Wide receivers continue to rack up eye-popping stat totals thanks to the NFL’s all-new emphasis on illegal contact and pass interference penalties.

Couple that with the fact that it’s more of an aerial game now than it is ever has been, and wideouts are quickly supplanting running backs as the most sought-after fantasy position.

Several of the top-scoring wideouts will be unavailable in Week 9 due to six teams being on a bye, but one ailing star is set to return.

Out since Week 5, Cincinnati Bengal A.J. Green will return to action against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. While he may not be back to his elite self right out of the gate, he deserves a decent ranking spot against the 1-6 Jags.

Atop the list sits Denver Bronco Demaryius Thomas, who is set for yet another huge game when his team travels to Foxboro to take on the streaking New England Patriots in what should be an exciting shootout.

Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown has been quietly scoring ton of points with consistency as fantasy’s No. 1 wideout. He faces a relatively tough matchup against Baltimore this weekend, but with the Ravens’ top corner Jimmy Smith out, it could be another field day for Brown.

Philadelphia Eagle Jeremy Maclin had a career day with 187 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals in Week 8. He deserves a Top 5 spot going into the Eagles’ Week 9 game against Houston’s atrocious defense, whose deficiencies are masked by the play of star defensive end J.J. Watt.

Dallas star Dez Bryant has been about as consistent as it comes this year, but the uncertain health status of Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo makes him a bit of a question mark in Week 9. Arizona can certainly be thrown on, but if backup Brandon Weeden is forced to start, we’ll probably see a massive dose of running back DeMarco Murray.

Rounding out the Top Five is Indianapolis speedster T.Y. Hilton, who has been torching opposing defenses lately. The New York Giants have a decent secondary to contend with in Week 9, but Hilton should still see a ton of looks from quarterback Andrew Luck.

Here are the Week 9 fantasy rankings for the Top 30 wide receivers in the NFL: