NFL Power Rankings
In addition to providing insight into the state of all 32 current NFL franchises, this article also analyzes one relevant fantasy football player, good or bad, to contextualize how each team is faring heading into the latter half of the fantasy football season. It could be a player trending up or trending down, or perhaps a player that was drafted too high or low while using hindsight to reflect on whether their draft stock was inflated or deflated. It’s a fun exercise, especially with the return of Byes in Week 9, offering help to fantasy managers looking to shake up their lineups to maximize fantasy points and seize wins.
NFL fantasy analyst Matt MacKay gives us his latest NFL Power Rankings ahead of Week 9, ranking each team first to worst, 1-32, providing an assessment of the overall team, along with fantasy football analysis for one player from that respective team. This article uses half-PPR as the default scoring metric to allow fantasy managers to maximize the number of points in their lineups entering an exciting Week 9 slate.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have been winning in a variety of ways, but lately, it’s been the Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown show. Philadelphia is second in total points scored (224) but its defense continues to be inconsistent, surrendering 31 points to Sam Howell and the Washington Commanders offense in Week 8. Week 9 will tell us a lot about the Eagles, as they host Dak Prescott and the 5-2 Dallas Cowboys.
WR A.J. Brown – A.J. Brown started off slow but he’s been on an absolute tear lately. The Eagles’ WR1 is averaging 19.2 fantasy points per game and has at least 127 receiving yards in six straight games. He’s now the overall WR2 in fantasy points per game and total fantasy points, only behind Tyreek Hill. His usage shows no signs of slowing down as Jalen Hurts continues to improve as a pocket passer.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence has begun looking like the generational prospect he was touted as with head coach Doug Pederson leading the way in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have won five straight games after a 1-2 start, which included a loss to the Texans, so their upward trajectory in a weak division makes them an AFC contender once again in 2023.
RB Travis Etienne – After a slow start, Travis Etienne is quickly making up for it, ranking fourth in running back fantasy points per game (18.8) and second in total fantasy points (150.4) this season. Etienne’s rapport with Lawrence from their college days at Clemson certainly helps, but so does the Jaguars’ offensive line, which has played well. Etienne’s value is magnified as a pass-catcher as well, where he dusted the Steelers’ defense on a wheel route for the game’s first touchdown on a big explosive play. Bonafide RB1.
3. Baltimore Ravens
In one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens hold a two-game lead, with Lamar Jackson looking worth every penny of his offseason contract extension. Baltimore has won four of its past five games, trouncing the Lions 38-6, while deploying a run-centric game plan against the Cardinals. The Ravens can win in a variety of ways, thanks to its stout defense holding opponents under 250 passing yards in all but one game this season.
RB Gus Edwards – The debate over the Ravens’ RB1 seems to be over. Gus Edwards has been in Baltimore for several years and finally had a golden opportunity against the Cardinals, turning 19 carries into 80 rushing yards and three touchdowns. It’s clear that the franchise wants to protect their investment in Jackson as much as possible, so Edwards handling over 20 touches is a good indicator that he’ll be a mid-range RB2 with RB2 upside moving forward.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has been a football version of Jekyll and Hyde this season, losing both games on the road to the 1-7 Arizona Cardinals and in blowout fashion against the San Francisco 49ers. Dak Prescott elevated his play in Week 8, throwing over 300 yards and four touchdowns to give the Cowboys’ offense a much-needed spark of momentum. Wideout CeeDee Lamb has been the best asset, not Tony Pollard, while Micah Parsons leads a Dallas defense ranked fourth in turnovers (13) and fifth in allowing drives ending in an offensive score (28.6%) this season.
QB Dak Prescott – Week 8 was the first time all season that Dak Prescott threw for over 300 yards in a game. It came against the Los Angeles Rams, who were previously a fundamentally sound pass defense, so it’ll be intriguing to watch how Prescott plays against an Eagles secondary in Week 9 that just surrendered over 300 yards to Sam Howell and the Commanders. Prescott has also shown improved rushing ability, recording 11 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown in his last two games, so this creates a decent floor. Prescott is turning into a low-end QB1 but if he keeps up the elite numbers he produced in Week 8, he’ll be a top-five fantasy quarterback option.
