We debuted Vegas-style fantasy football rankings prior to this NFL season.
We used season-long prop lines for each player to project fantasy points, using the wisdom-of-the-crowds approach embedded in betting markets to find players undervalued and overvalued by fantasy experts.
For example: if a receiver was listed at 6 catches, 60 yards and 0.5 TDs in the prop market, he'd be projected for 15 points in full PPR, and 9 points in standard formats.
We'll be doing the same on a game-by-game basis, using props from that week's games to create fantasy rankings. While you'll be starting most of the players listed anyway, these rankings can be a good way to find DFS value or make tough lineup decisions early in the season.
Here's how things shook out for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers for Week 9 in all formats, with some notes below.
Quarterback
- The top of the board looks as you'd expect, but Geno Smith remains high at No. 6 despite a disappointing statistical week against the Giants.
- The biggest mover is Aaron Rodgers in a plus-matchup against the Lions. He's at No. 8 after finding himself outside the top 15 for much of the last month.
- Sam Ehlinger is on the QB1 border for a second straight week, coming in at No. 12 in our ratings due to his rushing upside.
- No sportsbook has listed Lamar Jackson passing yards props yet. We'll update the rankings when they come in.
Running Back
- Austin Ekeler is the RB1 in PPR formats due to his absurd target share, but he's trailed by Derrick Henry and Travis Etienne, who has emerged as a high-end fantasy running back over the last few weeks. Henry remains No. 1 in standard formats.
- Colts RB Deon Jackson is also on the RB1 border with Jonathan Taylor out and Nyheim Hines traded to the Bills. He caught 10 passes in Week 6 when Taylor missed.
- Panthers RB D'Onta Foreman is another riser this week with Chuba Hubbard still out. He's firmly in the RB2 conversation.
Wide Receiver
- Despite his injury, Cooper Kupp remains the WR1, followed by Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson and DeAndre Hopkins, who has been brilliant since returning from suspension two weeks ago.
- Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both crack the top 10 against a flailing Rams team. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are both top 15.
- DJ Moore is back in the good graces of the prop market after a brutal start to the year, coming in at No. 16.
- All the Colts pass catchers took a hit with Ehlinger at quarterback. Michael Pittman checks in at No. 21 in PPR after some fringe WR1-projected weeks.
Tight End
- Travis Kelce is projected for nearly double the points of the next closest tight end, with Mark Andrews injured, George Kittle on a bye and Dallas Goedert playing Thursday.
- Evan Engram is all the way up at No. 3 after being mostly undrafted in the preseason.
- TJ Hockenson comes in at No. 7 in his debut for the Vikings, just ahead of Dawson Knox and Robert Tonyan.
