Analysis

11/1/23

15 min read

2023 NFL Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings

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Below, you’ll find 2023 Week 9 fantasy rankings for points per reception (PPR) and half-PPR leagues. There are 28 ranked quarterbacks, 50 running backs, 58 wide receivers and 21 tight ends.

On Thursday, Matthew Hill and Kev Wheeler’s rankings will be added, and positional rankings then will be ordered by averaging the rankings from the three of us.

There also are the top-12 defense rankings from Ryan Reynolds.

For each player, you can view their ranking, matchup and implied team total according to Las Vegas sportsbooks. For example, the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens have a Vegas game total of 43, with the Ravens favored by 5.5 points (19.25 points implied for the Ravens, 23.75 points implied for the Seahawks). Seeing the implied point totals can help you understand which games (and teams) are projected to be high-scoring and filled with fantasy points.

Meanwhile, xPPR (expected PPR points) looks strictly at usage rather than a player’s ability. Think of this as each player’s average expected fantasy points per game based on the touches they get.

The Proj. column in the table (projected fantasy points, added on Wednesday) is courtesy of our data scientist, Ben Wolby. His projections won’t fully align with my fantasy rankings, but it’s another good piece of the puzzle to consider.

Detailed player write-ups appear below each set of positional rankings for additional context and will be updated throughout the week as injuries and other news come out.

Be sure to check out our Week 9 Waiver Wire article here.

Join our FREE Discord for help with start-sits, trades, and general fantasy advice each week. We’ll also drop player prop bets and DFS strategy throughout the season.

Week 9 Fantasy Rankings

Top 28 Quarterbacks

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Patrick Mahomes 1.7 3 1 1 KC MIA 26.75 18.4 20.7
2 Josh Allen 2.3 1 2 4 BUF CIN 22.75 18.3 22.6
3 Jalen Hurts 2.7 2 3 3 PHI DAL 24.75 23 21.5
4 Lamar Jackson 3.3 4 4 2 BAL SEA 24.25 19.5 21.6
5 Joe Burrow 5.3 6 5 5 CIN BUF 25.75 14.9 18.2
6 Tua Tagovailoa 5.7 5 6 6 MIA KC 24.25 17.3 18.1
7 Justin Herbert 7.3 8 7 7 LAC NYJ 22.25 19.3 18.4
8 Dak Prescott 7.7 7 8 8 DAL PHI 21.75 16.1 16.2
9 Derek Carr 9.7 9 10 10 NO CHI 24.25 15.2 14.9
10 C.J. Stroud 9.7 11 9 9 HOU TB 21.25 17.3 18
11 Sam Howell 11.3 12 11 11 WAS NE 18.5 16.5 15.7
12 Gardner Minshew 12.3 13 12 12 IND CAR 23.25 12.1 14.7
13 Geno Smith 14.7 15 13 16 SEA BAL 18.75 16.3 13.4
14 Jordan Love 14.7 16 14 14 GB LA 21.5 18.1 15.7
15 Deshaun Watson 15.5 10 21 - CLE ARI 22.75 13.5 17.8
16 Bryce Young 16.3 21 15 13 CAR IND 20.75 14.3 15.3
17 Baker Mayfield 17.3 18 17 17 TB HOU 18.75 17.8 14.5
18 Daniel Jones 18.3 24 16 15 NYG LV 17.75 16.2 13.6
19 Kenny Pickett 19.3 14 22 22 PIT TEN 19.5 13.5 15.3
20 Mac Jones 19.3 20 20 18 NE WAS 21.5 13 15.6
21 Taylor Heinicke 19.7 17 18 24 ATL MIN 21.25 12.2 15.6
22 Zach Wilson 20.7 19 23 20 NYJ LAC 19.25 13.4 13.7
23 Will Levis 20.7 22 19 21 TEN PIT 16.5 18.7 14.7
24 Tyson Bagent 24 23 24 25 CHI NO 17.25 14.5 11.7
25 Aidan O'Connell 25.7 25 25 27 LV NYG 20.75 13.7 14.4
26 Jaren Hall 26 26 26 26 MIN ATL 16.25 3 11.9
27 Clayton Tune 27.7 27 28 28 ARI CLE 14.75 0.8 11.4
28 Brett Rypien 28.7 28 27 31 LA GB 18.5 3.7 13.1

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott has averaged 27 fantasy points per game during the past two weeks, and the Dallas Cowboys passing offense is rounding into form. 

