The fantasy football Week 9 schedule is here and some sleepers and free agent options to pick up include Allen Robinson, Carlos Hyde, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Jonas Gray, Rashad Jennings, Jeremy Hill, Odell Beckham, Bryce Brown, Bobby Rainey, Donte Moncrief, Denard Robinson and Tim Wright, as those names have the chance to step up for owners this week.
Taliaferro has emerged as the best option on the Ravens with Bernard Pierce getting a healthy scratch and the team likes Justin Forsett, but it looks like Taliaferro will get more carries going forward. Carlos Hyde has slowly been creeping on Frank Gore and the 49ers like what he does and after having a down game he could be back this week for the Niners. Jonas Gray is the best runner option for the Patriots, as Shane Vereen is more of a passing downs back with Stevan Ridley now out for the season.
Rashad Jennings is on his way back from the Giants and he is a strong start option, as he is better than rookie Andre Williams and the Giants need a major boost. Giovani Bernard is banged up heading into this week and that makes Jeremy Hill a solid pickup for fantasy owners. Jennings and Hill could be solid options for teams in need after CJ Spiller and Stevan Ridley went down, as both players are expected to miss the rest of the season. Gray comes in after leading the Pats in rushing yards with 86 yards on Sunday and he is a better option in the offense than Brandon Bolden.
Bernard is not seriously injured, but owners may want to err on the side of caution and try to grab Hill. Taliaferro had a solid day with two touchdowns for the Ravens and while he had only 27 yards rushing, he was also a factor through the air, leading the team with 42 receiving yards. The Ravens have not had confidence in Pierce and with Forsett also an option, Taliaferro is worth a flier in deeper leagues and for anyone dealing with injuries.
Some other fantasy football sleepers possibly on the free agent market heading into the weekend include Ronnie Hillman, Austin Davis, Justin Forsett, Antone Smith, Larry Donnell, Eric Ebron and Benny Cunningham, as those players could be major contributors moving forward and in the next couple weeks can help owners win matchups.
Hillman is a major pickup after the Broncos lost Montee Ball, as he should get the starting job if he misses time. CJ Anderson is also an option in deeper leagues, as he will step up as the backup with Ball dealing with a groin injury. Austin Davis is an option for any owners in need of a spot start at QB, as he showed last week that he can put up numbers in a losing effort.
Some of the best fantasy football free agent pickups at WR for Week 9 include Eddie Royal, Malcom Floyd, Beckham Jr., Rueben Randle, Andrew Hawkins, Mohamed Sanu and Preston Parker, as those players have the chance to score points in the coming weeks due to injuries or matchups after the Week 8 schedule.
