EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEveryone has some level of trust issues with their fantasy football roster.Maybe it's that Flex spot in your lineup, the one you flip on a weekly basis, rotating between a big play wide receiver or a running back who can give you some pass-game upside. The quarterbacks? I'm there right now in one of my leagues, arguing (with myself) on which fringe QB1 I'm going to start this week. Just give me the 16-18 points I need to win.So, that got me thinking about the players we can trust, and those we can't, both heading into the Week 9 slate of games and for the rest of the season.In doing this exercise, we are focused on each player individually, based off their current situation. I'm not comparing running backs to other running backs in this piece, for example. Instead, I'm telling you what I am trusting -- based on game tape, numbers, usage -- and vice versa. There are some bigger-name players in here, and others you might want to put on the fantasy radar.Players to trustJameson Williams, WR, Detroit LionsWilliams is playing his best football of the season, scoring 19.5 fantasy PPG over his last four, plus he's finding the end zone (at least one touchdown in three straight). Yes, Williams has always been a boom/bust option in the lineup, but he's an electric mover -- with big-play ability -- in one of the league's most explosive offenses. And he can deliver numbers without high-end target volume. Managers should view Williams as a WR2/flex who can produce breakout weeks (26.1 points in Week 7).Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver BroncosI think we have to go with Coleman as the Broncos' top option at this point. Coleman had a season-best 20.4 points in the Week 8 win over Kansas City, finishing with 104 total yards and a touchdown on a team-high 15 touches. While J.K. Dobbins will still see carries, Coleman has more value as a dual-threat back, and I don't see that changing when RJ Harvey (knee) returns. I'd play Coleman as an RB2 for the positive Week 9 matchup versus the Panthers, and he's likely to stay in that range moving forward.Ryan Flournoy, WR, Dallas CowboysFlournoy has emerged as Dak Prescott's No.3 target behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, providing a stable floor as a deeper-league WR3. Flournoy is scoring 13.3 fantasy PPG over his last four, with a touchdown catch in two. Available in more than 75% of ESPN leagues, Flournoy can also be viewed as a bye-week fill-in for managers in shallower formats. I'll take 5.3 targets per game in my lineup -- and double-digit production -- with the Colts defense up next.Braelon Allen, RB, New York JetsAllen has looked really good on the tape in relief of an injured Breece Hall (quad). Decisive and powerful with the ball, Allen has scored 18.4 fantasy PPG over his last four -- with 100-plus total yards in each. Now, if Hall returns for the Week 9 matchup with Kansas City, Allen's overall value will take a hit. However, even in a shared backfield, I'd still start Allen as a flex. And with the NFL trade deadline looming, the Jets could potentially move Hall. Stay tuned on that.Malik Washington, WR, Miami DolphinsI've written about Washington multiple times this season as a streaming pickup, but aren't we at the point where he should be added to more rosters? Sure, this is a low-volume passing offense in Miami, but Washington is the No. 1 target, and his versatility in the offense creates more value. Washington has at least 11 points in four of his past five games, and will see the ball on backfield alignments, fly sweeps and screens. There is some Deebo Samuel Sr. to his game. It's a good matchup this Sunday versus the Lions defense, too.Antonio Williams, WR, Washington CommandersI really liked Williams' college tape at Clemson. It's the route running and coverage awareness, plus Williams is slippery after the catch. And Williams can now play a larger role as a rookie for the Commanders with Terry McLaurin (knee) down for the season. In the Week 8 win over the Eagles, Williams caught a season-high five passes (on seven targets) for 54 yards (10.4 points). Available in more than 80% of ESPN leagues, Williams should be on the fantasy radar.Players not to trustMatthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles RamsStafford still has value in superflex formats, but in 10-12 team leagues? He should be played only as a matchup-based starter. In his past two games, both without Davante Adams (IR, hamstring), Stafford has failed to top the 200-yard passing mark, so he is very touchdown-dependent as a thrower. Plus, he provides absolutely no upside as a runner (minus-3 yards rushing over his last four). And without a receiver to step into Adams' role, the Rams will lean on more multiple-TE sets and the run game.DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh SteelersMetcalf has only three games of double-digit fantasy production this season. And where are the big plays? The fade ball throws from Aaron Rodgers? The explosive catch-and-run targets? Metcalf has just four receptions of 20 or more yards, despite seeing 8.1 targets per game. In a Pittsburgh offense that can't generate explosive plays in the pass game, I don't see how managers can trust Metcalf (9.7 fantasy PPG). The Steelers return from the bye to play Cincinnati in Week 10.Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo BillsKincaid scored 18.6 fantasy points in the Week 8 win over Baltimore, his second straight game with double-digit points, plus he has the tools to stretch the seams or flex outside as a target for Josh Allen. But will Kincaid see enough weekly volume to be played as a TE1? Kincaid now has four games with 10 or more points (all with six or more targets), and three with fewer than four points (all with three or fewer targets). To me, the inconsistent numbers keep Kincaid down as a matchup-based tight end, and the Week 9 game versus the vaunted Minnesota defense is one I'd stay away from.Bryce Young, QB, Carolina PanthersAfter a hot start (19 or more fantasy points in four of his first five games), Young has scored just 15.78 total points in his past two starts combined, throwing at least one interception in each. Yes, Young has been playing with a banged-up knee, which has limited his pocket mobility. However, this Panthers' offensive line is going through multiple injuries and they aren't protecting on the edges, as Young has been sacked 11 times over the last two games. With some tough upcoming matchups (DEN, @NO, BAL, @TB, @MIN), Young should be viewed as a QB2.
