There's little doubt that DeAndre Hopkins and Davante Adams are two of the very best receivers in football over the past five years. But neither is a surefire starter in Week 9. Such is Fantasy Football in the year 2021.
Adams is the easiest to diagnose. He returned to the Packers on Thursday and the team is 'hopeful' he'll play in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But, of course, even if Adams plays he'll be without Aaron Rodgers, who is out Week 9 on the COVID-IR.
Adams was so good the last time Rodgers was out (with Brett Hundley) that I imagine everyone will start him if he plays. But I don't love the idea of Jordan Love, making his first start at Arrowhead. Especially when Matt LaFleur knows he can just ram the ball down the Chiefs throat. I would start Michael Pittman on Thursday over Adams, but you probably don't have three bettter options.
Hopkins is far more complicated. For one thing, he left his last game with a hamstring injury, and hasn't practiced since. Neither has his quarterback, Kyler Murray. Even if Hopkins and Murray both play, this is a San Francisco defense that gave Murray fits in Week 5 and there would be a significant reinjury risk for both. I'm starting Pittman and Jamison Crowder (in full PPR) over Hopkins on Thursday night, and I don't have Hopkins in my top-20 receivers below.
Here is the rest of the Week 9 WR Preview:
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5 -- Mike Williams has five targets or fewer in three of his past four games. One more game like that and I'm going to get very nervous.
10.7 -- Hunter Renfrow has one game below 10.7 PPR Fantasy points this season.
16% -- Four different Broncos had a 16% target share in Jerry Jeudy's first game back. They're going to need a lot more pass attempts to make that work.
7 -- Devante Parker has at least seven targets in every game he's played this year.
We don't expect Golladay back this week, but he's getting closer. Once he's 100%, I would expect him to be a No. 3 wide receiver with top-20 upside in non-PPR.
The Chiefs will likely be chasing the score against the Packers, and the Packers don't currently have a shutdown corner, which should mean double-digit targets for Tyreek Hill. He's scored at least 22 Fantasy points in four of five games with double-digit targets this season.
Of all the breakout receivers, Brown seems to be the one people have the hardest time buying into. I expect him and the Ravens offense to come out with a big performance coming off their bye.
WR Preview
Heath's Projections
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