Fantasy Football Week 9: Matt Camp's Fantasy Big Board
Don't overrate the long-term viability of a player.
If you enter Week 9 sitting at 3-5 or 4-4 with concerns about making the playoffs, you shouldn't be looking too far down the road. If you don't win now, late-season matchup could be rendered meaningless.
Kenyan Drake wasn't a top-40 fantasy running back during his eight weeks with the Miami Dolphins this season, yet he might be the top waiver-wire pickup. The Arizona Cardinals acquired Drake just days before hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Both David Johnson (ankle) and Chase Edmonds (hamstring) could be out, so Drake may be walking right into a better and more significant role than he had in Miami.
That's not to say Drake should be earmarked for a weekly spot in your starting lineup. The return of Johnson, Edmonds or both would take away a significant chunk of his touches. Facing a strong 49ers defense isn't ideal, but with the injuries, Drake is still in a better spot with the Cardinals than he was for his two months with the Dolphins.
Here's my first look at points-per-reception (PPR) rankings for Week 9. These will change throughout the week and up to Sunday's action as we get more information about injuries and limitations, so make sure to bookmark this page for my full rankings for all scoring formats.
Still can't figure out your fantasy football lineup for the week? Check out Your Fantasy Fire Drill with Matt Camp, and he'll solve your problems live. Submit your questions and tune in every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET, only on the B/R app.
Top 100
1 of 7
I present my top 100 players (minus quarterbacks) for the week as a way to help determine your flex spots. You may favor a certain position or player over another based on his role and/or your scoring rules.
As an additional tiebreaker, here are the teams I like as a whole this week based on their matchups:
- Dallas Cowboys (at New York Giants)
- San Francisco 49ers (at Arizona Cardinals)
- Detroit Lions (at Oakland Raiders)
- Minnesota Vikings (at Kansas City Chiefs)
- Buffalo Bills (vs. Washington Redskins)
Week 9 Top 100 PPR Rankings
Quarterbacks
2 of 7
Better Than Usual
Matthew Stafford, DET (at OAK)
Stafford took advantage of a nice matchup in Week 8 by toasting the New York Giants for 342 yards with three touchdowns and an interception on 25-of-32 passing. That was good enough for a QB5 finish. Through eight weeks, Stafford is one of eight quarterbacks to average at least 20 fantasy points per game, which is better than Tom Brady, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff.
Another big performance should be coming for Stafford in this week's trip to face Oakland's porous defense, as no team allowed more fantasy points to quarterbacks over the last four weeks. Once again, Stafford is proving he can perform well in optimal conditions, and he should have those Sunday. He has top-five potential in Week 9.
Gardner Minshew, JAC (vs. HOU)
Minshew should be out of the sleeper/streamer conversation and in the weekly starter mix following another big game in Week 8. He took advantage of the New York Jets defense by scoring 24 fantasy points with 279 passing yards, three touchdowns through the air and 28 rushing yards. He was QB6 for the week and is QB12 for the year.
The Houston Texans will give Minshew a chance to continue his ascent up the fantasy quarterback leaderboard. During the last month, the Texans rank third in most points allowed to fantasy quarterbacks, thanks to 1,213 passing yards and a league-high 13 passing touchdowns over that span. With the matchup clearly in his favor and his ability to run, Minshew's arrow is pointing up this weekend.
Concern
Kyler Murray, ARI (vs. SF)
Murray has fallen into a bit of a funk in the last two weeks, and playing on a short week with the San Francisco 49ers coming to Arizona won't be the way to break out of it. In games against the Giants and New Orleans Saints, Murray has just 324 yards without a touchdown on 33-of-54 passing and 41 rushing yards on 12 attempts. He starts the second half of his rookie season sitting at QB9.
The 49ers have been the best defense against fantasy quarterbacks in the last four weeks. In games against the Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns, the 49ers held quarterbacks to just 413 yards and five touchdowns. Murray will have his hands full, especially with a banged-up backfield, so you should look elsewhere for a starter.
