Fantasy WR Rankings Week 9: Who to start, sit at wide receiver in fantasy football

Nick Musial

Fantasy WR Rankings Week 9: Who to start, sit at wide receiver in fantasy football image

As we roll into Week 9, making the right start 'em sit 'em moves is crucial to your hopes of moving up the regular season standings as the fantasy football playoffs loom. That's especially true at wide receiver, where a decent chunk of the player pool is gone this week thanks to six byes, which shakes up our Week 9 fantasy WR rankings for standard leagues.

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

We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 9 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for wide receivers -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!

TRY DRAFT SHARKS FREE: Dominate with exclusive tools, including Free-Agent Finder & Trade Navigator!

Nick Musial

Nick Musial Photo

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.