In Week 9, he faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks — a unit that was shredded by Sam Howell for 397 yards and four touchdowns this past Sunday. — Larky

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

Derek Carr reached 300 passing yards each of his past three games, and the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 3 appears to have healed. 

The Chicago Bears are a sneaky pass funnel defense, allowing more than 270 passing yards per game yet only 3.3 yards per carry to opposing running backs. Carr should have another usable streaming week. — Larky

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Only one running back has reached 15 PPR fantasy points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season (Alvin Kamara), yet four quarterbacks have reached this mark against Tampa Bay.

C.J. Stroud struggled last week against the Carolina Panthers, but he should bounce back for fantasy purposes in Week 9. The only way to beat the Buccaneers' defense is through the air, so this is another week to lean into the Texans passing game while fading the run game. — Larky

Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

Howell was on pace to set the NFL record for sacks taken in a season heading into Week 8. Against the Eagles’ dominant pass rush, he was sacked only one time on 55 dropbacks, throwing for 397 yards and four touchdowns.

Howell has reached 18 fantasy points in six of eight games and is an every-week borderline fantasy QB1 type. Bill Belichick has historically shut down young quarterbacks, but this New England Patriots' defense has been ravaged by injuries. Howell should be started in most formats. — Larky

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

After a hot start, Jordan Love has really fizzled. Since Week 2, he’s averaged just 6.0 yards per pass attempt, lower than Zach Wilson’s 6.1 figure during that stretch. Even in a matchup that looks interesting on paper against the Los Angeles Rams, Love is still not a preferred streaming option. — Larky

