Fantasy Football Week 9 Quarterback and Top 100 Flex Rankings
- How will the 2018 NFL Trade Deadline deals affect your lineups?
- With six teams on bye who fills your flex?
- Gurley, Thielen, and Mahomes pulling away at their respective positions
The official 2018 NFL Trade Deadline has passed with a few major moves that will shake up the ranks.
Don’t be afraid to do the same thing with your struggling fantasy squad. If you have a star on bye, or sitting in a tough matchup with a bye to come, how much will he really help you get back into a playoff spot?
If you have a solid squad that is in a good position, congratulations on your solid GM job thus far. Make smart decisions and limit risk, and you should be fine.
If you are completely out of it turn to daily to sharpen your GM skills and hopefully hit a payday along the way!
Read on to find my Top 20 QBs and Top 100 PPR Flex plays heading into Week 9.
Week 9 Top 20 QBs
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Mahomes (KC) | @CLE | 26 | 216.9 | QB 1 | $7,100 |
| 2 | Jared Goff (LAR) | @NO | 26.5 | 165.2 | QB 5 | $6,000 |
| 3 | Cam Newton (CAR) | TB | 28 | 168.8 | QB 4 | $6,600 |
| 4 | Matt Ryan (ATL) | @WAS | BYE | 170.2 | QB 3 | $5,700 |
| 5 | Deshaun Watson (HOU) | @DEN | 31 | 158.1 | QB 7 | $6,300 |
| 6 | Tom Brady (NE) | GB | 13.8 | 149 | QB 9 | $6,500 |
| 7 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | @NE | 15.9 | 148.8 | QB 10 | $6,400 |
| 8 | Drew Brees (NO) | LAR | 6.8 | 148.6 | QB 11 | $6,100 |
| 9 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | LAC | 23.4 | 123.9 | QB 17 | $5,900 |
| 10 | Philip Rivers (LAC) | @SEA | BYE | 146.2 | QB 12 | $5,600 |
| 11 | Kirk Cousins (MIN) | DET | 20.7 | 164.5 | QB 6 | $6,200 |
| 12 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | @BAL | 16.9 | 146 | QB 13 | $5,700 |
| 13 | Mitch Trubisky (CHI) | @BUF | 21.9 | 158.1 | QB 8 | $5,800 |
| 14 | Matt Stafford (DET) | @MIN | 17 | 120.8 | QB 18 | $5,600 |
| 15 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (TB) | @CAR | 19.6 | 120 | QB 19 | $5,500 |
| 16 | Derrick Carr (OAK) | @SF | 27.8 | 112.7 | QB 22 | $5,400 |
| 17 | Baker Mayfield (CLE) | KC | 14.1 | 87.9 | QB 27 | $5,600 |
| 18 | Joe Flacco (BAL) | @CAR | 9.1 | 128.8 | QB 16 | $5,300 |
| 19 | Alex Smith (WAS) | ATL | 12.4 | 104.1 | QB 25 | $5,000 |
| 20 | Dak Prescott (DAL) | TEN | BYE | 112.2 | QB 23 | $5,100 |
Value Outside of Mahomes
Plenty of options exist at the QB position. It’s not that you’re betting against Mahomes if you don’t have/take him, you are just looking for a equal or better performance from a cheaper option.
Jared Goff comes in $1,100 cheaper than the Chiefs star in a matchup with Drew Brees that should provide plenty of fantasy points.
Goff is averaging over 300 yards a game and 2+ TDs, and sounds like he will be getting Cooper Kupp back, who was a top 5 receiver when he went down.
With all offensive pieces back in play, Goff will eat up the league’s 28th-ranked pass defense.
.@J_Rey_11‘s SECOND TD of the game! #LARams #GBvsLAR
?: FOX pic.twitter.com/94pDCKrLJz
— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2018
Along with Goff and Brees, Matt Ryan offers great value in fantasy.
With all redzone concerns put to bed in Atlanta, Ryan has been leading a passing offense that looks near impossible to slow down, let alone stop. With the Falcons receiving an extra week of prep for this match up, thanks to a Week 8 bye, Ryan will be ready to take on a tough Redskins defense.
Week 9 Top 100 PPR Flex Rankings
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todd Gurley (LAR)(RB1) | @NO | 33.5 | 240.1 | RB 1 | $9,500 |
| 2 | Melvin Gordon (LAC)(RB2) | @SEA | BYE | 162.5 | RB 7 | $8,200 |
| 3 | Kareem Hunt (KC)(RB3) | @CLE | 19.6 | 165.4 | RB 6 | $7,700 |
| 4 | Adam Thielen (MIN)(WR1) | DET | 22.8 | 202 | WR 1 | $8,900 |
| 5 | Alvin Kamara (NO)(RB4) | LAR | 26.6 | 185.1 | RB 3 | $7,300 |
| 6 | Christian McCaffery (CAR)(RB5) | TB | 21.6 | 132.3 | RB 9 | $7,800 |
| 7 | Ezekiel Elliot (DAL)(RB6) | TEN | BYE | 126.4 | RB 10 | $7,600 |
| 8 | DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)(WR2) | @DEN | 26.2 | 165.2 | WR 2 | $8,300 |
| 9 | James Conner (PIT)(RB7) | @BAL | 38.2 | 179.2 | RB 4 | $7,200 |
| 10 | Davante Adams (GB)(WR3) | @NE | 18.3 | 157 | WR 4 | $8,200 |
| 11 | Michael Thomas (NO)(WR4) | LAR | 13.1 | 144.9 | WR 11 | $7,600 |
| 12 | Tyreek Hill (KC)(WR5) | @CLE | 10 | 161 | WR 3 | $8,000 |
| 13 | Mike Evans (TB)(WR6) | CLE | 29.9 | 145 | WR 10 | $8,100 |
| 14 | Julio Jones (ATL)(WR7) | @WAS | BYE | 133.2 | WR 14 | $7,900 |
| 15 | Antonio Brown (PIT)(WR8) | @BAL | 25.4 | 149.2 | WR 7 | $8,400 |
| 16 | James White (NE)(RB8) | GB | 25.4 | 169.3 | RB 5 | $7,500 |
| 17 | Latavius Murray (MIN)(RB9) | DET | 20.5 | 93.2 | RB 19 | $5,100 |
| 18 | Stefon Diggs (MIN)(WR9) | DET | 27.9 | 146.3 | WR 9 | $6,800 |
| 19 | Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)(WR10) | HOU | 9.1 | 149.8 | WR 6 | $6,400 |
| 20 | Brandin Cooks (LAR)(WR11) | @NO | 11.3 | 114.5 | WR 19 | $6,700 |
| 21 | Robert Woods (LAR)(WR12) | @NO | 12 | 140.2 | WR 13 | $7,000 |
| 22 | Travis Kelce (KC)(TE1) | @CLE | 19.9 | 132.2 | TE 2 | $7,200 |
| 23 | Keenan Allen (LAC)(WR13) | @SEA | BYE | 100.2 | WR 27 | $7,300 |
| 24 | Julian Edelman (NE)(WR14) | GB | 20.7 | 64.1 | WR 56 | $6,600 |
| 25 | Jarvis Landry (CLE)(WR15) | KC | 11.9 | 115.8 | WR 18 | $6,500 |
Latavius Murray a Must-Start in Week 9
With 4 TDs in his last three games, and sporting a solid 4.7 YPC, Latavius Murray has provided some solid relief for the Vikings run game after Dalvin Cook has missed time for the second year in a row.
Latavius Murray goes over the top for the TOUCHDOWN putting #Skol up 13-7 #SNF #NOvsMIN pic.twitter.com/nej2zJLH4W
— Sports Degens (@TheSportsDegens) October 29, 2018
Murray may not be the perfect runner, or the most dynamic, but he is big and fast and puts a pounding on opposing defenses.
