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Fantasy Football: Week 9 wide receiver rankings

By Alex Butler
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half on October 21 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half on October 21 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo

Oct. 31 (UPI) -- DeAndre Hopkins, Adam Thielen, Antonio Brown, Michael Thomas and Julio Jones lead my top 50 wide receiver rankings for Week 9 of the 2018 fantasy football season.

Davante Adams, Mike Evans, Tyreek Hill, Brandin Cooks and Stefon Diggs also land in my top 10 at the position.

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The Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have byes this week, meaning you should bench stud wide receivers from those squads. Despite that void in the player pool, there are plenty of great options still available.

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You can also check out my top add/drops from the waiver wire for Week 9 if you are needy at the position.

Here are my Top 50 options at the position this week.

TOP 50 WEEK 9 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Hopkins is my No. 1 overall wide receiver for Week 9. The Houston Texans superstar lost sidekick Will Fuller to a season-ending knee injury in Week 8, but now has Demaryius Thomas lining up on the opposite side. Hopkins has scored in three consecutive games and in four of his last five contests. He went off for 82 yards and two scores on six catches in Week 8. He is a high-end WR1 that should give you a weekly advantage.

Cooks is my No. 9 wide receiver for Week 9. The Los Angeles Rams target has scored in two of his last four games. He isn't bringing in a lot of receptions, but is always a big play waiting to happen. This week he is going against the New Orleans Saints, a unit allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Start him as a WR1.

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SNEAKY PLAYS

New England Patriots veteran Julian Edelman is my No. 16 wide receiver for Week 9, landing in WR2 territory. Edelman has been very steady since returning from his four-game suspension. He had seven receptions in his first game back. He then scored touchdowns in two consecutive games. Last week he went off for nine receptions and 104 yards. This week he battles the Green Bay Packers, a unit tied for allowing the second-most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers.

Baltimore Ravens target John Brown is my No. 22 option for Week 9. Brown is a WR2 in deeper leagues and a WR3 in more shallow formats with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are tied for allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.

LONGSHOTS

Carolina Panthers rookie D.J. Moore is trending up and I like him as a WR3 this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Moore had his best game yet in Week 8, going off for 90 yards on five catches. He is my No. 26 option for Week 9.

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RANKNAMETEAMOPPONENT
1DeAndre HopkinsHouston Texansat DEN
2Adam ThielenMinnesota Vikingsvs. DET
3Antonio BrownPittsburgh Steelersat BAL
4Michael ThomasNew Orleans Saintsvs. LAR
5Julio JonesAtlanta Falconsat WAS
6Davante AdamsGreen Bay Packersat NE
7Mike EvansTampa Bay Buccaneersat CAR
8Tyreek HillKansas City Chiefsat CLE
9Brandin CooksLos Angeles Ramsat NO
10Stefon DiggsMinnesota Vikingsvs. DET
11Robert WoodsLos Angeles Ramsat NO
12Emmanuel SandersDenver Broncosvs. HOU
13JuJu Smith-SchusterPittsburgh Steelersat BAL
14Kenny GolladayDetroit Lionsat MIN
15Keenan AllenLos Angeles Chargersat SEA
16Julian EdelmanNew England Patriotsvs. GB
17Jarvis LandryCleveland Brownsvs. KC
18DeSean JacksonTampa Bay Buccaneersat CAR
19Josh GordonNew England Patriotsvs. GB
20Marvin JonesDetroit Lionsat MIN
21Devin FunchessCarolina Panthersvs. TB
22John BrownBaltimore Ravensvs. PIT
23Doug BaldwinSeattle Seahawksvs. LAC
24Sammy WatkinsKansas City Chiefsat CLE
25Tyler LockettSeattle Seahawksvs. LAC
26D.J. MooreCarolina Panthersvs. TB
27Marquise GoodwinSan Francisco 49ersvs. OAK
28Michael CrabtreeBaltimore Ravensvs. PIT
29Cooper KuppLos Angeles Ramsat NO
30Calvin RidleyAtlanta Falconsat WAS
31Courtland SuttonDenver Broncosvs. HOU
32Chris GodwinTampa Bay Buccaneersat CAR
33Corey DavisTennessee Titansat DAL
34Devante ParkerMiami Dolphinsvs. NYJ
35Jordy NelsonOakland Raidersat SF
36Tre'Quan SmithNew Orleans Saintsvs. LAR
37Tyrell WilliamsLos Angeles Ramsat SEA
38Taylor GabrielChicago Bearsat BUF
39Demaryius ThomasHouston Texansat DEN
40Amari CooperDallas Cowboysvs. TEN
41Keke CouteeHouston Texansat DEN
42Randall CobbGreen Bay Packersat NE
43Marquez Valdes-ScantlingGreen Bay Packersat NE
44Paul RichardsonWashington Redskinsvs. ATL
45Mike WilliamsLos Angeles Chargersat SEA
46Geronimo AllisonGreen Bay Packersat NE
47David MooreSeattle Seahawksvs. LAC
48Chris HoganNew England Patriotsvs. GB
49Mohamed SanuAtlanta Falconsat WAS
50Antonio CallawayCleveland Brownsvs. KC

Washington Redskins pass-catcher Paul Richardson is my No. 44 option for Week 9 and is a fringe WR3. I love his matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, a unit tied with the Steelers for allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. I'm expecting the Redskins to have to throw a ton in this matchup in order to keep up with the Falcons offense.

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