We are at the midway point of the 2026 fantasy football season, and there is no time to rest. If you have a winning record, keep plugging away, because having a good record now doesn't mean anything is clinched yet. Plus, total points are often playoff tiebreakers, so plan to maximize your weekly output as much as possible.

If your fantasy football team has a losing record, don't give up. A few years ago, I lost six of my first seven games and then never lost again through the playoffs. Turnarounds are always possible.

Players listed at each position are listed in order of lineup or waiver pickup preferences. The analysis is based on PPR scoring formats.

NFL Week 9: Running Backs To Start

START Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots: In four of the last five games, Stevenson scored anywhere from 12.0 to 22.5 fantasy PPR points. He rushed for a season-high 82 yards last week and totaled 115 scrimmage yards with a receiving TD in Week 7. Green Bay ranks 25^th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.

START Jonah Coleman, Broncos: Fantasy managers who stashed the Denver rookie were rewarded with a quality performance last week. Coleman totaled 101 yards from scrimmage and caught four passes on five targets, including a TD reception. Coleman is a tough runner who operates well in tight space and can push a pile.

Carolina fields the third-worst rushing defense in the NFL and has allowed the most rushing TDs (12). Coleman should definitely be started as a fantasy RB2 this week.

START Ashton Jeanty, Raiders: Last week, Jeanty mainly functioned as the third-down and passing situation back for Las Vegas. In the previous two games, he finished as a top 10 fantasy RB. In Week 8, Jeanty caught all eight of his targets for 61 yards and a TD. Game script against the 49ers could lead to an ample number of receptions this week.

START Jadarian Price, Seahawks: if you need a streaming flex option or a deeper RB play this week, the Seahawks rookie might be a pleasant fantasy surprise. Price is healthy again and should be able to take advantage of a good matchup vs. Arizona.

The 2026 first-round pick did not show any significant residual signs of his injury layoff on Monday, and we have not seen the best of Price yet. Arizona ranks 19^th in the NFL in rushing defense and Price can see some openings to take advantage of in Quenton Nelson's second game as a Seahawk.

Going forward, Price and Zach Charbonnet will be worthy of streaming and flex consideration. In their first game together vs. Chicago, Price played on 48 percent of the snaps and Charbonnet played on 37 percent. Price can be the potential upside play of the two, and we already know Charbonnet is a good TD option near the goal line.

Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings –  Running Backs

1. Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals: Enjoyed a career game in Week 8, with 191 scrimmage yards and two TDs. With Arizona rookie Jeremiyah Love (ankle) on the IR, Allgeier should at least share important touches with Bam Knight when both are available. Allgeier may be the top pickup of the week in many leagues.
2. Mike Washington Jr., Raiders: The rookie logged 25 carries in Week 8 and might continue to get early down work.
3. Seth McGowan, Colts: He is positioned to be the No. 1 RB for the Colts if a trade opens up the starting job.
4. Kenneth Gainwell, Buccaneers: Re-emerging as a fantasy depth option, Gainwell rushed for a total of 228 yards in the last two games.
5. Devin Singletary, Giants: Injury issues in the Giants' backfield might lead to a decent amount of touches this week.
6. Emmett Johnson, Chiefs; Flashed tremendous upside in Week 8, with 128 receiving yards. The rookie displays incredible speed and balance. The number of reps he continues to get may be limited, though.
7. DJ Giddens, Colts: Can get more reps with a Colts RB trade.
8. Chris Rodriguez, Jaguars: Rushed for three TDs in the last five games.
9. Adam Randall, Ravens: Deep stash for later in the season if Baltimore makes an RB trade.
10. MarShawn Lloyd, Packers: Could be asked to play a primary role again for Green Bay at any time.

NFL Week 9: Wide Receivers To Start

START Jameson Williams, Lions: You must keep Willaims in the lineup right now, especially against a Dolphins defense that ranks 28^th in FFPG allowed to WRs. He has caught five TD passes in his last three games, and has a good shot to make another end zone visit this week.

Miami has allowed 16 TD passes, which ranks 29^th in the NFL.

START Rome Odunze, Bears: In his last two games, Odunze has averaged 21.8 and 17.3 yards per reception. The Chicago offense is hitting its stride, and Odunze is becoming more of a downfield threat. Start him against a Tampa Bay defense that may spend a lot of time on the field this week.

