B/R's Week 9 PPR Fantasy Football Player Rankings
There's still a lot of football to be played but with eight weeks gone in the 2024 fantasy football season, the playoff picture is already coming into focus for some managers.
Some teams have ridden Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry or Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to big-time success. At 6-2 or 7-1, nothing is guaranteed, but things are looking pretty sweet.
Other teams have been devastated by injuries and decimated by duds. It ain't over yet, but at 2-6, it will take quite the reversal of fortune to get into the postseason.
For most folks, though, the picture is as clear as mud. Whether you're 3-5 or 5-3, every week is becoming that much more important. Go on a run, and you can cruise to the playoffs. Stumble, and a season that once held great promise can end in disappointment.
Those teams need a win. Heck, every team does.
That's the point of all this blathering: To help you win by providing fantasy managers with position-by-position PPR rankings, matchups to exploit and avoid and a look at the top 100 overall players for Week 9.
Let's get to it.
Quarterbacks
According to Average Draft Position data at FantasyPros, Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts was drafted as the QB6 this year. With his incredible athleticism and some improvement as a passer in Year 2, some believed Richardson could challenge to be the highest-scoring quarterback in fantasy football.
Or not.
After an atrocious outing against the Houston Texans in which Richardson completed just two of 15 first-half passes and took himself out of the game for a play, the Colts have seen enough. Per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network (via colleague Kevin Patra), the Colts are going back to veteran Joe Flacco under center against the Minnesota Vikings.
That's good news for Indy's pass-catchers, who now might have a shot at, well, catching passes. It's a major blow to fantasy managers who spent a middle-round pick on Richardson and his (perceived) sky-high fantasy ceiling. And it marks the second time this season that a top-five pick from the 2023 NFL draft has been benched.
Life comes at you fast in the NFL—and in fantasy football.
Good Matchups
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]
Cousins is quietly thriving in his new digs, lighting up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week to the tune of four touchdown passes. With top cornerback DaRon Bland on the shelf due to injury, the Dallas secondary has struggled this season. The Cowboys rank outside the top 20 in pass defense and inside the top 10 in fantasy points per game allowed to quarterbacks.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at ARI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]
Williams came out of his bye week with a clunker in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders, but look for the first overall pick to rebound in the desert Sunday. The Cardinals are 26th in the league against the pass, surrendering an average of 236.6 yards per game.
Bad Matchups
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,600]
The Bears got lit up by Jayden Daniels last week, but a big chunk of that came on a play that isn't likely to be repeated any time soon. Chicago is still allowing less than 200 passing yards per game even after that debacle, so Murray is going to have to earn his yardage through the air this week.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at NYJ) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,700]
Just about everything that could go wrong has for the New York Jets this year, but their pass defense has been stout, allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game. Stroud hasn't been especially prolific throwing the ball of late, and Stefon Diggs (knee) joining Nico Collins (hamstring) on the shelf won't help matters.
Sleeper
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]
The Browns have been solid against the pass this year, but top cornerback Denzel Ward just suffered his sixth documented concussion since entering the NFL. Over his last two starts, Herbert is averaging 314 passing yards and a touchdown per game.
Week 9 Quarterback Rankings
1. Jayden Daniels, WAS (at NYG)
2. Jalen Hurts. PHI (vs. JAX)
3. Lamar Jackson, BAL (vs DEN)
4. Josh Allen, BUF (vs. MIA)
5. Joe Burrow, CIN (vs. LV)
6. Caleb Williams, CHI (at ARI)
7. Kirk Cousins, ATL (vs DAL)
8. Patrick Mahomes II, KC (vs. TB)
9. Kyler Murray, ARI (vs. CHI)
10. Dak Prescott, DAL (at ATL)
11. Jared Goff, DET (at GB)
12. Baker Mayfield, TB (at KC)
13. C.J. Stroud, HOU (at NYJ)
14. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (at BUF)
15. Geno Smith, SEA (vs. LAR)
16. Matthew Stafford, LAR (at SEA)
17. Sam Darnold, MIN (vs. IND)
18. Justin Herbert, LAC (at CLE)
19. Jameis Winston, CLE (vs. LAC)
20. Malik Willis, GB (vs. DET)
21. Trevor Lawrence, JAX (at PHI)
22. Aaron Rodgers, NYJ (vs. HOU)
23. Joe Flacco, IND (at MIN)
24. Derek Carr, NO (at CAR)
25. Daniel Jones, NYG (vs. WAS)
26. Bo Nix, DEN (at BAL)
27. Gardner Minshew, LV (at CIN)
28. Mason Rudolph, TEN (vs. NE)
29. Jacoby Brissett, NE (at TEN)
30. Bryce Young, CAR (vs. NO)
Running Backs
At first glance, Joe Mixon has been good but not great in his first season with the Houston Texans. After eight weeks, he ranks 14th among running backs in PPR points.
