With only two teams on bye in Week 9, fantasy football managers have a larger pool of players to choose from, but the expanded options also complicate start-sit decisions. A proven computer model that simulates every NFL game 10,000 times has released its Week 9 rankings for the 2026 season, offering guidance on lineup construction.
Backup running backs have recently delivered strong performances. Kenny Gainwell posted 140 total yards, Tyler Allgeier recorded 191 yards and two touchdowns, and Braelon Allen added 153 yards and a touchdown. The model's projections will indicate whether those players can sustain their production on Sunday.
Key Ranking Surprises
The model is notably low 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 top 35 at his position this week. He has been held under 60 yards in each of his last two games and has found the end zone only once this season. A difficult matchup against the Denver Broncos, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers among all but four teams, further dampens his outlook.
Conversely, the model is high on Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis, projecting him as a top-12 fantasy quarterback despite a start rate of just 19% last week. Willis has accounted for seven total touchdowns over his last three games, averaging the seventh-most fantasy points among quarterbacks in that span. He now faces the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the most passing yards, passing touchdowns, and fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. The model ranks Willis above even Josh Allen for Week 9.
The model also identifies a surprising tight end who barely ranks inside the top 15 at the position for the season but is projected to finish in the top five for Week 9. That pick could prove decisive in weekly matchups.