START Makai Lemon, Eagles: An avalanche of offensive injuries forced the rookie to make more significant contributions over the past two games. He caught 13 of 17 targets and registered his first NFL TD reception in Week 7. The Giants rank 26^th in FFPG to WRs, so you cant get adequate fantasy production from Lemon this week.

START Keenan Allen, Colts: Playing in his 14^th season, Allen is still performing admirably. He's far removed from his best days as a fantasy WR1, but Allen  can still operate as a streaming plug-in. In five of seven games this year, he has been targeted seven-plus times.

In three of his last five games, Allen has posted 13-plus PPR points. Dallas, which ranks 27^th in FFPG allowed to WRs, is always a good matchup for opposing pass-catchers.

Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings – Wide Receivers

1. DeMario Douglas, Patriots: He caught four TD passes in the past four games, stepping forward while A.J. Brown has been out. He may continue to see a decent amount of scoring opportunities when Brown returns.
2. Jordyn Tyson, Saints: Might return from a hamstring injury to make his pro debut soon.
3. Treylon Burks, Commanders: Over the past two games, he has totaled 147 receiving yards. Burks can also be a frequent TD threat.
4. Adonai Mitchell, Jets: In Week 8, he registered a career-high 142 receiving yards and a TD on seven catches.  The Jets' WR corps is unpredictable outside of  Garrett Wilson, but take a shot on Mitchell to see if the Week 8 performance starts a run of quality outings.
5. Caleb Douglas, Dolphins: Miami's best downfield playmaker. When the matchup is right for Douglas, upside is possible. Detroit is a good fantasy draw for him in Week 9.
6. Tank Dell, Texans: Recently returned from a long injury layoff, but Dell caught a 43-yard pass to show he still has some fantasy promise.
7. Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys
8. Efton Chism III, Patriots
9. Malik Washington, Dolphins
10. Josh Downs, Colts
11. Jahan Dotson, Falcons
12. Chimere Dike, Titans

NFL Week 9: Tight Ends To Start

START Harold Fannin: New Orleans ranks 27^th in FFPG allowed to TEs. Over the past two weeks, Fannin has exploded for 245 receiving yards, catching 16 of 21 targets. He is a must-start fantasy football TE right now.

START Kyle Pitts Sr.: The Atlanta passing game should rebound to respectability this week against the Bengals. We could see a higher-scoring game that features Pitts as a regular receiving target.

Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings – Tight Ends

1. Mike Gesicki, Bengals
2. Chig Okonkwo, Commanders
3. Terrance Ferguson, Rams
4. Darnell Washington, Steelers
5. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
6. Gunnar Helm, Titans
7. Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers
8. Eli Raridon, Patriots

Gesicki is in must-start territory, with TD receptions in five consecutive games. Okonkwo should continue to be a key target for Jayden Daniels on important passing downs. Washington is a big target who caught three TD passes in is last five games. The Chargers need reliable pass-catchers, and Gadsden did show some flashes of promise last year.

NFL Week 9: Quarterbacks To Start

START Jared Goff, Lions: Miami ranks 25^th in points per game allowed in the NFL (25.9). It is possible that Goff could be the highest-scoring fantasy QB of Week 9.

START Matthew Stafford, Rams: Prior to last week, Stafford passed for eight TDs in three consecutive games. Expect at least two TD passes vs. Washington's 27^th-ranked pass defense.

Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings – Quarterbacks

1. Gardner Minshew, Cardinals: Takes over as a starter in a very busy passing game.
2. Malik Willis, Dolphins: He is beginning to show more signs of comfort in the Miami offense, and Willis is always a running threat.
3. Geno Smith, Jets: In his past two games, the former Seahawk passed for five total TDs and 285-plus yards in each outing.

Week 9 Defenses to Stream: Los Angeles Rams (vs. Washington), Chicago (vs. Tampa Bay), Jacksonville (vs. Baltimore), New Orleans (vs. Cleveland), Cincinnati (vs. Atlanta).

Scott Engel's *full weekly Fantasy Football rankings are available at RotoBaller.com.* Scott is a member of the inaugural class of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's (FSWA) Hall of Fame. He has been the official Fantasy Football writer for *Seahawks.com* since 2012 and has contributed to game coverages and special projects such as the *Top 50 Seahawks of All Time*.

Scott is a Senior Writer at *RotoBaller.com* and a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. His work has regularly appeared on *CBSSports.com*, *ESPN.com* and The Athletic.