Week 9 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings: Brock Purdy Leads the Way
Several big-name quarterbacks face tough tests in Week 9. Here's where they land in the latest rankings.
Let's start going over some Week 9 fantasy football rankings by discussing the quarterback position!
Check back for rankings for running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, plus more start/sit articles!
Week 9 fantasy football quarterback projections are live on FantasySP! Use the start/sit tool for all your lineup decisions!
1. Brock Purdy
Purdy lands the No. 1 QB spot this week after being on a bye in Week 8.
He has a pretty favorable matchup coming against the Raiders, so I expect Purdy and the 49ers' offense to roll, and for the QB to have a big fantasy day.
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2. Joe Burrow
Burrow has a below-average matchup coming against the Falcons, but I still believe in him enough to take him second.
He's coming off his best fantasy performance of the season, and I see another big game coming for the Bengals' QB.
3. Josh Allen
Allen slips to No. 3 entering the toughest fantasy matchup a QB could have.
He gets the Vikings, who aren't even allowing 10 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. I still trust Allen to get the job done and finish as a top-end fantasy quarterback.
4. Drake Maye
Maye is another top-end fantasy QB who has a tougher test in Week 9.
He will take on the Packers, who are a bottom-five fantasy matchup for QBs so far. Maye has delivered well in five straight appearances, and he's one to keep starting despite the opposing matchup.
5. Jared Goff
Goff has a stellar matchup coming in Week 9 against the Dolphins.
He was held in check in a tougher test against Minnesota last week, but I see Goff bouncing back in a big way in Week 9.
Lawrence gets a slightly above-average test in Week 9 against the Ravens. It's a very winnable game for Jacksonville, and I see Lawrence shining despite the so-so matchup.
He's performed pretty well as a fantasy QB all season, and I don't expect him to slow down in Week 9.
Daniels faces a below-average test in Week 9 against the Rams.
The dual-threat QB has delivered pretty well since returning from an early-season injury, and I trust him enough to expect a top-10 fantasy finish in Week 9.
8. Dak Prescott
Prescott has a slightly above-average matchup coming against the Colts in Week 9.
He has a couple of good performances in a row, and that makes Prescott an even more confident starting option for the coming week.
Mahomes' matchup against the Jets in Week 9 is pretty average.
He fared well last week in a tougher test, so he jumps way up the rankings for Week 9. Mahomes could be started in a bunch of leagues.
10. Matthew Stafford
Stafford is managing an injury to his throwing arm, but he's expected to play in Week 9 against the Commanders.
That's a very favorable matchup, so Stafford could easily finish above this ranking by the end of the week. I'm down on him a bit after a lackluster outing in Week 8 and due to the injury concern.
11. Jordan Love
Love has a below-average test coming against the Patriots, but he checks in just outside the top 10.
He's delivered time and time again as a fantasy QB this season, so I expect him to keep posting good fantasy showings, even in some tougher tests. Love will be started in fewer leagues than in previous weeks, but I still see him faring well in Week 9.
12. Caleb Williams
Williams has a very tough test coming against the Buccaneers in Week 9.
Williams has done pretty well since returning from an early-season injury, but I'd temper my expectations with him in this brutal fantasy test.
13. Malik Willis
Willis has the best fantasy matchup possible for a quarterback, getting the Lions in Week 9.
He's put together three solid fantasy showings in a row, so I have more confidence in Willis putting together an above-average fantasy showing in Week 9.
14. Kirk Cousins
Cousins has a below-average matchup coming against the 49ers.
He's been a pretty solid fantasy performer most of the season, and in a game where the Raiders will need to pass a bunch to keep up with the Niners, I think that bodes well for Cousins and his fantasy score.
15. Kyler Murray
Murray is dealing with a hamstring injury, so his status needs to be monitored.
He's underwhelmed in his first season with Minnesota, but could surprise in an above-average matchup in Week 9 against Buffalo.
16. C.J. Stroud
Stroud will look to keep performing above average in the team's Week 9 test against the Chargers.
