D’Andre Swift (groin) is out for the Bears, and Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) is out for the Patriots. Now, we’ll get to see what rookies Kyle Monangai and TreVeyon Henderson can do in featured roles in Week 9. Both should be considered sleepers in the majority of leagues.
Let’s start with Monangai, who has a dream matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati is No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and 12 running backs have scored at least 11.5 PPR points against the Bengals this season. And in the past five games alone, RJ Harvey, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Josh Jacobs, Jaylen Warren, Breece Hall, and Isaiah Davis all scored at least 14.1 PPR points.
I was planning to use Monangai as a flex option in tandem with Swift before he was ruled out, but now Monangai is a borderline No. 1 running back in all formats. He has one game this season with double digits in touches in Week 7 against New Orleans, and he had 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, and two catches for 13 yards on three targets for 17.4 PPR points. I could see him matching that level of production in Week 9.
Henderson is tougher to trust because we haven’t seen the Patriots trust him much so far this season. He has two games this season with double digits in carries, but no more than 11. And he’s been phased out of the passing game in the past two weeks against Tennessee and Cleveland with no targets.
But Henderson had 10 carries for 75 yards against the Browns in Week 8, although he lost a fumble. However, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels praised Henderson’s effort in that outing.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that he’s fast, and he does some really good things with the ball,” McDaniels said. “Excited to see him build on that and continue to grow.”
Terrell Jennings will likely share touches with Henderson in Week 9, and Jennings has sleeper appeal against the Falcons, who are No. 9 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Three running backs in the past two games have scored at least 13.6 PPR points against Atlanta with Christian McCaffrey, De’Von Achane, and Ollie Gordon II.
I’m excited to see what Henderson can do, but he’s just a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back in the majority of leagues. He has a lot to prove, and hopefully, he delivers a solid performance that can allow him to be the starter in New England for the rest of the season, even when Stevenson is healthy.
Week 9 Sleepers
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