For most fantasy football leagues, the playoffs start in week 14, which means we have six games left. It’s officially time to really really lock in and make sure we’re making all the right start-sit decisions. The rankings you’ll see below are based on statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film. These rankings will change based on injury updates and more news, but here’s an early look to help your lineup ahead of Thursday night football!
Week 9 WR Rankings
Tier 1
1. Justin Jefferson vs IND
2. CeeDee Lamb @ ATL
3. Ja'Marr Chase vs LV
4. A.J. Brown vs JAC
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown @ GB
6. Tyreek Hill @ BUF
Tier 2
7. Malik Nabers vs WAS
8. Drake London vs DAL
9. Puka Nacua @ SEA
10. Cooper Kupp @ SEA
Tier 3
11. Terry McLaurin @ NYG
12. Garrett Wilson vs HOU
13. DK Metcalf vs LAR
14. Tank Dell @ NYJ
15. Chris Olave @ CAR
16. Marvin Harrison Jr. vs CHI
17. Jayden Reed vs DET
18. DeVonta Smith vs JAC
Tier 4
19. Tee Higgins vs LV
20. Davante Adams vs HOU
21. Amari Cooper vs MIA
22. DJ Moore @ ARI
Tier 5
23. Darnell Mooney vs DAL
24. Michael Pittman Jr. @ MIN
25. Jaylen Waddle @ BUF
26. Zay Flowers vs DEN
Tier 6
27. Khalil Shakir vs MIA
28. Ladd McConkey @ CLE
29. Josh Downs @ MIN
30. Calvin Ridley vs NE
31. Courtland Sutton @ BAL
32. Cedric Tillman vs LAC
33. Jakobi Meyers @ CIN
34. Jalen McMillan @ KC
35. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs LAR
36. DeAndre Hopkins vs TB
Must Start: WR
Marvin Harrison Jr vs CHI
ESPN Projection - WR22
Marvin Harrison Jr hasn’t had the start everyone had hoped, but he’s flashed his upside at times. Just last week, we saw Harrison score 23.1 points for his second 20-point game of the year. One simple thing that people are starting to overlook is that Harrison should naturally get more comfortable and improve in the 2nd half of the year. Due to a slow start, Harrison is being ranked like a bust already who just had a big game versus a talented rookie who had his breakthrough.
I fully understand that the Bears aren’t a great matchup, allowing the 5th fewest fantasy points (206.5) to wide receivers this year. Jaylon Johnson is an elite corner, but with Harrison’s big play potential, he can capitalize in scenarios where Johnson isn’t guarding him. This claim is supported by PFF’s WR/CB tool, as Harrison has a “good” matchup with a score of 78.6. Don’t expect WR1 numbers from Harrison this week but ESPN has him way too low as a borderline WR2.
Week 9 RB Rankings
Tier 1
1. Saquon Barkley vs JAC
2. Kyren Williams @ SEA
3. Derrick Henry vs DEN
4. Joe Mixon @ NYJ
5. Bijan Robinson vs DAL
6. Breece Hall vs HOU
Tier 2
7. De'Von Achane @ BUF
8. Kenneth Walker III vs LAR
9. Jahmyr Gibbs @ GB
10. Jonathan Taylor @ MIN
11. James Cook vs MIA
12. Alvin Kamara @ CAR
13. David Montgomery @ GB
Tier 3
14. Josh Jacobs vs DET
15. D'Andre Swift @ ARI
16. Aaron Jones vs IND
17. J.K. Dobbins @ CLE
18. Kareem Hunt vs TB
19. James Conner vs CHI
Tier 4
20. Tony Pollard vs NE
21. Brian Robinson Jr. @ NYG
22. Rhamondre Stevenson @ TEN
23. Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs WAS
24. Chuba Hubbard vs NO
25. Rachaad White @ KC
Tier 5
26. Chase Brown vs LV
27. Rico Dowdle @ ATL
28. Javonte Williams @ BAL
29. Bucky Irving @ KC
30. Nick Chubb vs LAC
31. Tank Bigsby @ PHI
Tier 6
32. Alexander Mattison @ CIN
33. Raheem Mostert @ BUF
34. Zack Moss vs LV
35. Austin Ekeler @ NYG
36. Zach Charbonnet vs LAR
Must Start: RB
David Montgomery @ GB
ESPN Projection - RB23
Despite not being a big fan of David Montgomery heading into the year, I’ve quickly adapted and reaped the rewards. Due to the name value Jahmyr Gibbs has, Montgomery is consistently undervalued every single week. Montgomery is coming off of two “down games” where he scored eight and 14.92 points. Week seven (8.0 points) wasn’t great, as Montgomery did have a fairly poor game, averaging 3.4 YPC on nine attempts. However, in week eight, despite only averaging 3.7 YPC on nine attempts again, Montgomery still had 14.92 points.
There’s a massive difference between unproven, less talented players being volatile because of touchdowns versus proven goal-line backs who are fantastic players. Facing off against the Packers, the Lions have an implied team total of 26 points (7th in the NFL), according to Roto Curve. Overall, this is a fairly good matchup for Montgomery as the Lions should score a lot of points, and the Packers have allowed the 14th most fantasy points (185.5) to running backs this year.