Fantasy Football Week 9 Quarterback Rankings and Updates

With eight weeks of the 2026 NFL season in the books, the fantasy football season is already approaching its midpoint. The landscape for the best options for your fantasy football team has continued to take shape, with surprise performances, breakout players and fantasy duds shaking up rankings week to week. As we get closer to the halfway point of the season, let’s take a look at my fantasy football quarterback rankings heading into Week 9.

Key:

Must Start- A player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting QB1- A player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a solid floor.

Low-End Starter- A player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more often than not because of depth at the position. Their production is based on whether they can get in the end zone or not. It can be the difference between a top-10 performance and a top-25 performance.

Deep League Starter- A player whose ceiling isn’t high but should put up enough production to be started in deep leagues. When a player like this is started, it is because their production, though it will likely be low, will be better than a few other options.

Leave on the Bench- A player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times, this player could even be left on waivers.

Status Uncertain- A player who currently has an injury designation leading up to game day. Their status remains uncertain until we get closer to game day and know more.

Updates for Week 9:

• Aaron Rodgers and Cam Ward are both on bye this week, so fantasy managers with these quarterbacks should replace them with options off the bench.
• Lamar Jackson could miss the remainder of the NFL season after suffering a thumb injury on the opening drive of Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills. Jackson has dealt with a rough string of injuries this season after already missing the previous three weeks due to an ankle injury, and now his thumb injury will sideline him indefinitely. Joe Fagnano will start for the Ravens on Thursday Night Football this week, but Baltimore is also finalizing a trade to acquire Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
• Joe Milton will start for the Eagles in Week 9 after Philadelphia made the decision to bench Tanner McKee, who went 0-3 as the starter after taking over for Jalen Hurts. Milton served as the backup behind Dak Prescott last season before signing with Philadelphia just days after Hurts’ injury. Milton has very limited starting experience and will face a big test against a hot Giants team currently in first place in the NFC East.
• Sam Darnold has been ruled out for Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals due to a quadriceps injury and a cracked rib. Drew Lock will take over as the starter for the second time this season against the Cardinals, whom he also faced in Week 2 after Darnold was sidelined with a hip injury. Although Seattle will be disappointed to lose its starter amid the playoff hunt, Lock has already faced Arizona this season and will have the benefit of playing at home.
• Deshaun Watson’s status for Sunday is still uncertain as he continues to go through concussion protocol. More will be known as the week progresses and we get closer to game day, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status.

Go to our NFL page for more articles and updates like NFL Week 9 Picks Against the Spread!

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