2025 Fantasy QB Rankings: Week 9 Start or Sit Guide

Week 9 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings

Finding high-upside streamers is essential for fantasy success, especially when you don't have a must-start quarterback. With that in mind, we've compiled our Week 9 fantasy football quarterback rankings for 2025 to help guide your lineup decisions. Below, you'll find where some of the top quarterbacks, including Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold, Trevor Lawrence, and more, stand among all other fantasy QB options.

These rankings are crafted by Nick Mariano and provide an in-depth look at each quarterback's potential for the upcoming week. Additionally, we’ve included key fantasy football news updates that could impact your choices this week. Keep an eye on injuries and developments as they unfold throughout the week.

Make sure to bookmark our fantasy football rankings portal and check back regularly for updates. Our free mobile app is a must-have tool for any fantasy manager—download it and configure push notifications to stay updated with the latest NFL news, injuries, and fantasy analysis.

Key Fantasy Football News for Week 9

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Flacco has been impressive in his first three starts with the Bengals, throwing for 801 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. He’s leaned heavily on Ja'Marr Chase, who has drawn 54 targets over that span. However, Flacco suffered a shoulder injury late in last week's loss to the New York Jets, casting doubt on his Week 9 status. With the Bengals heading into a Week 10 bye, the team may opt to give Jake Browning another start to allow Flacco time to recover. Even if he doesn’t play, Flacco has shown enough to remain relevant in fantasy formats once healthy.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa should only be considered in Superflex formats when the Dolphins face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football. After being benched in a blowout loss, he rebounded with four touchdown passes in a win last week. The Ravens’ defense ranks 25th against fantasy quarterbacks, but they showed improvement with Roquan Smith back in the lineup. However, the Dolphins are missing Tyreek Hill and Darren Waller, making the offense less reliable. While the matchup looks favorable, there’s still risk involved with starting an up-and-down quarterback on a short week.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson is set to return to the field for the first time since Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. As a potential QB1 every time he plays, he’s a must-start when healthy. Jackson will face the Miami Dolphins defense, which ranks 24th against opposing quarterbacks. Through four games, he’s thrown for 869 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception while completing 71.6% of his passes. He’s also added 166 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Fantasy managers should already have him in their lineups.

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold has had a strong start with the Seahawks, completing 68.2% of his passes for 1,754 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions through seven games. He’s developed a strong connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, targeting him 34.7% of the time. However, Darnold has limited pass volume, averaging just 27.4 attempts per game, ranking 29th in the league. Despite that, he has a favorable matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 9 and is ranked as The News Pulse’s QB15.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, indicating his ongoing recovery from a turf toe injury. Backup quarterback Mac Jones (knee) was a full participant, suggesting he might get another start if Purdy isn’t ready. Fantasy managers should monitor Purdy’s progress in practice. If he’s active, he should reclaim his starting role and be a QB1 for this weekend.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough will start for the rest of the season after being named the starter by head coach Kellen Moore. Shough will face a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in his first career start. While he has a strong arm and good size, he lacks the legs to add extra upside in an inconsistent Saints offense. Expect growing pains, and he should remain on the waiver wire in most leagues.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

J.J. McCarthy has a full week to prepare for his return as the starting quarterback for the Vikings in Week 9. He’s expected to step back in after missing five games due to a high-ankle sprain. McCarthy struggled early in the season, completing 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. However, head coach Kevin O'Connell remains confident in his ability to lead the team moving forward. His return comes in a tough road environment against the Detroit Lions.