Leaders of the Pack Week 9 2026

Total Fantasy Football points and even Points per Game can be deceiving. In Fantasy Football, we want to not only know who the hot players are early in the season, but also use metrics to show which players have been productive over a longer period. My rankings utilize four separate indexes that are explained below to give a rating for each player. Let us look at who the leaders of the pack are in Fantasy Football after week nine. 

MVP Index Explained

Every week in Fantasy Football, there are three possible outcomes for a player’s statistics. They can help your team win by having a huge points week. They can cause your team to lose with a very low-scoring week. They can keep your team in contention by having a performance above the historic median output. Combining these three outcomes into one easy-to-understand number was the goal of the MVP Index. While the historic median for Fantasy Football points differs by position, using the same expected performance level for RB, WR, and TE gives us a score to compare while making Flex-starting decisions all season. 

MVP26 Explained

This index uses the same formula as the MVP Index above, but uses only this season's data. All games played are used to give each player a true value, as if they started every game this year in Fantasy Football. 

Upside Index Explained

While consistency matters in Fantasy Football, weekly upside consistency matters even more. The UPSIDE INDEX calculates a player’s best 1/3rd of their games over the past 2 seasons plus the current season. This extended database gives us a better idea of a player’s long-term form, not just the few data points represented by the current season. Each week, the data is weighted more heavily toward the current season. 

GOOD Index Explained

Quite often in the NFL, a young player will struggle early in their career. While the MVP Index does a solid job of keeping up with the latest player developments, the GOOD Index only counts their best games over the past 2 seasons plus the current season. This index values rookie and second-year players lower because they have fewer total games to post a high GOOD Index, but it rewards players who stay healthy and productive over a longer time frame. 

Scoring System Used

Regular 1-point-per-reception scoring is used, with no TE premium applied. Players get 1 point for every 10 rushing yards and 1 point for every 25 receiving yards. TDs count for 6 points for rushing and 4 points for passing. 

Leaders of the Pack at QB

15 Point Games Week One: 12

25+ Point Games Week One: 4

MVP26>120: 4 (Median 4)

MVP26>100: 10 (Median 6.5)

MVP26>80: 11 (Median 11.5)

MVP26>60: 18 (Median 16.5)

1. Joe Burrow (+1) Should be getting more talk as the League MVP

2. Josh Allen (-1) Big tier break to QB3

3. Brock Purdy (+3) QB3 to QB6 in a very tight path

4. Drake Maye (+1) Lousy real NFL game versus GB, but more fantasy football goodness

5. Jared Goff (-2) Worst game he has had in two seasons, but team still won

6. Patrick Mahomes (+1) Big tier break to QB7

7. Dak Prescott (+1) Leads a tight group from QB7 to QB12 

8. Jordan Love (+3) From outside of the Top 15 to inside the Top 8 in just 3 weeks

9. Matthew Stafford: QB17 when only looking at this season

10. Jayden Daniels (+5): A Statistical error dropped him last week

11. Trevor Lawrence (-1): Improved defense and running game cap his upside many weeks

12. Bo Nix: Big tier break to QB13

13. Caleb Williams: It ain’t always pretty, but the Ice Man gets the win

14. CJ Stroud (NEW) Best Fantasy Football game of his career

15. Tyler Shough (-1) MVP26 is 100 which is good for QB8 right now

Leaders of the Pack at RB

10 Point Games Week One: 22

20+ Point Games Week One: 5

Perfect MVP26 Scores After 8 Weeks: 1 

MVP26>120: 8 (Median 4.5)

MVP26>100: 16 (Median 12.5) 

MVP26>80: 16 (Median 19.5)

MVP26>60: 21 (Median 29)