But start peeling back a few layers, and the 28-year-old has been one of fantasy's top runners on a per-game basis.
In terms of fantasy points per game, there hasn't been a more productive back in fantasy football—and that's counting the game Mixon left with a sprained ankle that cost him three games.
After gashing the Indianapolis Colts for 159 yards on 30 carries Sunday, the 2021 Pro Bowler became the first non-rookie in NFL history to eclipse 100 rushing yards with a touchdown in four of his first five games with a new team.
This week, Mixon faces a Jets run defense that has been average against the run, surrendering 125.6 yards per game on the ground. And with Houston all kinds of beat up at wide receiver, he will but be a major part of the Houston offense.
Good Matchups
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at BUF) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,700]
Achane had a huge stat line in Tua Tagovailoa's first game back last week, posting 147 total yards and a touchdown. Now he faces a Buffalo Bills defense allowing the fifth-most PPR points per game to running backs in 2024.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,800]
The New Orleans offense has been a mess of late, and that has hurt Kamara's fantasy production. But the Panthers have a habit of making opposing backs look good, and they have given up a staggering 154.6 yards per game on the ground.
Bad Matchups
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]
Chubb has struggled in his first two games of the 2024 season, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry. The Chargers have been stout against the run this year, giving up the third-fewest PPR points per game to the position.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (at BAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200]
Williams is coming off a clunker: 44 yards on 17 carries against Carolina's tissue-paper run defense. Now he faces a Ravens run defense allowing less than 70 yards a game on the ground, which is the best in the NFL.
Sleeper
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]: Allgeier remains a significant part of the Atlanta offense, logging double-digit carries in two of the past three games. That should mean good things Sunday against a Cowboys team allowing over 150 yards per game on the ground.
Week 9 Running Back Rankings
1. Saquon Barkley, PHI (vs. JAX)
2. Derrick Henry, BAL (vs. DEN)
3. Kyren Williams, LAR (at SEA)
4. Joe Mixon, HOU (at NYJ)
5. Bijan Robinson, ATL (vs. DAL)
6. Kenneth Walker Jr., SEA (vs. LAR)
7. Breece Hall, NYJ (vs. HOU)
8. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (at GB)
9. Alvin Kamara, NO (at CAR)
10. James Cook, BUF (vs. MIA)
11. Jonathan Taylor, IND (at MIN)
12. D'Andre Swift, CHI (at ARI)
13. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS (at NYG)
14. J.K. Dobbins, LAC (at CLE)
15. De'Von Achane, MIA (at BUF)
16. Aaron Jones, MIN (vs. IND)
17. Tony Pollard, TEN (vs. NE)
18. James Conner, ARI (vs. CHI)
19. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. NO)
20. Kareem Hunt, KC (vs. TB)
21. Josh Jacobs, GB (vs. DET)
22. Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG (vs. WAS)
23. David Montgomery, DET (at GB)
24. Nick Chubb, CLE (vs. LAC)
25. Javonte Williams, DEN (at BAL)
26. Tank Bigsby, JAX (at PHI)
27. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (at TEN)
28. Alexander Mattison, LV (at CIN)
29. Chase Brown, CIN (vs. LV)
30. Rachaad White, TB (at KC)
31. Raheem Mostert, MIA (at BUF)
32. Rico Dowdle, DAL (vs. HOU)
33. Tyler Allgeier, ATL (vs. DAL)
34. Austin Ekeler, WAS (at NYG)
35. Devin Singletary, NYG (vs. WAS)