Look for the Vikings to lean on their physical runner this week as they host the Detroit Lions, who sport the league’s 31st-ranked run defense. No matter how this game plays out, Murray will be involved and offers a solid floor in Week 9 to go along with a monster ceiling.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Juju Smith-Schuster (PIT)(WR16) | @BAL | 7.3 | 119.4 | WR 15 | $7,200 |
| 27 | Cooper Kupp (LAR)(WR17) | @NO | INJ | 106.3 | WR 22 | $6,000 |
| 28 | Adrian Peterson (WAS)(RB10) | ATL | 26.6 | 108.8 | RB 14 | $6,000 |
| 29 | Mark Ingram (NO)(RB11) | LAR | 12.2 | 39.7 | RB 60 | $5,000 |
| 30 | Tarik Cohen (CHI)(RB12) | @BUF | 18 | 114.2 | RB 12 | $6,200 |
| 31 | Nick Chubb (CLE)(RB13) | KC | 9.5 | 52.8 | RB 47 | $4,500 |
| 32 | Phillip Lindsay (DEN)(RB14) | HOU | 20.2 | 108.7 | RB 15 | $5,500 |
| 33 | John Brown (BAL)(WR18) | PIT | 5.8 | 114 | WR 20 | $5,800 |
| 34 | DeSean Jackson (TB)(WR19) | @CAR | 16.2 | 117.3 | WR 17 | $5,000 |
| 35 | Kenny Golladay (DET)(WR20) | @MIN | 2.2 | 95.7 | WR 29 | $5,500 |
| 36 | Isaiah Crowell (NYJ)(RB15) | @MIA | 4.8 | 96.6 | RB 17 | $4,200 |
| 37 | Lamar Miller (HOU)(RB16) | @DEN | 19.3 | 85.2 | RB 24 | $5,200 |
| 38 | Doug Martin (OAK)(RB17) | @SF | 8.9 | 23.3 | RB 60 | $4,300 |
| 39 | Kerryon Johnson (DET)(RB18) | @MIN | 15.1 | 89.4 | RB 21 | $5,600 |
| 40 | Kenyan Drake (MIA)(RB19) | NYJ | 23.5 | 108.7 | RB 16 | $5,300 |
| 41 | Tyler Lockett (SEA)(WR21) | LAC | 12.7 | 103.5 | WR 25 | $5,200 |
| 42 | Devin Funchess (CAR)(WR22) | TB | 5.7 | 90.1 | WR 34 | $5,600 |
| 43 | Josh Gordon (NE)(WR23) | GB | 8.2 | 58.3 | WR 64 | $6,300 |
| 44 | Marvin Jones (DET)(WR24) | @MIN | 30.7 | 94.7 | WR 30 | $5,300 |
| 45 | Sammy Watkins (KC)(WR25) | @CLE | 30.7 | 102.3 | WR 26 | $4,900 |
| 46 | Demaryius Thomas (HOU)(WR26) | @DEN | 6 | 94.2 | WR 31 | $4,500 |
| 47 | Calvin Ridley (ATL)(WR27) | @WAS | BYE | 103.5 | WR 24 | $5,700 |
| 48 | Rob Gronkowski (NE)(TE2) | GB | 7.3 | 77.3 | TE 9 | $4,900 |
| 49 | Alex Collins (BAL)(RB20) | PIT | 12.3 | 89.9 | RB 20 | $4,600 |
| 50 | Tevin Coleman (ATL)(RB21) | @WAS | BYE | 83.7 | RB 26 | $4,800 |
Trade Recap and How They Affect the Rankings
A quick recap of some of the trades that will affect fantasy.
Golden Tate to the Eagles:
- The Eagles are on bye so get him out of your lineup
- Tate has been one of the most used receivers in the NFL for years. His arrival improves Carson Wentz ROS outlook
- It crushes Nelson Agholor’s ROS value
- Has minimal impact on Alshon Jeffery or Zach Ertz
- Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay’s ROS value dramatically increasing
- We know what Jones’ ceiling looks like, but Golladay is a potential star in the making
Demaryius to the Texans:
- Will Fuller is gone for the season
- Keke Coutee has been bothered by a nagging hammy
- Thomas has minimal impact on Deshaun Watson’s rest of season outlook but does provide another solid receiving option to keep DeAndre Hopkins from seeing quadruple coverage
- Expect a slight uptick in Thomas’s value after being dealt to a much healthier offensive situation
- Emmanuel Sanders has a great chance to stay within the top 10 fantasy receivers
