On top of six teams being on bye (Steelers, Browns, Cowboys, 49ers, Giants, Broncos), injuries continue to mount. Michael Thomas (foot), Allen Lazard (shoulder), Deebo Samuel (hamstring), and Ja’Marr Chase (hip) were the most notable pass-catchers to miss Week 8. Additionally, Rashod Bateman (foot) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) went down mid-game, forcing their respective fantasy owners to monitor the practice reports closely this week.
Bench stashes and waiver-wire streamers are going to be more important than ever this week. Middling options like Robert Woods (@ Chiefs) and Adam Thielen (@ Commanders) are virtual must-starts, and you can’t really pivot away from steady target-getters like Jakobi Meyers (vs. Colts), D.J. Moore (@ Bengals), and Michael Pittman Jr. (@ Patriots) despite tough opponents.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fortunately, there are quite a few fill-ins based on matchups. Josh Palmer (@ Falcons), who will be resuming his role as L.A.’s No. 2 receiver with Mike Williams (ankle) out, is an optimal choice against a Falcons’ defense allowing the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to WRs, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman (vs. Titans), Devin Duvernay (@ Saints), Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool (vs. Dolphins), Zay Jones (vs. Raiders), and Romeo Doubs (@ Lions) are all available in at least 45 percent of Yahoo leagues and could be difference-makers this week.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
One other potential sleeper to watch in Week 9 is Treylon Burks (@ Chiefs), who’s eligible to come off the IR this week. Burks has been battling a sore foot, but if he’s back, he’s in a good spot and could make an immediate impact.
WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
If deeper leagues, you could try DeAndre Carter (@ Falcons), Marvin Jones Jr. (vs. Raiders), Kadarius Toney (vs. Titans), Demarcus Robinson (@ Saints), Sammy Watkins (@ Lions), Tre’Quan Smith (vs. Ravens), Dante Pettis (vs. Dolphins), K.J. Osborn (@ Commanders), and even Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (@ Chiefs) if Burks is out. All of these receivers are the definition of “boom-or-bust,” but in weeks like this, you have to take some chances.
WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
As alluded to above, there aren’t many “must-sits” given the depleted depth, but guys like Garrett Wilson (vs. Bills), Alec Pierce and Parris Campbell (@ Patriots), Isaiah McKenzie (@ Jets), and Hunter Renfrow (@ Jaguars) haven’t been inspiring much confidence lately anyway. In tough matchups, you don’t need to risk it with them, though Wilson will be tough to sit after he put up 100-plus yards on the Pats last week.
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Ultimately, this is the type of week where you can’t be overly choosy. If a receiver is getting “sure” targets, then he’s a potential starter. Fortunately, “it only takes one” for a WR to produce, so hope for a TD and regroup with a fuller depth chart next week.
Note: We’ll be updating these WR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.
Week 9 fantasy WR rankings for standard leagues
These rankings are for standard, non-PPR leagues
Rank Player 1 Cooper Kupp, Rams @ Buccaneers 2 Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ Commanders 3 Davante Adams, Raiders @ Jaguars 4 Tee Higgins, Bengals vs. Panthers 5 A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Texans 6 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins @ Bears 7 Stefon Diggs, Bills @ Jets 8 Chris Olave, Saints vs. Ravens 9 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins @ Bears 10 Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. Rams 11 DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals vs. Seahawks 12 Christian Kirk, Jaguars vs. Raiders 13 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks @ Cardinals 14 Tyler Boyd, Bengals vs. Panthers 15 JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs vs. Titans 16 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions vs. Packers 17 Allen Lazard, Packers @ Lions 18 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers vs. Rams 19 Gabriel Davis, Bills @ Jets 20 Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Vikings 21 DK Metcalf, Seahawks @ Cardinals 22 Joshua Palmer, Chargers @ Falcons 23 Adam Thielen, Vikings @ Commanders 24 Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. Vikings 25 D.J. Moore, Panthers @ Bengals 26 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts @ Patriots 27 Jakobi Meyers, Patriots vs. Colts 28 DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Texans 29 Robert Woods, Titans @ Chiefs 30 Zay Jones, Jaguars vs. Raiders 31 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs vs. Titans 32 Romeo Doubs, Packers @ Lions 33 DeAndre Carter, Chargers @ Falcons 34 Darnell Mooney, Bears vs. Dolphins 35 Devin Duvernay, Ravens @ Saints 36 Rondale Moore, Cardinals vs. Seahawks 37 Drake London, Falcons vs. Chargers 38 Allen Robinson II, Rams @ Buccaneers 39 Demarcus Robinson, Ravens @ Saints 40 Parris Campbell, Colts @ Patriots 41 Mecole Hardman, Chiefs vs. Titans 42 Chase Claypool, Bears vs. Dolphins. 43 Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Bills 44 Hunter Renfrow, Raiders @ Jaguars 45 Alec Pierce, Colts @ Patriots 46 Tre’Quan Smith, Saints vs. Ravens 47 Kalif Raymond, Lions vs. Packers 48 Isaiah McKenzie, Bills @ Jets 49 Marvin Jones Jr., Jaguars vs. Raiders 50 Mack Hollins, Raiders @ Jaguars 51 Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers @ Bengals 52 Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans @ Chiefs 53 Chris Moore, Texans vs. Eagles 54 Phillip Dorsett, Texans vs. Eagles 55 K.J. Osborn, Vikings @ Commanders 56 Julio Jones, Buccaneers vs. Rams 57 Kadarius Toney, Chiefs vs. Titans 58 Marquez Callaway, Saints vs. Ravens 59 Dante Pettis, Bears vs. Dolphins 60 Sammy Watkins, Packers @ Lions 61 Van Jefferson, Rams @ Buccaneers 62 Velus Jones Jr., Bears vs. Dolphins 63 Robbie Anderson, Cardinals vs. Seahawks 64 Damiere Byrd, Falcons vs. Chargers 65 Trent Sherfield, Dolphins @ Bears 66 Quez Watkins, Eagles @ Texans 67 Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons vs. Chargers 68 A.J. Green, Cardinals vs. Seahawks 69 Tyquan Thornton, Patriots vs. Colts 70 Elijah Moore, Jets vs. Bills
Week 9 WR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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