QB Changes Impacting The Week 9 Fantasy Football Slate

I'm not saying that a QB change can completely make or break a team. But we should at least be aware of the changes in motion this weekend.

Backups are back up.

How can we expect these changes to shake out for fantasy?

CLE | Shedeur Sanders

Sanders: FL Consensus QB25
Quinshon Judkins: FL Consensus RB21
KC Concepcion/Denzel Boston: FL Consensus WR 28/30
Harold Fannin Jr: FL Consensus TE9

Shedeur Sanders will start this weekend against NO as Deshaun Watson makes his way through the concussion protocol. While this isn't an "upgrade" for the offense in general, the Saints are allowing the sixth-most FPPG to TEs and the most rushing TDs to RBs. Expect a decent outing from Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins.

MIN | Carson Wentz

Wentz: FL Consensus QB26
Jordan Mason: FL Consensus RB30
Justin Jefferson: FL Consensus WR8
T.J. Hockenson: FL Consensus TE12

A hamstring injury has ruled Kyler Murray out for Week 9, which means Carson Wentz will take on BUF. This can only be good news for Justin Jefferson, right? Because through six weeks, Murray is averaging less than 1 passing TD per game. (Yuck.) Let's hope Wentz can unlock Jefferson against a BUF defense that is allowing the most TDs to WRs this season. (Yum.)

SEA | Drew Lock

Lock: FL Consensus QB21
Jadarian Price/Zach Charbonnet: FL Consensus RB28/29
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: FL Consensus WR2

Drew Lock will start for SEA this week as they take on the Cardinals. We haven't seen Lock start for SEA since Week 2, when they … faced the Cardinals.

And you know what? I'm excited. In Lock's two games this season, he connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a total of 277 yards and 4 TDs. In fact, JSN's best outing of the season happened in Week 2 with Lock slinging it against ARI. It's no wonder Lock has made Matthew Berry's Love List for Week 9.

ARI | Gardner Minshew

Minshew: FL Consensus QB30
Tyler Allgeier: FL Consensus RB22
Michael Wilson: FL Consensus WR22
Trey McBride: FL Consensus TE3

Hopes aren't high for this one, considering only three QBs have been able to score double-digit fantasy points against MIN this season.

I'm rooting for Minshew, but … The writing is on the wall.

10 MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE RANKINGS

Dinner Made Easy With HelloFresh

Isn’t it great when you do such a good job drafting your fantasy team that your starting lineup pretty much sets itself? A couple running backs in the early rounds, then load up at WR. Then work in picks for Joe Burrow at QB and George Kittle at TE. You’re set all the way to the fantasy championship.

But even if you have to pore over the waiver wire during the season, HelloFresh simplifies your dinner planning and preparation so you can grind on who to start in your flex. You can enjoy a good meal without spending time figuring out what to make or how to make it. And the great part is that HelloFresh gives you a variety of meal choices to fit different tastes, lifestyles, and needs—with plenty of healthy options, too.

HelloFresh offers an alternative to repetitive takeout, delivery fees, and unnecessary food waste. All the while keeping dinner interesting without eating the same meals week after week. Sign up for HelloFresh today and use the promo code Code: MATT10FM for a FREE Caraway Mini Fry Pan ($115 Value) with your 3rd box of HelloFresh.

GET HELLOFRESH

_{With third box of active subscription. Limited quantities available. While supplies last.}

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes, and more from your favorite football nerds …

❤️ Matthew Berry’s Love/Hate is live, and Cooterdoodle has thoughts.

🥃 Not quite last call on the Happy Hour. Week 9 sitdowns with Stephania Bell, Dan Graziano & more.

📈 Garrett Wilson is OUT; how high do these Jets WRs climb?

📫 Can we trust Mike Washington? Kendall has that & more answers.

😱 Someone likes big … bets, she cannot lie. Don’t be scared.

🤔 Three underdogs are very live this weekend. Who are they?

📝 Don’t set your lineups without starts, sits, and sleepers from all 14 remaining games.

🚨 Did you miss the FREE Utilization Report? Read here and get 40% off FL+ with code UR40.

🔥 From the waiver wire to top-15 RB status? 2 more bold predictions for Sunday.

🚀 These WRs have especially juicy matchups. Make sure to start them.

👀 4 players popping in the projections. Bye-week fill-ins and more.

Week 9 Rankings vs. Fantasy Life Consensus

Speaking of the Fantasy Life consensus ranks …

Who is Cupps higher/lower on in Week 9?

And I have to ask: Is Cupps skewing the rankings on Justin Jefferson? This has to be his ceiling, right??

Justin Jefferson: HIGHER (+5)
Tyler Warren: HIGHER
Dallas Goedert: LOWER (-7)
Josh Jacobs: LOWER

THE BIGGEST WEEK 9 RANKINGS OUTLIERS

Your Full Week 9 Start/Sit Guide

There's wayyyy too many players to name from your lineups. But trust me: Dwain covers nearly every start/sit decision you could have in Week 9.

It's why I'm going to start Jonah Coleman with absolute confidence this week. And while I can't see your roster, here are a few starts that make me feel warm and happy inside.

Tyler Allgeier
Woody Marks
Mike Washington

DWAIN McFARLAND’S WEEK 9 STARTS & SITS

Published Nov 7, 2026, 5:00 AM ET