Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings: Week 9

Fallout from Derrick Henry and Henry Ruggs’ situations and more this week.

These fantasy football rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation.

The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Rankings key:
UP/DN is trending up or down from week’s ranking.
NR means the player wasn’t ranked last week.
UP/DN numbering shows where the player was ranked the prior week.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

Quarterbacks
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Josh Allen, BUF 7
2 Lamar Jackson, BAL 8 UP4 I trust Jackson’s running as much as trust anything with most QBs right now
3 Patrick Mahomes, KC 12
4 Kyler Murray, ARI 12 DN2 struggled in Wk 8 and suffered an ankle injury; he’s expected to play in Wk 9 but the physical issues are starting to mount
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
5 Justin Herbert, LAC 7 back-to-back poor games moves him out of the top tier
6 Tom Brady, TB 9
7 Matthew Stafford, LAR 11 UP8
8 Dak Prescott, DAL 7 DNP in Wk 8 w/ a calf injury; he has a good chance to return in Wk 9
9 Joe Burrow, CIN 10
10 Jalen Hurts, PHI 14 threw just 14 passes in Wk 8; the team needed to scale him back, but it really clouds his value
11 Aaron Rodgers, GB 13
12 Taysom Hill, TB 6 NR enters rankings w/ Winston (knee) done for the year; has missed last two games due to a concussion but should return soon
13 Ryan Tannehill, TEN 13 UP16 TEN is going to need more out of Tannehill going forward
14 Derek Carr, LV 8 Want to see how he performs without Henry Ruggs; will reevaluate after Week 9
15 Russell Wilson, SEA 9 on IR w/ a finger injury; eligible to return in Wk 10 but could be out longer
16 Matt Ryan, ATL 6 DN12 the Ridley situation could affect Ryan’s value
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
17 Kirk Cousins, MIN 7 his fast start has been all but forgotten at this point; still, his weekly upside remains high
18 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 7
19 Mac Jones, NE 14
20 Daniel Jones, NYG 10
21 Trey Lance, SF 6 was active as an emergency QB in Wk 8 as he continues to recover from a knee injury
22 Trevor Lawrence, JAC 7 UP24
23 Teddy Bridgewater, DEN 11 DN17
24 Justin Fields, CHI 10 UP29 his running in Wk 8 was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen from him as a starter
25 Taylor Heinicke, WAS 9 plays just well enough to offer hope
26 Sam Darnold, CAR 13 suffered a concussion in Wk 8; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
27 Carson Wentz, IND 14
28 Tua Tagovailoa, MIA 14 UP30
29 Baker Mayfield, CLE 13 returned in Wk 8 after missing previous game w/ a shoulder injury; too bad toughness isn’t a fantasy stat
30 Tyrod Taylor, HOU 10 missed his sixth straight game w/ a hamstring injury; he could return in Wk 9
31 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 6 UP32
32 Zach Wilson, NYJ 6 DNP in Wk 8 due to a knee injury; he’s expected to miss 1-3 more weeks
33 Jared Goff, DET 9 DN31 how long until DET gives David Blough a look?
34 Geno Smith, SEA 9
35 Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS 9 on IR w/ hip injury
36 Mike White, NYJ 6 NR
Running backs
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Alvin Kamara, NO 6
2 Jonathan Taylor, IND 14 UP4
3 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL 7
4 Nick Chubb, CLE 13 returned in Wk 8 after missing two games w/ a calf injury
5 Austin Ekeler, LAC 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Dalvin Cook, MIN 7 did MIN intentionally scale back Cook’s usage on SNF or was that just a byproduct of the game?
