CBS Sports has released its Week 9 fantasy football wide receiver rankings, highlighting players to start, sleepers, and those to avoid. With several key quarterbacks returning from injury, multiple receivers are trending upward.
Starts
Luther Burden III (Chicago Bears) has scored at least 17.5 PPR points in three straight games since Caleb Williams returned from a hamstring injury. In Week 8 against Seattle, Burden caught seven passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He faces a Tampa Bay defense that ranks sixth in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers, but the Bears' passing attack has shown resilience against tough matchups.
Rome Odunze (Bears) posted four catches for 87 yards on six targets in Week 8 and has topped 10.7 PPR points in each of his last two outings. He is recommended as a starter in all three-receiver leagues.
Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions) has scored at least 16.2 PPR points in four consecutive games, including a 70-yard, one-touchdown performance against Minnesota. Despite a difficult matchup against Miami (third fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers), Williams is considered a borderline No. 1 option.
Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) returned from a hamstring injury with seven catches for 53 yards and a touchdown on eight targets in Week 8. He has scored at least 12.3 PPR points in each of his last three healthy games and faces a Jets defense that has allowed a receiver to score at least 13.6 PPR points in five straight games.
Parker Washington (Jacksonville Jaguars) struggled in a blowout win over Indianapolis but draws a favorable matchup against Baltimore, which ranks eighth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers. Washington is still viewed as a No. 2 fantasy receiver.
Jaylen Waddle (Denver Broncos) played through a chest injury and scored 14.9 PPR points against Kansas City. He faces a Carolina defense that has allowed seven receivers to score at least 12.7 PPR points in the past four games.
Keenan Allen (Indianapolis Colts) has scored at least 13.7 PPR points in three of his last five games and faces a Dallas defense that ranks seventh in most fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Sleepers
Caleb Douglas (Miami Dolphins) has scored at least 14.4 PPR points in two of his last three games and faces a Lions defense that ranks fourth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Makai Lemon (Philadelphia Eagles) has stepped up as the No. 1 receiver with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks sidelined, posting 13 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown over the past two games. He faces a Giants defense that has allowed seven receivers to score at least 11.8 PPR points.
Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. (New York Jets) could see increased targets if Garrett Wilson (concussion protocol) misses Week 9. Mitchell erupted for seven catches, 142 yards, and a touchdown in Week 8.
Demario Douglas (New England Patriots) has scored at least 16.6 PPR points in three of his last four games with four touchdowns and faces a Packers defense that ranks ninth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Ryan Flournoy (Dallas Cowboys) has scored at least 11 PPR points in four straight games with two touchdowns and could benefit if George Pickens is limited by injury.
Sit Candidates
Michael Wilson (Arizona Cardinals) is dealing with two broken ribs and faces a Seahawks defense that ranks first in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Jalen Coker (Carolina Panthers) has cooled off with just 11.5 PPR points over his last two games and faces a Broncos defense that ranks eighth in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Tre Tucker (Las Vegas Raiders) showed boom-or-bust nature with zero catches in Week 8 after two big games. He is not trustworthy in two-receiver leagues against San Francisco.
Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers) had a misleading stat line boosted by a Hail Mary deflection and has not scored a touchdown since Week 1.
Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens) is unlikely to play Thursday night against Jacksonville due to the team's quarterback situation, with Joe Fagnano starting. Flowers had zero catches on five targets in Week 8 with Fagnano under center.
