Fantasy Football WR PPR Rankings Week 9: Who to start, best sleepers at wide receiver

Nick Musial

Fantasy Football WR PPR Rankings Week 9: Who to start, best sleepers at wide receiver image

Following a bye-free slate, four teams are idle this week, prompting a slight adjustment to our Week 9 fantasy WR PPR rankings. While quarterbacks continue to drop like flies, the WR pool has remained relatively healthy. While that's undoubtedly a positive, a deeper WR pool lends itself to more start-sit debates, causing fantasy football owners to contemplate the best options in a crucial week. 

Fantasy owners understandably have worries when new QBs take over, but as we saw last week with Will Levis and DeAndre Hopkins, it's not always a bad thing. Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn are legit worries without Kirk Cousins (Achilles), and Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua would have lower ceilings if Matthew Stafford (thumb) is out, but we're not particularly worried about Diontae Johnson and George Pickens if Kenny Pickett (ribs) is out or any Falcons' receivers if Desmond Ridder (concussion) sits. And, let's face it, no one's playing any Giants' receivers anyway, so it doesn't really matter who starts for them.

With all that in the background, let's break down our Week 9 WR PPR rankings.

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Which WRs are on bye in Week 9?

With the Lions, 49ers, Broncos, and Jaguars idle in Week 9, the most notable WRs on bye include Amon Ra-St. Brown, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, Courtland Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy.  

WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Deep-leaguers also lose Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams, but at least fantasy owners won't have to worry about whether Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and Zay Jones (knee) will suit up this week. 

WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy WRs Week 9?

Tyreek Hill (vs. Chiefs in Week 9) is routinely a shoo-in for 100-plus receiving yards and a touchdown, and he'll look to maintain his dominant play overseas in Germany against his former squad. 

After totaling 125-plus receiving yards for a sixth-straight game, A.J. Brown (vs. Cowboys) vaults up to the No. 2 spot in our Week 9 WR PPR rankings. In Brown's most recent game against the Cowboys -- in a game where QB Jalen Hurts was injured -- Brown torched the Cowboys' secondary to the tune of eight catches for 103 yards. Look for another strong fantasy performance from this season's "Mr. Reliable". 

Stefon Diggs (@ Bengals) has been just as steady, seeing a whopping 51 targets over his past four games. A 100-yard day is always in the equation for Buffalo's WR1.

Ja'Marr Chase (vs. Bills) consistently found the soft spots in the 49ers' defense in the Bengals Week 8 upset, securing 10 catches for 100 yards and a TD. With Joe Burrow back to 100 percent, Chase could easily finish as the overall WR1 in Week 9. 

Cooper Kupp (@ Packers) hasn't put up Kupp-like numbers the past two weeks, but a rebound performance against a struggling Packers' coverage unit looks to be in store as long as Stafford suits up. If he's out, Kupp is still a must-start, but his ceiling definitely takes a hit.

CeeDee Lamb (@ Eagles) is climbing back up the WR rankings thanks to consecutive 115-plus yard efforts. Lambs' getting force-fed from Dak Prescott, seeing 21 targets over that span. 

Davante Adams (vs. Giants) is also enduring a rough stretch, entering Week 8 with three straight sub-50-yard efforts. A favorable spot against a young Giants secondary could result in Adams producing at WR1-caliber level, though, so stick with the superstar.

WEEK 9 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the best fantasy WR sleepers, waiver pickups Week 9?

Fantasy owners should consider utilizing a waiver claim on Jahan Dotson (@ Patriots), Brandin Cooks (@ Eagles), Jayden Reed (vs. Rams), JuJu Smith-Schuster (vs. Commanders), and Rashid Shaheed (vs. Bears) this week, though the latter isn't quite as reliable in PPR leagues.

Dotson's seeing eight-plus targets in back-to-back games, looking like the "breakout" WR many expected this offseason. New England's secondary is sound, but the Commanders' pass-heavy offense gives Dotson plenty of opportunity to post WR3/flex numbers moving forward.

Cooks and the Cowboys' offense are starting to hit their stride, as Cooks' has reached paydirt in consecutive weeks. Dallas might be playing from behind in Week 9, benefitting Cooks' immediate fantasy value. The Packers offense knows something about playing from behind, giving Reed flex appeal in PPR leagues. He's outplayed Christian Watson in each of the past two games.

Smith-Schuster's been a fantasy disappointment, but with fellow WRs DeVante Parker (head) and Kendrick Bourne (knee) suffering injuries last week, Mac Jones has to throw the ball to someone. Smith-Schuster recorded his first receiving TD as a Patriot in Week 8, a potential sign of things to come if Parker and Bourne remain out. 

Similarly, Van Jefferson (vs. Vikings) could have fantasy appeal because of an injury, as Drake London's groin ailment gives Jefferson deep-league flex appeal in Week 9.

WEEK 9 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Who are the biggest potential WR busts Week 9?

While another potential negative game script boosts Marquise Brown's and Michael Wilson's (@ Browns) fantasy value as prime garbage-time contributors, we have little interest in starting either WR against one of the league's best coverage units.

