Pondering some tough flex choices for your Week 9 fantasy football lineup? Adam Rank sorts through the running backs, receivers and tight ends to present his top 150 flex options, with some useful nuggets of analysis sprinkled in. The ranking is based on a 0.5 PPR scoring format.
NOTE: In a typical week, this ranking will be posted on Tuesday. Injury designations will be added, adjusted or removed as teams' official injury reports are made available. The following three designations will be reflected:
(Q) -- Player is listed as questionable on his team's official injury report.
(D) -- Player is listed as doubtful on his team's official injury report.
(O) -- Player has been ruled out on his team's official injury report.
RANKING TIERS
FLEX RANKINGS: 1-50
1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at Giants) | RB1
2. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at Patriots) | RB2
3. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at Steelers) | RB3
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. Vikings) | RB4
5. Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs. Panthers) | RB5
6. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. Bears) | WR1
7. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. Ravens | TNF) | RB6
8. James Cook, Bills (vs. Chiefs) | RB7
9. Derrick Henry, Ravens (at Dolphins | TNF) | RB8
10. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at Lions) | WR2
11. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (at Commanders | SNF) | WR3
12. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. Cardinals | MNF) | WR4
13. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. Vikings) | WR5
14. Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. Saints) | WR6
15. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at Bills) | WR7
16. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. Cardinals | MNF) | RB9
17. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at Texans) | WR8
18. Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. Saints) | RB10
19. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. Bears) | WR9
20. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (at Cowboys | MNF) | WR10
21. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos (at Texans) | RB11
22. DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. Colts) | WR11
23. Rome Odunze, Bears (at Bengals) | WR12
24. Davante Adams, Rams (vs. Saints) | WR13
25. D'Andre Swift, Bears (at Bengals) | RB12
26. Kimani Vidal, Chargers (at Titans) | RB13
27. Drake London, Falcons (at Patriots) | WR14
28. George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. Cardinals | MNF) | WR15
29. Chris Olave, Saints (at Rams) | WR16
30. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. Bears) | RB14
31. Tyler Warren, Colts (at Steelers) | TE1
32. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at Packers) | WR17
33. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at Titans) | WR18
34. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at Cowboys | MNF) | TE2
35. David Montgomery, Lions (vs. Vikings) | RB15
36. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. Jaguars) | RB16
37. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. Colts) | RB17
38. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (at Commanders | SNF) | RB18
39. Zay Flowers, Ravens (at Dolphins | TNF) | WR19
40. Rico Dowdle, Panthers (at Packers) | RB19
41. Nico Collins, Texans (vs. Broncos) | WR20
42. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. Ravens | TNF) | WR21
43. Michael Pittman, Colts (at Steelers) | WR22
44. Alvin Kamara, Saints (at Rams) | RB20
45. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (at Raiders) | WR23
46. Travis Hunter, Jaguars (at Raiders) | WR24
47. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (vs. Falcons) | WR25
48. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. Falcons) | RB21
49. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (at Bills) | WR26
50. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. 49ers) | WR27
Takeaways:
I had a 60-point lead in my fantasy league of record against my buddy Sheridan on Sunday. I was feeling pretty good about myself until I noticed he had Jordan Love and Tucker Kraft on his team. I was thinking to myself, I'm good as long as they don't combine for 70 points. Spoiler alert: They did combine for 70 points. So, I had to endure losing a fantasy matchup to my buddy as the Green Bay Packers had the game of their lives against Aaron Rodgers. And you can't tell me that it didn't mean something a little extra to Matt LaFleur and Co. against their former QB. Thankfully, Arsenal beat Crystal Palace or it would have been the worst day ever for me.
I know this is a flex column and you don't flex quarterbacks in most leagues (if you haven't played in a super flex league, you should try it because it's totally fun) but Drake Maye has been incredible this season. He already has five games with 23-plus fantasy points.
Jonathan Taylor has scored at least three touchdowns in four of the first eight games this season. He's the first player to do so since the Giants' Gene "Choo-Choo" Roberts in 1949. And props to NFL Research for that note. I'm forever in their debt.
I expect Jahmyr Gibbs to crush the Vikings this week. Minnesota was gashed for 207 rushing yards by the Chargers last week. And Gibbs has scored nine touchdowns in four career games against the Vikings.