- Rookie teammate Courtland Sutton, who has impressed, gets a big bump in value
COURTLAND SUTTON vs. STEVEN NELSON 1-on-1 in week 8. #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/lTwVL6uN64
— PirateLife Football (@PirateLifeFF) November 1, 2018
Ty Montgomery to the Ravens:
- I don’t expect Montgomery to make to much of a difference to the Ravens backfield this week
- going forward, Buck Allen’s security is in question
- Montgomery leaving Green Bay increases both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams ROS outlook
- If you have been following my weekly ranks, you know who I think who should benefit more (Jones!), but who knows with McCarthy calling the shots.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Dion Lewis (TEN)(RB22) | @DAL | BYE | 80.6 | RB 27 | $4,700 |
| 52 | Chris Carson (SEA)(RB23) | LAC | 20.4 | 71.7 | RB 34 | $4,700 |
| 53 | Chris Thompson (WAS)(RB24) | ATL | 4.2 | 66.2 | RB 36 | $5,400 |
| 54 | George Kittle (SF)(TE3) | OAK | 10.7 | 109.4 | TE 4 | $6,100 |
| 55 | OJ Howard (TB)(TE4) | @CAR | 16.8 | 83.9 | TE 7 | $4,300 |
| 56 | Amari Cooper (DAL)(WR28) | TEN | BYE | 56.9 | WR 68 | $4,600 |
| 57 | Marquise Goodwin (SF)(WR29) | OAK | 12.5 | 62.6 | WR 57 | $5,500 |
| 58 | Jordan Howard (CHI)(RB25) | @BUF | 14.1 | 74.9 | RB 31 | $4,700 |
| 59 | Aaron Jones(GB)(RB26) | @NE | 16.6 | 49.5 | RB 50 | $4,400 |
| 60 | Matt Breida (SF)(RB27) | OAK | 4.2 | 84.7 | RB 25 | $5,200 |
| 61 | LeSean McCoy (BUF)(RB28) | CHI | 15.5 | 61.4 | RB 37 | $4,900 |
| 62 | Doug Baldwin (SEA)(WR30) | LAC | 4.6 | 29.9 | WR 104 | $5,300 |
| 63 | Taylor Gabriel (CHI)(WR31) | @BUF | 9.2 | 87.7 | WR 37 | $5,100 |
| 64 | Devante Parker (MIA)(WR32) | NYJ | 19.4 | 25.4 | WR 113 | $4,600 |
| 65 | Corey Davis (TEN)(WR33) | @DAL | BYE | 75.5 | WR 49 | $4,800 |
| 66 | Jared Cook (OAK)(TE5) | @SF | 17.4 | 101.4 | TE 5 | $4,900 |
| 67 | Trey Burton (CHI)(TE6) | @BUF | 4.8 | 85.5 | TE 6 | $4,600 |
| 68 | David Njoku (CLE)(TE7) | KC | 0 | 72.2 | TE 11 | $3,900 |
| 69 | Greg Olsen (CAR)(TE8) | TB | 15.6 | 38.2 | TE 26 | $4,800 |
| 70 | Jalen Richard (OAK)(RB29) | @SF | 14.4 | 73.9 | RB 32 | $4,900 |
| 71 | Austin Ekeler (LAC)(RB30) | @SEA | BYE | 88.8 | RB 22 | $4,300 |
| 72 | Buck Allen (BAL)(RB31) | PIT | 10.8 | 86.8 | RB 23 | $3,800 |
| 73 | Duke Johnson (CLE)(RB32) | KC | 3.6 | 55 | RB 43 | $3,800 |
| 74 | Jordy Nelson (OAK)(WR34) | @SF | 2.4 | 76.7 | WR 47 | $4,600 |
| 75 | Tyrell Williams (LAC)(WR35) | @SEA | BYE | 88.3 | WR 35 | $4,200 |
Don’t Forget About Amari Cooper in Dallas
It may have come a week early, but the move Jerry Jones made to bring in Amari Cooper may have the most fantasy impact.
Overrated???? I don’t know about. I’d say underutilized.
— Mr.Rodriguez (@Raiders4life509) October 31, 2018
Sure, Cooper has been relatively disappointing the last season and a half in Oakland, but let’s be serious, it’s hard not to be a disappointment in Oakland – just ask Jon.
Cooper brings all kinds of ability to Dallas’ lackluster receiving corps. And Dallas did not give up a 1st-round pick to not feature Cooper in the passing game.