Top 50 Running Backs

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Alvin Kamara 1 1 1 1 NO CHI 24.25 23.4 18.2
2 Austin Ekeler 3.3 2 3 5 LAC NYJ 22.25 18.1 17.7
3 Breece Hall 3.3 3 4 3 NYJ LAC 19.25 11.2 17
4 Saquon Barkley 5.7 13 2 2 NYG LV 17.75 19.7 16.8
5 Bijan Robinson 6.3 5 7 7 ATL MIN 21.25 12.6 16.4
6 Jonathan Taylor 7.3 12 6 4 IND CAR 23.25 13.4 16.1
7 Isiah Pacheco 7.7 7 8 8 KC MIA 26.75 13.3 15
8 Josh Jacobs 7.7 9 5 9 LV NYG 20.75 17.3 15.1
9 D'Andre Swift 9 4 12 11 PHI DAL 24.75 14.8 15.9
10 Raheem Mostert 10 15 9 6 MIA KC 24.25 15.7 15.1
11 Tony Pollard 10.3 6 13 12 DAL PHI 21.75 16.8 16
12 Derrick Henry 10.3 10 11 10 TEN PIT 16.50 13 15.4
13 Joe Mixon 10.7 8 10 14 CIN BUF 25.75 14.5 15.7
14 Kenneth Walker 12.7 11 14 13 SEA BAL 18.75 15.9 14.6
15 Rachaad White 15.3 14 15 17 TB HOU 18.75 13 14.8
16 Gus Edwards 16.7 19 16 15 BAL SEA 24.25 10.2 12
17 James Cook 17 18 17 16 BUF CIN 22.75 11.4 15.3
18 Chuba Hubbard 18.3 17 20 18 CAR IND 20.75 9.3 9.6
19 Aaron Jones 18.7 16 19 21 GB LA 21.50 11.6 12.8
20 Zack Moss 20.3 21 21 19 IND CAR 23.25 15.8 12.2
21 Rhamondre Stevenson 21.3 22 18 24 NE WAS 21.50 12.4 13.7
22 Darrell Henderson 21.7 20 22 23 LA GB 18.50 12.9 7.1
23 Kareem Hunt 23.3 23 25 22 CLE ARI 22.75 9 11.4
24 Jerome Ford 24.7 28 26 20 CLE ARI 22.75 10.4 -
25 Brian Robinson 25 24 23 28 WAS NE 18.50 10.7 11.6
26 Najee Harris 27.7 29 28 26 PIT TEN 19.50 9 12
27 Jaylen Warren 28 26 31 27 PIT TEN 19.50 9.5 11.3
28 Devin Singletary 28.3 25 24 36 HOU TB 21.25 5.8 6.1
29 Alexander Mattison 29.3 34 29 25 MIN ATL 16.25 13.6 9.3
30 D'Onta Foreman 30 33 27 30 CHI NO 17.25 12 10.7
31 Royce Freeman 32 31 32 33 LA GB 18.50 7.5 5.5
32 AJ Dillon 32.3 27 33 37 GB LA 21.50 10 9.1
33 Roschon Johnson 32.7 32 34 32 CHI NO 17.25 7.4 9.5
34 Tyler Allgeier 37 42 35 34 ATL MIN 21.25 10.6 10
35 Justice Hill 37.3 36 37 39 BAL SEA 24.25 7.5 6.6
36 Ezekiel Elliott 38 35 39 40 NE WAS 21.50 7 9.4
37 Tyjae Spears 38.7 40 38 38 TEN PIT 16.50 7.2 9
38 Keaontay Ingram 39 30 30 57 ARI CLE 14.75 3.4 -
39 Cam Akers 39.3 47 36 35 MIN ATL 16.25 6.4 6.1
40 Zach Charbonnet 42 39 42 45 SEA BAL 18.75 5.6 6.2
41 Miles Sanders 43 48 40 41 CAR IND 20.75 10.1 9.8
42 Antonio Gibson 43.3 37 45 48 WAS NE 18.50 5.5 6.8
43 Jeff Wilson 43.3 46 41 43 MIA KC 24.25 2.8 7.8
44 Jamaal Williams 44.3 38 49 46 NO CHI 24.25 5.6 -
45 Latavius Murray 44.3 45 44 44 BUF CIN 22.75 6.1 7.3
46 Joshua Kelley 44.7 41 46 47 LAC NYJ 22.25 7.2 5.1
47 Pierre Strong 45 50 43 42 CLE ARI 22.75 4.4 7.2
48 Jerick McKinnon 47 43 48 50 KC MIA 26.75 4.6 6.4
49 Kenneth Gainwell 49.3 49 50 49 PHI DAL 24.75 7.7 7.1
50 Darrynton Evans 53.3 44 55 61 CHI NO 17.25 10.1 -

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara has at least 17 fantasy points in every game, averaging 22.4 on the season. Kamara has at least 10 PPR points in all but one game purely from pass-catching, and he gets a Chicago defense that allows the most receiving yards per game (62) to opposing backs. — Larky

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet out-produced and out-snapped Kenneth Walker in Week 8, but Walker came into that game with a calf injury. After a light workload, he should get heavy usage against a Baltimore defense that’s been elite against passing games while being a league-average unit against rushing attacks.  — Larky

 Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley is coming off a week where he received 41 total opportunities (36 rushes and five targets). Sure it was in a game that featured the second- and third-string quarterbacks combining for negative nine passing yards, but seeing Barkley rush for 128 yards against a stout Jets defense should give us hope that he is back to near 100 percent. The Raiders have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs, and they are an organization in turmoil after firing their coach and general manager this week. — Wheeler