36. Braelon Allen, NYJ (vs. HOU)
37. Bucky Irving, TB (at KC)
38. Ray Davis, BUF (vs. MIA)
39. Roschon Johnson, CHI (at ARI)
40. Zack Moss, CIN (vs. LV)
41. Julius Chestnut, TEN (vs. NE)
42. Justice Hill, BAL (vs. DEN)
43. D'Ernest Johnson, JAX (at PHI)
44. Sean Tucker, TB (at KC)
45. Zach Charbonnet, SEA (vs. LAR)
46. Kendre Miller, NO (at CAR)
47. Dameon Pierce, HOU (at NYJ)
48. Tyler Goodson, IND (at MIN)
49. Antonio Gibson, NE (at TEN)
50. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN (at BAL)
Wide Receivers
Many fantasy managers have taken a more wideout-heavy approach in the early rounds of drafts in recent years because of the belief that receivers are less susceptible to injuries than running backs.
Someone apparently forgot to tell the 2024 campaign that, because receivers have been dropping like flies. Week 8 was no exception.
Just as fantasy managers were getting back Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was returning to salvage the value of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, several more wide receivers were felled by injuries.
Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals was a late scratch after suffering a quad injury on the practice field. The Jacksonville Jaguars lost Christian Kirk (collarbone) to a season-ending injury and watched rookie Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) both depart last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Stefon Diggs of the Houston Texans suffered a non-contact knee injury that is reportedly season-ending.
Not many fantasy managers expected to be rolling out Jacksonville's Parker Washington or Jalen McMillan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.
But here we are.
Good Matchups
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. NE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]
Ridley had by far his best game since joining the Titans last week, hauling in 10 passes for 143 yards against the Detroit Lions. Now he and his team face a New England pass defense that ranks 23rd in the league and has allowed over 33 PPR points per game to the wide receiver position this season.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (at BAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,400]
Sutton hit the 100-yard mark on eight catches last week against the Carolina Panthers, and the odds of a second straight smash week are good. The Baltimore pass defense has spent a sizable portion of the 2024 season ranked dead-last in the NFL.
Bad Matchups
Davante Adams, New York Jets (vs. HOU) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]
In last week's loss to the New England Patriots, Adams finished behind Garrett Wilson in targets, catches and receiving yards. Now New York's sputtering passing game faces a Texans pass defense that has given up less than 165 yards per game through the air.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]
Flowers has been solid for fantasy managers this season and ranks among the top 20 fantasy receivers in PPR points. Week 9 will be an uphill climb, though. Patrick Surtain II and the Denver pass defense rank inside the top five in both passing yards allowed and fewest PPR points per game given up to wide receivers.
Sleeper
Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]
Tillman doesn't get as favorable a matchup this week as last, with the Ravens ranking at the top of the league in PPR points per game allowed to wideouts, while the Chargers are much closer to the bottom. But he has 15 catches on 21 targets for 180 yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks. Math don't lie.
