Fantasy Football: Week 9 quarterback rankings

Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Carolina Panthers star Cam Newton tops my Week 9 fantasy football quarterback rankings.

Behind Newton, I have Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins in my top five.

Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton, Carson Wentz, Eli Manning, Josh Rosen and Blake Bortles should be on your bench or on your waiver wire as those players have Week 9 byes and should not be in starting lineups. With six quarterbacks on a bye, that means there are plenty of other options available with good matchups.

If you need a replacement quarterback, are streaming the position, or just want to keep a talented gunslinger away from your fantasy football foe, take a look at some of my top players to add and drop off of your waiver wire for Week 9.

Here are my Top 20 options at the position this week.

TOP 20 WEEK 9 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Newton has my top spot this week for several reasons. The Panthers superstar just helped his team torch the NFL's best defense in Week 8, throwing two passing scores and rushing for another touchdown. He also has multiple touchdown tosses in six consecutive games entering a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a unit allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. This has all the makings of a huge day for Newton.

Rodgers is my No. 4 option this week at quarterback. The Packers gunslinger has a matchup against the New England Patriots, who are tied for allowing the fourth-most passing scores to opposing quarterbacks. I expect this to be a super shootout between two of the best passers the league has ever seen.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff should be on fire this week against the New Orleans Saints, a unit allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Goff is my No. 6 option for Week 9 and is a great option for your starting lineup. Goff threw for 295 yards and three scores in Week 8 and should have plenty of room to throw all over the Saints in a high-octane matchup between great offenses.

Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith has fizzled as of late, but I think he rebounds well in Week 9. Smith hasn't thrown for at least 200 yards since Week 5, but will have a chance to put up his best performance of the season in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, a unit allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing passers. Smith is my No. 15 option this week, landing on the streaming radar in deeper leagues.

LONGSHOTS

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr should only be used if you are desperate, but I think you could do worse in Week 9. Carr is my No. 18 option, mostly due to his matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, a unit allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Carr is coming off of a three-touchdown performance in Week 8 and I can see him clicking again in this great Thursday Night Football matchup.

New York Jets rookie Sam Darnold is also in the dart-throw category this week if you are in need of a last-minute option. Darnold has also cooled as of late, but he should have an opportunity for multiple touchdown passes against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the seventh-most passing scores in the NFL. Darnold is my No. 19 option at the position.