7 Najee Harris, PIT 7 UP9
8 Aaron Jones, GB 13
9 Joe Mixon, CIN 10 UP11
10 James Robinson, JAC 7 suffered a heel injury in Wk 8 and did not return; he’s considered day-to-day and his status for Wk 9 is TBD
11 D’Andre Swift, DET 9
12 Christian McCaffrey, CAR 13 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 9
13 Darrell Henderson, LAR 11
14 Elijah Mitchell, SF 6 UP20 three times w/ 100+ rushing yards in 5 career games
15 Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL 6
16 Damien Harris, NE 14 UP19
17 Antonio Gibson, WAS 9 DN13 his time share w/ McKissic and Jaret Patterson in Wk 8 was concerning; let’s assume it was related to his shin issue for now
18 Saquon Barkley, NYG 10 missed last three games w/ an ankle injury; has a chance to return in Wk 9
19 Leonard Fournette, TB 9
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
20 Chase Edmonds, ARI 12
21 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC 12 on IR w/ a knee injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 9
22 James Conner, ARI 12
23 Javonte Williams, DEN 11
24 Josh Jacobs, LV 8 suffered a chest injury in Wk 7; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
25 Miles Sanders, PHI 14 DN21 placed on IR w/ an ankle injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 11
26 David Montgomery, CHI 10 DN25 on IR w/ a knee injury; he’s eligible to return
27 Michael Carter, NYJ 6 UP44 scored TDs in 3 of his last 4 games; seeing increased involvement in the passing game as well
28 Jamaal Williams, DET 9 did not play in Wk 8 due to a thigh injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
29 Zack Moss, BUF 7
30 Kareem Hunt, CLE 13 on IR w/ a calf injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 10
31 Melvin Gordon III, DEN 11
32 Khalil Herbert, CHI 10 UP35 hard to imagine Herbert hasn’t carved out a role even when Montgomery returns
33 AJ Dillon, GB 13
34 Darrel Williams, KC 12 split carries w/ Derrick Gore in Wk 8; CEH eligible to return
35 J.D. McKissic, WAS 9 UP40
36 Chuba Hubbard, CAR 13
37 Alex Collins, SEA 9 DN29 the news about Collins’ injury sounds better
38 Devin Singletary, BUF 7
39 D’Ernest Johnson, CLE 13 logged only 5 touches as the RB2 in Wk 8, which was not encouraging
40 Tony Pollard, DAL 7
41 Chris Carson, SEA 9 on IR w/ a neck injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 10, but he might miss additional games
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
42 Derrick Henry, TEN 13 DN1 placed on IR and will undergo foot surgery this week; he’s expected to miss 6-10 weeks
43 Myles Gaskin, MIA 14
44 Kenyan Drake, LV 8
45 Mike Davis, ATL 6 UP53
46 Kenneth Gainwell, PHI 14 was by far the least productive RB in Wk 8, but I still prefer his long-term role/value
47 Sony Michel, LAR 11
48 Latavius Murray, BAL 8 DNP in Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
49 Mark Ingram, NO 6 DN43 acquired from HOU; had 8 touches in his return to NO
50 Alexander Mattison, MIN 7
51 Ty Johnson, NYJ 6 UP65 filling a McKissic-type role the past two weeks
52 Devontae Booker, NYG 10
53 Giovani Bernard, TB 9 UP58
54 Devonta Freeman, BAL 8
55 David Johnson, HOU 10 HOU basically didn’t run in their first game after trading Ingram; hopefully Wk 9 will provide some clarity
56 Samaje Perine, CIN 10
57 JaMycal Hasty, SF 6 NR
58 Ronald Jones, TB 9 DN51 hard to see Jones having any value unless Fournette gets injured
59 Adrian Peterson, TEN 13 NR probably worth a speculative add, though obviously TEN’s RB room is in a state of flux
60 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE 14
