Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 9: Tank Dell, DeAndre Hopkins, Jahan Dotson

Week 9 is already here, and that means you will have to make more tough lineup decisions. This article will feature three fringe starters and whether you should Start' Em or Sit' Em in fantasy this week. 

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell has been a surprise rookie breakout in his first season. Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is coming off a three-touchdown game, and Washington Commanders wideout Jahan Dotson had his first 100-yard receiving game of the year. 

Should you start Dell, Hopkins, and Dotson in fantasy in Week 9? Let's dive in. 

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Should I Start Tank Dell for Fantasy Football?

Dell became a popular waiver wire add early in the season following a dominant five-catch, 145-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 3. Since then, though, the rookie has been quiet. He has three consecutive games with less than 10 PPR fantasy points and also missed a large portion of Week 5 and all of Week 6 with a concussion. 

With the Texans offense taking a back seat in recent weeks, Dell is no longer a must-start in fantasy. However, he's a solid flex play in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robert Woods (foot) is also expected to miss the contest due to an injury, meaning more targets could open up for the rookie. He's a high-boom play with four teams on bye. 

He is the WR35 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start DeAndre Hopkins for Fantasy Football?

Hopkins turned back the clock and showed everyone why he's still one of the best receivers in the game. The veteran caught four passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns in the Titans' Week 8 win. His best performance of the season came with rookie quarterback Will Levis under center. 

In Week 9, Levis will start again, and Hopkins will face a Steelers secondary that is allowing the fourth most fantasy points to wide receivers per game this season. The veteran will enter the contest as questionable with a toe injury after missing practice on Wednesday. But if he suits up, he is a strong WR2 in fantasy with a great matchup. 

He is the WR19 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Jahan Dotson for Fantasy Football?

Many fantasy managers dropped Dotson after a rough start to the season. However, the second-year wideout put together his best performance of the season, catching eight passes for 108 yards and one touchdown in Week 8. His 20.8 half-PPR fantasy points were also a career-high. 

The Week 8 game definitely has Dotson trending in the right direction. He has seen 18 targets over the past two contests and is getting more involved on offense. But it might be hard to trust him in your lineup against the New England Patriots in Week 9. Last week was only the second time this year that the wideout finished better than the WR40 in a game. 

He is the WR38 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

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