Week 9 Wide Receiver Preview: Drake London Ready to Bounce Back
Top Fantasy WRs for Week 9
Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 9 WR Rankings.
TIP
Find out who to start in fantasy football with our 'Who Do I Start?' tool.
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
Jaxon Smith-Njigba topped 110 yards or the third straight game last week and sixth time in eight outings this season. Last time he played with Drew Lock produced a season-high 155 yards in Week 2 against these same Cardinals.
2. Puka Nacua, LAR
Puka Nacua is producing 23.1 PPR points per game for the second-highest mark among WRs, only trailing WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, while producing at least 20 PPR points in four of his six games played. His 34.1% target share is also the second-highest mark among WRs. Nacua projects as a high-end WR1 facing a Commanders defense reducing points to WRs by 2.3%.
3. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN
Chase posted a season-best WR2 fantasy finish last week vs. Tennessee. The Falcons have allowed only four WR scores all season, but the Bengal remains a high-upside WR1 alongside a red hot Joe Burrow.
4. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
CeeDee Lamb’s usage has outpaced his yardage production in recent weeks, with 41 targets over the past three games despite yardage totals under 75 in each. He has garnered 11+ targets in three straight outings and four of his past five.
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
A rib injury limited St. Brown in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but we expect him to be a full-go against Miami. Start him as you normally would.
6. Tee Higgins, CIN
Higgins enters Week 9 riding a massive performance that produced 40.5 PPR points. Sunday looks ripe for scoring chances, with the Bengals and Falcons carrying a 52.5-point over/under. Higgins' combination of target volume and TD upside gives him another path to a top-12 finish.
7. Drake London, ATL
London managed little production last week, but we can largely throw that rain-soaked game away. Penix completed only 8 passes while throwing 4 INTs against Tampa Bay. Cincinnati presents a much friendlier matchup, allowing the seventh-most yards per attempt over its past five games. London remains a WR1/2.
8. Malik Nabers, NYG
Malik Nabers has delivered four straight games of 111+ receiving yards, despite an evolving QB situation (in which neither guy is likely all that good).
9. Justin Jefferson, MIN
Justin Jefferson finished as a WR2 or higher for just the third time this season with 14.4 PPR points in Week 8. That’s nearly identical to his season-long 14.4 PPR points per game mark that ranks him as the WR18. With backup QB Carson Wentz starting against a Bills defense allowing the fifth-most points to WRs, Jefferson projects as a WR1 in Week 9.
10. Chris Olave, NO
Olave comes out of the bye as one of the league’s most heavily targeted WRs. He’s averaging 10.1 targets per game (seventh among WRs) with a 27.0% target share. That volume has him at WR8 in points per game. The Browns have allowed the ninth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs, but the Saints throw at the fourth-highest rate in the league. Olave remains a must-start WR1.
11. Nico Collins, HOU
Collins remains a clear must-start, but it’s worth pointing out his dip in usage. Over his first three games, he drew a 26% target share, well above his 15% share over the past two weeks. A Week 8 bye gives us a chance at seeing the best version of Collins, while the Chargers arrive as a neutral matchup. A return to WR1 territory is certainly in play.
12. Matthew Golden, GB
Golden finished as WR7 in Week 8, catching 7 of 13 targets for 79 yards and a TD. He’s fifth among WRs in targets per game (10.3) and owns a 27.2% target share. He’s actually scoring 2.1 fewer points per game than expected, so there could be more on the way. The Patriots have allowed the ninth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. Golden sits on the WR1/WR2 border with a high ceiling.
13. Christian Watson, GB
Watson finished as WR11 in Week 8, catching 8 of 10 targets for 113 yards. He ranks WR6 in points per game, though he’s outscoring his expected points by 4.0 per game, so some regression could come. The Packers pass at the league’s highest rate (65.7%), which keeps his volume steady at 8.3 targets per game. The Patriots have allowed the ninth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. Watson is a low-end WR1 this week.