61 Nyheim Hines, IND 14 DN46 really hasn’t done much of anything since Wk 3
62 Salvon Ahmed, MIA 14
63 Boston Scott, PHI 14 NR far from sold on PHI’s commitment to running; still, I’d rather rank Scott than Howard
64 Carlos Hyde, JAC 7
65 Marlon Mack, IND 14 DN59
66 Damien Williams, CHI 10 suffered a knee injury in Wk 8 and did not return; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
67 Ty’Son Williams, BAL 8
68 Jeremy McNichols, TEN 13 NR if TEN starts to throw more, McNichols’ pass-catching skills could be featured
69 Phillip Lindsay, HOU 10
70 Justin Jackson, LAC 7 had a 75-yd run but then departed w/ a quad injury in Wk 8 and did not return; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
Wide receivers
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Cooper Kupp, LAR 11
2 Davante Adams, GB 13 missed Wk 8 w/ a positive COVID test; he should return in Wk 9
3 Justin Jefferson, MIN 7
4 Tyreek Hill, KC 12 played his best game since Wk 4 on MNF
5 DeAndre Hopkins, ARI 12 dealt w/ a hamstring injury that limited his snaps in Wk 8; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
6 DK Metcalf, SEA 9
7 Ja’Marr Chase, CIN 10
8 Deebo Samuel, SF 6 UP13 has topped 150 yards receiving 3 times in 7 games this season
9 Mike Evans, TB 9
10 Terry McLaurin, WAS 9 DN5
11 Keenan Allen, LAC 7
12 Stefon Diggs, BUF 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
13 A.J. Brown, TEN 13 UP16 he might be the new focal point of TEN’s offense
14 CeeDee Lamb, DAL 7 UP15
15 D.J. Moore, CAR 13 still not sure how that wasn’t a touchdown…
16 Diontae Johnson, PIT 7
17 Mike Williams, LAC 7 DN12 has disappeared the past two weeks; not coincidentally, LAC have lost both
18 Adam Thielen, MIN 7
19 Chris Godwin, TB 9 UP24
20 Brandin Cooks, HOU 10
21 Michael Pittman Jr., IND 14 UP27
22 Robert Woods, LAR 11 scored twice but he still feels like years behind Kupp in terms of chemistry w/ Stafford
23 Chase Claypool, PIT 7
24 Amari Cooper, DAL 7
25 Tyler Lockett, SEA 9 had his first impactful performance since Wk 2; a reminder of what a risk/reward play Lockett is each week
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
26 Antonio Brown, TB 9 DN22 missed last two games w/ an ankle injury; he could return in Wk 10
27 Tee Higgins, CIN 10
28 Marquise Brown, BAL 8
29 Jaylen Waddle, MIA 14
30 Courtland Sutton, DEN 11 DN28
31 Julio Jones, TEN 13 missed his third game in five weeks w/ a hamstring injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
32 Emmanuel Sanders, BUF 7
33 A.J. Green, ARI 12 UP43 he has been the most reliable contributor among ARI’s secondary WRs
34 Marvin Jones, JAC 7 DN33 it’s checkdown city in JAC right now
35 Kenny Golladay, NYG 10 missed last three games w/ a knee injury; he’s week-to-week
36 DeVonta Smith, PHI 14 DN34
37 Cole Beasley, BUF 7 UP48 trending upward following a slow start
38 Hunter Renfrow, LV 8 UP49
39 Calvin Ridley, ATL 6 DN19 out indefinitely for mental health reasons; best move is to stash him on your bench and see what happens
40 Corey Davis, NYJ 6 missed Wk 8 w/ a hip injury; he has a chance to play in Wk 9
41 Jerry Jeudy, DEN 11 UP51 returned in Wk 8 after missing six games w/ an ankle injury
42 Darnell Mooney, CHI 10
43 Jarvis Landry, CLE 13 UP52
44 Laviska Shenault Jr., JAC 7 DN38 so much of JAC’s passing game is for the RBs/TEs
45 Jakobi Meyers, NE 14
46 Christian Kirk, ARI 12 UP57 has topped 45 yards receiving in 6 of 8 games this season
47 Jamison Crowder, NYJ 6
48 Mecole Hardman, KC 12 UP53
49 Michael Thomas, NO 6 DN46 on the PUP list w/ an ankle injury; eligible to return but is reportedly still weeks away from playing
