Updated Week 9 Fantasy QB Rankings: Start-sit quarterbacks, best sleepers, top bye streamers this week

Tim Heaney

Updated Week 9 Fantasy QB Rankings: Start-sit quarterbacks, best sleepers, top bye streamers this week image

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Four more teams hit the bye week on the NFL calendar for Week 9, but many top quarterbacks return from their breather to make up the difference for fantasy football managers.

Given the combination of the ascension of midrange quarterbacks and some enticing matchups this week, quarterbacks sit in abundance outside of superflex/2QB setups, so adjustments can easily be made.

Scroll down to see The Sporting News' full Week 9 QB rankings for the full positional picture.

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QB lineup help for Fantasy Week 9

These Week 9 quarterback rankings are based on 4-point passing touchdowns and one point for every 25 passing yards.

RkTrQuarterbacksTMOPPChg ↕️
11Jared GoffDETMIN 
21Daniel JonesIND@PIT 
31Lamar JacksonBAL@MIADone-TNF
42Jordan LoveGBCAR 
52Justin HerbertLAC@TEN 
62Drake MayeNEATL 
73Josh AllenBUFKC 
83Matthew StaffordLARNO 
93Patrick MahomesKC@BUF 
104Jaxson DartNYGSF 
114Jayden DanielsWASSEA 
124Bo NixDEN@HOU 
134Dak PrescottDALARI 
145Sam DarnoldSEA@WAS 
155Caleb WilliamsCHI@CIN 
165Aaron RodgersPITIND 
175Joe FlaccoCINCHI 
186Tua TagovailoaMIABALDone-TNF
196Bryce YoungCAR@GB 
206Geno SmithLVJAX 
216J.J. McCarthyMIN@DET 
226Mac JonesSF@NYG 
237Jacoby BrissettARI@DAL 
247Marcus MariotaWASSEA 
257Trevor LawrenceJAX@LV 
267Andy DaltonCAR@GB 
277C.J..StroudHOUDEN 
288Tyler ShoughNO@LAR 
298Kirk CousinsATL@NE 
308Cam WardTENLAC 
318Tyler HuntleyBAL@MIA 
3210Kenny PickettLVJAX 
3310Adrian MartinezSF@NYG 
3410Cooper RushBAL@MIA 
3510Spencer RattlerNO@LAR 
3610Zach WilsonMIABAL 
      
INJ--Kyler MurrayARI@DAL 
INJ--Brock PurdySF@NYG 
INJ--Michael Penix Jr.ATL@NE 
IR--Carson WentzMIN@DET 
      
BYE--Baker MayfieldTBBYE 
BYE--Jalen HurtsPHIBYE 
BYE--Justin FieldsNYJBYE 
BYE--Tyrod TaylorNYJBYE 
BYE--Dillon GabrielCLEBYE 
BYE--Shedeur SandersCLEBYE 

BEST FANTASY PICKUPS: Week 9 waiver wire guide

Week 9 Bye: Fantasy QBs

  • Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
  • Jalen Hurts, Eagles
  • Justin Fields, Jets
  • Dillon Gabriel, Browns

Manage your lineup with our Week 9 fantasy bye weeks planner.

Top Week 9 fantasy QB picks

The quarterback rankings' apex looks a bit different this week due to matchups. Jared Goff occupies the top spot with the Detroit Lions coming off a bye, and the Minnesota Vikings' suddenly porous aerial defense will have to deal with this deep cadre of pass-catchers.

Coming off his 3-touchdown SNF performance against his former... Well, not "mentor", but teammate Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love jumps into the top tiers against the Carolina Panthers. With Christian Watson already stretching the field in his return -- and Jayden Reed (collarbone/ankle) possibly on his way back soon -- Love could nudge his way into every-week status soon.

Drake Maye, Daniel Jones, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, and Dak Prescott remain in must-start territory regardless of matchup.

LINEUP TIPS: Week 9 Start 'Em Sit 'Em | Week 9 Sleepers | Week 9 Busts

Week 9 QB sleepers to stream: Who?

Whoever's starting for the Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray or Jacoby Brissett draw the aerial doormat that is the Dallas Cowboys defense and line up as the top streamer of the week.

Matchup boosts also go to Sam Darnold (at Commanders) and Caleb Williams (at Bengals).

Sleeper tags go to the Las Vegas Raiders' Geno Smith coming off a bye versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, as well as the San Francisco 49ers' Mac Jones or, if he returns, Brock Purdy (toe) against the New York Giants.

For Superflex leagues, Marcus Mariota is a viable option if he steps in for Jayden Daniels (hamstring) to face the Seahawks, and Trevor Lawrence is also worth considering after the Jaguars' bye week against the Raiders.

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Fantasy Week 9 QB busts revealed.

Despite the potential for a disastrous performance against the Chiefs, Josh Allen stays within the playable tier, a testament to his established caliber. Still, bumping him down too much would be harsh, because the Bills likely will have to keep up with a resurgent Chiefs offense.

Don't feel temptation to jump back on the Tua Tagovailoa train after his 4-TD output in Week 8; the Ravens' defense is getting healthier and should have Lamar Jackson back, which should allow them to claw back toward a Improved outcome in the time-of-possession battle.

Tim Heaney

Tim Heaney joined The Sporting News in 2025 as Fantasy Football Editor. For nearly 20 years, the FSWA award winner has created fantasy NFL and MLB rankings, podcasts, and analysis for sites including ESPN, USA Today/Sports Weekly, KFFL, RotoWire, and RotoBaller. The Boston University alum hopes he’s helped a few followers win their leagues, even when he’s a year too early on breakout players.