Week 9 Quarterback Rankings
| 1 | Russell Wilson (SEA) |
| 2 | Deshaun Watson (HOU) |
| 3 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) |
| 4 | Matthew Stafford (DET) |
| 5 | Lamar Jackson (BAL) |
| 6 | Dak Prescott (DAL) |
| 7 | Tom Brady (NE) |
| 8 | Kirk Cousins (MIN) |
| 9 | Josh Allen (BUF) |
| 10 | Gardner Minshew (JAC) |
| 11 | Jameis Winston (TB) |
| 12 | Derek Carr (OAK) |
| 13 | Jimmy Garoppolo (SF) |
| 14 | Sam Darnold (NYJ) |
| 15 | Kyler Murray (ARI) |
| 16 | Philip Rivers (LAC) |
| 17 | Daniel Jones (NYG) |
| 18 | Carson Wentz (PHI) |
| 19 | Jacoby Brissett (IND) |
| 20 | Mason Rudolph (PIT) |
| 21 | Kyle Allen (CAR) |
| 22 | Ryan Tannehill (TEN) |
| 23 | Matt Moore (KC) |
| 24 | Mitch Trubisky (CHI) |
| 25 | Baker Mayfield (CLE) |
| 26 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA) |
| 27 | Case Keenum (WAS) |
| 28 | Brandon Allen (DEN) |
Running Backs
3 of 7
Better Than Usual
Tevin Coleman, SF (at ARI)
If you weren't a believer in Coleman before Week 8, he may have been sitting on your bench. That should be the last time he is on your bench until further notice. He ripped the Panthers for 105 yards and three scores on just 11 carries and added another touchdown through the air on two receptions for 13 yards. In four games since returning from injury, Coleman is RB6.
The 49ers get right back to work Thursday night in Arizona, and considering Coleman had just 13 touches against the Panthers, he should be fairly fresh. That's important since Matt Breida (ankle) may be unavailable. Facing the Cardinals shouldn't be a tall task for Coleman, as that unit is allowing the eighth-most rushing yards per game. Between Breida's injury and the positive game script, Coleman should be busy and productive.
Jamaal Williams, GB (at LAC)
Whether we like it or not, the Green Bay Packers are continuing to use both Williams and Aaron Jones on a regular basis. It's hard to argue with the results, and while Jones is the preferred fantasy option (RB2 in fantasy points per game since Week 5), Williams is RB11 during that span. On the season, Jones is RB3 and Williams is RB27 in total fantasy points.
Williams has been on the field for at least 40 percent of the snaps in all but two games, and one of those was when he was concussed early in Week 4. This week, he gets a crack at a Los Angeles Chargers defense that's surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs in the last four weeks. Fire up Williams as a solid RB2 with upside.
Concern
Miles Sanders, PHI (vs. CHI)
A breakout performance from Sanders was marred by a shoulder injury that knocked him out in the third quarter of the win over the Buffalo Bills. Sanders turned three targets into three receptions for 44 yards and three carries into 74 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown. He was RB9 thanks to his 22.8 fantasy points.
According to Zach Berman of The Athletic, Sanders "won't miss time," although the team "will be careful with him during the week." Sanders' status will be one to watch this week since he'd be an attractive option against a Chicago Bears defense yielding the second-most points to fantasy running backs in October.
Week 9 Running Back PPR Rankings
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Wide Receivers
4 of 7
Better Than Usual
Michael Gallup, DAL (at NYG)
Before the Week 8 bye, Gallup disappointed in two plus matchups with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. In those games, he posted just seven receptions for 82 yards on 11 targets. That's disappointing for his production and opportunities.
The key to Gallup bouncing back is yet another beatable matchup in Week 9, as the New York Giants gave up the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in the last month. In Week 8, the Detroit Lions wide receivers scorched the Giants for 19 receptions, 289 yards and three touchdowns. Give Gallup another shot as a low-end WR2 with upside.
