It’s getting later in the fantasy football season, and Raiders star Brock Bowers is still heating up. Let’s look at the Week 9 fantasy football tight end rankings for the 2026 season.
Bowers has 70-plus yards in every game he’s played this season. He also has five touchdown catches. He’s the guy everybody wants to have in the tight end slot. Acknowledging his No. 1 standing, even though the Raiders have a tough matchup against the 49ers, let’s see who else looks good for this week.
Fantasy Football standouts
The Bears have rediscovered Colston Loveland in their offense. He’s had three good games in a row. And this week is an open door to continue that trend.
It’s true that the Buccaneers have a good defense. But that just means the Bears will need to fire all weapons. And Loveland is one of those weapons.
Head coach Ben Johnson has been focused on getting all his guys involved, according to bearswire.com.
“I put it on myself as much as anything, just making sure that all these guys are getting the touches that they deserve,” Johnson said earlier this month. “Tried to get it in [Rome Odunze’s] hands a little bit earlier in the game and you can feel him come alive a little bit. But I felt that from Rome. I felt that from Luther (Burden III) felt that from Colston to a degree as well. [Odunze] knows he’s a big-time playmaker, and we’ve just got to make sure we give him opportunities.”
Look for Loveland to have another 60-70 yard output and get into the end zone for the third time this season.
Another good bet is Harold Fanning Jr. He’s coming off back-to-back monster games. And he’s found a connection with Deshaun Watson. Fannin said it’s just a flow thing, according to Clevelandbrowns.com.
“I think it’s like a carryover from practice … continuing to practice hard, get on the same page with Deshaun,” Fannin said. “And (defenses) have been a lot more focused on (Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion), and that’s where I come to play.”
He should be able to hurt a Saints defense that hasn’t been good this season.
Other standouts
Isaiah Likely is in an interesting situation for fantasy managers to consider. He’s been a beast this year, but is coming off a game where JJ McCarthy barely noticed him. Does this spell trouble for Likely with the new QB?
This week will answer that question. The Eagles' defense is a shell of its former self. McCarthy should be able to pick and choose his targets. And that means Likely should have a seat at the table.
Likely has lived up to expectations, according to the New York Post. He showed enough on film for the Giants to offer him free-agent money, according to the New York Post.
“You saw the stuff that you are seeing now — his ability to make plays, his ability to block in space and put his face on people in the run game,” tight ends coach Tim Kelly said. “That’s why he’s here. He was behind a great player, but it was intriguing to think, ‘What can he do with more opportunities? His ability to catch the ball away from the framework of his body and his body control, he’s got a lot of cool traits that show up consistently whether it’s a Wednesday or a Sunday.”
Also, Tucker Kraft is in line for a good game. The Packers face a tough Patriots secondary, where cornerback Christian Gonzalez can take away the top option. That should open things up for Kraft, who has caught between 4-6 passes for six straight weeks.
One thing Kraft needs is to have thicker skin. He let the booing get to him after a home loss earlier this season, according to Fox Sports.
Article Continues Below“Yeah, it’s pretty tough,” Kraft told reporters huddled around his locker stall. “You know, like everyone pictures Lambeau Field and not boos. I don't picture boos. I picture my home stadium. That's tough. It's pretty disappointing.”
Fantasy Football sleepers
Sam LaPorta of the Lions has been a major disappointment this season, but he has a good matchup at Miami this week. If Jared Goff feeds him, LaPorta could put up good fantasy numbers.
It’s tough to trust anybody on the Colts these days. But Tyler Warren has a good matchup against a shaky Cowboys defense. If the Colts stay in the game at all, Warren could finish with top-10 numbers.
Actually, Warren could have a nice game even if the Colts fall behind. They will keep throwing the ball, and Warren should be able to find a few seams.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Tight End Rankings
1. Brock Bowers (LV) at SF
2. Trey McBride (ARI) at SEA
3. Colston Loveland (CHI) vs. TB
4. Isaiah Likely (NYG) at PHI
5. George Kittle (SF) vs. LV
6. Sam LaPorta (DET) at MIA
7. Tucker Kraft (GB) at NE
8. Tyler Warren (IND) vs. DAL
9. Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) at NO
10. Mike Gesicki (CIN) at ATL
11. TJ Hockenson (MIN) vs. BUF
12. Travis Kelce (KC) vs. NYJ
13. Dallas Goedert (PHI) vs. BYG
14. Kyle Pitts Sr. (ATL) vs. CIN
15. Greg Dulcich (MIA) vs. DET