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The San Diego Chargers look to be a relevant fantasy football team once again as they roster players at multiple positions with the potential to aid your fantasy team. Veteran receiver Eddie Royal is one of them and is a dark horse option worth a start on your fantasy team in Week 9.
Since his first two weeks of the NFL season, Royal hasn’t been much help to your team. Royal was surly a hot waiver wire commodity after he exploded for 90 yards and three scores, but he has disappointed you since. Heading into Week 9 against the Washington Redskins, Royal has the opportunity to once again score some big-time points for your fantasy team.
Fantasy receivers’ level of play often depends on the play from the quarterback that is tossing them the pigskin. Royal has Philip Rivers, who has had his ups and downs through his NFL career, but has risen to life once again in 2013. River has already accumulated 2,132 yards and 15 touchdowns on 249 attempts. He has thrown the ball around the field well this season based on his 15:5 touchdown to interception ratio. Accuracy and attempts are a major factor in making a fantasy football receiver viable.
While you may have been disappointed in Royals’ output since Week 2 (12 catches and one score), his Week 9 opponent may reignite his fantasy stat line.
The Redskins have been awful against the pass this season, allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. They have eight receiving touchdowns against them already this season, and have allowed as much as 372 yards by receivers in Week 2. If you’ve been waiting to let Royal resurface into your lineup, Week 9 is the time to do so. Coming off a bye in Week 8, Royal has been able to let his toe injury get some additional healing time.
This matchup is one of the most juicy you’ll see for Royal for the rest of the season, and with so many teams with crucial fantasy players on bye, you can feel safe placing him into your line up. He isn’t a No. 1 fantasy receiver this week, but is a low-end No. 2 or flex position player.
Tristen Challe is a Fantasy Writer for Rantsports. Follow him on Twitter @TristenChalle or on Google