It's a below-average matchup on paper, but in a winnable game, I expect close to average results for Stroud, with his hot streak definitely easing some concerns.
17. Sam Darnold
Darnold has a stellar matchup coming against the Cardinals in Week 9.
He's been below average in most weeks this season, otherwise he'd have ranked quite a bit higher for me. Darnold is a better deep-league streaming option for Week 9.
UPDATE: Darnold will miss Week 9 with a quad injury. Drew Lock will start in his place, and I would drop him below Young at No. 22.
18. J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy has an above-average matchup coming against the Eagles in Week 9.
He has a couple of solid performances in his time as the team's QB so far, and the matchup suggests he could deliver pretty well in Week 9. I'm a bit more skeptical of trying McCarthy, and would really only want to try him in deeper leagues.
19. Michael Penix
Penix gets an average matchup against the Bengals this coming week.
He's coming off a disastrous outing against Tampa Bay in Week 8, so I'm lower on him than I'd usually be. We'll see if Penix can bounce back and deliver better results.
20. Bo Nix
Nix's matchup against the Panthers in Week 9 is just below average.
The Denver QB has shown some signs of life the past couple of weeks, so this feels like the right spot to rank him for the coming week.
21. Bryce Young
In the same Denver-Carolina game, Young will start for the Panthers.
He has a slightly below-average test against the Broncos, so he falls below Nix and to No. 21 overall.
22. Deshaun Watson
Watson is dealing with a concussion, so his status for Week 9 is now up in the air.
If he's cleared to start, Watson will have a slightly below-average test coming against the Saints. He hasn't done enough to rank any higher, and the injury concern knocks him down a few more pegs.
23. Tyler Shough
Shough will face a pretty stiff test against the Browns in Week 9.
Shough started the season hot, but has faded over his past three appearances. He's just a deep-league option for the coming week as a result.
24. Geno Smith
Smith has put together some solid fantasy outings this season, but a very tough test against the Chiefs awaits in Week 9.
I would only consider Smith in deeper leagues, and even in those leagues, I'd look elsewhere for help, as the matchup is very tough.
25. Baker Mayfield
Mayfield has a pretty favorable matchup coming against the Bears.
I want to rank Mayfield higher, but he's barely thrown the ball since returning from an injury, so I just don't trust him right now.
26. Daniel Jones
Jones gets a stellar matchup against the Cowboys in Week 9.
Indy's offense has struggled this season, and it's made it very hard to trust Jones. He could surprise, but I'd only consider starting him in very deep leagues.
27. Justin Herbert
Herbert is another veteran QB who I've lost a lot of confidence in.
He has an above-average matchup coming against the Texans, but I'd skip Herbert if I could. I just do not trust him right now.
28. Tanner McKee
McKee has been below average in all three of his games played this season.
He has a favorable matchup coming against the Giants, but I simply don't have confidence in him, so I'm skipping McKee if I can.
UPDATE: Joe Milton will start instead of McKee in Week 9. I'd still rank him at No. 28.
29. Gardner Minshew
Minshew showed out in a reserve role in Week 8, but has a brutal test coming against the Seahawks in Week 9.
Minshew is just an option in very deep leagues, and I'd do my best to avoid him because of the matchup.
30. Joe Fagnano
Fagnano has been thrust into the starting role in Baltimore after injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Fagnano didn't fare well in a favorable matchup against Buffalo in Week 8.
He now gets a below-average matchup against the Jaguars in Week 9, so I'm not expecting much from the Baltimore QB. Avoid him at all costs.
Other Notes
If Stafford were to unexpectedly be inactive, it'd likely be Stetson Bennett IV who gets the start in his place. I'd rank him ahead of just McKee, Minshew and Fagnano if that were to happen.
If Murray were out for Minnesota, Carson Wentz would likely start. I'd rank him between Shough and Smith if he started for the Vikings.
Shedeur Sanders would likely replace Watson if he cannot go in Week 9. I'd rank Sanders between Herbert and McKee if he started - he would go before Bennett if he started for LA.
