In Week 9, there are six teams (Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Giants, Steelers, and 49ers) on a bye, but none of these offenses have a top-tier quarterback through nine weeks. Running back is a much different story as fantasy managers will be hard-pressed to find viable replacements for Nick ChubbSaquon Barkley, and Nick Chubb. Others will be disappointed that Tony Pollard loses another full ride at running back in Dallas, as the extra time off gives Ezekiel Elliott more time to get healthy. The bye week also helps Deebo Samuel recover from the hamstring injury that kept him out of action in Week 8.
Top players wide receivers and tight ends on bye in Week 9:
Tight End:George Kittle, Greg Dulcich, Dalton Schultz, Pat Freiermuth
Here’s a look at some early waiver options for Week 9:
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback
Justin Fields-Bears
After a couple of disappointing outings to start the year, Fields has certainly elevated his fantasy production the last three weeks. Thanks in large part to his rushing (three straight weeks with over 60 yards and two rushing TDs) Fields has put together three consecutive outings with over 23 fantasy points, which ranks in the Top 5 at the position. He only has just one game all year with more than 200 passing yards but he’s thrown at least one score in each of his last four games. The Bears quarterback has a fantastic upcoming schedule with the Dolphins, Lions, and Falcons the next three weeks. He’s currently available in more than 60% of leagues.
This past week, the rumors regarding Kareem Hunt getting traded ran rampant. The price to trade for Hunt sounds like a fourth-round draft pick. If the Browns talented rusher is moved from Cleveland, Johnson bumps to RB2 status for the Browns with a chance at about 10 touches a game. If Nick Chubb suffered an injury, Johnson’s opportunity would be much higher.
The green-light to go get Williams is getting closer. The Rams opened his 21-day window to return to game action last Wednesday. Cam Akers won’t be on the roster after the trade deadline, pointing to Williams earning RB2 snaps once he is activated. He projects to bring change of pace value, along with pass-catching upside. He is already rostered in the high-stakes market as they wait for him to pay off. Based on the play of Darrell Henderson in Week 8 (3/10 with one catch for seven yards), the Rams may have Williams in their starting lineup as early as next week.
The Panthers upgraded Marshall to their WR2 after trading Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals. In Week 8, he had a career-high nine targets, leading to four catches for 87 yards against the Falcons. His game should be built on big plays early in his career while offering the size (6’2” and 200 lbs.) to be a factor at the goal line. His ceiling is limited due to the quarterback play in Carolina.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Over the past four games (5/71, 4/50, 4/74, and 6/71), Peoples-Jones offered starting fantasy value in PPR formats while averaging only 6.75 targets. He is on a bye next week, so I don’t expect him to get much attention in short roster formats.
The full waiver wire report is published on Tuesday.
The 2024 NFL draft is in the rearview mirror, so we now have a very clear picture of how NFL rosters will look heading into the summer months. We're almost fully aware of player personnel, training camp battles and coaching moves, so it's time for the next step ... projecting fantasy player values!
Player rankings are a labor of love for me, and I'll be updating these throughout the remainder of the offseason, into training camps and the preseason contests leading up to the 2024 NFL campaign. What I feel right now about a player (ex. I LOVE Jayden Daniels) might change as I hear reports and see what the versatile rookie quarterback does on the NFL gridiron leading up to the new season.
The same goes for potential depth chart battles, like the one that's inevitably going to occur in the Carolina Panthers backfield. Rookie Jonathon Brooks is the easy answer to lead this team in touches, but Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders won't lay down and die. There will be competition, and Brooks is coming off a torn ACL in his final season at Texas. Things change, so keep checking back!
Without further ado, here are the rankings for each position.