DK Metcalf, SEA (vs. TB)
Metcalf was featured in this section last week and came through with a WR19 finish thanks to a pair of touchdowns on just three receptions for 13 yards. Obviously, Metcalf was very touchdown-reliant for his fantasy points, but sometimes a good matchup is worth taking a shot on because the opportunities can be meaningful. The chances continue to rise for Metcalf, as he's now second on the Seahawks in targets (45), receptions (23) and yards (402) while also being tied for first with four receiving touchdowns.
The Seahawks and Metcalf get another chance to post strong passing numbers with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to town as a bottom-10 defense against fantasy wide receivers in the last month. For the season, the Buccaneers are the fourth-easiest matchup for wide receivers. Expect more meaningful targets to come for Metcalf, which means he's right back in the WR2 discussion.
Concern
Alshon Jeffery, PHI (vs. CHI)
Week 8 didn't present an ideal opportunity for Jeffery against the Buffalo Bills, so it wasn't shocking to see him limited to just four receptions for 64 yards on six targets. It's been an up-and-down season for Jeffery that puts him at WR30 through eight weeks. He doesn't have a game with more than 76 yards, and he's hit the five-catch mark just three times.
Taking on the Chicago Bears won't give him much of a chance to start the second half of the season on a high note. Jeffery's former team has been the second-toughest matchup for wide receivers in the last four weeks. If you remove the two games Jeffery was injured, he's averaging nearly eight targets per game, so he'll stick in the WR3 category. The ceiling isn't high, and the floor is likely lower in this matchup.
Week 9 Wide Receiver PPR Rankings
Tight Ends
5 of 7
Better Than Usual
Jonnu Smith, TEN (at CAR)
Smith was suggested as a pivot and sleeper last week with Delanie Walker still battling an ankle injury. Thanks to a great matchup against the Buccaneers, Smith delivered with his best game of the season, positing six receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. That put him at TE3 for the week with 19.8 fantasy points.
The potential of the Tennessee Titans' passing offense seems to have been unlocked by the move to Ryan Tannehill. He's been more willing to make throws Marcus Mariota didn't attempt, and that's raised the ceiling for the entire passing game. Smith clearly benefited from Tannehill last week and could do so again this week when he faces a below-average Panthers pass defense. Smith has a chance to cement himself as a top-10 fantasy option going forward.
Concerns
Zach Ertz, PHI (vs. CHI)
Let's make this clear: Ertz is not a candidate to be benched. However, having him in your starting lineup isn't the same advantage it was in 2018. Through eight weeks, Ertz is TE7, which is good but not good enough for one of the consensus top-three tight ends coming into the season. In the last three games, he has eight receptions for 112 yards without a score. During that same span, Dallas Goedert caught 12 of his 17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
The presence of Goedert might be helpful for the Eagles as a whole, but it's a bit of a problem if you banked on Ertz to be a big advantage over other tight ends. This is not about bailing on Ertz. It's about adjusting expectations. He's not an elite fantasy tight end right now.
Mark Andrews, BAL (vs. NE)
Without a doubt, Andrews has been the only reliable receiver in the Baltimore Ravens passing game. He leads the team with 55 targets, 36 receptions, 449 yards and three touchdowns, which puts him at TE5 for the season. Unlike Ertz, Andrews has been a reliable, high-end starter at a position of weakness.
All of those positives will put a target on Andrews' back this week when he faces the New England Patriots. Not only is that unit the third-toughest for tight ends in the last month, but Andrews will likely be the primary focus for this defense to shut down because of his importance to the offense. Play him, but know this could be a down week.