Week 9 Wide Receiver Rankings
1. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (vs. LV)
2. Justin Jefferson, MIN (vs. IND)
3. A.J. Brown, PHI (vs. JAX)
4. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (at ATL)
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (at GB)
6. Tyreek Hill, MIA (at BUF)
7. Malik Nabers, NYG (vs. WAS)
8. Terry McLaurin, WAS (at NYG)
9. Puka Nacua, LAR (at SEA)
10. Drake London, ATL (vs. DAL)
11. DJ Moore, CHI (at ARI)
12. Cooper Kupp, LAR (at SEA)
13. Chris Olave, NO (at CAR)
14. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (vs. HOU)
15. DeVonta Smith, PHI (vs. JAX)
16. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (at BUF)
17. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI (vs. CHI)
18. Zay Flowers, BAL (vs. DEN)
19. Davante Adams, NYJ (vs. HOU)
20. Tank Dell, HOU (at NYJ)
21. Jayden Reed, GB (vs. DET)
22. Amari Cooper, BUF (vs. MIA)
23. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (vs. LAR)
24. Darnell Mooney, ATL (vs. DAL)
25. Keenan Allen, CHI (at ARI)
26. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG (vs. WAS)
27. Calvin Ridley, TEN (vs. NE)
28. Courtland Sutton, DEN (at BAL)
29. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (at MIN)
30. DeAndre Hopkins, KC (vs TB)
31. Jordan Addison, MIN (vs. IND)
32. Khalil Shakir, BUF (vs. MIA)
33. Jakobi Meyers, LV (at CIN)
34. Ladd McConkey, LAC (at CLE)
35. Xavier Worthy, KC (vs. TB)
36. Keon Coleman, BUF (vs. MIA)
37. Xavier Legette, CAR (vs. NO)
38. Romeo Doubs, GB (vs. DET)
39. Jerry Jeudy, CLE (vs. LAC)
40. Jalen McMillan, TB (at KC)
41. Jalen Tolbert, DAL (at ATL)
42. Tyler Lockett, SEA (vs. LAR)
43. Cedric Tillman, CLE (vs. LAC)
44. DeMario Douglas, NE (at TEN)
45. Dontayvion Wicks, GB (vs. DET)
46. Josh Downs, IND (at MIN)
47. Troy Franklin, DEN (at BAL)
48. Tre Tucker, LV (at CIN)
49. Christian Watson, GB (vs. DET)
50. Diontae Johnson, BAL (vs. DEN)
51. Parker Washington, JAX (at PHI)
52. Joshua Palmer, LAC (at CLE)
53. Michael Wilson, ARI (vs. CHI)
54. Trey Palmer, TB (at KC)
55. Tim Jones, JAC (at PHI)
56. Rome Odunze, CHI (at ARI)
57. Ray-Ray McCloud, ATL (vs. DAL)
58. Tyler Boyd, TEN (vs. NE)
59. Bub Means, NO (at CAR)
60. Tim Patrick, DET (at GB)
Tight Ends
This past Sunday was National Tight Ends Day—a holiday that was either created in 1854 to celebrate the best glutes in America or created by George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers five years ago because he's an odd duck.
That's a compliment.
Anyway, apparently the position being celebrated took the "holiday" pretty seriously, because in a season when the tight end position has been something of a barren wasteland, TEs went ballistic across the NFL.
Headlined by Cade Otton of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who caught nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns, five tight ends (including Kittle) eclipsed 20 PPR points. Four more had at least 16 PPR points, including the likes of Adam Trautman of the Denver Broncos. All told, 18 tight ends had double-digit PPR points.
On Sunday, tight ends accounted for 17 touchdowns and 177 receptions. The former was a record for National Tight Ends Day.
The latter was just a record period.
Good Matchups
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at CIN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]
Bowers was relatively quiet on National Tight Ends Day, catching five passes for 58 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. But he's one of Week 9's top options at the position in a matchup with a Bengals defense allowing the seventh-most PPR points per game to TEs in 2024.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at GB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]
Fantasy managers got the sort of stat line they had expected from LaPorta in Week 8: six receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown. The second-year pro has a decent shot at backing that up this week in a top-10 fantasy matchup for the position with the rival Packers.
Bad Matchups
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (at PHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]
Given how decimated the Jacksonville wide receivers have been by injuries, it's almost impossible to sit Engram. But it's at least worth mentioning that after eight weeks this season only two teams have given up fewer PPR points per game to tight ends than the Eagles.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]
Kincaid found the end zone last week, matching his highest fantasy output of the season to date. But the second-year pro hasn't posted a 15-point game in PPR scoring systems this year, and the Dolphins have been stingy to opposing tight ends.