2024 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is third in the QB fantasy rankings.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
RK. Player - Pos - Team - FA
1. Jalen Hurts - QB - PHI - 2029
2. Josh Allen - QB - BUF - 2029
3. Patrick Mahomes - QB - KC - 2032
4. Lamar Jackson - QB - BAL - 2028
5. C.J. Stroud - QB - HOU - 2027
6. Joe Burrow - QB - CIN - 2030
7. Anthony Richardson - QB - IND - 2027
8. Dak Prescott - QB - DAL - 2025
9. Jordan Love - QB - GB - 2025
10. Kyler Murray - QB - ARI - 2029
11. Brock Purdy - QB - SF - 2026
12. Kirk Cousins - QB - ATL - 2028
13. Jared Goff - QB - DET - 2025
14. Jayden Daniels - QB - WAS - N/A
15. Trevor Lawrence - QB - JAC - 2026
16. Tua Tagovailoa - QB - MIA - 2025
17. Justin Herbert - QB - LAC - 2030
18. Matthew Stafford - QB - LAR - 2027
19. Aaron Rodgers - QB - NYJ - 2026
20. Caleb Williams - QB - CHI - N/A
21. Baker Mayfield - QB - TB - 2027
22. Deshaun Watson - QB - CLE - 2027
23. Derek Carr - QB - NO - 2027
24. Russell Wilson - QB - PIT - 2029
25. Will Levis - QB - TEN - 2027
26. Bryce Young - QB - CAR - 2027
27. Drake Maye - QB - NE - N/A
28. Geno Smith - QB - SEA - 2026
29. Daniel Jones - QB - NYG - 2027
30. J.J. McCarthy - QB - MIN - N/A
31. Justin Fields - QB - PIT - 2025
32. Bo Nix - QB - DEN - N/A
33. Gardner Minshew - QB - LV - 2024
34. Jarrett Stidham - QB - DEN - 2025
35. Aidan O'Connell - QB - LV - 2027
36. Sam Howell - QB - SEA - 2026
37. Jake Browning - QB - CIN - 2025
38. Michael Penix Jr. - QB - ATL - N/A
39. Kenny Pickett - QB - PHI - 2026
40. Mac Jones - QB - JAC - 2025
2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey leads the fantasy RB rankings.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
RK. Player - Pos - Team - FA
1. Christian McCaffrey - RB - SF - 2026
2. Bijan Robinson - RB - ATL - 2028
3. Breece Hall - RB - NYJ - 2026
4. Saquon Barkley - RB - PHI - 2027
5. Jahmyr Gibbs - RB - DET - 2028
6. Jonathan Taylor - RB - IND - 2027
7. Travis Etienne - RB - JAC - 2026
8. Kyren Williams - RB - LAR - 2026
9. Josh Jacobs - RB - GB - 2028
10. Derrick Henry - RB - BAL - 2026
11. Isiah Pacheco - RB - KC - 2026
12. Rachaad White - RB - TB - 2026
13. De'Vone Achane - RB - MIA - 2027
14. James Cook - RB - BUF - 2026
15. Alvin Kamara - RB - NO - 2026
16. Ken Walker - RB - SEA - 2026
17. Joe Mixon - RB - HOU - 2027
18. D'Andre Swift - RB - CHI - 2027
19. David Montgomery - RB - DET - 2026
20. Rhamondre Stevenson - RB - NE - 2025
21. Nick Chubb - RB - CLE - 2025
22. Jonathon Brooks - RB - CAR - N/A
23. Aaron Jones - RB - MIN - 2025
24. Zamir White - RB - LV - 2026
25. James Conner - RB - ARI - 2025
26. Tony Pollard - RB - TEN - 2027
27. Raheem Mostert - RB - MIA - 2026
28. Najee Harris - RB - PIT - 2026
29. Zack Moss - RB - CIN - 2026
30. Brian Robinson Jr. - RB - WAS - 2026
31. Austin Ekeler - RB - WAS - 2026
32. Javonte Williams - RB - DEN - 2025
33. Devin Singletary - RB - NYG - 2027
34. Jaylen Warren - RB - PIT - 2025
35. Tyjae Spears - RB - TEN - 2027
36. Gus Edwards - RB - LAC - 2026
37. Ezekiel Elliott - RB - DAL - 2025
38. Zach Charbonnet - RB - SEA - 2027
39. Trey Benson - RB - ARI - N/A
40. Chase Brown - RB - CIN - 2027
41. Tyler Allgeier - RB - ATL - 2026
42. Ty Chandler - RB - MIN - 2026
43. Rico Dowdle - RB - DAL - 2025
44. Chuba Hubbard - RB - CAR - 2025
45. Blake Corum - RB - LAR - N/A
46. Antonio Gibson - RB - NE - 2027
47. J.K. Dobbins - RB - LAC - 2025
48. Alexander Mattison - RB - LV - 2025
49. Bucky Irving - RB - TB - N/A