The WR’s arrival helps Dak Prescott’s ROS outlook, who has been playing better as of late, and should lighten up the line of scrimmage a bit for running back Ezekiel Elliot, who has seen crowded boxes all season.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Courtland Sutton (DEN)(WR36) | HOU | 10.8 | 61.4 | WR 60 | $3,900 |
| 77 | Mohamed Sanu (ATL)(WR37) | @WAS | BYE | 76 | WR 48 | $5,100 |
| 78 | DJ Moore (CAR)(WR38) | TB | 17.9 | 56.6 | WR 69 | $4,300 |
| 79 | David Moore (SEA)(WR39) | LAC | 19.7 | 57.6 | WR 66 | $3,900 |
| 80 | Ito Smith (ATL)(RB33) | @WAS | BYE | 51.3 | RB 49 | $3,700 |
| 81 | Peyton Barber (TB)(RB34) | @CAR | 14.5 | 56.2 | RB 38 | $3,600 |
| 82 | Mike Davis (SEA)(RB35) | LAC | 4.5 | 54.9 | RB 44 | $3,400 |
| 83 | Austin Hooper (ATL)(TE9) | @WAS | BYE | 79.1 | TE 8 | $4,800 |
| 84 | Jimmy Graham (GB)(TE10) | @NE | 3.1 | 71 | TE 12 | $3,800 |
| 85 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN)(TE11) | DET | 7.9 | 76.1 | TE 10 | $4,200 |
| 86 | Michael Crabtree (BAL)(WR40) | PIT | 6.1 | 94 | WR 33 | $4,800 |
| 87 | Danny Amendola (MIA)(WR41) | NYJ | 14.4 | 79.8 | WR 45 | $4,700 |
| 88 | Geronimo Allison (GB)(WR42) | @NE | 2.4 | 62.3 | WR 58 | $4,600 |
| 89 | Chris Godwin (TB)(WR43) | @CAR | 7.2 | 86 | WR 39 | $4,400 |
| 90 | Mike Williams (LAC)(WR44) | @SEA | BYE | 73.4 | WR 50 | $3,800 |
| 91 | Willie Snead (BAL)(WR45) | PIT | 10.4 | 84.3 | WR 42 | $4,200 |
| 92 | Frank Gore (MIA)(RB36) | NYJ | 6.8 | 56.7 | RB 40 | $3,500 |
| 93 | Chris Ivory (BUF)(RB37) | CHI | 5.5 | 53.4 | RB 46 | $3,900 |
| 94 | Jamaal Williams (GB)(RB38) | @NE | 6.9 | 45 | RB 54 | $3,500 |
| 95 | Chris Hogan (NE)(WR46) | GB | 6.9 | 68.3 | WR 54 | $4,200 |
| 96 | Cole Beasley (DAL)(WR47) | TEN | BYE | 80 | WR 44 | $4,100 |
| 97 | TreQuan Smith (NO)(WR48) | LAR | 4.8 | 41.1 | WR 88 | $4,200 |
| 98 | Paul Richardson (WAS)(WR49) | ATL | 6.1 | 55.5 | WR 70 | $3,800 |
| 99 | Antonio Callaway (CLE)(WR50) | KC | 14.6 | 59.3 | WR 61 | $4,200 |
| 100 | Keke Coutee (HOU)(WR51) | @DEN | INJ | 46.6 | WR 82 | $5,300 |
Scanning the Week 8 Bargain Bin
Give me a pair. A pair of rookie wide receivers, please.
Courtland Sutton was my number one receiver heading into the draft and now has the opportunity his talent warrants.
He has been on the field for the Broncos, but hasn’t seen much of the ball with teammate Emmanuel Sanders and former Bronco Demaryius Thomas to share the workload with.
Case Keenum’s first touchdown pass since Week 1 is the first TD catch of Cortland Sutton’s careerpic.twitter.com/MYWBM6C2MD
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 7, 2018
His high mark for targets in a game this year has been 6, and catches 3. But even with limited opportunity, Sutton has made a play or two almost every week, leading to a stat line of 17-324-2 through the first 8 games of his career.
Case Keenum is the only reason to temper expectations, as Sutton looks like the real deal.
DJ Moore is the rookie I will pair with Sutton for Week 9.
PSA: Put in your waiver requests for DJ Moore in fantasy football pic.twitter.com/U552QRlZUq
— Panthers 24/7 (@Panthers24_7) October 28, 2018
Moore’s usage has increased recently, seeing Moore snag 16 balls over the Panthers last 4 games.
Cam Newton has the Panthers offense rolling and it will continue this week as they host an abysmal Tampa Bay defense.
I’m not as high on Moore as I am on Sutton, but the rookie has plenty enough juice to expose the league’s worst scoring defense. The Bucs give up 33.3 points a game.
Always keep an eye on player availability as the week goes on. The active/inactive status for questionable players is generally still TBD at the time of my writing.
Good luck in Week 8!
Nick Ferris is a seasoned fantasy football vet of over 20 years. He's an expert in everything from best ball to daily fantasy sports. Although arm chair quarterback is as close he ever got to the field - or are we counting 7v7 touch? - he has been fortunate enough to coach some youth football.
