With only two teams on bye in Week 9, fantasy football managers have more lineup options but also tougher start-sit decisions. Backup running backs such as Kenny Gainwell (140 total yards), Tyler Allgeier (191 yards, two touchdowns), Braelon Allen (153 yards, one touchdown) and Mike Washington Jr. (83 yards) are coming off impressive performances, adding to the dilemma.
A proven computer model that simulates every NFL game 10,000 times has released its Week 9 rankings for the 2026 NFL season. The model has outperformed human experts over several seasons, particularly when its rankings diverge significantly from consensus.
One notable surprise: the model is not high on Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Despite ranking among the top 15 wide receivers in fantasy points and being started in over 80% of leagues, McMillan does not crack the model's top 35 at the position this week. The second-year receiver has been held under 60 yards in each of his last two games and has found the end zone only once this season. He faces a Denver Broncos defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.
Another curveball comes at quarterback: the model projects Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis as a top-12 fantasy option, even though he was started in just 19% of leagues last week. Willis has accounted for seven total touchdowns over his past three games, averaging the seventh-most fantasy points among quarterbacks in that span. He now draws a Detroit Lions defense that has surrendered the most passing yards, passing touchdowns and fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, placing Willis above even Josh Allen in the model's rankings.
The model also identifies a surprising tight end projected to finish in the top five at the position, despite barely cracking the top 15 in positional fantasy points for the season. This pick could be a decisive factor in weekly matchups.