1. Jahmyr Gibbs: Now has a clear tier break to RB2

2. Bijan Robinson (+1): Inconsistent offense sometimes caps his upside

3. Christian McCaffrey (-1): Big tier break to RB4

4. James Cook (+2): Over 30 carries for the first time in his career last week

5. Jonathan Taylor: No trade, so JT is back to working with a below-average offense

6. Derrick Henry (+1): Only thing keeping the Ravens going right now

7. Josh Jacobs (-3) Will be dropping off chart next week due to injury 

8. Kyren Williams: 50/50-time share with Corum 

9. Ken Walker: RB3 this season, rated by MVP26 Index

10. Bucky Irving (+2): Back to his rookie form, needs Baker to return to form

11. Chase Brown: Only 19th best in MVP26 right now with a 62 rating

12. Chubba Hubbard (+1) RB4 in MVP26 right now

13. Javonte Williams (+3) Turning in another solid season 

14. D’Andre Swift (-4) Tough defense shut him down last week

15. Saquon Barkley: MVP26 index of 9 at the midpoint of the season

16. Ashton Jeanty (-2) Interesting to see what a change in QB does for this offense

17. Breece Hall (+1) Returned from injury to a time-share situation 

18. Jaylen Warren (+2) RB9 in MVP26 right now

19. Rhamondre Stevenson (+2) will miss some time with an injury 

20. Bhayshul Tuten (-3) MVP26 Index of 100 right now

21. Alvin Kamara (-2) Uncertain volume is a concern for Fantasy Football lineups right now.

22. Cam Skattebo (+2) Should return healthy for TNF.

23. Tony Pollard: Should continue to get the volume needed to be Top 15 most weeks

24. David Montgomery (+1) Could return from injury soon

25. Rico Dowdle (+2) Inconsistent volume going forward if Warren stays healthy 

26. Aaron Jones: MVP26 Index of only 37 right now

27. Quinshon Judkins (+1) Losing some volume to Dylan Sampson

28. Kyle Monangai (+1) Bears need him back after their Bye week

29. Jonah Coleman (+4) Emerging as the RB1 in Denver

30. Zach Charbonnett (+2) Playing his way into shape 

31. Rachaad White: Should get the needed volume to be Fantasy Football viable

32. Ollie Gordon (NEW): Should continue to get the needed volume

33. Blake Corum (NEW) Getting enough volume to play them both 

34. Braelon Allen (NEW) Should lose volume to Breece Lightning

35. Jordan Mason: Change of QB cannot hurt 

Leaders of the Pack at WR

10 Point Games Week One: 36

20+ Point Games Week One: 9

MVP26>120: 8 (Median 4.5)

MVP26>100: 14 (Median 10.5)

MVP26>80: 16 (Median 21.5)

MVP26>60: 27 (Median 31)

1. Puka Nacua: Could be headed to IR and off this list for a while      

2. Jaxson Smith Njigba: Half-tier break to WR3 now    

3. Amon Ra St Brown: Looks like he avoided injury for now       

4. Ja’Marr Chase: Leads Upside Index by 2 whole points, which is huge    

5. Cee Dee Lamb: Big tier break to WR6  

6. Tee Higgins: Career-best MVP Index right now 

7. Nico Collins (+2) leads a tight group from WR7 to WR10

8. Zay Flowers: Should get an improvement at QB this week

9. Malik Nabers (-2) MVP Index of 100 with McCarthy at QB 

10. Chris Olave: Addition of another playmaker should keep defenses honest

11. Mike Evans: Trade for a WR might be a bad sign for his health

12. Drake London (+2) MVP26 of only 67 WR28 level

13. George Pickens (-1) Survived the trade deadline

14. Justin Jefferson (-1) Gets his old QB back this week

15. Garret Wilson (+1) Should return to action this week

16. DeVonta Smith (-1) Has he shown up on milk cartons in the Philadelphia area yet? 

17. Jameson Williams: MVP26 of only 62 right now 

18. Christian Watson (+2) Amazing to see 2 GB WRs with an MVP Index over 120

19. DJ Moore (-1) Buffalo needs him healthy 

20. Stefon Diggs (-1) Offense should be more consistent from week to week

21. Matthew Golden (+3) Classic example of why you do not give up on underperforming rookies

22. AJ Brown: Lost season, and at his age, he cannot afford those

23. Rashee Rice (-2) MVP26 of only 33 right now

24. Tetairoa McMillan (-1) Dynamic playmaker subject to his QB’s ups and downs 

25. Luther Burden (+3) Heads into the Bye week as the Bears’ best playmaker

26. Mike Wilson: Last week on this chart after a neck injury

27. Terry McLaurin: This offense is much better with Scary Terry

28. Ladd McConkey (-3) MVP26 of 0 right now

29. DK Metcalf: Round peg in a square offense

30. Wan Dale Robinson: Rookie should come back to steal volume this week

31. Deebo Samuel (+1): Will he return this week? 

32. Jakobi Meyers (+2) MVP26 of only 25 right now

33. Parker Washington: The best WR on a team that spreads the volume around 

34. Khalil Shakir (-3) MVP26 of only 37 right now

35. Courtland Sutton (+4) Had his best week of the season

36. Emeka Egbuka (-1) Has not looked as dynamic since the injury again this season

37. Omar Cooper (-1): Subject to the rookie ups and downs

38. Keenan Allen: Do the 49ers get a discount on travel from AARP for their WR Room? 

39. Brian Thomas (-2): Why didn’t they trade him? 

40. Tank Dell (NEW): Great to see him back in action after almost 2 years

Leaders of the Pack at TE

10 Point Games Week One: 12

20+ Point Games Week One: 2

MVP26>120: 2 (Median 1)

MVP26>100: 2 (Median 1.5)

MVP26>80: 2 (Median 2.5)

MVP26>60: 6 (Median 4)

1. Trey McBride: Uncertain QB situation going forward   

2. Brock Bowers: Will the rookie QB continue to feed him?    

3. George Kittle: MVP26 of 62    

4. Travis Kelce: Big tier break to TE5   

5. Dallas Goedert: Eagles offense is grounded right now due to QB play  

6. Harold Fannin: Six good games and three awful games  

7. Sam LaPorta: MVP26 of only 37

8. Tucker Kraft: Emergence of Golden has dropped his weekly volume

9. Hunter Henry (+1): Playing through injury right now

10. Tyler Warren (-1) TE4 this season in MVP26

11. Juwan Johnson: Came back from Bye week in better form

12. Dallen Waller (NEW): Has been a very streaky player this season

13. Isiah Likely (NEW) Overall MVP Index back to zero, MVP26 of 75

14. Dalton Kincaid (-2) Four solid games and four awful games

15. Kyle Pitts (-2) Three solid games and five awful games

Conclusion   

The NFL season is half over, and injuries continue to have major impacts. The trading deadline is past, and only a few fantasy football-significant players have changed teams. Keenan Allen could be a great addition if Evans and Deebo keep missing time. Kirk Cousins must improve the offense in Minnesota. 

My favorite strategy this draft season was to draft an elite WR in the first round, and that is paying off big time so far this year. Ratings are settling in, especially at WR and TE, where the top 8 stayed the same again this week. Good luck in Week 10.