Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Nov 5

SportsLine Model Unveils Week 9 Rankings, Slots Malik Willis Top 12 and Tetairoa McMillan Outside Top 35

Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Nov 5

SportsLine Model Unveils Week 9 Rankings, Slots Malik Willis Top 12 and Tetairoa McMillan Outside Top 35

Q: Which under-the-radar tight end is the predictive model projecting for a shocking top-five fantasy football finish in Week 9?

The specific tight end is not identified in the publicly available SportsLine preview. The article and supporting excerpts repeatedly tease “a shocking tight end” projected to finish in the top five for Week 9, but they do not name him outside the full SportsLine rankings behind the subscription wall. Based on the additional material, several under-the-radar candidates were being discussed around that range — including Harold Fannin Jr., Kyle Pitts, Brenton Strange and Greg Dulcich — but none is confirmed by the SportsLine teaser itself. So the most accurate answer is that the preview does not disclose the player’s name; readers are directed to SportsLine’s full Week 9 rankings to see which tight end the model selects.

Q: Why is a computer model urging fantasy managers to bench a star receiver fresh off a historic 192-yard breakout performance?

Because the model is prioritizing Week 9 matchup risk over last week’s ceiling. SportsLine’s projection on Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan is not a judgment on his talent or on the reality of his 192-yard, two-touchdown breakout against Detroit. It is a weekly forecast shaped by recent usage and opponent strength. The model has him outside the top 35 wide receivers because he is coming off inconsistent production overall, with no more than 60 receiving yards in each of his last two games cited in the rankings preview, and because he has scored only once this season outside that spike week. The bigger driver is Denver’s defense. The Broncos have been one of the league’s stingiest teams against wide receivers, allowing fewer fantasy points to the position than most clubs. Additional matchup analysis points to an even tougher individual draw: star corner Patrick Surtain II is expected to shadow McMillan, and Denver has allowed only four touchdowns to receivers all season, with very little success against Surtain in coverage. Carolina’s offensive environment also adds concern. Bryce Young has taken heavy pressure recently, and Denver’s pass rush is among the NFL’s best, which could limit downfield opportunities and red-zone trips. So the model is essentially saying McMillan’s historic game showed his upside, but this week’s combination of elite coverage, pass-rush pressure and Carolina’s volatility makes him a high-risk start compared with other receivers.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Nov 5

SportsLine’s Week 9 model rankings flag Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis as a top-12 play, a sharp jump for a player started in just 19% of leagues last week.
Willis has produced 7 total touchdowns over his last 3 games and now faces Detroit, which has allowed the most passing yards, passing TDs and fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Tetairoa McMillan is the model’s notable fade, ranking outside the top 35 wide receivers despite sitting among the top 15 in fantasy points and being started in more than 80% of leagues.
McMillan has been held under 60 yards in each of his last 2 games and draws Denver, one of only 4 defenses allowing fewer fantasy points to wide receivers than most of the league.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, also points to a little-used tight end to finish in the top 5 as managers sort through a Week 9 slate with only 2 teams on bye.