50. Jaleel McLaughlin - RB - DEN - 2026
51. Roshon Johnson - RB - CHI - 2027
52. Jerome Ford - RB - CLE - 2026
53. Kendre Miller - RB - NO - 2027
54. MarShawn Lloyd - RB - GB - N/A
55. Elijah Mitchell - RB - SF - 2025
56. Khalil Herbert - RB - CHI - 2025
57. A.J. Dillon - RB - GB - 2025
58. Jaylen Wright - RB - MIA - N/A
59. D'Onta Foreman - RB - CLE - 2025
60. Keaton Mitchell - RB - BAL - 2026
61. Miles Sanders - RB - CAR - 2027
62. Braelon Allen - RB - NYJ - N/A
63. Audric Estime - RB - DEN - N/A
64. Dameon Pierce - RB - HOU - 2026
65. Kenneth Gainwell - RB - PHI - 2025
66. Samaje Perine - RB - DEN - 2025
67. Tank Bigsby - RB - JAC - 2027
68. Clyde Edwards-Helaire - RB - KC - 2025
69. Justice Hill - RB - BAL - 2025
70. Jamaal Williams - RB - NO - 2026
71. Israel Abanikanda - RB - NYJ - 2027
72. Isaiah Spiller - RB - LAC - 2026
73. Chase Edmonds - RB - TB - 2025
74. Kareem Hunt - RB - FA - N/A
75. Tyrone Tracy Jr. - RB - NYG - 2025
76. Ray Davis - RB - BUF - N/A
77. Evan Hull - RB - IND - 2027
78. Will Shipley - RB - PHI - N/A
79. D'Ernest Johnson - RB - JAC - 2025
80. Emari Demercado - RB - ARI - 2026
2024 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) should be one of the best fantasy WRs again this year.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
RK. Player - Pos - Team - FA
1. CeeDee Lamb - WR - DAL - 2025
2. Tyreek Hill - WR - MIA - 2027
3. Justin Jefferson - WR - MIN - 2025
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR - DET - 2029
5. Ja'Marr Chase - WR - CIN - 2026
6. A.J. Brown - WR - PHI - 2027
7. Puka Nacua - WR - LAR - 2027
8. Garrett Wilson - WR - NYJ - 2027
9. Davante Adams - WR - LV - 2027
10. Michael Pittman Jr. - WR - IND - 2027
11. Mike Evans - WR - TB - 2026
12. Chris Olave - WR - NO - 2027
13. Brandon Aiyuk - WR - SF - 2025
14. Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR - ARI - N/A
15. Drake London - WR - ATL - 2027
16. Nico Collins - WR - HOU - 2025
17. DK Metcalf - WR - SEA - 2026
18. Jaylen Waddle - WR - MIA - 2026
19. Deebo Samuel Sr. - WR - SF - 2026
20. Rashee Rice - WR - KC - 2027
21. D.J. Moore - WR - CHI - 2026
22. Stefon Diggs - WR - HOU - 2025
23. Cooper Kupp - WR - LAR - 2027
24. Devonta Smith - WR - PHI - 2029
25. Amari Cooper - WR - CLE - 2025
26. Malik Nabers - WR - NYG - N/A
27. Tee Higgins - WR - CIN - 2024
28. Calvin Ridley - WR - TEN - 2028
29. Christian Kirk - WR - JAC - 2026
30. Zay Flowers - WR - BAL - 2028
31. George Pickens - WR - PIT - 2026
32. Tank Dell - WR - HOU - 2027
33. Keenan Allen - WR - CHI - 2025
34. Jayden Reed - WR - GB - 2027
35. Terry McLaurin - WR - WAS - 2026
36. Courtland Sutton - WR - DEN - 2026
37. Ladd McConkey - WR - LAC - N/A
38. Diontae Johnson - WR - CAR - 2025
39. Keon Coleman - WR - BUF - N/A
40. Jordan Addison - WR - MIN - 2027
41. DeAndre Hopkins - WR - TEN - 2025
42. Chris Godwin - WR - TB - 2025
43. Rome Odunze - WR - CHI - N/A
44. Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR - SEA - 2028
45. Marquise Brown - WR - KC - 2025
46. Christian Watson - WR - GB - 2026
47. Tyler Lockett - WR - SEA - 2026
48. Xavier Worthy - WR - KC - N/A
49. Brian Thomas Jr. - WR - JAC - N/A
50. Mike Williams - WR - NYJ - 2025
51. Jakobi Meyers - WR - LV - 2026
52. Curtis Samuel - WR - BUF - 2027
53. Gabe Davis - WR - JAC - 2027
54. Xavier Legette - WR - CAR - N/A
55. Quentin Johnston - WR - LAC - 2028
56. Jameson Williams - WR - DET - 2027
57. Romeo Doubs - WR - GB - 2026
58. Jerry Jeudy - WR - CLE - 2028