Christian Watson (vs. Rams), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (@ Ravens), Wan'Dale Robinson (@ Raiders), and Elijah Moore (vs. Cardinals) should be relegated to bench duties. While Watson has the highest ceiling of the bunch, we can't trust any of these wideouts to churn out fantasy-worthy stat lines, especially in PPR leagues.

Smith-Njigba has scored a TD in consecutive weeks, but there are too many mouths to feed in the Seahawks' offense, and a tough matchup in Baltimore gives us little to no confidence in his Week 9 fantasy prospects.

Even if Daniel Jones (neck) is back under center, we want no part of the Giants offense, so Robinson's best suited on the bench in 12-team leagues. Despite a plus matchup against the Cardinals, Moore doesn't excite us when you factor in P.J. Walker's uneven QB play.

What are the biggest WR injuries Week 9?

Unlike the QB position, we lucked out on the injury front in Week 8, as just four WRs, Drake London (groin), Kendrick Bourne (knee), DeVante Parker (head), and Curtis Samuel (toe) exited early. For now, we've omitted all four WRs from our initial Week 9 rankings. 

Entering Week 8, Deebo Samuel (shoulder), Robert Woods (foot), and Zay Jones (knee) were the most notable WRs to be ruled out ahead of game action. Woods won't be suiting up in Week 9, and Samuels and Jones will get a week to heal while on bye.

As usual, we'll update these WR PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy WR PPR Rankings Week 9: Who to start, sit at wide receiver

Rankings based on PPR scoring formats

Rank    Player
1    Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Chiefs
2    A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Cowboys
3    Stefon Diggs, Bills @ Bengals
4    Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals vs. Bills
5    CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ Eagles
6    Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Giants
7    Keenan Allen, Chargers @ Jets
8    Cooper Kupp, Rams @ Packers
9    Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Chiefs
10    Adam Thielen, Panthers vs. Colts
11    Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ Texans
12    George Pickens, Steelers vs. Titans
13    Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Chargers
14    Chris Olave, Saints vs. Bears
15    Michael Pittman Jr., Colts @ Panthers
16    Jordan Addison, Vikings @ Falcons
17    Puka Nacua, Rams @ Packers
18    DeVonta Smith, Eagles vs. Cowboys
19    Jakobi Meyers, Raiders vs. Giants
20    Amari Cooper, Browns vs. Cardinals
21    DeAndre Hopkins, Titans @ Steelers
22    DJ Moore, Bears @ Saints
23    Terry McLaurin, Commanders @ Patriots
24    DK Metcalf, Seahawks @ Ravens
25    Diontae Johnson, Steelers vs. Titans
26    Chris Godwin, Buccaneers @ Texans
27    Tee Higgins, Bengals vs. Bills
28    Marquise Brown, Cardinals @ Browns
29    Zay Flowers, Ravens vs. Seahawks
30    Gabe Davis, Bills @ Bengals
31    Josh Downs, Colts @ Panthers
32    Tyler Lockett, Seahawks @ Ravens
33    K.J. Osborn, Vikings @ Falcons
34    Romeo Doubs, Packers vs. Rams
35    Michael Thomas, Saints vs. Bears
36    Nico Collins, Texans vs. Buccaneers
37    Rashee Rice, Chiefs vs. Dolphins
38    Christian Watson, Packers vs. Rams
39    JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots vs. Commanders
40    Jahan Dotson, Commanders @ Patriots
41    Quentin Johnston, Chargers @ Jets
42    Rashid Shaheed, Saints vs. Bears
43    Jayden Reed, Packers vs. Rams
44    Tyler Boyd, Bengals vs. Bills
45    Brandin Cooks, Cowboys @ Eagles
46    Tank Dell, Texans vs. Buccaneers
47    Rondale Moore, Cardinals @ Browns
48    Treylon Burks, Titans @ Steelers
49    Darnell Mooney, Bears @ Saints
50    Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants @ Raiders
51    Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks @ Ravens
52    Van Jefferson, Falcons vs. Vikings
53    Elijah Moore, Browns vs. Cardinals
54    Jonathan Mingo, Panthers vs. Colts
55    Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens vs. Seahawks
56    DJ Chark, Panthers vs. Colts
57    Demario Douglas, Patriots vs. Commanders
58    Derius Davis, Chargers @ Jets
59    Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs vs. Dolphins
60    Cedrick Wilson, Dolphins vs. Chiefs
61    Michael Gallup, Cowboys @ Eagles
62    Jake Bobo, Seahawks @ Ravens
63    Khalil Shakir, Bills @ Bengals
64    Brandon Powell, Vikings @ Falcons
65    Jamison Crowder, Commanders @ Patriots
66    Darius Slayton, Giants @ Raiders
67    Allen Lazard, Jets vs. Chargers
68    Jalen Reagor, Patriots vs. Commanders
69    Tutu Atwell, Rams @ Packers
70    Skyy Moore, Chiefs vs. Dolphins
71    Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans vs. Falcons
72    Alec Pierce, Colts @ Panthers
73    Jalin Hyatt, Giants @ Raiders

Week 9 WR PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week

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Nick Musial

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Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.