5. Detroit Lions
After getting embarrassed by Baltimore in Week 7, Detroit’s pass defense shut down Jimmy Garoppolo and the Las Vegas Raiders, holding them to 77 total passing yards one week after surrendering 357 passing yards to Lamar Jackson. Jared Goff is playing extremely well, while rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs recorded over 140 rushing yards against the Raiders on Monday Night Football, returning immense value on the Lions’ 12th overall draft pick.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Gibbs turned it up a notch in Week 8 without David Montgomery or a negative game script impacting his production. The rookie running back converted 26 carries into 152 yards and a touchdown while adding five receptions for 37 yards as a receiver. This was obviously a top running back performance, but based on his usage and how dynamic he looked with the football, fantasy managers can anticipate more of a 50/50 split once Montgomery returns, or maybe even an edge in Gibbs’ favor. He’s a low-end RB1 with overall RB1 upside in the Lions’ run-centric offensive scheme.
6. Miami Dolphins
Miami sits atop the AFC East at 6-2 but their record doesn’t feel very impressive, considering they lost handily to Buffalo and Philadelphia. Wins against the Patriots twice, Panthers, Giants, Chargers, and Broncos aren’t exactly a gauntlet, but Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Raheem Mostert form an electric core of talent on offense for Tua Tagovailoa to leverage. A Week 9 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany will tell us more about whether or not the Dolphins can go on a run and contend for the Super Bowl in a loaded AFC.
WR Jaylen Waddle – Miami’s WR2 is WR21 in fantasy points per game while coming off of his best performance of the season against the New England Patriots in Week 8, converting 12 targets into seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Waddle is overshadowed by star wideout Tyreek Hill, but he’s quietly heating up with three touchdowns in the last four weeks, while hauling in at least six receptions since Week 6.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City finally saw the wheels come off of the wagon in Week 8, losing to Denver for the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ career. The Chiefs haven’t looked nearly as dominant as they did last season, even with a legitimate top-five defense. Mahomes did pick apart the Chargers for over 400 passing yards and four touchdowns in Week 7, but he failed to throw a touchdown and wound up with two interceptions against the Broncos in Week 8. He’s only had one game over 20 fantasy points since Week 4, so there’s definitely some concern on a team that has built a dynasty over the past several years.
RB Isiah Pacheco – The second-year running back has regressed lately, falling below 15 fantasy points in four consecutive games. Pacheco’s next matchup against the Dolphins ranks 13th toughest for fantasy running backs, so temper expectations and expect a mid-range RB2 outing overseas in Germany during Week 9.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
It’s becoming clear that Joe Burrow was indeed affected by a calf injury earlier in the season. Since the Bengals’ Bye Week, they have scored over 30 points twice, including a 14-point road win over the 49ers in Week 8. A team loaded with weapons, a good defense, and a Super Bowl pedigree should never be counted out, so expect Cincinnati to continue building its momentum with another huge game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 on Sunday Night Football.
RB Joe Mixon – We saw Joe Mixon turn back the clock against the 49ers in Week 8, toting 16 carries for 87 yards and a rushing touchdown. He also caught all three targets for an additional 23 yards. With virtually no competition for touches in a top-ten offense, Mixon’s inconsistency is the only thing holding him back from becoming a fringe RB1 prospect.
9. Buffalo Bills
Perhaps one of the most enigmatic teams in the NFL, Buffalo has alternated wins and losses since Week 5 against the Jaguars in London. Josh Allen’s strong arm and big play ability remain the same, but the rushing attack has regressed and key injuries on defense have made the Bills more vulnerable. Now, a big road matchup against the Bengals awaits Buffalo in Week 9.
WR Gabe Davis – His nickname is “Big Play Gabe” for a reason. Gabe Davis jumped from five targets in Week 7 to 12 targets in Week 9, which he capitalized on by going 9-87-1 in a win over Tampa Bay. Davis benefits from Stefon Diggs drawing attention, while his big-bodied frame and vertical field stretching ability pair nicely with Allen’s big arm. Davis is a volatile WR2 with low-end WR1 upside on pop weeks.
10. Seattle Seahawks
Now that San Francisco has lost three games in a row, Seattle’s late comeback win over Cleveland puts them in first place in the NFC West. Geno Smith hasn’t looked stellar but he’s been effective enough, relying on a run-centric offensive scheme and plenty of young talent mixing in with veterans like Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Speaking of young talent, first-round rookie wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been sharp lately. Smith-Njigba has touchdowns in back-to-back games, including the go-ahead touchdown to seal the win over the Browns in Week 8. He’s earning four to seven targets coming out of the Bye, even with Metcalf back on the field. He’s a mid-range WR3 with WR2 upside.
11. San Francisco 49ers
What started as an ugly loss in bad elements to Cleveland has followed the San Francisco 49ers back to the Bay Area. The 49ers have lost three straight games to the Browns, Vikings, and Bengals with Brock Purdy looking much more average than we saw earlier in the season. Christian McCaffery continues to shoulder the load in Kyle Shanahan’s West Coast offense, but the absence of key players like Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams has made it extra difficult for San Francisco to dominate on offense.
WR Brandon Aiyuk – After blowing up in Week 1, Brandon Aiyuk has yet to surpass 20 fantasy points in any game since his 8-129-2 outburst against the Steelers. Aiyuk did record his third 100-yard receiving game against the Bengals in Week 8, so he’s a stable WR2 with low-end WR1 upside rest of season, aided by the presence of Deebo Samuel.
12. New York Jets
It’s been a tumultuous season for the New York Jets, but Zach Wilson and Breece Hall, backed by one of the league’s best defensive units, are sitting at 4-4 right in the mix for the AFC East division crown. Miami and Buffalo both show flaws, while Aaron Rodgers’ miraculous rehab from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 could wind up returning for the Jets in the next few weeks.
RB Breece Hall – As soon as Breece Hall was removed from a snap count for precautionary reasons due to his ACL tear suffered last season, it’s been wheels up. Hall is averaging 13 fantasy points per game and has a 5.7 YPC average, along with touchdowns in back-to-back games for New York. He’s a low-end RB1 due to the volume he receives, so a top-eight matchup against the Chargers in Week 9 keeps Hall firmly entrenched in RB1 territory.
13. Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson’s injuries have been devastating but the Vikings have a good opportunity to improve to above .500 on the road against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. It will either be rookie Jaren Hall or recently acquired Josh Dobbs under center for Minnesota, but as long as the offensive line continues to play well, complimented by an underrated defense led by DC Brian Flores, the Vikings are a tough out for most teams due to their coaching and personnel.
WR Jordan Addison – The Vikings’ first-round rookie wideout has been an immense asset for their offense this season. Addison has continued to trend upward while averaging 13.6 fantasy points per game, which is WR13 through eight weeks. He’s been a touchdown machine, scoring seven of them, including five in his past four games played, so Addison should remain a fringe WR1 against a Falcons pass defense that just got slaughtered by Will Levis in his debut last week.
14. Cleveland Browns
Despite the Deshaun Watson saga continuing, the Cleveland Browns have a very good defense and a run-centric offense with plenty of talent to go around. P.J. Walker has led the Browns to a 2-1 record since coming out of their Bye, despite committing multiple turnovers, so we have to wonder how long this team stays above .500 in a hyper-competitive AFC North division. A matchup against the Cardinals at home should extend their record to 5-3 in Week 9, but we’ve seen Arizona play hard all season, so it’s certainly not a cakewalk.
RB Kareem Hunt – While averaging under 4.0 YPC since returning to Cleveland, Kareem Hunt gets enough volume to be considered a mid-range RB2. His ability to finish in the red zone is what keeps him here, as Hunt has recorded four rushing touchdowns across his last three games, including tough matchups against the 49ers and Seahawks.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta is another odd team to assess. Quarterback play has been inconsistent and cost them at least one win this season, but we expect Taylor Heinicke to be QB1 over Desmond Ridder moving forward. The personnel is too good to underachieve, so head coach Arthur Smith needs to dial up a good game plan against the blitz-heavy Vikings defense in Week 9 to stay above .500.
TE Kyle Pitts – There have been a couple of nice games from Kyle Pitts, but we’ve seen Jonnu Smith eat into his target share more than we’d like to. Plus, the run-centric Falcons prefer using a rotation of running backs to stay fresh, which includes a lot of quarterback-designed runs and passes out of the backfield. Pitts is averaging only 6.6 fantasy points per game this season, behind Tyler Allgeier, so hopefully his two-week stretch of 12.2 and 12.3 fantasy points returns with Heinicke under center.
16. New Orleans Saints
The NFC South is filled with weird teams who play well one week and then fall apart the next. Queue the Saints, who have not looked dominant with Derek Carr, but rely on a mixture of Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, and Rashid Shaheed to score touchdowns and move the chains. New Orleans is tied for first in the division with Atlanta and gets a favorable matchup against the Bears at home in Week 9, while increasing their scoring output to 24-38 points in two of their past three games played.
QB/TE Taysom Hill – The jack-of-all-trades utility player, Taysom Hill scored two rushing touchdowns in a plus-matchup against the Colts in Week 8. Hill has three touchdowns over the last two weeks and continues to earn opportunities as a passer as well. Hill is listed as a tight end in most fantasy football leagues, so if you have him, plug him in to fill a position that has been largely underwhelming in terms of fantasy production this season.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
OC Matt Canada is under a lot of scrutiny for the anemic state of the Pittsburgh offense, but they’ve managed to stay above .500 through seven games. Kenny Pickett is expected to play, for now, against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 on a short week in prime time, the Steelers could take advantage of Will Levis’ inexperience on the road, while creating explosive plays downfield with George Pickens and Diontae Johnson.
WR George Pickens – Speaking of George Pickens, the Steelers’ second-year wideout has been heating up this year. Pickens leads the Steelers with 12.2 fantasy points per game, scoring three touchdowns, while hauling in 28 receptions for 522 yards. His big-play ability is always a threat, so against a Titans pass defense ranked seventh-best for fantasy wideouts, Pickens is a mid-range WR2 with low-end WR1 upside in Week 9.
18. Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles ended its two-game losing skid to Dallas and Kansas City with a dominant win over Chicago in Week 8. Justin Herbert’s big arm and mobility, combined with the return of a healthier Austin Ekeler, make the Chargers’ offense an explosive unit to contain. They carry a 3-4 record into a road game against the Jets in Week 9, which is one of the league’s top defenses, so we’ll learn a lot about the Chargers’ offense in another tough defensive matchup on the road.
TE Donald Parham Jr. – It’s been tough to find streaming tight ends, but if Gerald Everett missed another game in Week 9, Donald Parham Jr. is a good flex option. He’s scored four touchdowns this season, including one against Chicago, using his 6-8 frame to serve as a safety valve for Herbert in the Chargers’ passing attack. The Jets surrender the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, so if Everett is once again ruled out, look to Parham as a viable pivot.
19. Denver Broncos
Give credit to the Broncos, who continue to fight after looking dead to rights just a few weeks ago. They challenged Kansas City in their first matchup and wound up beating them soundly in a 24-9 Week 8 win at Mile High. Now, Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton enter their Week 9 Bye with plenty of time to prepare for a daunting schedule that includes Buffalo, Minnesota, and Cleveland.
WR Courtland Sutton – Wilson’s favorite target this season has been wideout Courtland Sutton. Sutton is averaging 10.8 fantasy points per game while drawing double-digit red zone targets. He’s been reliant upon touchdowns, scoring six of them this season, which preserves his value as a mid-range WR2.
20. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee may have found something special with rookie quarterback Will Levis. He logged four touchdowns, with three of the passes exceeding 30 yards downfield, finding veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins on three of the four touchdowns in a 28-23 win over Atlanta in Week 8. The pass defense is bad, now even worse without Kevin Byard, but the run defense remains stout and the addition of rookie running back Tyjae Spears is a nice compliment to Derrick Henry in the backfield.
WR DeAndre Hopkins – Until Week 8, it hadn’t been pretty for Hopkins. He had reached double-digit fantasy point production in just two games with Ryan Tannehill before being unleashed as a deep threat with Will Levis against the Falcons’ pass defense. Hopkins gets another good matchup against the Steelers’ secondary in Week 9, which could be missing Minkah Fitzpatrick on Thursday night. Hopkins is a low-end WR2 with WR1 upside.
21. Houston Texans
Houston’s inability to beat Carolina was a result of the lack of its run game being established. As good as rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been, a pedestrian offensive line and poor rushing attack make the Texans’ offense one-dimensional. Still, they are 3-4 in the AFC South, with a home game against Tampa Bay in Week 9, which could get them back to .500 and in contention for an AFC Wild Card.
WR Tank Dell – Since going off in Week 2 and 3, recording 16.7 and 23 fantasy points during that two-week stretch, rookie wideout Tank Dell has cooled off considerably. He’s only seeing four targets or less in three consecutive games, so perhaps a matchup against the Buccaneers, who defend the run much better than the pass, could be a return to WR2 production for the talented rookie wideout, facing the ninth-best fantasy matchup for wide receivers.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Believe it or not, despite taking three consecutive losses, Tampa Bay is only one game back from being tied for the NFC South divisional lead. Baker Mayfield has exceeded expectations and nearly pulled off a Hail Mary against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. The lack of a run game is a notable flaw, but Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are a nice tandem, plus Houston is amongst the worst defenses against the run, giving Rachaad White more value than we’ve seen in recent weeks.
RB Rachaad White – Rachaad White is still averaging 10.3 fantasy points per game this season despite only registering one touchdown through seven games. White looked good against Buffalo last week, averaging 4.3 YPC and hauling in all seven receptions for 70 receiving yards. Houston is the 14th-best fantasy running back matchup, slightly better than the Bills, so expect White to remain involved as a pass-catcher, making him a mid-range RB2 in PPR formats.
23. Indianapolis Colts
Another AFC South team with the ability to win or lose seemingly any game is the Indianapolis Colts. Gardner Minshew has filled in nicely for Anthony Richardson as QB1, but the Colts’ porous defense is a massive liability. Three straight losses, including back-to-back losses at home, will send the Colts to Carolina, where former head coach Frank Reich eagerly awaits a revenge game for a Panthers team that just won its first game of the season.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. – Michael Pittman Jr. is averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game this season and he was force-fed by Minshew early against the Saints. Despite 13 targets though, Pittman only wound up 8-40-1, so his ability to be a WR2 hinges on whether or not he scores touchdowns. Carolina is tough against opposing wideouts, so Pittman is a low-end WR2 in Week 9.
24. Los Angeles Rams
After a hot start, the Los Angeles Rams look like a shell of themselves. They lost at home to Pittsburgh and got routed by Dallas in Week 8, while Matthew Stafford suffered a thumb injury. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are bright spots, but even these two wideouts have been volatile options. The Rams get a good bounce-back spot against the Green Bay Packers on the road in Week 9.
WR Cooper Kupp – After exploding with a 24.3 fantasy point outing in his second game back from a hamstring injury, Cooper Kupp has been nearly irrelevant, logging 5.9 and 4.1 fantasy points across the Rams’ last two games. Kupp gets another tough matchup against Green Bay’s secondary, which has been the ninth-toughest fantasy wide receiver matchup this season.
25. New England Patriots
Four losses in the last five games is not a good trajectory, but New England did manage to beat Buffalo in Week 7 outright, scoring 29 points, which is a season-high. A 31-17 loss on the road against Miami isn’t surprising, but now, they host the Washington Commanders, who have the worst offensive line in the league. 3-6 should be the Patriots’ record after Week 9.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson – Fantasy managers who drafted Rhamondre Stevenson have yet to see a return on value, but Stevenson should get an uptick in targets due to Kendrick Bourne’s season-ending ACL tear suffered in Week 8. Stevenson is averaging 9.1 fantasy points per game and Ezekiel Elliot is proving to take away some valuable touches, but Stevenson is still an RB2 against the Commanders’ 14th-ranked fantasy run defense in Week 9.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas just fired its head coach and general manager, signaling more dysfunction and chaos within the organization. Jimmy Garoppolo’s poor outing against Detroit on Monday Night Football is speculated to lead rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell under center to shake things up for the 3-5 Raiders, who have lost two games in a row.
WR Davante Adams – Somehow, Jakobi Meyers is averaging 12.8 fantasy points per game, leading the Raiders, while Davante Adams sits at 11.9 fantasy points per game. His frustration was obvious in Week 8, but an upcoming matchup against the Giants, who rank 16th against fantasy wide receivers, plus a change at quarterback and head coach, could get Adams back on track.
27. Chicago Bears
Tyson Bagent has played his best for Justin Fields during his thumb injury, but the Bears couldn’t muster enough offense to compete with the Chargers in Week 8. Now, the Bears face a Saints defense that has been susceptible to big plays, but the lack of talent at quarterback means Chicago will need to lean into its run game, which is what the Saints specialize in stopping.
RB Roschon Johnson – Despite the doom and gloom in the Bears fandom right now, rookie running back Roschon Johnson split carries and targets with D’Onta Foreman in Week 8 during his first game back from a multi-week stint in the league’s concussion protocol. Johnson has yet to return to his Week 1 numbers, which resulted in a touchdown and 14.5 fantasy points, but earning four targets in Week 8 is an encouraging sign. High-end RB3 with RB2 upside against the Saints.
28. Green Bay Packers
Starting 1-0 was the only bright spot for Green Bay this season. Jordan Love does not look capable of leading an NFL offense at all, while injuries to Aaron Jones and Christian Watson haven’t helped the offense out at all. The Packers have now scored 20 or fewer points in five consecutive games, resulting in a 1-4 record during this stretch.
WR Christian Watson – The second-year wideout’s knee is looking good, as he logged a full practice last week prior to the loss to Minnesota. Love likes taking deep targets to Watson, but they haven’t been able to connect on many of these attempts. Watson has only hit 10 fantasy points in one of four games this season, despite seeing a season-high eight targets in Week 8, converting them into three receptions for 33 yards. The Rams looked bad against Dallas, but they have a good pass defense in general, so Watson remains a high-end WR3 in Week 9.
29. Washington Commanders
The rumors of head coach Ron Rivera getting fired have begun to grow louder. Washington is 1-5 in its last six games, competing with the Eagles in both matchups, but ultimately failing to make enough stops on defense. Plus, second-year quarterback Sam Howell has been sacked 41 times this season, while the run game has sputtered out, making the offense one-dimensional and often playing from behind.
WR Terry McLaurin – It’s been a bit inconsistent, but Terry McLaurin has four games with double-digit fantasy points this season, going for 5-63-1 against the Eagles in Week 8. He’ll get a top-12 matchup against New England in Week 9, so plug McLaurin in as a low-end WR2 with low-end WR1 upside.
30. New York Giants
It’s been a season from hell for the New York Giants. Whether it’s injuries, an anemic offense, or the huge contract awarded to Daniel Jones this offseason, the Giants are ranked 32nd in points per game (11.9) and its defense is allowing 23.4 points per game. It doesn’t take much math to figure out that this team is in shambles, but a Week 9 road contest against the Raiders could get them their second win in three weeks.
RB Saquon Barkley – The Giants force-fed Saquon against Washington in Week 8, winding up with a whopping 36 carries for 128 yards. Barkley is the lone bright spot in this offense, so a plus-matchup against the Raiders’ run defense, ranked as the fourth-best matchup for fantasy running backs, keeps Barkley in RB1 territory.
31. Carolina Panthers
Carolina ground out an ugly, 15-13 win with a walk-off field goal to end their losing skid in a matchup between the top two draft picks, C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young, in the 2023 NFL Draft. Young has looked good, avoiding miscues and keeping the Panthers’ offense ahead of schedule. Week 8 brings the Colts to town, where Young and the Panthers could wind up winning their second consecutive game.
RB Chuba Hubbard – The most effective running back for Carolina this season has undoubtedly been Chuba Hubbard. Despite the big contract Miles Sanders earned this offseason, Hubbard is handling at least 14 carries in three of the past four games, leading to a 15.5-point outing against Miami in Week 7. The Colts are a top-five fantasy running back matchup, so Hubbard can be inserted as an RB2 this week.
32. Arizona Cardinals
The anticipated return of Kyler Murray is huge for Arizona. They have been competitive with Josh Dobbs under center, who was just traded to Minnesota, but the presence of Marquise Brown, Trey McBride, and Michael Wilson should keep the Cardinals competitive, even if they don’t wind up winning many games outright.
TE Trey McBride – The Trey McBride breakout game happened against Baltimore in Week 8. The second-year tight end, benefitting from Zach Ertz on I.R., hauled in 10 of 14 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown, resulting in 20.5 fantasy points. The Browns have allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends, so Week 9 may not be the best matchup to insert McBride into lineups, but a favorable schedule against the Falcons and Texans, two top-ten teams for fantasy tight ends to produce, makes McBride worth a stash off waivers at the very least.