Indianapolis Colts Backfield 

Jonathan Taylor handled 60 percent of the Indianapolis Colts' backfield snaps in Week 8, but Zack Moss ended up with more fantasy points because of a 1-yard touchdown run. Taylor rushed 12 times for 95 yards, while Moss saw 11 carries for 66 yards. They both likely have productive fantasy weeks in Week 9 going against a Panthers defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. — Wheeler

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rachaad White only had nine carries against the Buffalo Bills — compared to three for Ke’Shawn Vaughn, but White dominated the receiving work. White caught all seven targets for 70 yards, and he remains a strong asset in PPR formats in particular. The Houston Texans have ceded the seventh-most receiving yards per game to running backs via our free and flagship tool, The Edge. — Larky

 Carolina Panthers Backfield

Coming off the Week 7 bye, the Panthers were supposedly turning to a running back committee. Instead, they gave Chuba Hubbard 15 carries and had him run 16 routes. Miles Sanders toted the ball twice on the ground, and he wasn’t targeted on his nine routes. Raheem Blackshear even carried three times (more than Sanders) and was targeted twice on five routes. For Week 9, the assumption is Hubbard will be the bell cow again vs. the Indianapolis Colts. — Larky

Cleveland Browns Backfield

Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong, and Jerome Ford played 27, 24 and 23 snaps, respectively, in Week 8. Even against the Arizona Cardinals, it’s difficult to start any of them with confidence in this matchup. — Larky

Chicago Bears Backfield

The Bears deployed a three-way committee in Week 8 with D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, and Darrynton Evans. Fantasy managers shouldn’t start any of these backs until we get more clarity and, hopefully, consolidation. — Larky

Top 58 Wide Receivers

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Tyreek Hill 1 1 1 1 MIA KC 24.25 18.5 22.2
2 Ja'Marr Chase 2 2 2 2 CIN BUF 25.75 19.8 17.9
3 A.J. Brown 3 3 3 3 PHI DAL 24.75 17.4 19.4
4 Stefon Diggs 4.3 4 4 5 BUF CIN 22.75 17.9 22.4
5 CeeDee Lamb 5 6 5 4 DAL PHI 21.75 14.3 17.5
6 Keenan Allen 7 7 7 7 LAC NYJ 22.25 16.7 18.9
7 Davante Adams 8 9 6 9 LV NYG 20.75 16.3 15.8
8 Adam Thielen 8.7 8 8 10 CAR IND 20.75 16.5 16.2
9 Jaylen Waddle 9.3 10 10 8 MIA KC 24.25 12.5 15.3
10 Cooper Kupp 9.7 11 12 6 LA GB 18.50 15.4 16.8
11 Chris Olave 10.7 5 14 13 NO CHI 24.25 15.4 10.5
12 DeVonta Smith 14 14 13 15 PHI DAL 24.75 11.3 14.4
13 Mike Evans 14.3 21 11 11 TB HOU 18.75 13.8 15.1
14 Garrett Wilson 15 18 9 18 NYJ LAC 19.25 15.3 15.8
15 Nico Collins 16 16 18 14 HOU TB 21.25 10.9 15.3
16 Michael Pittman 16.7 13 17 20 IND CAR 23.25 15.2 14.2
17 DK Metcalf 17.7 17 19 17 SEA BAL 18.75 13.7 13.4
18 Zay Flowers 18.7 20 20 16 BAL SEA 24.25 12.2 11.3
19 Amari Cooper 19.7 12 26 21 CLE ARI 22.75 13.6 14.5
20 Tee Higgins 20.7 15 21 26 CIN BUF 25.75 11.6 10.6
21 Puka Nacua 21 26 25 12 LA GB 18.50 16.4 14
22 DJ Moore 21.7 23 23 19 CHI NO 17.25 13.2 16
23 DeAndre Hopkins 21.7 27 15 23 TEN PIT 16.50 13.9 15
24 Diontae Johnson 22.7 19 22 27 PIT TEN 19.50 14.2 15.3
25 Terry McLaurin 23.7 30 16 25 WAS NE 18.50 12.2 11.7
26 George Pickens 24.7 28 24 22 PIT TEN 19.50 12.9 13.2
27 Jakobi Meyers 25.7 22 31 24 LV NYG 20.75 14.5 12.4
28 Chris Godwin 29.3 31 28 29 TB HOU 18.75 13.8 13.9
29 Gabe Davis 29.7 34 27 28 BUF CIN 22.75 11.5 13.3
30 Tyler Lockett 30.7 25 33 34 SEA BAL 18.75 13.1 12.1
31 Josh Downs 30.7 29 32 31 IND CAR 23.25 10.6 12
32 Rashee Rice 31 33 30 30 KC MIA 26.75 8.2 9.5
33 Christian Watson 32.3 24 36 37 GB LA 21.50 10.4 10.3
34 Jordan Addison 33.7 37 29 35 MIN ATL 16.25 12.9 15.3
35 Marquise Brown 34.3 32 35 36 ARI CLE 14.75 13.8 11.9
36 Tank Dell 36 35 34 39 HOU TB 21.25 9.2 11.7
37 Michael Thomas 37 36 37 38 NO CHI 24.25 12.8 10.2
38 Rashid Shaheed 39.3 40 38 40 NO CHI 24.25 9.9 9.3
39 Romeo Doubs 40 38 41 41 GB LA 21.50 13.9 9.5
40 Jahan Dotson 40.7 41 39 42 WAS NE 18.50 9.9 8.1
41 Brandin Cooks 43.7 43 45 43 DAL PHI 21.75 8.7 6
42 Demario Douglas 44 42 43 47 NE WAS 21.50 7.3 9.7
43 Tyler Boyd 45 44 46 45 CIN BUF 25.75 9.6 10.1
44 Elijah Moore 45.3 39 49 48 CLE ARI 22.75 10.9 12.6
45 Michael Gallup 46.3 47 48 44 DAL PHI 21.75 7.5 7.1
46 Jaxon Smith-Njigba 46.3 51 42 46 SEA BAL 18.75 7.4 7.6
47 Quentin Johnston 47.3 45 40 57 LAC NYJ 22.25 5.9 7
48 Jayden Reed 49 48 50 49 GB LA 21.50 9.7 7.7
49 Wan'Dale Robinson 50.3 46 51 54 NYG LV 17.75 6.6 7.7
50 K.J. Osborn 50.7 54 47 51 MIN ATL 16.25 10 9.3
51 DJ Chark 52.3 52 53 52 CAR IND 20.75 8.4 9.1
52 Treylon Burks 55 56 59 50 TEN PIT 16.50 7.5 -
53 Jonathan Mingo 57.7 50 61 62 CAR IND 20.75 8.6 7.4
54 Odell Beckham Jr. 58.3 58 57 60 BAL SEA 24.25 7.5 -
55 Darnell Mooney 62.3 55 67 65 CHI NO 17.25 6.5 10.5
56 Jamison Crowder 67 57 71 73 WAS NE 18.50 5.5 -
57 Mack Hollins 68.7 49 63 94 ATL MIN 21.25 5.7 5.3
58 Noah Brown 72.3 53 81 83 HOU TB 21.25 8.4 -

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase has averaged 26 fantasy points per game — same as 2021 Cooper Kupp — since Week 3 of this season, and the Cincinnati Bengals offense has been firing on all cylinders. The Bills' defense is weak at cornerback, and Chase could easily drop 30 points in this contest. — Larky

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Brown now owns the NFL record for most consecutive games with at least 125 receiving yards (six). — Larky

Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

Chris Olave is the best buy-low receiver in fantasy football, and he faces a pass-funnel Bears defense in Week 9. Only A.J. Brown has more air yards per game than Olave. — Larky

 Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Many of us were expecting a big day for Nico Collins in Week 8 against the Panthers only to be disappointed by a defensive struggle. In Week 9, the Houston Texans face a Tampa Bay defense that is stout against the run but has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers and the fourth-most to wide receivers lined up in the slot. Collins has lined up in the slot on 195 of his 330 snaps and boasts a 28.9 percent target share and 3.80 yards per route run from the slot. Expect a redemption day for Collins. — Wheeler

DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Tyler Lockett scored the fantasy points in Week 8, but DK Metcalf had elite usage in that game, with 14 targets (39 percent share). Metcalf only caught five targets for 67 yards, but four were end zone targets. Metcalf is a strong regression candidate to get in the box against a tough Ravens secondary. — Larky

Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Diontae Johnson has back-to-back target shares of at least 26 percent since returning from a hamstring injury. The Tennessee Titans have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to receivers, and quarterbacks are averaging nearly eight yards per pass attempt (third-best) against them. It’s a dreaded Thursday night game, but Johnson should produce for fantasy managers. — Larky

DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans

DeAndre Hopkins only had six targets (season-low 22 percent share) but turned those into four receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns in Will Levis’ rookie debut. The 34.8 PPR points mask the 15.5 expected fantasy points that my model predicted based on usage. The Pittsburgh Steelers have pressured quarterbacks more often than the Atlanta Falcons, so don’t expect Levis to be afforded as much time to search for Hopkins deep. The below thread provides helpful context behind Levis’ strange debut. — Larky

Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

Josh Downs has reached at least 13 fantasy points in four straight games, with at least five catches in all those contests. He’s a weekly fantasy WR3 type and gets a Panthers defense that finally showed an inkling of life in their win over the Texans in Week 8. — Larky

Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders

Jahan Dotson has back-to-back games with a target share of at least 20 percent. The second-year player is building momentum, and injuries have decimated the New England Patriots defense. Dotson is at least in the flex conversation for Week 9, and another big week could rocket him into high-end fantasy WR3 status. — Larky

Demario Douglas, New England Patriots

Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL in Week 8, and DeVante Parker is in the concussion protocol. Demario Douglas looks like the team’s defacto WR1 against an underperforming Washington Commanders secondary. Think of him like Wan’Dale Robinson this week, where Douglas should rack up five or six catches close to the line of scrimmage. — Larky

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers

Quentin Johnston had the best game of his career on Sunday night against the Bears, catching five of six targets for 50 yards. He trailed Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler for targets, but he took advantage of a hobbled Joshua Palmer. Fantasy managers shouldn’t start Johnston against the New York Jets on Monday night, but it’s at least encouraging that the Los Angeles Chargers put him in a Week 8 role that was more than just running go routes. — Larky

Top 21 Tight Ends

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Travis Kelce 1 1 1 1 KC MIA 26.75 16.3 17.2
2 Mark Andrews 2 2 2 2 BAL SEA 24.25 11.2 11.4
3 T.J. Hockenson 3 3 3 3 MIN ATL 16.25 12.5 16.4
4 Dallas Goedert 4.3 4 4 5 PHI DAL 24.75 9.2 8.4
5 Dalton Kincaid 5 5 6 4 BUF CIN 22.75 7.7 11.4
6 Kyle Pitts 6 7 5 6 ATL MIN 21.25 9.8 9.7
7 Dalton Schultz 8 10 7 7 HOU TB 21.25 9.4 8.1
8 Jake Ferguson 8.3 8 9 8 DAL PHI 21.75 8 9
9 Trey McBride 9.7 6 8 15 ARI CLE 14.75 6.9 10.2
10 Logan Thomas 10 9 11 10 WAS NE 18.50 9.2 7.6
11 Cole Kmet 12.7 14 12 12 CHI NO 17.25 9.3 9.8
12 David Njoku 13 11 15 13 CLE ARI 22.75 8.6 6.6
13 Luke Musgrave 13.3 16 13 11 GB LA 21.50 6.6 7.5
14 Gerald Everett 16.3 13 17 19 LAC NYJ 22.25 6.3 7.8
15 Hunter Henry 16.7 12 18 20 NE WAS 21.50 7 8.6
16 Michael Mayer 17 19 16 16 LV NYG 20.75 3.9 -
17 Jonnu Smith 17.7 21 14 18 ATL MIN 21.25 7.4 7.6
18 Tyler Higbee 18.7 15 20 21 LA GB 18.50 7.6 -
19 Tyler Conklin 20.3 17 22 22 NYJ LAC 19.25 6.4 -
20 Daniel Bellinger 22.3 20 24 23 NYG LV 17.75 1.2 -
21 Juwan Johnson 24.3 18 27 28 NO CHI 24.25 6.2 -

