Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings Guide for Top Players and Sleepers

It's hard to believe, but the midpoint of the 2026 NFL season is upon us. This means that fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner, and the final fantasy push has also arrived.

Hopefully, you're still firmly in the mix for your fantasy postseason entering Week 9.

The good news this week is that we'll only have two teams on bye—the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. The bad news is that injuries will still leave managers relying on sleepers at a few key positions.

Here, you'll find early point-per-reception (PPR) rankings for the top plays of Week 9, along with a few sleepers to target on the waiver wire.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Dolphins QB Malik Willis

Top Plays

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
3. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
4. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
6. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
8. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
9. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
10. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Sleeper: Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins

After a rocky start to the season, Malik Willis has started to settle in as the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback. He's appeared more poised in the passing game, and he remains a threat to chew up yards on the ground.

Willis recorded a solid 15.6 fantasy points against a good New England Patriots defense on Sunday. He also topped 20 fantasy points in each of his previous two games, and he could be back to that range against the Detroit Lions this week.

The Lions have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing QBs than any other team. Willis is only rostered in 22 percent of leagues.

Running Back

AP Photo/David Becker

Raiders RB Mike Washington Jr.

Top Plays

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
3. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
5. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
6. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
7. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
8. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
11. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
12. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
13. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
14. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
15. Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos

Sleeper: Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty has dealt with ankle and foot issues for most of the season and has simply struggled to consistently find running room. He was far more productive as a receiver in Sunday's win, and the Raiders turned their ground game over to rookie Mike Washington Jr.

Washington logged 25 carries for 83 yards against the New York Jets. His PPR floor is somewhat limited because Jeanty is likely to remain the primary receiving back.

However, Washington logged 8.3 fantasy points against the Jets and could see a similar workload against the San Francisco 49ers this week. He's rostered in only 36 percent of leagues.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Commanders WR Antonio Williams

Top Plays

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
2. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
3. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
6. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
9. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
10. Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers
11. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers
12. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
13. Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
14. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
15. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
16. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
17. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
18. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
19. Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins
20. Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders

Sleeper: Antonio Williams, Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are coming off a decisive win over the rival Philadelphia Eagles, their first victory since losing No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin for the season.

Rookie Antonio Williams played a big role in Washington's offensive game plan against Philly, leading the team with seven targets. He finished with five catches for 54 yards and 10.4 fantasy points. While the Los Angeles Rams will present a bigger challenge for Williams in Week 9, volume could push him to double-digit fantasy points again.

Williams is only rostered in 19 percent of fantasy leagues.

Tight End

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Dolphins TE Greg Dulcich

Top Plays

1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
4. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
5. Isaiah Likely, New York Giants
6. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
7. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
8. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
9. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
10. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

Sleeper: Greg Dulcich, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins appear to be gaining some traction with Willis and their passing game, and it has benefited tight end Greg Dulcich. While rookie receivers Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman Jr. have become focal points of the offense, Dulcich has been a solid ancillary target.

Against the Patriots on Sunday, Dulcich caught four passes for 43 yards. He could be even more productive this week against the Lions.

No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing tight ends than Detroit, and it isn't particularly close. Dulcich is rostered in only seven percent of fantasy leagues.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.