Look for Amon-Ra St. Brown to feast, as well. He's averaged nearly 26 fantasy points per game in his last four contests against the Vikings. Also, he's tied for the league lead with seven receiving touchdowns this season.
I need another big game from Rome Odunze this week against the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed the third-most passing yards per game this season. If the Bears can't get over on the Bengals defense, all of you in Chicago have the right to be mildly concerned.
Chase Brown is back in our lives after a rough start to the season. He's averaging 7 yards per rush in three games with Joe Flacco as the Bengals' QB1.
Tetairoa McMillan has scored 13-plus points in three of his last four games. I'm going back to him this week.
Trey McBride returns from a bye this week, and hopefully Brock Bowers will make his way back from injury, too. Peep the Cardinals' opponents in the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs: Atlanta and Cincinnati. Maybe you make a trade for McBride if you can.
It was great to see Breece Hall do so well for the Jets on Sunday. He was dominant as a runner against the Bengals, and he showed some nice touch on his touchdown pass, too.
FLEX RANKINGS: 51-100
51. Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at Raiders) | RB22
52. Keenan Allen, Chargers (at Titans) | WR28
53. Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. Panthers) | TE3
54. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (vs. 49ers) | RB23
55. George Kittle, 49ers (at Giants) | TE4
56. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. Seahawks | SNF) | RB24
57. Bam Knight, Cardinals (at Cowboys | MNF) | RB25
58. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at Commanders | SNF) | RB26
59. Jordan Mason, Vikings (at Lions) | RB27
60. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (at Bills) | RB28
61. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. Cardinals | MNF) | TE5
62. Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. Vikings) | TE6
63. Brock Bowers, Raiders (vs. Jaguars) | TE7
64. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. Panthers) | WR29
65. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at Lions) | WR30
66. Khalil Shakir, Bills (vs. Chiefs) | WR31
67. DJ Moore, Bears (at Bengals) | WR32
68. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. Seahawks | SNF) | WR33
69. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (at Titans) | WR34
70. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (at Rams) | WR35
71. Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. Chargers) | RB29
72. Deebo Samuel Sr., Commanders (vs. Seahawks | SNF) | WR36
73. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots (vs. Falcons) | WR37
74. Troy Franklin, Broncos (at Texans) | WR38
75. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. Chiefs) | TE8
76. Tre Tucker, Raiders (vs. Jaguars) | WR39
77. Alec Pierce, Colts (at Steelers) | WR40
78. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at Packers) | RB30
79. RJ Harvey, Broncos (at Texans) | RB31
80. Theo Johnson, Giants (vs. 49ers) | TE9
81. Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers (at Titans) | TE10
82. Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (at Giants) | WR41
83. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at Bills) | TE11
84. Woody Marks, Texans (vs. Broncos) | RB32
85. Jauan Jennings, 49ers (at Giants) | WR42
86. Keon Coleman, Bills (vs. Chiefs) | WR43
87. Brashard Smith, Chiefs (at Bills) | RB33
88. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. Vikings) | WR44
89. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at Patriots) | TE12
90. Matthew Golden, Packers (vs. Panthers) | WR45
91. AJ Barner, Seahawks (at Commanders | SNF) | TE13
92. Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos (at Texans) | WR46
93. Cooper Kupp, Seahawks (at Commanders | SNF) | WR47
94. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (at Patriots) | RB34
95. Christian Watson, Packers (vs. Panthers) | WR48
96. Tyjae Spears, Titans (vs. Chargers) | RB35
97. Michael Carter, Cardinals (at Cowboys | MNF) | RB36
98. Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. Seahawks | SNF) | TE14
99. Mark Andrews, Ravens (at Dolphins | TNF) | TE15
100. Darnell Mooney, Falcons (at Patriots) | WR49
Takeaways:
I'm really bummed about the Cam Skatteboinjury. I really am. He was a bright spot for not only the Giants but the entire league. The Philly crowd showed a ton of love for Cam when he was carted off the field on Sunday. That was impressive.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. hasn't done much in his limited opportunities this season, but he's the next man up for the Giants. His matchup this week against the 49ers isn't bad. San Francisco has allowed the ninth-most FPPG to running backs over the last four weeks.
