s test against the Browns is pretty favorable, with Cleveland giving up 35 points per week.

Hill and Coleman also play in the same game. Coleman’s matchup against the Dolphins is extremely tough, with Miami only allowing 25 points a week. Hill’s clash is only slightly better, with Buffalo giving up 27 points a week.

Downs has the most favorable matchup a receiver could have, as the Vikings give up 46 points per game. Sutton’s matchup against the Ravens is also great, as Baltimore surrenders 45 points a week.

Mooney has a slightly below-average matchup against the Cowboys, with Dallas giving up 31 points per week. Moore has a pretty favorable matchup against the Cardinals, who allow 34 points per contest.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Hill has the top projection among these receivers. He’s at 16 PPR points.

Downs and Wilson are both projected for 14 points this week. Moore, Dell and Adams are all at 13 points, while Sutton, McConkey and Mooney check in at 12 points. Tillman is set for 11 points, while Coleman is at 10 points.

Amongst this group of receivers, I like Downs the best going into week 9. He’s played pretty well most weeks, and now with Flacco throwing to him, should be in line for big fantasy showings every week. The super favorable matchup helps him leapfrog the next couple guys listed for me.

I’d take Wilson second. He’s continued to produce, even with Adams around, and I think Wilson remains the better fantasy option this week. It’s a solid matchup for Wilson, and I think he has a safe floor and high ceiling.

After that, I’d take Hill. He hasn’t delivered a monster showing yet, and in the tough matchup, I don’t think it’s coming this week. If anyone can bust a big play against a tough defense, it’s the speedy Hill, and I trust him enough to be a good fantasy performer this week.

Give me Sutton next. He’s coming off a big game and has a very favorable matchup. I expect Denver to have to pass a bunch to keep up with Baltimore, and that’ll lead to a big fantasy score for Sutton.

After that, I’d try Adams. The matchup is solid enough to have two New York wideouts excel, and with Allen Lazard out, Adams should have no problem racking up catches and yards.

Give me McConkey next. He’s coming off his best game and has a pretty favorable matchup. If McConkey had been a little more consistent to this point of the season, he’d be a couple spots higher up my list.

I’d try Moore here. He’s been another inconsistent performer, and with all the pass catchers Chicago has, poor fantasy showings are going to happen. I think Moore gets involved early this week and finishes with a decent amount of fantasy points. Moore is the final wideout in this discussion that I prefer to start - everyone else I would try to avoid

I’d finally take Dell here. A lot of people would have him going earlier in this receiver debate, but the matchup is tough and I think the Texans will be led by Joe Mixon instead of the passing game tonight.

I’d take Coleman here. The matchup is tough, but I like what he’s done the past couple weeks and think the rookie delivers another big play or two to post a few fantasy points.

I’d take Mooney next. He’s quietly having a good season, but there’s been some inconsistent showings. I think this is a down week for Mooney.

That leaves Tillman for the last spot. I really am a fan of him going forward, but after two big games, I’d expect the Chargers’ secondary to lock in on him and take him away. LA is a brutal matchup for any receiver, and I think they stifle Tillman and the Browns’ passing attack this week.