14. Luther Burden III, CHI
Luther Burden finished with 18.6 PPR points last week against a Seahawks defense that had allowed more than 18 PPR points to just two WRs prior. It was his second straight WR1 finish. After showing he can produce against the highest-ranked defenses, he projects as a fringe WR1 against a Buccaneers defense allowing the seventh-fewest points to WRs.
15. Rashee Rice, KC
Rice drew a 21% target share in his return last week, turning 8 targets into a 7-53-1 line against a tough Broncos secondary. Next up is a Jets defense that surprisingly ranks seventh in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. But it’s not a matchup to run away with, especially with the Chiefs sporting a big 28.75-point implied total.
16. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR
McMillan saw 11 targets in Week 8, catching 6 for 58 yards and finishing as WR30. The volume has been consistent, with 9.3 targets per game (10th among WRs) and a 26.4% target share. That has him at WR14 in points per game. The Broncos are a tough matchup, allowing the fifth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. McMillan’s volume still makes him a solid WR2.
17. Parker Washington, JAC
Jacksonville's low passing volume has been an issue for Washington. He ranks 12th among 89 qualifying WRs in yards per route ... but just 53rd in routes. He faces that same concern on Thursday night with the Jaguars 10-point favorites against the Joe Fagnano-led Ravens. The matchup is at least good against the league's 22nd-ranked WR defense.
18. George Pickens, DAL
George Pickens has seen his two lowest snap shares of the season the past two weeks and was limited in practice this week by his hamstring issue. That adds risk and has helped lower his target counts the past two games. But he remains usable in an upside spot.
19. Zay Flowers, BAL
Flowers turned in WR20, WR29, and WR2 PPR finishes in QB Tyler Huntley's three starts. Is Joe Fagnano THAT much worse? Thursday night's matchup against Jacksonville's 28th-ranked WR defense also helps Flowers' chances.
20. Jalen Coker, CAR
Coker caught 2 of 5 targets for 36 yards and a TD in Week 8, finishing as WR39. He’s been a strong No. 2 option for the Panthers, averaging 7.3 targets per game with a 21.3% target share. His 5.0 yards after catch per reception rank 14th among WRs. The Broncos have allowed the fifth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs, which caps his ceiling. Coker is a low-end WR2.
21. Jameson Williams, DET
Williams enters Week 9 on an impressive run, climbing to WR18 in fantasy points per game for the season. Since Week 4, he's earned eight deep targets and seven red-zone looks, providing multiple paths to a spike week. He’s a WR2 option against Miami.
22. Michael Wilson, ARI
Be careful not to push your expectations too high with Wilson off last week’s breakthrough, but his usage has been strong for a while. This week’s matchup with Seattle is bad news. It limited him to just 2 catches for a season-low 18 yards on 7 targets in their Week 2 meeting.
23. KC Concepcion, CLE
Concepcion caught 3 of 4 targets for 37 yards in Week 8, finishing as WR52. He’s been underwhelming overall, sitting at WR58 in points per game and scoring 1.5 fewer points than expected each week. His 7.4-yard aDOT makes him reliant on YAC, though his 5.5 yards after catch per reception rank eighth among WRs. The Saints are a middling matchup, allowing the 20th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. That match-up with Shedeur Sanders at QB gives Concepcion some upside this week. Concepcion is a low-end WR2.
24. D.J. Moore, BUF
D.J. Moore posted 16.6 PPR points in his Week 8 return from a shoulder injury, finishing just outside of WR1 range. He returned without any limitations, coming away with a season-high 88.1% route share. Moore projects as a fringe WR2 facing a Vikings defense that’s allowed just one WR to eclipse 18 PPR points and is allowing the second-fewest points to WRs.
25. Ladd McConkey, LAC
McConkey’s matchup offers some upside, as Houston has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to WRs over its past five contests. The concern remains Justin Herbert, who's yet to throw multiple TDs in a game this season. McConkey projects as a low-end WR2.
