Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings, Projections to Love and Matchups to Exploit

We're only one game into Week 9, but fantasy football managers are already facing some tough lineup decisions. Injuries are keeping several NFL stars on the sidelines, and bye weeks are still a potential issue.

The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off this week.

Naturally, some matchups are better than others, which becomes extremely important when top-tier fantasy stars become unavailable. Here, you'll find a look at some of the very best matchups of Week 9, along with updated rankings and point-per-reception (PPR) scoring projections.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 25.6 Points
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 25.2 Points
3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: 24.6 Points
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 24.1 Points
5. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts: 23.7 Points
6. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 23 Points
7. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: 21.8 Points
8. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: 20.8 Points
9. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles: Rams 20.1 Points
10. Jaxson Dart, New York Giants: 19.5 Points
11. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: 19.4 Points
12. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: 19 Points

Matchup to Love: Kyler Murray at Dallas Cowboys

The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for Kyler Murray to make his return from a foot injury on Monday night. Assuming he's good to go, Murray will have a chance to shine against the Dallas Cowboys.

For one, the Cowboys are potent enough offensively to prevent Arizona from going into a shell and trying to grind things out. Secondly, the Cardinals are down their top two running backs, which means carrying the offense will likely be Murray's responsibility.

Lastly, Dallas' defense isn't good. No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season than the Cowboys.

Running Back

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal

1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 28.7 Points
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: 24.7 Points
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 23.7 Points
4. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys: 23.5 Points
5. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: 23.1 Points
6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills: 23 Points
7. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers: 22.8 Points
8. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams: 22.5 Points
9. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers: 21.8 Points
10. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears: 19.6 Points
11. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers: 17.5 Points
12. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders: 16.5 Points
13. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: 16.4 Points
14. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants: 16 Points
15. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: 15.9 Points
16. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos: 15.8 Points
17. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears: 14.5 Points
18. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: 14 Points
19. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs: 12.5 Points
20. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints: 12 Points

Matchup to Love: Kimani Vidal at Tennessee Titans

Like the Cardinals, the Los Angeles Chargers have their top two running backs on injured reserve. However, backup Kimani Vidal has emerged as a viable starter for them and a great streaming option for fantasy managers.

Last week against the Minnesota Vikings, Vidal racked up 127 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. He also topped 100 yards against the Miami Dolphins and is poised to do it again against the Tennessee Titans this week.

Tennessee has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season. The Chargers are also quite likely to get out to an early lead against the Titans and ride Vidal and their ground game in the second half.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Steelers WR DK Metcalf

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: 25.4 Points
2. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 25 Points
3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: 23.5 Points
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 23.1 Points
5. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: 23 Points
6. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 21.5 Points
7. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears: 21.4 Points
8. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams: 20 Points
9. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts: 19.5 Points
10. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers: 19.4 Points
11. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: 19.1 Points
12. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: 19 Points
13. DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers: 18.5 Points
14. Nico Collins, Houston Texans: 18.4 Points
15. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints: 18 Points
16. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals: 17.2 Points
17. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons: 17 Points
18. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers: 16.8 Points
19. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals: 16.7 Points
20. Keenan Allen, Los ANgeles Chargers: 16.5 Points
21. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots: 16.4 Points
22. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants: 16.2 Points
23. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills: 15 Points
24. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs; 14 Points
25. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers: 13.9 Points
26. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers: 13.8 Points
27. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: 13.2 Points
28. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders: Points
29. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots: 12.4 Points
30. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos: 12 Points

Matchup to Love: DK Metcalf vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have a terrific offense, while the Pittsburgh Steelers have a suspect defense. That doesn't bode well for the Steelers this week, but it's a great combination for DK Metcalf managers.

The Steelers won't be able to keep pace with the Colts if they rely exclusively on their ground game. Expect Aaron Rodgers to drop back repeatedly, which should lead to a high volume for Metcalf.

Metcalf has recorded at least three receptions and 50 receiving yards in four straight games, and he's found the end zone in five of seven contests this season. The Colts defense, meanwhile, has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025.

Tight End

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Colts TE Tyler Warren

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 16.2 Points
2. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts: 16 Points
3. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers: 15.5 Points
4. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: 14.5 Points
5. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys: 13.5 Points
6. Oronde Gradsden II, Los Angeles Chargers: 12.5 Points
7. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: 12.2 Points
8. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions: 12 Points
9. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: 11.5 Points
10. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 11.4 Points
11. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: 11.2 Points
12. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders: 11 Points
13. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears: 10.8 Points
14. Evan Engram, Denver Broncos: 10.7 Points
15. Theo Johnson, New York Giants: 10.5 Points

Matchup to Love: Tyler Warren at Pittsburgh Steelers

As previously mentioned, the Steelers defense has struggled this season—and that includes against opposing tight ends. Only the Cincinnati Bengals have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing TEs than Pittsburgh.

Sunday's matchup will present a great opportunity for Colts tight end Tyler Warren, who has already established himself as a fantasy star. The Penn State product is averaging 13.9 fantasy points per week and has an impressively high weekly PPR floor.

Warren has only failed to reach four receptions and 40 yards once in eight games this season. He's also reached the end zone in four of his last five games.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantsayPros.