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Fantasy football: Start-em, sit-em players for Week 9

By Jay Marsdale

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 08: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after rushing for a 2 yard touchdown in the second quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 08: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after rushing for a 2 yard touchdown in the second quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes an attempt to reach a pass by quarterback Jameis Winston in the end zone while getting pursed by cornerback James Bradberry #24 of the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes an attempt to reach a pass by quarterback Jameis Winston in the end zone while getting pursed by cornerback James Bradberry #24 of the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Start-em: Mike Evans (TB) @ New Orleans

The Tampa Bay offense has been very disappointing in the first half of the 2017 season. Mike Evans has been getting enough targets and catches to stay near the top in fantasy football for wide receivers, but it hasn’t been pretty.

The fact Evans has been able to maintain his fantasy relevance through this tough period makes him a great play this week. Everyone is praising the New Orleans improved defense, but Tampa Bay is going to expose them again in Week 9. The strength of the Saints defense is the defensive line, but their cornerbacks can not guard Evans.

Evans is averaging over thirteen yards per catch this season. When he and Jameis Winston connect, it has gone for big gains. He also leads the team in targets per week at nearly 10 a game. The only thing holding him back this season has been a few missed connections with Winston.

I would normally say to take a wait-and-see approach until the Tampa Bay offense proves they’ve turned the corner, but you just can’t afford to wait. This is too good a matchup.

Winston and Evans have basically shared the same mind since Winston entered the NFL. This is the week that fantasy football owners get back that connection. Look for Evans biggest week to come this week against the Saints.

Other options: Mohamed Sanu (ATL) @ Carolina and Cooper Kupp (LAR) @ New York Giants