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
50 Tyler Boyd, CIN 10
51 Bryan Edwards, LV 8 UP67
52 Odell Beckham Jr., CLE 13 DN42
53 DeVante Parker, MIA 14 UP65 returned in Wk 8 after missing three games w/ a hamstring injury
54 Rondale Moore, ARI 12 DN40 has only topped 50 yards in a game once since Wk 2
55 Russell Gage Jr., ATL 6
56 Brandon Aiyuk, SF 6 seven targets in Wk 8, 4 catches and even a 2-point conversion; don’t give me hope!
57 Rashad Bateman, BAL 8
58 T.Y. Hilton, IND 14 DN56 suffered a concussion in Wk 8, his third injury of 2021; he won’t play in Wk 9
59 Tim Patrick, DEN 11
60 Sterling Shepard, NYG 10 DN54 returned in Wk 8 after missing 3 of last 4 games w/ a hamstring injury; suffered a quad injury and did not return
61 Allen Robinson II, CHI 10 DN39 *sigh*
62 Curtis Samuel, WAS 9 DN50 missed third straight game w/ a groin injury; he won’t be placed on IR and could still return this season
63 Van Jefferson, LAR 11 UP73
64 K.J. Osborn, MIN 7
65 Jamal Agnew, JAC 7 UP75 17 receptions in his last 3 games
66 Robby Anderson, CAR 13 DN59 got lit up on his lone target of Wk 8
67 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET 9
68 Nelson Agholor, NE 14 UP78
69 Nico Collins, HOU 10 NR
70 Marquez Callaway, NO 6 DN63
71 Kalif Raymond, DET 9
72 Jalen Reagor, PHI 14 suffered an ankle injury in Wk 8 and did not return; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
73 Sammy Watkins, BAL 8 missed last two games w/ a hamstring injury; he could return in Wk 9
74 Michael Gallup, DAL 7 DN71 on IR w/ an ankle injury; could return in Wk 9 but it doesn’t feel like there’s much of a role waiting for him
75 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB 13 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; appears likely to return in Wk 9
76 Kadarius Toney, NYG 10 returned in Wk 8 after missing the previous game w/ an ankle injury; suffered a thumb injury and did not return
77 James Washington, PIT 7 DN76
78 Josh Gordon, KC 12
79 Will Fuller, MIA 14 on IR w/ a broken finger; eligible to return but has already been ruled out of Wk 9
Tight ends
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Travis Kelce, KC 12
2 Darren Waller, LV 8 missed Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
3 Mark Andrews, BAL 8
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
4 Kyle Pitts, ATL 6 without Ridley, Pitts should be the focal point of ATL’s passing attack
5 T.J. Hockenson, DET 9
6 George Kittle, SF 6 on IR w/ a calf injury; eligible to return in Wk 9
7 Dallas Goedert, PHI 14
8 Mike Gesicki, MIA 14 UP9
9 Dalton Schultz, DAL 7 missed Prescott more than anyone on SNF
10 Rob Gronkowski, TB 9 returned in Wk 8 after missing four games w/ a rib injury only to depart due to back spasms
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
11 Hunter Henry, NE 14
12 Pat Freiermuth, PIT 7 UP20 finished second to Johnson in targets in Wk 8
13 Noah Fant, DEN 11
14 Zach Ertz, ARI 12
15 Tyler Higbee, LAR 11
16 Tyler Conklin, MIN 7 UP23 50+ receiving yards in 3 of his last 5 games
17 C.J. Uzomah, CIN 10
18 Dawson Knox, BUF 7 did not play in Wk 8 due to a hand injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
19 Dan Arnold, JAC 7 UP26
20 Logan Thomas, WAS 9 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; eligible to return
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
21 Evan Engram, NYG 10
22 Jared Cook, LAC 7 DN17
23 Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS 9
24 Jonnu Smith, NE 14
25 Cole Kmet, CHI 10
26 Gerald Everett, SEA 9
27 Adam Trautman, NO 6
28 David Njoku, CLE 13 NR replaces Hooper as CLE’s unplayable fantasy TE
29 Blake Jarwin, DAL 7
30 Marcedes Lewis, GB 13 NR joins the rankings following the injury to Tonyan (knee)
Defensive teams
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Bills, BUF 7
2 Rams, LAR 11 UP3 acquired Von Miller from DEN, which should elevate the pass rush
3 Buccaneers, TB 9
4 Steelers, PIT 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
5 Cardinals, ARI 12 it’ll be interesting to see if the loss of Watt (shoulder) has a trickledown effect
6 Cowboys, DAL 7 UP8
7 49ers, SF 6
8 Saints, NO 6
9 Packers, GB 13 UP14 since Wk 1, GB has recorded 20 sacks, 14 takeaways and allowed just over 18 PPG; imagine if they get healthy
10 Ravens, BAL 8 DN7
11 Colts, IND 14
12 Patriots, NE 14 DN9
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Bears, CHI 10 DN10
14 Browns, CLE 13
15 Bengals, CIN 10
16 Panthers, CAR 13
17 Vikings, MIN 7 DN15 losing Hunter (pec) for the year could be a major blow
18 Broncos, DEN 11
19 Seahawks, SEA 9
20 Titans, TEN 13 NR