Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings Guide for Top Players and Sleepers

It may feel like the 2025 NFL season just got underway, but we're already approaching the campaign's midpoint. For fantasy managers, that means that the playoff push is right around the corner.

The good news this week is that we won't have nearly a quarter of the league on bye. The bad news is that four teams—the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers—will be off.

Here's a look at some early point-per-reception (PPR) rankings, along with a few sleepers to consider targeting on this week's waiver wire.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
6. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
7. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
8. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
9. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
10. Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
11. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
12. Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals

Sleeper: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

The Baltimore Ravens got back in the win column on Sunday, while showing a bit of fresh life on defense coming out of the bye. However, Baltimore's defense still isn't great and has surrendered an average of 20.7 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

The Miami Dolphins also got back in the win column on Sunday, while finally finding a rhythm on offense. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns during Miami's rout of the Atlanta Falcons. Now, he's set to face the Ravens on Thursday night.

Will Tagovailoa replicate his Week 8 performance? Probably not, but the upside of this matchup is hard to ignore. Tagovailoa is rostered in just 19 percent of Yahoo leagues and 14 percent of ESPN leagues.

Running Back

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Chargers RB Jaret Patterson

1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
4. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
5. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
7. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
8. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
9. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
10. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
11. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
12. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
13. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
14. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
15. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Sleeper: Jaret Patterson, Los Angeles Chargers

Tyrone Tracy Jr. is the top back to target on the wire, since the New York Giants have lost Cam Skattebo to a season-ending ankle injury. However, managers looking for a deep sleeper with a favorable matchup should consider Jaret Patterson.

The Los Angeles Chargers elevated Patterson for last Thursday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. He performed reasonably well as a change-of-pace behind Kimani Vidal, tallying 30 yards on 11 carries.

Patterson could see even more run this week if the Chargers get out to an early lead against the Tennessee Titans—which would seem likely. Only the Cincinnati Bengals have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing running backs than Tennessee.

Unsurprisingly, Patterson is available in virtually all ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte

1. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
2. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
5. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
6. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
7. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
8. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
9. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
10. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
11. DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
12. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
13. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
14. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
15. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
16. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
17. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
18. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots
19. Marvin Harrison Jr. Arizona Cardinals
20. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Sleeper: Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots

The Falcons had been mostly solid against opposing passing attacks but struggled to corral Miami on Sunday. They're unlikely to fare much better against a New England Patriots offense that is rolling.

Against a good Cleveland Browns defense in Week 8, Drake Maye racked up 282 yards and three touchdowns.

Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, meanwhile, has topped 50 yards and found the end zone in three straight games. He's become an integral piece of the Patriots' passing attack, and that isn't going to change against Atlanta.

Boutte is available in roughly 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Tight End

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Saints TE Juwan Johnson

1. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
2. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
3. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
4. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
5. Oronde Gradsden, Los Angeles Chargers
6. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
7. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
8. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
9. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
10. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
11. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
12. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Sleeper: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson continues to be one of the better options lingering on the waiver wire. While he certainly hasn't been matchup-proof, Johnson has been a big part of New Orleans' game plan more often than not.

The 25-year-old has topped 50 yards with five receptions in each of his past two outings.

This week, the Saints will have a tough matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. There's a good chance they'll need to throw often to keep pace, which should mean plenty of targets and receptions for Johnson, who is rostered in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues and 33 percent of ESPN leagues.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.