Week 9 of the fantasy football season kicks off tomorrow on Thursday night, which means it’s time to get your lineups set. Figuring out your optimal fantasy lineup can be difficult, and even time-consuming, so today, we’re taking an early look at the Week 9 slate and figuring out who you should start and sit so you don’t have to.

Start ‘Em

Quarterback

Kyler Murray vs Dallas Cowboys

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Every week, I tell you to start the quarterback that’s facing the Dallas Cowboys, and this is no exception. Kyler Murray is available on a lot of waiver wires this week, and he has the best matchup of any quarterback in the league. If you need help at quarterback, grab Murray and start him this week.

Sam Darnold vs Washington Commanders

Another guy who’s available on a lot of waiver wires this week is Sam Darnold. While I don’t love his matchup as much as Murray’s, the Washington Commanders give up 20 points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and Darnold has been very consistent this year. He’s another guy that you can pick up and plug into your lineup for the week if your quarterback’s on a bye or has a tough matchup.

Running Back

Bam Knight vs Dallas Cowboys

For many of the same reasons as Kyler Murray, I would start Bam Knight this week. Knight has been the Arizona Cardinals’ lead running back the past two weeks, and now he faces a very poor Dallas defense. He’s available in 50 percent of Sleeper redraft leagues, so if you need a plug-and-play guy for this week at FLEX/RB2, he’s a safe bet for 10+ points.

D’Andre Swift vs Cincinnati Bengals

Another great start at the running back position this week is D’Andre Swift. He’s the Chicago Bears‘ RB1, and has been very consistent this year, scoring 11+ points in each of his last six games. This week, he gets a Cincinnati defense that gives up the most points to opposing running backs, so if you’ve got him, start him.

Wide Receiver

Jaylen Waddle vs Baltimore Ravens

Jaylen Waddle has been very good ever since Tyreek Hill went out with an injury. He had one down game, but outside of that has scored 15+ in each game since Hill went down. He gets a Baltimore defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to receivers this week, so he’s a great WR2/FLEX start.

Travis Hunter vs Las Vegas Raiders

One of my favorite starts this week (and it could absolutely bite me in the b–t) is Travis Hunter. With Brian Thomas’ injury (expected to play, but could limit him) and the trade rumors swirling, I think the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to force the ball to Hunter this week after his breakout game. He’s also slowly transitioning to full-time receiver, so he should be on the field for more snaps than normal. On top of that, I love his matchup.

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Tight End

Colston Loveland vs Cincinnati Bengals

With Cole Kmet likely missing this week’s game, rookie tight end Colston Loveland should see a ton of action on Sunday. He’s going to be the lead tight end, and just last week he played 81 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Add the fact that the Bengals give up over 20 points per game to opposing tight ends, and Loveland, who’s available in 73 percent of redraft leagues, should have a big game.

Zach Ertz vs Seattle Seahawks

Jayden Daniels is expected to be back this week, and we all know how much he loves to target Zach Ertz, particularly in the red zone. The veteran tight end is the TE10 this year, and has a pretty favorable matchup against Seattle, who gives up 15.9 points per game to opposing tight ends.

Sit ‘Em

Quarterback

Bo Nix vs Houston Texans

This is just a game I would steer clear of. The Houston Texans and Denver Broncos have the two best defenses in football, and even though these offenses have looked good at times, I think it’s going to be a low-scoring, defensive slugfest. I’m benching Bo Nix, and for many of the same reasons, I’m also benching…

CJ Stroud vs Denver Broncos

CJ Stroud not only has a tough matchup this week, but he’s been struggling for most of the year. I know he played well last week, but again, I wouldn’t touch either of these quarterbacks with a 10-foot pole this week.

Running Back

Alvin Kamara vs Los Angeles Rams

As a New Orleans Saints fan, I hate to say it, but I think it’s time to put Alvin Kamara on the bench until further notice. He’s still got some juice left in him, but this offense is just not good, and now they’re making a quarterback change. Add on the fact that they play the Los Angeles Rams, who have the second-best fantasy run defense in the league, and this just doesn’t look good for AK.

JK Dobbins vs Houston Texans

The Texans have one of the best run defenses in the league, and JK Dobbins has not played all that well recently (outside of his big game against Dallas, but everyone plays well against Dallas). I just don’t see the Broncos having a ton of offensive success in this game, and even if they do, I think it’ll be on the back of Nix, not Dobbins.

Wide Receiver

Nico Collins vs Denver Broncos

I’m not trying to sound like a broken record, but I don’t want anything to do with this Broncos vs Texans game in fantasy. I have Nico Collins on one of my teams, and I’m benching him in favor of Rome Odunze and Rashee Rice this week. I just don’t see the Texans having a great game through the air against one of the best pass defenses in football.

Kayshon Boutte vs Atlanta Falcons

Kayshon Boutte is getting a lot of fantasy love right now, and rightfully so, because he’s playing well. However, his production is a bit too touchdown-dependent for me. The Falcons give up the fifth-least points to wide receivers, and if he doesn’t get into the end zone, it could be a stinker for Boutte in Week 9. I’m not terrified of starting him, but I personally wouldn’t.

Tight End

Juwan Johnson vs Los Angeles Rams

Juwan Johnson started the season as TE1 through the first few weeks before hitting a massive slump. However, he’s come back out of it and has scored 10+ points in each of his last two games, but I’m benching him this week. The Saints are starting Tyler Shough, and it’s not clear who his favorite target will be. I also think the Rams’ pass rush gets home far too often for the Saints to have much success through the air.

Hunter Henry vs Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are very good at defending the pass, so while I’m sitting Boutte, I’m also sitting Hunter Henry. Much like his teammate, his fantasy production has been a bit touchdown dependent, and with what is statistically the worst fantasy matchup for tight ends, I don’t see him having a ton of success.