Sleeper
Adam Trautman, Denver Broncos (at BAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,000]
There's a distinct possibility Trautman's 4/85/1 stat line last week against the Carolina Panthers will be the best of his season. But he does draw a leaky Baltimore secondary in Week 9 surrendering the fifth-most PPR points to tight ends for the season.
Week 9 Tight End Rankings
1. Travis Kelce, KC (vs. TB)
2. Brock Bowers, LV (at CIN)
3. Evan Engram, JAX (at PHI)
4. Trey McBride, ARI (vs. CHI)
5. Kyle Pitts, ATL (vs. DAL)
6. Jake Ferguson, DAL (at ATL)
7. David Njoku, CLE (vs. LAC)
8. Cade Otton, TB (at KC)
9. Sam LaPorta, DET (at GB)
10. T.J. Hockenson, MIN (vs. IND)
11. Mark Andrews, BAL (vs. DEN)
12. Dalton Kincaid, BUF (vs. MIA)
13. Cole Kmet, CHI (at ARI)
14. Tucker Kraft, GB (vs. DET)
15. Hunter Henry, NE (at TEN)
16. Dalton Schultz, HOU (at NYJ)
17. Colby Parkinson, LAR (at SEA)
18. Noah Fant, SEA (vs. LAR)
19. Zach Ertz, WAS (at NYG)
20. Taysom Hill, NO (at CAR)
21. Grant Calcaterra, PHI (vs. JAC)
22. Isaiah Likely, BAL (vs. DEN)
23. Ja'Tavion Sanders, CAR (vs. NO)
24. Tyler Conklin, NYJ (vs. HOU)
25. Jonnu Smith, MIA (at BUF)
26. Adam Trautmann, DEN (at BAL)
27. Juwan Johnson, NO (at CAR)
28. Erick All, CIN (vs LV)
29. Noah Gray, KC (vs. TB)
30. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN (vs. NE)
Kickers and Team Defenses
Team defenses can be fickle beasts, but it's the nature of the position.
In most leagues, the vast majority of fantasy scoring defensively comes from big plays: sacks and takeaways. Those stats are by their very nature largely unpredictable.
That's why so many defenses spend good chunks of the season bouncing from the penthouse to the outhouse and back again—just like the Minnesota Vikings are about to do.
To be honest, the Vikings haven't been great defensively this season, particularly against the pass. But they had piled up sacks, taken the ball away, scored defensive touchdowns and spent most of the season at the top of the fantasy leaderboard at the position.
Then last week against the Rams, they allowed the yards and points, but without those big plays—and the result was a fantasy clunker. And yet they are the No. 2 fantasy defense in Week 9.
Why, you ask? Easy. The Vikings face an Indianapolis Colts team struggling offensively that allowed five sacks and turned it over twice last week.
It's as much about the matchup as the defense in fantasy.
Good Matchups
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys (at ATL)
The Cowboys aren't overflowing with things to be happy about right now. However, Aubrey is one of five kickers averaging at least 10 fantasy points per game, and the Falcons lead the league in fantasy points given up to kickers.
New Orleans Saints Defense (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800]
As has already been said, defense in fantasy football is as much about the matchups as the defense itself—and there isn't a more putrid offense in the NFL than Carolina. It is 29th in the NFL in both yards per game and points per game.
Bad Matchups
Matt Gay, Indianapolis Colts (at MIN)
Gay's poor fantasy production has as much to do with the Colts' offensive inefficiencies this year as the 30-year-old himself. Now the Colts have to face an angry Vikings team that has dropped two straight at US Bank Stadium in prime time.
Denver Broncos Defense (at BAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,700]
The Broncos aren't 5-3 because the offense is marching up and down the field; it's because Denver's defense is carrying the team. But that defense is going to have its hands full on the road Sunday, as the Ravens are averaging almost 40 more yards per game than any other team in the NFL.
Sleeper
Los Angeles Rams Defense (at SEA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,800]
This recommendation is all about the matchup. The Rams are 21st in the league in total defense. But they have actually improved in recent weeks, and the Seahawks have quietly been a top-10 fantasy matchup for opposing defenses this year.
