Underdog Battle Royale Week 9 Rankings

Quarterbacks:

1. Jalen Hurts
2. Dak Prescott
3. Lamar Jackson
4. Sam Howell
5. Derek Carr
6. Gardner Minshew II

Sleepers: C.J. Stroud, Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones, Mac Jones

This is definitely a week I don’t mind prioritizing QB as it really falls off pretty quickly. I think there are three QB tiers this week. The first is pretty easy of Hurts, Prescott, and Jackson. These are the top-tier QBs, who are part of top offenses and have consistently shown the ability to put up 25-35 points over the years. These are the guys to take in the first 2 rounds. Whether you are getting the primary stack with them or not, it can still be worth it if they separate from the pack.

The 2nd tier is Howell, Carr, and maybe Minshew. Howell was QB you wanted last week, and he’s had multiple top QB weeks this season. When protected he can efficiently run this offense and I think the match-up vs the Patriots is one that can be exploited. Carr’s been a rollercoaster, but I like the match-up and he’s got undeniable weapons. He needs probably more passing TD variance, but he can be a 25-point QB in that scenario. As for Minshew, the match-up is strong and he can run a bit, but they also as a team could just run Taylor and Moss. So it’s a bit tougher to get excited about his outlook. There is an upside, it’s just less clear.

Tier three are essentially the QBs who have any sort of pulse in this weak slate. Most of them have been highly disappointing this season, but maybe in the right match-up (see Daniel or Mac Jones), or an up-tempo game (Geno) they could have the score you need to compete with the top QB options. Normally these types of situations would be clear ones to avoid, but it’s at least worth looking at given how thin this overall slate it.

Running backs:

1. Alvin Kamara
2. Josh Jacobs
3. Bijan Robinson
4. Saquon Barkley
5. Tony Pollard
6. Jonathan Taylor
7. Gus Edwards
8. Kenneth Walker III
9. D’Andre Swift
10. Kareem Hunt
11. Rhamondre Stevenson
12. Brian Robinson Jr.

Sleepers: Rachaad White, Zack Moss, Jerome Ford, Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Chuba Hubbard, Dameon Pierce

This is probably one of the weaker weeks at running back, which I typically am not thrilled with since that’s where I want to target my Flex position. I think Kamara is in a smash spot, but after him there are many unknowns and questions. Jacobs and Barkley are both talented backs, but the offenses surrounding them are basically broken. Perhaps Daniel Jones coming back helps Barkley, and perhaps the firing of Josh McDaniels helps Jacobs, but if not they could end up disappointing like they have most weeks. They still have the top 5 upside, just much more risky than I’d like.

I do like Bijan Robinson in this spot, yes we’d like to see a bit more usage, but the talent is undeniable and while the match-up isn’t great vs the Vikings, game script could be in his favor. I also don’t mind taking another shot at Tony Pollard. I know he’s disappointed lately, but the underlying usage is there. I also could see the Cowboys needing to dump the ball off to him more in this match-up vs the tough Eagles defensive line.

Guys like Taylor, Edwards, Walker, and Swift can be very good, but either the match-up is bad or the workload is too split. You will need them to get a little lucky on TD variance to probably pay off. Maybe this is the week we finally see Taylor fully unleashed, but Moss has been so good the Colts haven’t had the need to fully rely on JT. Though the risk is higher if you are looking for a later Flex option RB2, I don’t mind the two backs in the Washington/New England game. Stevenson and Robinson Jr. we know can both put up big fantasy scores, and neither defense is exactly scaring us right now. They both split work, so you will need the right run out, but if it hits they can pay off in a big 20+ point way.

Wide Receivers:

1. A.J. Brown
2. CeeDee Lamb
3. Adam Thielen
4. Mike Evans
5. Michael Pittman Jr.
6. Davante Adams
7. Cooper Kupp
8. DeVonta Smith
9. Tyler Lockett
10. Terry McLaurin
11. Chris Olave
12. Amari Cooper
13. Zay Flowers
14. Nico Collins
15. Josh Downs
16. D.K. Metcalf
17. Jordan Addison
18. Brandin Cooks

Sleepers: Puka Nacua, Rashid Shaheed, Chris Godwin, DJ Moore, Jakobi Meyers, Christian Watson, Tank Dell, Michael Thomas, Jahan Dotson, Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster

Receiver is the deepest overall group, though there does feel like a pretty big drop-off after the top two options. If you don’t land Brown or Lamb, Thielen, Evans, and Pittman are fine options, but all come with some question marks. Things don’t get much better as you move down the list as the Raiders have a new coach, the Rams and Vikings could have new QBs, and other players on the list have the upside, but inconsistent roles.

I do actually like the idea of waiting on the 2nd or 3rd tier options if you miss on Brown and Lamb. Receivers Smith through Collins feel like they have the upside for low-to-mid 20’s types of weeks, and a couple of these are in some decent enough spots. Both Lockett and Flowers could be the top receivers in the Baltimore vs Seattle game, that is one of the few that features two starting QBs. Nico Collins has had some big weeks so far with Stroud, and while the consistency isn’t there, the upside is. The Texans have not been able to run the ball consistently, so if they are to move the ball and score, it’s likely through the air. McLaurin is another strong option, that Washington offense can be pretty good throwing the ball if they protect Sam Howell. Their defense is so bad that they are likely going to have to throw a fair amount, and McLaurin remains the top target on the team.

With the remaining receivers and sleeper options you have a number of guys who could spike in the right circumstance. None feel safe, but this is what is nice about receiver this week is there is depth here to find upside and uniqueness to your line-up. The 2nd WR from some of the options above could be the play this week, I also think big play receivers like DJ Moore and Christian Watson have to have some consideration. Finally, while it looks ugly on paper, can we ignore the Patriots receivers? The Commanders defense has gotten beat by everyone, it won’t be shocking to see one of the Patriots receivers at 1% ownership put up 18-20 points.

Tight Ends:

1. T.J. Hockenson
2. Dallas Goedert
3. Mark Andrews
4. Jake Ferguson
5. Hunter Henry
6. Darren Waller

Sleepers: David Njoku, Trey McBride, Kyle Pitts, Logan Thomas, Cole Kmet, Luke Musgrave

This is not a strong week for tight ends at the top as both Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta are off this slate, as well as a handful of other strong options. With a number of teams with questionable QB play and/or match-ups it’s tough to get excited about any singular player. Despite being one of the TEs with a new QB, Hockenson is still someone I’d consider as the top option on this slate. He is highly involved in this offense, and he figures to be a rookie QB’s best friend in a relatively good match-up. Goedert and Ferguson are the two TEs in the best game environment, but both are no better than 3rd or 4th on their team’s pecking order. Mark Andrews will probably be the top TE off the board in most drafts, but really you are just living on his TD%. If Andrews doesn’t find the end zone at least once, he might not crack 7 points.

While there is a lot of risk involved I really think just taking some shots on these later TEs is the way to go. Guys like McBride and Kmet saw a ton of work last week in positive game scripts. Waller could get a boost if Daniel Jones comes back healthy. Logan Thomas and Kyle Pitts are more inconsistent, but when they are featured they produce. One late TE who could be really sneaky is Hunter Henry. The Commanders’ secondary is a mess as it is, and they just traded away their top two edge rushers. In addition, the Patriots could be missing multiple receivers, leaving Henry as a primary option this week.