FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Week 9 Lineup Advice: Starts, Sits, Player Debates, and TD Calls (Ep. 1809)

Date: October 30, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Wormley, Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitz”), Guest: Jake Seeley (“Darkwing”)

Episode Overview

This episode is all about helping fantasy football managers make crucial Week 9 lineup decisions. The conversation covers start/sit recommendations, popular waiver pickups, deep player debates, and bold touchdown calls. With Halloween around the corner, there’s some festive banter and the usual good-natured ribbing, but the bulk of the talk is focused on real, actionable fantasy football advice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Halloween Candy Banter (02:00–03:32)

• Hosts share their favorite Halloween candy:
  • Fitz: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Mini Kit Kat, plus a hot take—loves Whoppers.
  • Jake (Darkwing): Nerds Clusters (“not even a close second”); previous favorite was Reese’s holiday shapes.
  • Ryan: Reese’s and KitKats are top tier; always chocolate over fruity.

Waiver Adds – Start or Sit Discussions

Kareem Hunt (05:08–07:32)

• Fitz:

  • “I think you're probably playing him. I have him ranked running back 21 for the week.” (05:08)
  • Pacheco out, Hunt likely lead back for Chiefs. Good matchup vs. Bills’ weak run D. Hunt a strong TD bet.

• Jake:

  • Expects Hunt’s workload to increase: “I do think this will probably be more of a 60, 40 [split], maybe even 65, 35...” (06:05)
  • Has Hunt at RB19, ahead of popular options like Rico Dowdle.

• Both hosts are ahead of expert consensus ranking (ECR: RB23). View Hunt as a solid start in Week 9.

Kayshoun Boutte (WR, Patriots) (08:39–11:20)

• Jake:

  • Likes Booty as a boom/bust flex: “These type of wide receivers where I need that potential ceiling, I'm going to go for it. … I'm starting them every single week unless I'm just at like this plethora of wide receiver options…” (09:28)
  • Ranked behind Quinton Johnston but ahead of other fringe WR3/4 types.

• Fitz:

  • Lower on Booty: “I've got Booty ranked like wide receiver 39, which makes him a borderline.” (10:03)
  • Booty’s efficiency noted, but “the floor is not safe at all.”
  • Strong plug-in if you’re an underdog and need upside.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – Giants) – Popular Waiver and Jake’s Flag Plant (11:54–14:29)

• Jake:

  • “You can trust Tracy … He averaged 12 and a half [points], puts him inside the top 20 running backs every single year on a points per game basis.” (12:43)
  • Clear lead role with Cam Scadaboo out. “I trust him so much… I'll take Tracy against the 49ers over J.K. Dobbins against the Texans.” (13:16)

• Fitz:

  • Agrees: “From week five on [last year] he averaged 13.2 PPR points per game which put him squarely in running back two territory.” (13:38)
  • With Giants’ WR injuries, expects heavy involvement.

• Tracy is RB16 in ECR. Both see as a strong start, perhaps even top-15 upside.

Plant Your Flag Players

• Fitz: Alec Pierce (WR, Colts)
  • “Against single high [coverage], Pierce has nearly a 30% target share... averages about 4 yards per route run, which is just insane.” (15:19)
  • Faces Pittsburgh, second-highest single-high rate in league. Steelers D has allowed most catches and yards to WRs.
  • Josh Downs injury potentially boosts Pierce’s outlook further.

Running Back Debates

Rico Dowdle vs. Kenneth Walker (21:09–23:45)

• Jake:

  • Prefers Dowdle this week: “Dowdle has vastly outplayed Chuba Hubbard in two games” and Canales (Panthers’ OC) said he “can't ignore the numbers Rico has been putting up.” Likes his TD equity.

• Fitz:

  • Takes Walker: “I just. I don't want to play Rico Doddle against the Packers this week. … The Packers have given up the third fewest fantasy points and fourth fewest rushing yards to running backs.” (22:08)

Woody Marks vs. Kyle Monangai (25:22–29:07)

Both see Marks’ receiving ability as a tiebreaker.

• Fitz prefers Marks for his floor, unless Bears' WR injuries boost Monangai’s projected usage.
• Jake prefers Monangai by one spot in his ranks but would downgrade him if Joe Flacco is out for the Bengals.

Wide Receiver Debates

Jordan Addison vs. Courtland Sutton (31:46–34:56)

• Jake:

  • A toss-up; leans Sutton as safer but “hopeful for Addison with new QB J.J. McCarthy in a high-scoring game vs. Detroit.” (31:46)

• Fitz:

  • Slight edge to Sutton, despite tougher matchup. “Sutton’s obstacle is… shadow coverage from Derek Stingley Jr., one of the best cover corners in the league.”

Travis Hunter (Jaguars) vs. Xavier Worthy (Chiefs) (35:20–39:42)

• Fitz:
  • Slightly prefers Worthy for his tie to Patrick Mahomes and shootout potential: “Give me the guy tied to the better quarterback and in the better offensive environment.” (36:52)
• Jake:
  • Puts Hunter one spot ahead, citing increased post-bye usage and high ceiling if Brian Thomas Jr. stays limited.

