Week 9 Fantasy Flex Rankings

We're now into Week 9 of the fantasy football season, and some owners are getting desperate for wins as they try to earn a playoff spot. Injuries have decimated the skill positions this year, and some potential contenders are shorthanded at key spots. Couple that with bye weeks, and you get some very difficult start 'em, sit 'em calls involving waiver wire pickups and top streaming options. Trusting sleepers may be necessary this week with the Bengals, Browns, Eagles, and Rams all on bye, so owners will look to compare RB, WR, and TE options and our Week 9 fantasy flex rankings will help owners decide which players to trust.

The flex rankings are a bit thinner than usual this week because of the volume of contributors on bye. The Bengals and Rams are each three-deep at receiver, while the Eagles have several pass-catching weapons, as well. The good news is that the likes of Christian McCaffrey and Chris Carson could be back this week, so they will add some punch atop these rankings and create some more trustworthy depth.

WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

The biggest consideration in choosing a flex option is often the matchup. If you're choosing between a couple of solid players, you usually go with the one playing the weaker defense more often than not. Luckily, the Cowboys are in action against the Steelers this week, so the Steelers will have four pass-catchers who crack the top 120 flex options in JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Eric Ebron. Elsewhere, the Lions (@ Vikings), Texans (@ Jaguars), and both sides of the Seahawks-Bills game have good matchups, so even their lower-level depth options can be trusted.

WEEK 9 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

Picking a player at the flex spot is also about knowing what your lineup needs. Do you need a safe play who will give you points no matter what? Feel free to go with guys like the Ravens RBs, Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, who will get carries but have low ceilings against the Colts' strong defense. Need a more potential-packed play? Maybe taking a risk on Lions WR Marvin Hall against the Vikings' shoddy pass defense in the move for you.

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

As always, a friendly reminder to always put a starter with the latest-starting game into your flex spot once you choose your top option. That'll give you more flexibility if there are last-minute cancellations or if a player unexpectedly lands on the inactive list.

WEEK 9 DFS CASH LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

Without further ado, here are our Week 9 flex rankings. 

WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Flex

These rankings are for standard, non-PPR leagues.

MORE WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder