Week 9 Fantasy Football WR Rankings: Zay Flowers, Drake London, Rashee Rice & More (Ep. 2317)

Brandon Ayuk is riding the Antonio Williams hype train as his deep play this week. Williams led the Washington Commanders in targets last week and Ayuk believes he might be the best receiver on the team, even better than Stefan Diggs. Last week he had 5 catches for 54 yards (Diggs got the TD, so Williams didn't crack the top 36). Williams ran the most routes for the Commanders in every single game that Terry McLaurin either missed entirely or missed most of. On the year, Williams has run just one fewer route than Stefan Diggs and has more receiving arts, leading the Commanders in receiving arts this season. This week against a Rams secondary that's a little banged up (Trent McDuffie dealing with an injury, and their other starting cornerback also dealing with an injury), Ayuk expects Williams' breakout game to happen sooner rather than later.

Williams has run just one fewer route than Stefan Diggs this season and leads the Commanders in receiving arts; Brandon Ayuk continues to ride the Antonio Williams hype train, particularly in games where Terry McLaurin has missed entirely or most of the action.

Brandon Ayuk is bullish on Caleb Douglas as a top-24 wide receiver play this week against Detroit. Douglas is the best wide receiver on the Miami Dolphins and their number one guy. Last week against the Patriots, he caught 4 of 6 official targets for 43 yards, but had 8 true targets when including targets erased by penalties, good for a 23% target share on 86% of snaps. This is his second game back from injury and he's locked and loaded as the team's number one alpha. Given that Detroit's defense continues to lose piece after piece and Miami is expected to have a negative game script, Douglas could flirt with double-digit targets. He's been really efficient with the targets he's gotten so far this season, averaging 2.2 yards per route run (25th among all WRs with 100+ routes run).

Brandon Ayuk notes that DeMario Douglas' role in the Patriots offense doesn't really change week to week. Last week he ran fewer routes than Chisholm and played fewer snaps than Chisholm and Kyle Williams. He's one of these players that teams don't look to take away in any way, shape, or form. Even with Dobbs and AJ Brown hurt and not playing, Chisholm had more targets than Douglas did last week, and Kyle Williams had the big play. Douglas had a couple of big plays as well. Ayuk thinks low-end fantasy wide receiver three is the perfect spot for Douglas, especially because the Packers defense is underrated and has been good the last couple of games. Matt Collins is coming off IR this week, which could further limit Douglas' opportunities.

Five-star graded matchup against Cincinnati Bengals; Falcons expected to bounce back after abysmal Week 8 weather game and return to aggressive passing attack. Erickson ranks him WR6 based on belief that Michael Penix and offense will 'sling the crap out of it' in normal conditions without torrential downpours. Bengals defense just got eviscerated by Cam Ward despite missing Carnell Tate.

Penix-to-London connection has deteriorated recently; over last three games, London averaging 5.2 yards per target with 46% catch rate. Even excluding Week 8 rain game, under 7 yards per target last two games. Fitzmaurice concerned about potential coverage from DJ Turner, one of best lockdown cornerbacks in game.

Five touchdowns in last three games; averaging 77.5 receiving yards over last four games. WR9 in half-point PPR scoring since Week 5. Earlier season underachievement has reversed; usage was good and now putting up numbers to match. Fitzmaurice ranks him WR17 based on strong recent production.

Facing Miami Dolphins secondary with no-name guys who can be beaten over the top—Williams' bread and butter. Drake Maye threw bombs to Kyle Williams against this defense last week. Erickson aligns with ECR at WR20 because doesn't want to fade Williams against Dolphins, though notes potential for Sam Laporta to also benefit since Dolphins weak against tight ends.

Brandon Ayuk notes that Jamison Williams' bread and butter is beating defenses over the top, and the Dolphins secondary has a bunch of no-name guys who can be beat vertically. However, Ayuk tempers enthusiasm because Sam Laporta could also have a big game against Miami's poor tight end defense; when Laporta was the number two pass catcher early in the season, it reduced Williams' production. Laporta has stepped back the last couple of games, benefiting Williams, but if Laporta has a bigger game this week, it could take a little bit off the top from Jamo.

Brandon Ayuk notes that Jalen Waddle's role in the Denver offense has not changed—he's still getting 6-7 targets per game with mediocre yardage totals. Last week he got a touchdown and a two-point conversion, which is encouraging that Denver is using him in the red zone, but the ceiling has not grown. Bo Nix is not good passing the ball downfield, so the fit with Waddle has not been there. Waddle has a path to relevance in the good Carolina matchup, but he remains in wide receiver three territory. Fitzy adds that they have been reduced to celebrating a three-catch, 39-yard, one-TD, two-point conversion performance from Waddle, and they no longer have expectations of hundred-yard games for him. The Panthers are banged up at cornerback (possibly without JC Horn, Mike Jackson, and Caleb Evans), so Waddle could be playable in a pinch as a third receiver or flex, but expectations are low.

Fitzy is comfortable starting Keenan Allen this week against the Dallas Cowboys, describing him as a high-floor, low-ceiling play. In four of his last five games, Allen has had at least seven targets and five catches, averaging just nine yards per catch this season. Those short passes to Allen are one of the few ways the Colts can move the ball these days. The Cowboys' defense might be capable of making 34-year-old Keenan Allen look like 25-year-old Keenan Allen. Additionally, the Colts might not have Jonathan Taylor or Josh Downs by this weekend since they're both on the trading block, which could increase Allen's role. Fitzy says he's playable this week with a sturdy floor, though the ceiling is limited.

Fitzy notes that while Malik Willis has shown some signs of life in his last two games, going over 200 passing yards with two touchdown passes in each, this is a recent development. Before that, Willis had thrown only two touchdown passes in five games, and for the season he's averaging just 180 passing yards per game. This creates an oxygen-starved environment for Miami's pass catchers. However, Erickson points out that three of Willis's four best passing games have come with Caleb Douglas in the lineup, suggesting Douglas makes a big impact on the passing game and that Willis struggled passing-wise in the middle portion of the season when Douglas wasn't playing.

Brandon Ayuk is very concerned about Michael Wilson's matchup against Seattle this week. Wilson had 8 catches for 111 yards and a TD on 15 targets last week against Dallas, but that came when Gardner Minshew came in against a terrible defense with no preparation. Wilson is averaging only 6.3 yards per target and 1.57 yards per route run this season—mediocre numbers. Against Seattle, Ayuk expects the Steelers-inspired Seahawks defense to be well-prepared and will snuff out Minshew like a candle. Wilson's last three games against Seattle: 2 catches for 18 yards, 4 catches for 34 yards, 3 catches for 15 yards. Additionally, Wilson is playing with two broken ribs, which is a concern against a fierce physical defense like Seattle; he could take one hit and get knocked out of the game. Ayuk calls this a brutal spot and says Wilson is a bust this week.

Usage has shifted in Texans offense since acquisition of additional receivers; now running more clear-out routes. Last game posted season-low 8.8 air yards per target and did not log single downfield catch for first time all season. Running vertical routes at season-high 47.8% but receiving minimal downfield opportunities. Target numbers have not increased week-over-week all season; catch totals declining every week since return in Week 4.

Role diminished as CJ Stroud spreads wealth across offense; averaging 6.3 targets per game since hamstring return in Week 5 with max of 8 targets in any game. Three games without touchdown. Marvin Harrison Jr. moving to Z role hurts Collins, who now must run all downfield routes, inviting boom-bust profile. Chargers matchup offers nothing special to suggest bounce-back spot.

Last two full games: 17 targets, 14 catches, 141 receiving yards. Best receiver on Chiefs and not particularly close. Productive return from hamstring injury last week despite snap count (57% snaps, 63% drop backs); finished with 8 true targets, 7 catches, 53 yards, and touchdown (second TD called back on questionable false start). Erickson ranks him WR16 as solid option against Jets.

Fitzmaurice sticking to preseason priors that Rice has diminished role in Kansas City offense with Kenneth Walker addition; role has played out as expected. Last year saw double-digit targets in 4 of 8 games; has not had double-digit target game this season. Playing lesser role than previous years when healthy, though still WR2 for Fitzmaurice, not close to WR1 status.

Diggs has run one more route than Antonio Williams this season; mentioned in context of Williams' elevated role when Terry McLaurin misses games.

McLaurin has missed entire games or most of games this season; his absences have elevated Antonio Williams' role in the Commanders offense.

Erickson ranks him WR26 against Jaguars; concerned about game plan focusing on Derek Henry carries rather than scheme touches for Flowers. Defense will put maximum attention on Flowers as number-one receiver, and if Declan Doyle can only do one thing, likely to trust Henry and run ball rather than design plays for Flowers. Tough sledding despite talent.

Fitzmaurice ranks him WR20; expects Derek Henry and Flowers to be targets on 90% of plays but with poor efficiency. Average depth of target likely 3 yards—bubble screens and quick hitches rather than downfield weapon role he had with Lamar earlier season. Quarterback situation uncertain with Joe Flacco banged up; Keaton Slovis (ex-USC, Packers practice squad) may start. Investors who thought they struck gold now seeing collapse.