59. Josh Downs - WR - IND - 2027
60. Brandin Cooks - WR - DAL - 2025
61. DeMario Douglas - WR - NE - 2027
62. Adonai Mitchell - WR - IND - N/A
63. Ja'Lynn Polk - WR - NE - N/A
64. Marvin Mims - WR - DEN - 2027
65. Adam Thielen - WR - CAR - 2026
66. Dontayvion Wicks - WR - GB - 2027
67. Michael Wilson - WR - ARI - 2027
68. Ricky Pearsall - WR - SF - N/A
69. Rashid Shaheed - WR - NO - 2024
70. Josh Palmer - WR - LAC - 2025
71. Jahan Dotson - WR - WAS - 2027
72. Wan'Dale Robinson - WR - NYG - 2026
73. Kendrick Bourne - WR - NE - 2027
74. Jalin Hyatt - WR - NYG - 2027
75. Tyler Boyd - WR - FA - N/A
76. Roman Wilson - WR - PIT - N/A
77. Malachi Corley - WR - NYJ - N/A
78. Khalil Shakir - WR - BUF - 2026
79. Elijah Moore - WR - CLE - 2025
80. Treylon Burks - WR - TEN - 2027
2024 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta leads the fantasy TE rankings.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
RK. Player - Pos - Team - FA
1. Sam LaPorta - TE - DET - 2027
2. Travis Kelce - TE - KC - 2026
3. Mark Andrews - TE - BAL - 2026
4. Trey McBride - TE - ARI - 2026
5. George Kittle - TE - SF - 2026
6. Evan Engram - TE - JAC - 2026
7. Dalton Kincaid - TE - BUF - 2027
8. Kyle Pitts - TE - ATL - 2025
9. David Njoku - TE - CLE - 2026
10. Brock Bowers - TE - LV - N/A
11. Jake Ferguson - TE - DAL - 2026
12. T.J. Hockenson - TE - MIN - 2028
13. Dallas Goedert - TE - PHI - 2026
14. Dalton Schultz - TE - HOU - 2027
15. Pat Freiermuth - TE - PIT - 2025
16. Darren Waller - TE - NYG - 2027
17. Cole Kmet - TE - CHI - 2028
18. Hunter Henry - TE - NE - 2027
19. Cade Otton - TE - TB - 2026
20. Zach Ertz - TE - WAS - 2025
21. Chigoziem Okonkwo - TE - TEN - 2026
22. Luke Musgrave - TE - GB - 2027
23. Juwan Johnson - TE - NO - 2025
24. Tyler Conklin - TE - NYJ - 2025
25. Jonnu Smith - TE - MIA - 2026
26. Tucker Kraft - TE - GB - 2027
27. Tyler Higbee - TE - LAR - 2026
28. Taysom Hill - TE - NO - 2026
29. Mike Gesicki - TE - CIN - 2025
30. Noah Fant - TE - SEA - 2026
32. Ja'Tavion Sanders - TE - CAR - N/A
31. Isaiah Likely - TE - BAL - 2026
2024 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is No. 1 in the fantasy rankings.
Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
RK. Player - Pos - Team - FA
1. Justin Tucker - K - BAL - 2028
2. Brandon Aubrey - K - DAL - 2026
3. Harrison Butker - K - KC - 2025
4. Jake Elliott - K - PHI - 2026
5. Jake Moody - K - SF - 2027
6. Ka'imi Fairbairn - K - HOU - 2027
7. Jason Sanders - K - MIA - 2027
8. Younghoe Koo - K - ATL - 2027
9. Tyler Bass - K - BUF - 2028
10. Dustin Hopkins - K - CLE - 2025
11. Matt Gay - K - IND - 2027
12. Evan McPherson - K - CIN - 2025
13. Cairo Santos - K - CHI - 2028
14. Cameron Dicker - K - LAC - 2025
15. Jason Myers - K - SEA - 2027
16. Greg Zuerlein - K - NYJ - 2026
17. Michael Badgley - K - DET - 2025
18. Greg Joseph - K - GB - 2025
19. Blake Grupe - K - NO - 2026
20. Joshua Karty - K - LAR - N/A
21. Chase McLaughlin - K - TB - 2027
22. Cam Little - K - JAC - N/A
23. Wil Lutz - K - DEN - 2026
24. Daniel Carlson - K - LV - 2026
25. Brandon McManus - K - WAS - 2025
26. Matt Prater - K - ARI - 2025
27. Nick Folk - K - TEN - 2025
28. Chris Boswell - K - PIT - 2027
29. Will Reichard - K - MIN - N/A
30. Eddy Piniero - K - CAR - 2025
31. Graham Gano - K - NYG - 2027
32. Chad Ryland - K - NE - 2027
2024 Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings
All-Pro defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) leads the Ravens' top-ranked fantasy D.