Week 9 Kicker Rankings
1. Brandon Aubrey, DAL (vs. HOU)
2. Harrison Butker, KC (vs. TB)
3. Younghoe Koo, ATL (vs. DAL)
4. Evan McPherson, CIN (vs. LV)
5. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (at NYJ)
6. Tyler Bass, BUF (vs. MIA)
7. Will Reichard, MIN (vs. IND)
8. Jake Bates, DET (at GB)
9. Justin Tucker, BAL (vs. DEN)
10. Brandon McManus, GB (vs. DET)
11. Chase McLaughlin, TB (at KC)
12. Jake Elliott, PHI (vs. JAX)
13. Cameron Dicker, LAC (at CLE)
14. Austin Seibert, WAS (at NYG)
15. Jason Myers, SEA (vs. LAR)
16. Joshua Karty, LAR (at SEA)
17. Cairo Santos, CHI (at ARI)
18. Jason Sanders, MIA (at BUF)
19. Matt Gay, IND (at MIN)
20. Chad Ryland, ARI (vs. CHI)
21. Wil Lutz, DEN (at BAL)
22. Dustin Hopkins, CLE (vs. LAC)
23. Greg Zuerlein, NYJ (vs. HOU)
24. Greg Joseph, NYG (vs. WAS)
25. Daniel Carlson, LV (at CIN)
Week 9 Team Defense Rankings
1. Los Angeles Chargers (at CLE)
2. Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND)
3. Houston Texans (at NYJ)
4. Baltimore Ravens (vs. DEN)
5. Chicago Bears (at ARI)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. TB)
7. New Orleans Saints (at CAR)
8. Washington Commanders (at NYG)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. LV)
10. Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC)
11. Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
12. Detroit Lions (at GB)
13. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. JAX)
14. New York Jets (vs. HOU)
15. Tennessee Titans (vs. NE)
16. New England Patriots (at TEN)
17. Denver Broncos (at BAL)
18. Green Bay Packers (vs. DET)
19. Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL)
20. Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
21. Arizona Cardinals (vs. CHI)
22. Las Vegas Raiders (at CIN)
23. Carolina Panthers (vs. NO)
24. New York Giants (vs. WAS)
25. Miami Dolphins (at BUF)
Top 100 Overall/Flex Rankings
Before we get to the top 100 players overall in PPR fantasy leagues for Week 9 (a list that can be of assistance when deciding on flex starters), we have a few notes.
The first is the same as always: There are no quarterbacks included here. If your fantasy league has a superflex spot and you have a QB2 ranked inside the top 20 or so, starting him in that spot is a pretty easy call.
Also, the byes are back. Just two teams this week, though: the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers. Not having a red-hot Najee Harris available is a drag, but the Niners need time to get healthy in the worst way.
Burn a candle for Christian McCaffrey.
There's no profound advice outside of this: Unless you're 2-6 or worse, nothing's decided yet. (And 2-6 teams could win out and still make the playoffs, too.) Don't freak out laboring over your lineup, dwell on that call you got wrong in Week 4 that has you 3-5 instead of 4-4. If you have ground to make up, chop the season into parts. Make every game a season unto itself. Focus on that. Week 9. That's it.
Cross bridges as you get to them, and you may just surprise yourself and go on a run.
