Khalil Shakir, Romeo Doubs, Jalen McMillan: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 9

We're approaching the main slate of Week 9 and fantasy managers are scrambling to make final adjustments to their starting lineups. Injury updates are coming in by the minute and players suddenly have different outlooks than they did earlier this morning.

Khalil Shakir, Romeo Doubs, and Jalen McMillan are interesting players to consider this week. All have demonstrated an ability to produce for fantasy teams but none have been consistent throughout the season.

Should you start Shakir, Doubs, or McMillan with a win on the line this week? Let's dive in and find out.

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Should I Start Khalil Shakir for Fantasy Football?

Khalil Shakir got off to a strong start in 2024 with two touchdowns in his first three games. An injury he suffered in Week 4 derailed his campaign slightly, and Buffalo's addition of Amari Cooper ahead of Week 7 put a massive damper on his outlook for the rest of the year.

Surprisingly, Shakir has been excellent over the past two weeks with Cooper on the field. On Sunday, however, the Bills' offense will look more like it did earlier in 2024.

Another big inactive: Bills WR Amari Cooper is inactive today due to his wrist injury. pic.twitter.com/fXDoj51AKE

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 3, 2024

With Cooper inactive, Shakir is the most likely receiver to pace the Bills in looks from quarterback Josh Allen. Rookie wideout Keon Coleman has flashed potential but Shakir's chemistry with Allen is undeniable. Shakir has hauled in a remarkable 97.9% of passes thrown his way this season with 36 receptions on 38 targets.

The Bills will be facing the Miami Dolphins this week. Miami has been stout against the pass and has surrendered the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. It is important to keep in mind that the Dolphins were without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for four weeks, though, and opposing offenses were able to run the ball with Miami's offense unable to keep up.

Shakir posted five catches for 54 yards in Week 2 against Miami. This feels like a floor output for the 24-year-old, who has proven to be quite safe and reliable for fantasy. He should have a ceiling in this matchup, which is projected to have a healthy amount of points scored. He can be started as a WR2 as the WR24 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Romeo Doubs for Fantasy Football?

Back in Week 5, Romeo Doubs was inactive after missing practice throughout the week. He was reportedly unhappy with his involvement in Green Bay's offense. Since then, he has not only been involved, but incredibly productive.

Green Bay WRs Weeks 6-8:

SNP % - Romeo Doubs
Receiving Yards - Romeo Doubs
Receptions - Romeo Doubs
Targets - Romeo Doubs
Touchdowns - Romeo Doubs

Is Doubs Green Bay’s WR1? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hPwMZ1wcna

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 30, 2024

We now have a pretty large sample size of Packers games with Jordan Love under center, and it seems that the fifth-year quarterback likes to spread the ball around. Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Tucker Kraft have all had their moments this season.

Love is expected to start this week against the Lions, who give up the third-most fantasy points to receivers. Detroit's run defense is stingy, so Green Bay will likely have to lean on its air attack to keep up with its potent division rival.

There should be plenty of points scored in this contest as well, rendering all of the Packers' pass-catchers as viable fantasy options. Because Doubs has been leading the team in opportunities recently, he should be viewed as the safest play of the bunch, even if Reed or Watson offer a bit more upside.

Doubs isn't a must-start receiver yet but fantasy managers should feel comfortable deploying him as a WR3 or flex option. He comes in as the WR37 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Jalen McMillan for Fantasy Football?

With both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out, rookie receiver Jalen McMillan was a hot commodity in fantasy football last week. He did earn seven targets against the Atlanta Falcons, but McMillan mustered just four receptions for 35 yards.

While Evans and Godwin remain sidelined, McMillan is still on the fantasy radar this week and going forward. He would be an intriguing play, even in a difficult matchup against the Chiefs, but McMillan himself is now dealing with a hamstring injury that could prevent him from playing.

Jalen McMillan has popped up in the last practice of the week with a hamstring injury.

He was LIMITED today and is now QUESTIONABLE.

Unless you have a pivot it's a bad spot.

Kansas City gives up the fewest receiving yards per game to WRs despite allowing 7 TDs to them.

— Drew Davenport (@DrewDavenportFF) November 2, 2024

With the Bucs-Chiefs showdown not kicking off until Monday night, fantasy managers are not likely to hear much about McMillan's status on Sunday. He is the WR42 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings, but it is probably wise to leave McMillan on the bench this week if you have another decent option.

You could also consider pivoting to Trey Palmer or Sterling Shepard if either is available and McMillan is ruled out on Monday.

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