26. Omar Cooper Jr., NYJ
Cooper is coming off a surprising goose egg last week but is in a nice spot to bounce back this Sunday. Garrett Wilson’s absence frees up 26.4% of Jets targets. And Cooper gets a Chiefs defense that’s allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to slot receivers. Cooper has run 63% of his routes from the slot this season.
27. Emeka Egbuka, TB
Emeka Egbuka is on track to play his first game since Week 6 following a foot injury. He turned in back-to-back WR2 or higher finishes before missing time, but both of those came with backup QB Jalon Daniels at the helm. Egbuka is producing just 9.0 PPR points per game in weeks that QB Baker Mayfield starts. He projects as a fringe WR2 in his return against the Bears in Week 9.
28. Antonio Williams, WAS
Antonio Williams led the Commanders in targets for the first time last week. It was his second-highest scoring performance of the first seven weeks at 10.4 PPR points. His route share topped 75% for the first time, reaching a career-high 88.6%. Williams projects as a WR3 against a Rams defense allowing the fifth-fewest points to WRs.
29. Stefon Diggs, WAS
Stefon Diggs has been the Commanders’ most-targeted receiver, with a team-high 23.0% target share. In the team’s first game with WR Terry McLaurin on IR for the remainder of the season, Diggs turned a 20.0% target share into 12.8 PPR points to lead all Commanders WRs. He projects as a WR3 against a Rams defense allowing the fifth-fewest points to WRs.
30. Keenan Allen, IND
Keenan Allen has garnered 7+ targets in four of his past five games and caught at least five balls in all those contests. He’s as safe a WR3 as you can find.
31. Malik Washington, MIA
Washington finally found the end zone last week, delivering a WR14 fantasy finish. He's earned a strong 24.6% target share this season while producing 1.81 yards per route. Detroit has allowed the fifth-most receiving fantasy points per game to slot WRs over its past five outings, boosting Washington’s appeal as a WR3/flex.
32. Devaughn Vele, NO
Vele comes out of the bye with a steady role in the Saints’ pass-heavy offense. He’s averaging 6.9 targets per game and ranks WR28 in points per game. He doesn’t offer much big-play upside, with a 9.9-yard aDOT and just 3.0 yards after catch per reception. The Browns have allowed the ninth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. Vele is a safe-floor WR3/flex option.
33. Rome Odunze, CHI
Rome Odunze led all Bears pass catchers with 87 receiving yards while producing 145 air yards, which was the seventh-highest mark among all WRs last week. He amounted to 12.7 PPR points for his second-highest output this season and his highest since Week 4. Odunze projects as a WR3 facing a Buccaneers defense that’s allowing the seventh-fewest points to WRs.
34. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ
Mitchell has drawn a 22.7% target share across his four games this season. He could top that mark this Sunday with Garrett Wilson’s absence freeing up 26.4% of Jets targets. Mitchell draws a very tough matchup, though, against a Chiefs defense that’s allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to outside WRs. Mitchell has run 82% of his routes from the outside this year.
35. Tre Tucker, LVR
Are you feeling lucky? Tucker has three top-12 PPR finishes this season but has fallen outside the top-45 WRs in his other five outings. Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers looks more like a bust than a boom spot. San Francisco ranks 11th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs and has allowed the 10th-lowest rate of 20+ yard receptions to WRs.
36. Jaylen Waddle, DEN
Waddle finished as WR17 in Week 8, catching 3 of 6 targets for 39 yards and a TD. Outside of the TD, it was another quiet day. He’s averaging 6.4 targets per game with a 22.7% target share, but that has only translated to WR42 in points per game. The Panthers are a neutral matchup, allowing the 17th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. Waddle is a WR4 who needs a TD to pay off.