I'm not including Isiah Pacheco here since he is considered week-to-week with an MCL sprain after suffering a knee injury on Monday night, per NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. Both Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith move up in my rankings based on that news.
I'm super excited to see where RJ Harvey goes from here. Obviously, his touchdown rate from Sunday is not sustainable. But I would love to see Denver give him more opportunities. This might not be his best week, though, with the Broncos visiting the Texans, who have allowed the eighth-fewest FPPG to running backs this season.
Woody Marks, on the other side of the Denver game, has led all Texans RBs in snaps in three of the last four games.
FLEX RANKINGS: 101-150
101. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. Falcons) | TE16
102. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. Jaguars) | WR50
103. Elic Ayomanor, Titans (vs. Chargers) | WR51
104. Chimere Dike, Titans (vs. Chargers) | WR52
105. Xavier Legette, Panthers (at Packers) | WR53
106. Josh Downs, Colts (at Steelers) | WR54
107. Xavier Hutchinson, Texans (vs. Broncos) | WR55
108. Kyle Monangai, Bears (at Bengals) | RB37
109. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. Broncos) | TE17
110. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (vs. Falcons) | RB38
111. Nick Chubb, Texans (vs. Broncos) | RB39
112. Aaron Jones, Vikings (at Lions) | RB40
113. Evan Engram, Broncos (at Texans) | TE18
114. Juwan Johnson, Saints (at Rams) | TE19
115. Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (vs. Colts) | RB41
116. Darius Slayton, Giants (vs. 49ers) | WR56
117. Hollywood Brown, Chiefs (at Bills) | WR57
118. Jaylin Noel, Texans (vs. Broncos) | WR58
119. Jayden Higgins, Texans (vs. Broncos) | WR59
120. Jonnu Smith, Steelers (vs. Colts) | TE20
121. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at Lions) | TE21
122. Malik Washington, Dolphins (vs. Ravens | TNF) | WR60
123. Jalen Coker, Panthers (at Packers) | WR61
124. Noah Fant, Bengals (vs. Bears) | TE22
125. Blake Corum, Rams (vs. Saints) | RB42
Related Links
126. Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (vs. Ravens | TNF) | RB43
127. Colston Loveland, Bears (at Bengals) | TE23
128. Taysom Hill, Saints (at Rams) | TE24
129. Justice Hill, Ravens (at Dolphins | TNF) | RB44
130. Olamide Zaccheaus, Bears (at Bengals) | WR62
131. Rashod Bateman, Ravens (at Dolphins | TNF) | WR63
132. Michael Mayer, Raiders (vs. Jaguars) | TE25
133. Jeremy McNichols, Commanders (vs. Seahawks | SNF) | RB45
134. DeMario Douglas, Patriots (vs. Falcons) | WR64
135. Samaje Perine, Bengals (vs. Bears) | RB46
136. Jack Bech, Raiders (vs. Jaguars) | WR65
137. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. Colts) | TE26
138. Jaylin Lane, Commanders (vs. Seahawks | SNF) | WR66
139. Van Jefferson, Titans (vs. Chargers) | WR67
140. Chig Okonkwo, Titans (vs. Chargers) | TE27
141. Brian Robinson, 49ers (at Giants) | RB47
142. Emanuel Wilson, Packers (vs. Panthers) | RB48
143. Isaiah Likely, Ravens (at Dolphins | TNF) | TE28
144. Jalen Nailor, Vikings (at Lions) | WR68
145. Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. Saints) | TE29
146. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (at Raiders) | RB49
147. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (at Bills) | WR69
148. Andrei Iosivas, Bengals (vs. Bears) | WR70
149. Tyquan Thornton, Chiefs (at Bills) | WR71
150. Jaydon Blue, Cowboys (vs. Cardinals | MNF) | RB50
Takeaways:
One of the players who has haunted me this season is TreVeyon Henderson, a preseason darling who just hasn't delivered. He looked amazing against the Browns on Sunday, though. OK, maybe amazing is a bit strong. But he did really well against a good defense. I speak for everyone when I say we need a little bit more of that from him.