Week 9 of the 2025 Fantasy Football season is here, and with playoff races heating up, every lineup decision matters more than ever. Whether you're battling for a top seed or clawing your way into contention, this week's rankings offer a strategic edge across all key positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end.
I have broken down each tier to help you identify elite starters, sneaky upside plays, and potential busts. Plus, my must start picks spotlight breakout candidates poised to deliver game changing performances. Let’s dive into the matchups and make sure your roster is ready to dominate.
Week 9 Quarterback Rankings
Tier 1
1. Josh Allen vs KC
2. Lamar Jackson @ MIA
3. Patrick Mahomes II @ BUF
Tier 2
4. Justin Herbert @ TEN
5. Drake Maye vs ATL
6. Dak Prescott vs ARI
7. Daniel Jones @ PIT
8. Bo Nix @ HOU
9. Jayden Daniels vs SEA
Tier 3
10. Caleb Williams @ CIN
11. Jared Goff vs MIN
12. Jaxson Dart vs SF
13. Joe Flacco vs CHI
14. Kyler Murray @ DAL
Tier 4
15. Jordan Love vs CAR
16. Matthew Stafford vs NO
17. Trevor Lawrence @ LV
18. Sam Darnold @ WAS
19. Aaron Rodgers vs IND
Tier 5
20. C.J. Stroud vs DEN
21. Mac Jones @ NYG
22. Tua Tagovailoa vs BAL
23. Geno Smith vs JAC
24. Cam Ward vs LAC
Must Start: Quarterback
Caleb Williams @ CIN
Caleb Williams faces a bottom offense in the Bengals, and this is game they are going to want to win to stay in contention for top of the division. I believe that this game will allow for a lot of points to be put up and Williams with all his weapons on offense should feast.
Week 9 Tight End Rankings
Tier 1
1. Trey McBride @ DAL
2. Tyler Warren @ PIT
Tier 2
3. Brock Bowers vs JAC
4. Tucker Kraft vs CAR
5. Jake Ferguson vs ARI
6. George Kittle @ NYG
7. Oronde Gadsden II @ TEN
Tier 3
8. Sam LaPorta vs MIN
9. Travis Kelce @ BUF
10. Zach Ertz @ vs SEA
11. Kyle Pitts Sr. @ NE
12. Dalton Kincaid vs KC
13. Colston Loveland @ CIN
Tier 4
14. Hunter Henry vs ATL
15. Mark Andrews @ MIA
16. T.J. Hockenson @ DET
17. Theo Johnson vs SF
18. Evan Engram @ HOU
Tier 5
19. Juwan Johnson @ LAR
20. Dalton Schultz vs DEN
21. Jonnu Smith vs IND
22. Noah Fant vs CHI
23. AJ Barner @ WAS
24. Chig Okonkwo vs LAC
Must Start: Tight End
Colston Loveland @ CIN
Colston Loveland saw his season high of 5 targets last week and had 3 receptions for 38 yards. Now he faces the worst defense against tight ends in the Bengals and I think this will be the rookies first breakout game where he can potentially see his first career touchdown.
Week 9 Wide Receiver Rankings
Tier 1
1. Ja’Marr Chase vs CHI
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba @ WAS
3. Puka Nucua vs NO
4. CeeDee Lamb vs ARI
5. Rashee Rice @ BUF
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs MIN
Tier 2
7. Justin Jefferson @ DET
8. Rome Odunze @ CIN
9. Drake London @ NE
10. Davante Adams vs NO
11. Michael Pittman Jr. @ PIT
12. DK Metcalf vs IND
13. Brian Thomas Jr. @ LV
Tier 3
14. Zay Flowers @ MIA
15. Nico Collins vs DEN
16. Ladd McConkey @ TEN
17. Jaylen Waddle vs BAL
18. George Pickens vs ARI
19. Courtland Sutton @ HOU
Tier 4
20. Tetairoa McMillan @ GB
21. Chris Olave @ LAR
22. Travis Hunter @ LV
23. Stefon Diggs vs ATL
24. Jordan Addison @ DET
25. Keenan Allen @ TEN
Tier 5
26. Tee Higgins vs CHI
27. Marvin Harrison Jr. @ DAL
28. Xavier Worthy @ BUF
29. Deebo Samuel Sr. vs SEA
30. Romeo Doubs vs CAR
31. Terry McLaurin vs SEA
Tier 6
32. Wan’Dale Robinson vs SF
33. Khalil Shakir vs KC
34. Khalil Shakir vs KC
35. DJ Moore @ CIN
36. Josh Downs @ PIT
Must Start: Wide Receiver
Travis Hunter @ LV
Travis Hunter in week 7 had his best game of his career as a rookie finishing the game with 8 receptions with 101 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Now coming of a week 8 bye he faces a bottom defense in the Raiders, and the Jaguars have Hunter heavily involved in the offense where he played 87 percent of the snaps, and I believe he is going to explode again.
Week 9 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1
1. Christian McCaffrey @ NYG
2. Jonathon Taylor @ PIT
3. De’Von Achane vs BAL
4. Jahmyr Gibbs vs MIN
5. Bijan Robinson vs MIA
Tier 2
6. Derrick Henry @ MIA
7. James Cook III vs KC
8. Kyren Williams vs ARI
9. Josh Jacobs vs CAR
10. Javonte Williams vs ARI
Tier 3
11. D’Andre Swift @ CIN
12. Ashton Jeanty vs JAC
13. Chase Brown vs CHI
14. Jaylen Warren vs IND
15. Kimani Vidal @ TEN
Tier 4
16. J.K. Dobbins @ HOU
17. Kareem Hunt @ BUF
18. Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs SEA
19. Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs SF
20. Alvin Kamara @ LAR
21. Kenneth Walker III @ WAS
Tier 5
22. Rico Dowdle @ GB
23. Woody Marks vs DEN
24. Zach Charbonnet @ WAS
25. Bam Knight @ DAL
26. David Montgomery vs MIN
27. Rhamondre Stevenson vs ATL
28. Tyjae Spears vs LAC
29. RJ Harvey @ HOU
Tier 6
30. Tony Pollard vs LAC
31. Aaron Jones Sr. @ DET
32. Tyler Allgeier @ NE
33. Jordan Mason @ DET
34. TreVeyon Henderson vs ATL
35. Kyle Monangai @ CIN
36. Chuba Hubbard @ GB
Must Start: Running Back
Kareem Hunt @ BUF
Kareem Hunt faces a week run defense in the Bills, and I have a feeling that this is going to be his best game of the season. The game should be close, and I am expecting another high scoring finish between the Chiefs and Bills where Hunt should feast.
Conclusion
With several high powered offenses facing vulnerable defenses, Week 9 presents a prime opportunity to capitalize on favorable matchups. From Caleb Williams upside against Cincinnati, Colston Loveland’s breakout potential, Travis Hunter’s continued breakout performances, and Kareem Hunt's upside against bottom rush defense in the Bills.
These rankings and must start picks are designed to help you make confident, informed decisions. Stay sharp, monitor injury reports, and trust the tiers because in fantasy football, every point counts. Good luck locking in your lineup and chasing that W.