Thursday Night Football did not disappoint. There were offensive fireworks, defensive standouts, and, of course, more victims of the infamous MetLife turf. After a slow start, the Jets finally got going, spearheaded by two Garrett Wilson touchdowns. Davante Adams also found the end zone, while Tank Dell starred for the Texans through the air. Joe Mixon was the standout on the ground, but Breece Hall and even CJ Stroud flashed their juice. On the IDP side of things, Denico Autry got to Aaron Rodgers twice, while the Jets terrorized the Texans offensive line for eight sacks led by Jamien Sherwood and Michael Clemons, who registered two apiece. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 9

Start em

Daiyan Henley (LB – LAC)
Henley showed up in Week 8, racking up six solos, five assists, and one pass defended. Henley has been inconsistent so far but has shown flashes. He has been productive enough to be an LB3 option, as he has recorded four or more solos in six of his seven games played. What keeps him as an LB3 is a lack of sacks and the fact that he has only recorded five or more solos on three occasions. Henley should be started where possible for Week 9 as an elite LB3 option, thanks to a plus matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Mohamoud Diabate (LB – CLE)
Diabate was excellent in Week 8, tallying five solos, four assists, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended on 87 percent of the snaps. He should see an expanded role again this week, with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) already ruled out and Jordan Hicks (elbow/triceps) looking likely to join him after missing the first two practices of the week. Diabate makes for an intriguing LB3 option for Week 9, especially for those in deeper leagues, thanks to a plus matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Start him where needed.

Azeez Ojulari (DE/LB – NYG)
Ojulari showed up in Week 8, tallying three solos, four assists, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Ojulari is up to six sacks on the season, but five of his six sacks have come in his last three games alone. Azeez has bullied his way into the top-25 conversation and should be treated as a top-20 option for a plus Week 9 matchup against Washington. Start Ojulari everywhere while he is cooking.

Dante Stills (DT/DE – ARI)
Stills was at it again in Week 8, notching two solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Stills is riding a two game sack streak and is worth a long look as a DT2/3 option for a tasty Week 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Start Stills where needed.

Jalen Thompson (S – ARI)
Thompson showed up in Week 8, tallying eight solos and three assists against the Miami Dolphins. The DB23 on the season after the strong outing, Thompson should be considered a top-25 option for a plus Week 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Start him with confidence as a DB2.

Sit em

Edgerrin Cooper (LB – GB)
Cooper was excellent in Week 8, racking up five solos, four assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Cooper has flashed in recent weeks, but the emergence of Eric Wilson complicates matters once Quay Walker returns from concussion protocol this weekend. Wilson played every snap in Week 8, so Cooper is too risky of a play on a light bye. Take a wait-and-see approach here, as Cooper can provide serious dividends down the stretch, but keep him glued to benches for Week 9.

Drue Tranquill (LB – KC)
Drue showed up in Week 8, notching four solos, two assists, one sack, three tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery. Tranquill has disappointed in the solo department despite regular snaps and is not much of an option outside of heavy bye weeks. Keep him rostered where needed, but keep him benched for Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dayo Odeyingbo (DE – IND)
Odeyingbo showed up in Week 8, tallying three solos, one assist, one sack, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Dayo has just three sacks on the season, so he is not much of an option on a light bye. He is worth a DL5/flex3 look in the deepest of leagues but should be left on benches in other formats, even 16 team leagues. Look elsewhere for Week 9.

A’Shawn Robinson (DE/DT – CAR)
Robinson went off in Week 8, exploding for four solos, one assist, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. These were his first sacks of the season, so he is not someone to seriously consider plugging into lineups for Week 9. He has some value as a deep league DT3 but should be on waiver wires in most other formats. Look elsewhere for Week 9 despite his impressive Week 8 output.

Daron Payne (DT – WAS)
Payne showed up in Week 8, posting three solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. He has been a massive disappointment this season and had just half a sack coming into this contest. Name equity keeps him on the DL3 radar, but he should be left on benches wherever possible despite the plus matchup against the New York Giants.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.