Six teams are on bye this week, resulting in an extensive shuffle to the Week 9 fantasy WR PPR rankings. The top of our rankings look pretty familiar, but it might be a bit jarring to see Tee Higgins (vs. Panthers in Week 9) in the top five and Chris Olave (vs. Ravens) in the top 10. More important, though, is further down the list where the sleepers and potential waiver-wire streamers live.
With the Browns, Steelers, Giants, 49ers, Broncos, and Cowboys on bye, we’re down at least six sure starters and several other WR3/flex types. We also have some key injuries (more on them later) that are further thinning out our rankings and forcing us to dig deep.
Because of the lack of depth, a few guys who are usually on the start-or-sit bubble, like Adam Thielen (@ Commanders in Week 9) and Robert Woods (@ Chiefs), are virtual must-starts thanks to favorable matchups. Moreover, plenty of other bubble guys, like Josh Palmer (@ Falcons), Devin Duvernay (@ Saints), Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman (vs. Titans), Romeo Doubs (@ Lions), Darnell Mooney (vs. Dolphins), and Zay Jones (vs. Raiders), are in great spots against defenses in the top 10 in fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to WRs. Palmer, Duvernay, and Doubs should all see more targets than usual with Mike Williams (ankle), Rashod Bateman (foot), and Allen Lazard (shoulder) hurting, which raises their floors in PPR leagues.
Cooper Kupp (ankle), Michael Thomas (foot), Ja’Marr Chase (hip), and Jahan Dotson (hamstring) are more injuries we need to monitor. Chase and Thomas are almost certainly out, while Dotson (vs. Vikings) will be a boom-or-bust flex even if he’s active. Fortunately, one potential sleeper might be returning from injury, as Treylon Burks (foot) is eligible to come off the IR this week. With a favorable matchup against Kansas City, Burks can go right into fantasy lineups.
If you’re in a deep league, you could also consider Demarcus Robinson (@ Saints), DeAndre Carter (@ Falcons), K.J. Osborn (@ Commanders), Marvin Jones Jr. (vs. Raiders), Kadarius Toney (vs. Titans), Tre’Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway (vs. Ravens), Sammy Watkins (@ Lions), Dante Pettis (vs. Dolphins), and even Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (@ Chiefs) if Burks is out. Robinson is your “safest” PPR play (assuming Bateman is out), but both Jones Jr. and Watkins could see a fair number of targets, too. Obviously, you don’t want to be starting any of these players (with the possible exception of Robinson), but you might have to. At least they have highly favorable matchups.
There aren’t many WRs you “have” to avoid this week. Guys like Jakobi Meyers (vs. Colts), Michael Pittman Jr. (@ Patriots), and D.J. Moore (@ Bengals) get steady targets, so they have solid floors in PPR leagues. Maybe you keep Garrett Wilson (vs. Bills), Parris Campbell and Alec Pierce (vs. Colts), Hunter Renfrow (@ Jaguars), and Isaiah McKenzie (@ Jets) on your bench because of their tough matchups and general inconsistencies, but none are completely off-limits.
Targets are key in a week like this, especially in PPR leagues. If you’re a big underdog, you might opt for a boom-or-bust big-play guy and hope for a long TD, but if you’re projected to be in a close matchup, playing it safe isn’t a bad idea.
Note: We’ll be updating these WR PPR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.
Week 9 fantasy WR PPR rankings
These rankings are for full-point PPR leagues
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