The New York Giants, who are sitting in last place in the NFC East heading into Week 9 action, are reportedly shopping young edge rusher Azeez Ojulari. The Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals are three teams that are known to be monitoring Ojulari. The Giants are already paying linebacker Brian Burns and spent a top-five draft selection on Kayvon Thibodeaux. It makes sense that the G-Men and general manager Joe Schoen are trying to get something in return for Ojulari now since he's set to hit the free-agent market after the season. The 24-year-old is a big reason why the Giants lead the NFL in sacks. He had two more sacks in the Monday night loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and is now up to six on the year, which is third on the Giants. The fourth-year player needs just three more sacks in 2024 to set a new career-high.

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The Baltimore Ravens defense/special teams has been nowhere close to the level of play they've shown in the past. They have one of the worst units against the pass this season and sit as the 23rd-ranked fantasy defense of the year. They're averaging 5.0 fantasy points per game and lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. Now they take on the Denver Broncos in Week 9, a team that has proven that they have the ability to put up some big scoring weeks with rookie quarterback Bo Nix under center. Usually, the Ravens are good against rookie quarterbacks, but this year has been nothing like years past, so they're not the best option this week.

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New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and has been removed from the Week 9 injury report on Saturday. Maye was officially listed as questionable on Friday to play in Sunday's contest against the Tennessee Titans after being limited in practice all week as he worked his way through the protocols. The 22-year-old first-rounder suffered a concussion in the Week 8 win over the division-rival New York Jets but won't be forced to miss any time. Maye only attempted six passes before getting knocked out of last Sunday's contest, but he threw for a season-high 276 yards and two touchdowns the previous week in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now that he's in the clear for Week 9, Maye should be considered a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues against a Titans defense that has been stingy against opposing QBs in 2024.

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The red-hot Washington Commanders are calling around in search of a cornerback as Tuesday's NFL trade deadline nears, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Head coach Dan Quinn knows that the team's secondary is a weakness. Washington is 6-2, but if they want to get past the Philadelphia Eagles and their excellent group of receivers in the NFC East, they need to improve their pass defense in the second half of the season. Despite the Commanders' glaring weakness in their secondary, they are only allowing 202.1 passing yards per game through eight weeks, which ranks as the sixth-fewest in the league. Still, it won't be a surprise if Washington adds help at cornerback before the NFL's trade deadline this coming Tuesday.

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The Athletic's Dianna Russini was told that the Cincinnati Bengals are not trading wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. The Bengals have only landed two players in a trade in 52 years, but they are looking to make a splash in 2024. Cincy has a strong belief that they can get back to the AFC title game despite sitting at 3-5 entering Week 9 play, and they've been looking around for a cornerback and a defensive lineman that could give defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo a boost. Right now, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is seen as the team's only defensive threat. In fantasy, the Bengals' defense/special teams unit currently ranks 24th. They also rank all the way down at 29th in the NFL with only 12 sacks, so Hendrickson could certainly use the help on the D-line if the Bengals hope to make the postseason.

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Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker suffered a down week in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns. While he made all three of his extra-point attempts, he only made one of two field goal attempts throughout the game. His lone make came from 49 yards, but he still finished as a low-end K2. The Denver Broncos, their Week 9 opponent, only give up 6.6 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, but the Ravens offense should be able to at least move the ball into field goal range. Tucker carries K1 potential, but the tougher matchup does mean there are some better options out there.

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have been hunting for an edge rusher since they lost star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson (leg) to a season-ending broken left tibia and fibula, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. The Lions have checked in with several teams around the NFL, including the Cleveland Browns, with hopes of acquiring Za'Darius Smith. Hutchinson hasn't played since Oct. 13 but is still third in the league in sacks with 7.5. As things stand right now heading into Week 9, Detroit's defense is tied for 12th with 20 total defensive sacks. However, if they want to realize their goal of reaching the Super Bowl after losing in the NFC Championship a year ago to the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions are probably going to need more help in the pass-rush department with Hutchinson out the rest of the way.

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The Minnesota Vikings defense/special teams is again a top option this Sunday when they host the visiting Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The Vikings' defense has given up a good amount of yards through the air this season but leads the league with 12 interceptions in just seven games played. Additionally, they've been one of the most staunch units against opposing ground attacks, letting up 3.9 yards per rush attempt -- the third-lowest figure in the league -- and a league-low three rushing scores on the season. While veteran quarterback Joe Flacco poses a significantly more competent test as the Colts' signal-caller, fantasy managers can confidently start the D/ST as they should shut down Indy's rushing attack. Minnesota's D ranks as RotoBaller's D/ST6 ahead of Week 9's slate of games.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson just joined the team earlier in the week and was a full participant at practice each day. All signs are pointing to the new Raven suiting up on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, but his workload is a big question mark. Less than a week of practice isn't enough to learn much of the offense, so he may not be featured on many snaps immediately. Fantasy managers will want to wait a week or two and see how the trend of snaps and targets moves as he's more incorporated into the offensive system. So, he's not on the fantasy radar outside of desperate situations in Week 9, especially against a good defense like the Broncos.

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has turned around his fantasy season in a big way over the last few weeks. He's found the end zone in three straight games and finished inside TE1 territory in each one. The Ravens' offense gets another tough test, however, as they play against the Denver Broncos in Week 9. They currently allow 8.2 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends in half-PPR leagues which ranks 21st in the league. One other issue is the addition of Diontae Johnson which could mean fewer targets for Andrews again. However, Johnson has only participated in less than a week of practices, so Andrews should have TE1 potential for at least one more week.