37. Makai Lemon, PHI
Makai Lemon has benefited from WR injuries around him to garner 17 targets and tally 13 catches over the past two weeks. He presents similar upside this week with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks still out. But Lemon also adds the risk of QB Joe Milton making his first career start. That keeps the rookie in WR4 territory.
38. Denzel Boston, CLE
Boston saw 11 targets in Week 8, but he turned them into just 6 catches for 37 yards and finished as WR38. The opportunity is there, with a 21.5% target share and a 15.1-yard aDOT that ranks 17th among WRs. He’s scoring 0.9 fewer points per game than expected, so a bigger week could come. The Saints are a middling matchup, allowing the 20th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. Boston is a WR3 with upside.
39. Demario Douglas, NE
Douglas finished as WR13 in Week 8, catching all 3 targets for 76 yards and a TD. That’s been his profile: big plays on limited volume. He’s averaging just 4.6 targets per game and is outscoring his expected points by 2.2 per game. The Packers have allowed the eighth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs, which helps. Still, in a Patriots offense that ranks 27th in pass rate, Douglas is a WR4 who needs a big play to pay off.
40. Jordan Addison, MIN
Jordan Addison produced a season-high 173 air yards for the fifth-highest mark among all WRs in Week 8 while his season-long 83.7 air yards per game ranks 25th. His 21.7% target share is the third-highest among all WR2s in an offense. Facing a Bills defense that’s allowing the fifth-most points to QBs, Addison projects as a fringe WR3 in Week 9.
41. Caleb Douglas, MIA
Douglas continues to make the most of his opportunities, averaging 2.31 yards per route over his past two games. That's encouraging, but his 15.1% target share leaves him dependent on efficiency to deliver useful fantasy production. He’s a risky WR4 option, despite facing a beatable Lions pass defense sitting 31st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position.
42. Efton Chism, NE
Chism caught all 5 of his targets for 37 yards in Week 8, finishing as WR52. That was one of his busier days. He’s averaging 2.9 targets per game with a 10.2% target share, and his 7.2-yard aDOT limits his big-play potential. The Packers have allowed the eighth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs, but the Patriots rarely throw enough to support a third option. Chism is a deep-league WR5 at best.
43. Josh Downs, IND
Josh Downs remains stuck with the Colts for at least a little longer, where he hasn’t exceeded 4 catches or 47 yards in a game since Week 3. This week’s Dallas matchup enhances the outlook some, but it’s tough to like the floor on a WR averaging 3.8 catches per game for the season or the ceiling for a player who hasn’t finished a week higher than WR29.
44. Ryan Flournoy, DAL
Ryan Flournoy’s not a safe bet for usable volume, settling at 4 targets in two straight games and three of his past four. But he has finished four straight games inside the position’s top 25 PPR scorers thanks to a mix of TD fortune and yardage efficiency. The hamstring issue that has limited George Pickens’ playing time and production recently adds some upside to Dallas’ No. 3 wideout.
45. Chris Godwin, TB
Chris Godwin has yet to come away with double-digit PPR points in any game this season, ranking as the WR72 with 6.6 PPR points per game. He’s commanding a 17.4% target share that ranks 47th among all WRs, which includes a 42.9% mark over the past two weeks that’s the highest mark at the position. Godwin projects as a fringe WR4 facing the Bears in Week 9.
46. Khalil Shakir, BUF
Khalil Shakir is one of just seven WRs to produce double-digit PPR points in every game since Week 4. That’s due in part to an uptick in usage, as he’s reached at least a 75% snap share in each of his past four games after failing to hit that mark over the first three weeks of the season. Shakir projects as a fringe WR4 facing a Vikings defense allowing the second-fewest points to WRs.
47. Jakobi Meyers, JAC
Meyers ranks just 42nd among WRs in target share and 47th in targets. He's not a great volume bet on Thursday night with the Jaguars 10-point favorites against the Joe Fagnano-led Ravens. The matchup is at least good against the league's 22nd-ranked WR defense, but Meyers would be a low-floor fantasy start.