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

The loss of Kirk Cousins (Achilles) hurts the entire offense, but T.J. Hockenson may be the least affected among the pass catchers. He’s been a target hog operating close to the line of scrimmage, and even with rookie fifth-round QB Jaren Hall drawing the start, we should expect four to six easy catches for him against a Falcons defense that’s struggled to contain tight ends. — Larky

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

In his first game without Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid ran 85 percent as many routes as Stefon Diggs. Kincaid commanded 18 percent of the team’s targets, catching five of seven for 65 yards and a touchdown. In a marquee matchup against the Bengals, Kincaid is a high-end fantasy starter at tight end. — Larky

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Trey McBride gets the stingy Cleveland Browns defense, but he’s coming off a 14-target, 10-catch, 95-yard, touchdown-scoring performance in Week 8 with Zach Ertz on Injured Reserve. His 39 percent target share in this contest was the highest among any tight end in a 2023 NFL game. McBride has a difficult matchup, but last week’s game against the Ravens was also tough on paper. Start the speedy second-year tight end confidently in Week 9. — Larky

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

David Njoku has at least a 26 percent target share in each of his two full games with QB P.J. Walker. There’s a real chance Njoku will keep a large offensive role until Deshaun Watson returns. — Larky

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Without Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker in Week 9, Hunter Henry could be the team’s top option in the passing game. The Commanders have been generous to all in passing game fantasy points this year, and Henry is the best streamer for Week 9. — Larky

Top 12 Fantasy Defenses

Rank Name Opp Opp Total
1 Browns ARI 14.75
2 Saints CHI 17.25
3 Ravens SEA 18.75
4 Steelers TEN 16.5
5 Falcons MIN 16.25
6 Raiders NYG 17.75
7 Packers LAR 18.5
8 Texans TB 18.75
9 Buccaneers HOU 21.25
10 Chargers NYJ 19.25
11 Eagles DAL 21.75
12 Cowboys PHI 24.75

Cleveland Browns Defense (vs. Cardinals)

Whether it’s Clayton Tune or Kyler Murray, the Cleveland defense has enormous upside this week.

Baltimore Ravens Defense (vs. Seahawks)

Geno Smith has thrown five interceptions and taken seven sacks in his last three games.

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense (vs. Titans)

The Pittsburgh defense has a trench advantage in this contest.

Atlanta Falcons Defense (vs. Vikings)

This is primarily a bet against Jaren Hall if he starts. If newly acquired quarterback Joshua Dobbs gets the nod, the Falcons are still a good option.

Green Bay Packers Defense (vs. Rams)

If Matthew Stafford misses this contest, the Green Bay Packers’ defense is in a potential smash spot.

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Josh Larky

Josh Larky is the Director of Fantasy and Gambling at The 33rd Team.  He joins us with a unique blend of educational and professional experience.

Matthew Hill

Writing and providing draft and in-season rankings since 2014, Matthew Hill was chosen FantasyPro's “Most Accurate Expert” for 2018. In addition to his 2018 first place in-season accuracy finish, Matthew’s draft rankings are among the industry's most accurate, finishing in the top 12 for 2019 to 2021.

Kev Wheeler

Kev Wheeler is a former high school baseball and football coach who has been a fantasy football addict for more than 25 years. As a coach, Wheeler's teams accomplished five county and two regional championships. Wheeler has translated his on-field success to the fantasy football arena.

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