Week 9 Tight End PPR Rankings
| 1 | George Kittle (SF) |
| 2 | Darren Waller (OAK) |
| 3 | Travis Kelce (KC) |
| 4 | Evan Engram (NYG) |
| 5 | Mark Andrews (BAL) |
| 6 | Hunter Henry (LAC) |
| 7 | Zach Ertz (PHI) |
| 8 | Greg Olsen (CAR) |
| 9 | Jonnu Smith (TEN) |
| 10 | Dallas Goedert (PHI) |
| 11 | Eric Ebron (IND) |
| 12 | T.J. Hockenson (DET) |
| 13 | Jimmy Graham (GB) |
| 14 | Cameron Brate (TB) |
| 15 | Vance McDonald (PIT) |
| 16 | Jack Doyle (IND) |
| 17 | Darren Fells (HOU) |
| 18 | Jason Witten (DAL) |
| 19 | Noah Fant (DEN) |
| 20 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN) |
| 21 | Jordan Akins (HOU) |
| 22 | Ryan Griffin (NYJ) |
| 23 | Dawson Knox (BUF) |
| 24 | Benjamin Watson (NE) |
| 25 | Irv Smith Jr. (MIN) |
| 26 | Trey Burton (CHI) |
| 27 | Mike Gesicki (MIA) |
| 28 | Ricky Seals-Jones (CLE) |
| 29 | Foster Moreau (OAK) |
| 30 | Josh Oliver (JAC) |
| 31 | Jeremy Sprinkle (WAS) |
| 32 | Charles Clay (ARI) |
| 33 | Luke Willson (SEA) |
| 34 | Demetrius Harris (CLE) |
| 35 | Jacob Hollister (SEA) |
Defenses
6 of 7
Best Streaming Option
Cleveland Browns (at Denver Broncos)
The Denver Broncos will turn to Brandon Allen after Joe Flacco suffered a neck injury in Week 8 that will sidelined him indefinitely. Allen has not taken a snap during the regular season since he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016.
He takes over an offense that ranks 26th in yards per game and 28th in points per game. In the last four weeks, the Broncos surrendered the fifth-most points to fantasy defenses. You should be feeling good about using the Browns defense.
Ownership percentage: ESPN, 16.2; Yahoo, 25.0
Week 9 Defense Rankings
| 1 | New England Patriots (at BAL) |
| 2 | San Francisco 49ers (at ARI) |
| 3 | Buffalo Bills (vs. WAS) |
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks (vs. TB) |
| 5 | Cleveland Browns (at DEN) |
| 6 | Philadelphia Eagles (vs. CHI) |
| 7 | New York Jets (at MIA) |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers (vs. TEN) |
| 9 | Dallas Cowboys (at NYG) |
| 10 | Minnesota Vikings (at KC) |
| 11 | Denver Broncos (vs. CLE) |
| 12 | Green Bay Packers (at LAC) |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. IND) |
| 14 | Chicago Bears (at PHI) |
| 15 | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU) |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans (at CAR) |
| 17 | Houston Texans (at JAC) |
| 18 | Indianapolis Colts (at PIT) |
| 19 | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. MIN) |
| 20 | Detroit Lions (at OAK) |
Kickers
7 of 7
Best Streaming Option
Stephen Hauschka, BUF (vs. WAS)
Hauschka and the Buffalo Bills are coming off a disappointing performance in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He hit just one of two extra points and missed his only field goal, so grabbing Hauschka off the waiver wire shouldn't be too hard. In the week prior, he hit all five of his kicks (two extra points, three field goals) in a favorable matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
The Washington Redskins provide another nice matchup as the seventh-worst defense in total yards. Give Hauschka a shot, as the Bills should bounce back in a winnable game.
Ownership percentages: ESPN, 6.7; Yahoo, 4.0
Week 9 Kicker Rankings
| 1 | Matt Prater (DET) |
| 2 | Robbie Gould (SF) |
| 3 | Jason Myers (SEA) |
| 4 | Dan Bailey (MIN) |
| 5 | Brett Maher (DAL) |
| 6 | Nick Folk (NE) |
| 7 | Mason Crosby (GB) |
| 8 | Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) |
| 9 | Justin Tucker (BAL) |
| 10 | Stephen Hauschka (BUF) |
| 11 | Joey Slye (CAR) |
| 12 | Josh Lambo (JAC) |
| 13 | Harrison Butker (KC) |
| 14 | Chris Boswell (PIT) |
| 15 | Matt Gay (TB) |
| 16 | Jake Elliott (PHI) |
| 17 | Sam Ficken (NYJ) |
| 18 | Zane Gonzalez (ARI) |
| 19 | Eddy Pineiro (CHI) |
| 20 | Brandon McManus (DEN) |
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