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Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox gets an upgrade at quarterback in Week 9 with Joe Flacco under center, with eight of Cox's 13 total targets coming during Flacco's playing time earlier this season while Anthony Richardson dealt with an injury. In Weeks 5 and 6 combined, Cox caught all eight of his targets for 78 yards (he has just 100 on the season) and a touchdown. In Week 4 when Flacco came on in relief of Richardson, the veteran QB hit tight end Drew Ogletree for a 15-yard touchdown pass, so Cox and the TE group as a whole should be much more involved going forward. Cox leads the Colts TEs in targets on the season with 13, which is four more than Kylen Granson and six more than Ogletree. There are surely more proven TE options available on the waiver wire that have already been integrated into their offenses, but for fantasy managers looking for an under-the-radar dart throw with upside this week, Cox should be under consideration.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas was held without a catch in the Week 8 loss to the Eagles. With Tee Higgins (quadriceps) sidelined for that one, most expected Iosivas would be more involved. However, that didn't happen. With Higgins in line to miss Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, targets will be up for grabs. Of course, Ja'Marr Chase will remain Joe Burrow's preferred option on the receiving end. Still, Iosivas has an excellent chance of getting it together on Sunday, so fantasy managers can still consider him a flex option.

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Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard will again be a strong play this Sunday when his team lines up against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. The rookie has been one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL thus far in 2024 and has an excellent chance to put together another solid outing against a poor Colts defense in Week 9. Despite Indy giving up a ton of yards to opposing offenses, they've only allowed 21.5 points per game -- paving the way for some built-in opportunities for the 23-year-old in a juicy matchup. The Alabama product has connected on all 14 of his field goal attempts this season and nailed all 20 extra-point attempts, too. Fire him up confidently as RotoBaller's K5 in this week's rankings.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has been the number-one target in most games this season, but now has some more competition for throws. Diontae Johnson enters the fold and will undoubtedly command some more targets than Nelson Agholor did. In the first week since the trade, however, Flowers should lead the pass-catchers in targets. He'll have to go up against Patrick Surtain II and the Denver Broncos defense who give up the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receiver groups. Flowers should have some more value in PPR formats but isn't likely to be a WR1 given the tougher matchup.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown has taken over as the undisputed option out of the backfield. Granted, Zack Moss (neck) has remained involved. However, with Moss doubtful for the Week 9 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, that should mean even more work for Brown. The 24-year-old has found the end zone at least once in four of the Bengals' previous five contests. Although he has averaged only 4.6 yards per carry, he's made up for it (to a degree) by getting some targets from Joe Burrow. His chances of seeing more attention from Burrow will increase if Moss and Tee Higgins (quadriceps) are ruled out. But even if those players are miraculously on the field versus Vegas, Brown should continue to be considered a starting fantasy option.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been one of the best wideouts in the National Football League this season, as expected. While he got off to a slow start, he's been on a roll by finding the end zone seven times since the Monday night loss to the Washington Commanders. With Tee Higgins (quadriceps) in line to miss the Week 9 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, Chase should continue to see plenty of targets from Joe Burrow. Keep the 24-year-old starting, although that goes without saying.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow couldn't lift his squad to a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. With Cincinnati sitting at 3-5 on the season, the signal-caller will try to get the Bengals on track with a win over the Raiders on Sunday. Burrow had thrown at least two touchdowns in five of his seven appearances leading up to the meeting with Philly. But he was a step above mediocre in Week 8, ending the game by throwing for 234 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Fortunately, Burrow and company have an excellent chance of earning a win over the 2-6 Raiders, and the former LSU Tiger will have the luxury of facing a team that has allowed 26.3 points per game during the 2024-25 campaign, one of the worst marks in the National Football League. Although Burrow likely won't have Tee Higgins (quadriceps) or Zack Moss (neck), he'll still have Ja'Marr Chase, Chase Brown, and others to increase his odds of having a productive afternoon for fantasy managers.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler will square off against the Indianapolis Colts at home this Sunday in one of the better on-paper matchups of Week 9. While Minnesota projects to have its way with a non-existent Colts defense, Chandler still won't be a recommended option in the juicy matchup. The 26-year-old back is a distant second option out of the Vikings backfield behind veteran Aaron Jones and likely won't put together a valuable fantasy performance unless Jones misses time or Minnesota blows Indy out of the water. Neither of these outcomes is exactly projectable. As RotoBaller's RB52 in PPR formats in this week's ranks, Chandler presents as little more than a desperation play as the handcuff to own behind Jones.

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Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay has missed just two field goals all season (12-for-14), both of which came from more than 50 yards out, but in Week 9 the 30-year-old takes on Minnesota who has allowed the fewest points in all of football to opposing kickers. There are a couple of things working in his favor this week though, as Joe Flacco gives the Colts offense an upgrade which should help get the ball up and down the field against a weak Vikings pass defense, and that in turn should help set up a couple more opportunities for the six-year pro inside U.S. Bank Stadium, shielded from the elements. Still, with the Colts as five-point underdogs in a game with just a 46.5 over/under, there may be better options out there.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry finished in RB2 territory in Week 8 after the offense was getting stifled by the Cleveland Browns and then had to play from behind. They take on another solid defense in the Denver Broncos in Week 9, but Henry remains an undeniable part of the offense and will get the opportunity to bounce back in a big way. Even with the down week, he still sits at RB1 in half-PPR leagues and averages 21.4 fantasy points per game. Fantasy managers should continue to start him each week.

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