48. Xavier Worthy, KC
Worthy has totaled 24 receiving yards over his last two games. He’s topped 25 yards in just two of seven games this season. Bench.
49. Courtland Sutton, DEN
Sutton caught all 4 of his targets for 53 yards in Week 8, finishing as WR40. He’s been a non-factor for most of the season, sitting at WR81 in points per game with just 4.6 targets per game. He’s scoring 2.2 fewer points per game than expected, but the Broncos haven’t given him enough looks to bounce back. The Panthers are a neutral matchup, allowing the 17th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs. Sutton is a deep-league WR5 only.
50. Kyle Williams, NE
Williams turned his lone Week 8 target into a 43-yard TD, finishing as WR35. That’s the boom-or-bust nature of his role. His 17.6-yard aDOT ranks fifth among WRs, but he’s averaging just 1.6 targets per game. The Packers have allowed the eighth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs, but Williams’ 5.7% target share makes him impossible to trust. He’s a dart throw for only the deepest leagues.
51. Marvin Harrison Jr., HOU
Harrison could see a larger role coming out of Houston's bye. He played just 19.5% of snaps across his first two games with the Texans but earned a target on an impressive 50% of his routes. That tiny sample provides some encouragement, although the limited playing time remains a major concern. Harrison sits in WR4 territory against the Chargers.
52. Chris Bell, MIA
Bell enters Week 9 as a secondary option in Miami's passing game behind Malik Washington and Caleb Douglas. That limits his fantasy ceiling, especially with Malik Willis averaging just 26.1 pass attempts per game. Detroit's defense has shown some vulnerability against the pass, but Bell needs additional opportunities to capitalize. He's a WR5 best reserved for deeper leagues.
53. Quentin Johnston, LAC
Johnston hasn't rewarded fantasy managers with much production this season. He's failed to top 60 receiving yards in every game and remains without a TD. Houston’s pass defense has underperformed relative to expectations, but the Chargers' struggling passing attack makes Johnston difficult to trust.
54. Tre Harris, LAC
Last week, with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston healthy, Harris drew a 10% target share on a 54% route rate. Those aren’t numbers that point to a useful fantasy player, especially with Justin Herbert still stuck in a season-long slump.
55. Keon Coleman, BUF
Keon Coleman is coming off a 1.4 PPR performance, which wasn’t even his lowest-scoring week this season. That came from a Week 1 dud when he scored just 1.1 PPR points. His 14.0% target share is the fourth-highest mark among his own offense, and facing a Vikings defense that’s allowing the second-fewest points to WRs, Coleman projects as a fringe WR5.
56. Malachi Fields, NYG
The rookie has topped 70% snap shares in three straight games and totaled 13 targets over the past two weeks. We’ll see if his season-best outing in J.J. McCarthy’s first start signals any kind of connection between the two or if it was an outlier.
57. Tory Horton, SEA
Tory Horton enjoyed season-high playing time and usage with Rashid Shaheed out last week. Expect a similar boost with Shaheed still out this week, but don’t get too excited about a second-year WR with just 8 total catches through seven appearances. There’s deep upside to the matchup with an Arizona D that plays the run much tougher than the pass.
58. Jahan Dotson, ATL
Dotson draws a Bengals defense that's allowed the sixth-highest passing success rate over its past five games. But Dotson doesn't command the reliable volume to take full advantage of the matchup, with a season-high of 5 targets.
59. Cooper Kupp, SEA
Cooper Kupp set season highs in snap share and snap total with Rashid Shaheed sidelined last week, but that turned into just 3 targets and 1 catch.
60. Treylon Burks, WAS
Only WR Stefon Diggs has commanded a higher target share than Treylon Burks since Week 5. Burks has posted at least a 17% target share each week and an 18.8% mark over that span, which ranks 42nd among all WRs. He projects as a fringe WR4 in Week 9 against a Rams defense allowing the fifth-fewest points to WRs.