Week 9 Top 100 Players Overall/Flex Rankings
1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN (vs. LV)
2. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (vs. IND)
3. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (vs. JAX)
4. Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI (vs. JAX)
5. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (at ATL)
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET (at GB)
7. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL (vs. DEN)
8. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (at BUF)
9. Malik Nabers, WR, NYG (vs. WAS)
10. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR (at SEA)
11. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (at NYG)
12. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR (at SEA)
13. Joe Mixon, RB, HOU (at NYJ)
14. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL (vs. DAL)
15. Drake London, WR, ATL (vs. DAL)
16. DJ Moore, WR, CHI (at ARI)
17. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (at SEA)
18. Kenneth Walker III, RB, SEA (vs. LAR)
19. Chris Olave, WR, NO (at CAR)
20. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ (vs. HOU)
21. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET (at GB)
22. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ (vs. HOU)
23. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (at CAR)
24. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (vs. JAX)
25. James Cook, RB, BUF (vs. MIA)
26. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (at MIN)
27. Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (at BUF)
28. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI (vs. CHI)
29. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (vs. TB)
30. Zay Flowers, WR, BAL (vs. DEN)
31. D'Andre Swift, RB, CHI (at ARI)
32. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, WAS (at NYG)
33. Davante Adams, WR, NYJ (vs. HOU)
34. Brock Bowers, TE, LV (at CIN)
35. Tank Dell, WR, HOU (at NYJ)
36. Jayden Reed, WR, GB (vs. DET)
37. J.K. Dobbins, RB, LAC (at CLE)
38. Amari Cooper, WR, BUF (vs. MIA)
39. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA (at BUF)
40. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA (vs. LAR)
41. Aaron Jones, RB, MIN (vs. IND)
42. Evan Engram, TE, JAX (at PHI)
43. Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL (vs. DAL)
44. Keenan Allen, WR, CHI (at ARI)
45. Tony Pollard, RB, TEN (vs. NE)
46. Trey McBride, TE, ARI (vs. CHI)
47. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, NYG (vs. WAS)
48. James Conner, RB, ARI (vs. CHI)
49. Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN (vs. NE)
50. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (at BAL)
51. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (at MIN)
52. Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (vs. NO)
53. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, KC (vs TB)
54. Kareem Hunt, RB, KC (vs. TB)
55. Josh Jacobs, RB, GB (vs. DET)
56. Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL (vs. DAL)
57. Jordan Addison, WR, MIN (vs. IND)
58. Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG (vs. WAS)
59. Khalil Shakir, WR, BUF (vs. MIA)
60. David Montgomery, RB, DET (at GB)
61. Nick Chubb, RB, CLE (vs. LAC)
62. Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV (at CIN)
63. Jake Ferguson, TE, DAL (at ATL)
64. Javonte Williams, RB, DEN (at BAL)
65. Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC (at CLE)
66. Xavier Worthy, WR, KC (vs. TB)
67. Tank Bigsby, RB, JAX (at PHI)
68. Keon Coleman, WR, BUF (vs. MIA)
69. David Njoku, TE, CLE (vs. LAC)
70. Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (vs. NO)
71. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE (at TEN)
72. Romeo Doubs, WR, GB (vs. DET)
73. Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE (vs. LAC)
74. Jalen McMillan, WR, TB (at KC)
75. Alexander Mattison, RB, LV (at CIN)
76. Cade Otton, TE, TB (at KC)
77. Jalen Tolbert, WR, DAL (at ATL)
78. Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA (vs. LAR)
79. Chase Brown, RB, CIN (vs. LV)
80. Cedric Tillman, WR, CLE (vs. LAC)
81. Rachaad White, RB, TB (at KC)
82. DeMario Douglas, WR, NE (at TEN)
83. Dontayvion Wicks, WR, GB (vs. DET)
84. Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA (at BUF)
85. Sam LaPorta, TE, DET (at GB)
86. Rico Dowdle, RB, DAL (vs. HOU)
87. Josh Downs, WR, IND (at MIN)
88. Tyler Allgeier, RB, ATL (vs. DAL)
89. Austin Ekeler, RB, WAS (at NYG)
90. Troy Franklin, WR, DEN (at BAL)
91. Devin Singletary, RB, NYG (vs. WAS)
92. Tre Tucker, WR, LV (at CIN)
93. Braelon Allen, RB, NYJ (vs. HOU)
94. T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN (vs. IND)
95. Christian Watson, WR, GB (vs. DET)
96. Bucky Irving, RB, TB (at KC)
97. Diontae Johnson, WR, BAL (vs. DEN)
98. Ray Davis, RB, BUF (vs. MIA)
99. Parker Washington, WR, JAX (at PHI)
100. Joshua Palmer, WR, LAC (at CLE)
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Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.