Jaylen Waddle or Michael Pittman Jr. Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football Projections for WRs
It's officially Week 9 and the Miami Dolphins will be hoping Tua Tagovailoa's return is not a case of too little too late as they look to salvage their season after a 2-5 start. Without Tagovailoa under center, Dolphins' skill players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle struggled to get any production going but Week 8 was a little more optimistic as the Dolphins QB showed just how important he is to this system.
Despite Tagovailoa's return, Waddle's streak of zero touchdowns this season was extended to eight games. With a matchup against the Buffalo Bills this week, can Waddle break that streak and deliver the goods?
Jaylen Waddle's fantasy outlook for Week 9
Jonnu Smith was the biggest beneficiary of Tua Tagovailoa's return but Waddle's numbers weren't all that great. The Dolphins WR hit 45 yards on four catches and six targets. That one drop could have changed Waddle's night altogether, but here we are.
Waddle still hasn't notched a TD for the Dolphins this season but the potential is clearly there with Tagovailoa now healthy. Not this week, though.
This Bills defense has had its fair share of injuries but they've still managed to lock down opposing wide receivers. Waddle has also historically struggled against Buffalo and the state of the Bills defense does not lend itself to a big night for Waddle.
Michael Pittman Jr.'s fantasy outlook for Week 9
Eyebrows were raised when Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen decided to bench Anthony Richardson for the foreseeable future in favor of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco lining up under center is good news for both Colts WRs Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr.
The concern here is Pittman's back injury. Pittman has suited up in practice just one day in each of the past three weeks. However, he should be good to go against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
The other concern is over whether Josh Downs has usurped Pittman as the WR1 in this offense. Downs leads all Colts receivers in receptions this year despite missing two games.
But when all is said and done, Joe Flacco's return could boost Pittman's fantasy value. If you don't have him on your roster, we suggest trading for him especially considering Steichen made it sound like Richardson will continue to sit on the bench for the foreseeable future.
Jaylen Waddle or Michael Pittman Jr: Final verdict
Sportskeeda's Start/Sit Optimizer is higher on Waddle this week but does not see him breaking his zero-TD streak just yet.
Also read: Insider notes on NFL Trade Deadline: Steelers monitoring 3 WRs, Chiefs, 49ers entering buyers market