Running Back Rest-of-Season Outlook

R.J. Harvey vs. Travion Henderson (40:22–44:25)

• Jake:
  • Leans Henderson this week; sees Harvey’s Week 8 production as fluke (3 TDs on 8 touches). Henderson’s touch share is rising.
• Fitz:
  • Picks Henderson, too, citing Rhamondre Stevenson’s injury in NE. Likes Harvey’s long-term value slightly more due to consistent usage and potential for increased involvement in passing game.

Flex/Floor Decisions

Travis Etienne vs. Tetaroa McMillan (WR, Panthers) (47:15–48:46)

• Both stick with Etienne despite recent struggles, viewing him as a locked-in top-20 RB and a safer play.

Alvin Kamara vs. Deebo Samuel (49:14–50:30)

• Both say Deebo, as Kamara’s role and production have dried up (no TDs since Week 1, Saints O-line injuries).

Zach Charbonnet vs. Quentin Johnston (51:07–52:56)

• Fitz:
  • Safer floor with Charbonnet (double-digit touches weekly); QJ only for big underdog, upside shots.
• Jake:
  • Both are TD-dependent, leans Charbonnet due to matchup.

Aaron Jones vs. Jauan Jennings (53:01–55:08)

• Jake:
  • Slight lean towards Aaron Jones (the lead back when healthy, despite tough Lions defense).
• Fitz:
  • Goes Jennings (with Purdy, chemistry + Giants’ weak secondary gives him shot at a big day).

Tight End Debate

Jake Ferguson (Cowboys) vs. Arande Gadsden Jr. (Chargers) (56:51–58:22)

• Jake:
  • Bounces back to Ferguson (red zone and steady usage with or without CeeDee Lamb).
• Fitz:
  • Takes Gadsden by one spot, citing Lamb’s return and Gadsden's emergence as full-time weapon.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Candy banter:

  • Jake: “Since 2020, when they first came out... it's Nerds Clusters and it's not even a close second.” (02:54)
  • Fitz: “I love Whoppers, and I know they're not... but I'm a big, big Whoppers guy.” (02:44)

• Jake (on Kayshoun Booty ceiling/floor):

  • “Their downside is 2, 3, 4 points... Their upside: two receptions into 80 yards and a touchdown.” (09:28)

• Fitz (on Alec Pierce single-high coverage):

  • “Pierce has nearly a 30% target share and averages about 4 yards per route run, which is just insane.” (15:19)

• Fitz (on Kamara):

  • “Man, it has been bad with Camara. 31 or fewer rushing yards in four straight games... Camara has not scored a touchdown since Week 1.” (49:14)

• Jake (on Ferguson):

  • “With or without Ceedee Lamb, he gets volume. With or without CD Lamb, he gets red zone targets.” (56:51)

• Fitz (on Gadsden vs. Ferguson usage):

  • “When CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are both playing, Fergie's usage is not quite as fergalicious...” (57:29)

TD Calls (59:09–61:35)

Running Back:

• Fitz: “Bam Knight gets into the end zone for the Cardinals on Monday night against the Swiss cheese Dallas defense.” (59:09)

Wide Receiver:

• Ryan: “This guy basically is their one of their goal line backs in Kansas City. Rashid Rice…” (59:33)

Tight End:

• Jake: “A lot of times...defenses...their vulnerabilities sometimes over the middle and with tight ends...I'm gonna go for Tyler Warren [Steelers].” (60:19)
• Deeper call: Colston Loveland (especially if Bears WRs remain hurt).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:00 — Halloween Candy Banter
• 05:08 — Kareem Hunt Waiver/Start Discussion
• 08:39 — Kayshoun Boutte: Risk/Reward
• 11:54 — Tyrone Tracy, Jr.: Top Waiver Priority
• 15:19 — Alec Pierce as Flag Plant
• 21:09 — Rico Dowdle vs. Kenneth Walker
• 25:22 — Woody Marks vs. Kyle Monangai
• 31:46 — Addison vs. Sutton
• 35:20 — Travis Hunter vs. Xavier Worthy
• 40:22 — Harvey vs. Henderson (and rest-of-season)
• 47:15 — Travis Etienne vs. Tetaroa McMillan
• 49:14 — Alvin Kamara vs. Deebo Samuel
• 51:07 — Charbonnet vs. Quentin Johnston
• 53:01 — Aaron Jones vs. Jauan Jennings
• 56:51 — Ferguson vs. Gadsden (Tight End Debate)
• 59:09 — TD Calls Segment
• 62:08 — Darkwing Duck Costume Reveal & Banter

Final Notes & Tone

• The hosts strike a fun, conversational tone with some Halloween flair but always circle back to sharp, analytical fantasy advice.
• Regularly reference expert consensus rankings, usage trends, and advanced metrics (target share, yards per route run, etc.).
• Multiple points made about game scripts, injury contingencies, and “ceiling/floor” logic for flex/WR3 starts.
• Emphasis throughout on knowing your team’s status (favorite/underdog) and adjusting upside/floor plays accordingly.

Summary Prepared For:
Fantasy football managers seeking strong, nuanced Week 9 advice on lineup calls, amid plenty of player injuries, byes, and trending waiver wire options. Great for both seasoned and casual players wanting direct recommendations, in-depth stat-based reasoning, and a touch of fun camaraderie.