We get something of a bye week reprieve with the Jets and Browns taking a break, but the Eagles and Bucs will take several fantasy important fantasy contributors with them to the bye week.
We also have interesting waiver situations in Philadelphia and Cleveland after Saquon Barkley and Quinshon Judkins suffered what appear to be minor injuries heading into their off week.
Those situations make things interesting behind Tyrone Tracy for Week 9 waivers.
As a reminder, recommended adds are available in at least 60% of ESPN leagues, and the watch list consists of players worth monitoring.
The deep cuts section for running backs and receivers highlights players who are rostered in fewer than 5% of ESPN leagues, for all you “not in my league” degens.
I will not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because there is a much better resource for researching what you need to bid, thanks to our friends at FAABLab.
Finally, I will not be ranking kickers and defenses because, frankly, I don’t care about them and would like to see them disappear from the game.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to it.
Contents
Best Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterback
- Sam Darnold
- Joe Flacco
- Mac Jones
Best Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Running Back
- Tyrone Tracy
- Bam Knight
- Kareem Hunt
- Brashard Smith
- Tank Bigsby
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Dylan Sampson
- Isaiah Davis
- Emanuel Wilson
Best Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Wide Receiver
- Alec Pierce
- Kayshon Boutte
- Jaylin Noel
- Christian Watson
- Chimere Dike
- Jack Bech
- Darius Slayton
Best Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight Ends
- Colston Loveland
- Juwan Johnson
- Theo Johnson
- Isaiah Likely
- Terrance Ferguson
Quarterback Waiver Targets, Week 9
1. Sam Darnold, Seahawks — Available in 79.1% of ESPN leagues
Volume is always the concern for Darnold, but he should find success when he drops back against the Commanders. Washington is allowing a league-worst 8.4 yards per attempt, and they are 26th in touchdown rate allowed. They have gotten after the quarterback this year, but that unit is dealing with several injuries. Darnold, on the other hand, is first among qualified quarterbacks in yards per attempt and seventh in touchdown rate.
2. Joe Flacco, Bengals — Available in 63.3% of ESPN leagues
Flacco is dealing with a minor shoulder injury, so that is worth watching this week. If he plays, though, we should expect a lot of attempts. Since Flacco took over as the starter, the Bengals are fourth in neutral pass rate, and Flacco is second in dropbacks among all quarterbacks. The Bears have forced turnovers this season, but they are vulnerable to the pass, allowing the 30th most yards per attempt and the highest touchdown rate in the league.
3. Mac Jones, 49ers — Available in 95.4% of ESPN leagues
I am hesitant about Jones. We still have no real idea if Brock Purdy will play, Jones has struggled in recent weeks, and the Giants can theoretically bring pressure, although we have not consistently seen them do that this year. Overall, the Giants have been a great matchup for opposing quarterbacks over the last five weeks (30th in points allowed per game), and that makes Jones a streaming option if he gets the start.
Watch List: Kyler Murray is expected back this week. If that does not happen, though, Jacoby Brissett will be in a pristine spot against the Cowboys…J.J. McCarthy should play this week, but nothing from his first two performances in the league should give us hope of a big fantasy day…If he gets the start, Marcus Mariota will always be a fantasy option because of his rushing ability, but his date with the Seahawks this week is not appealing…Tua Tagovailoa is coming off a great game, and the Ravens have been vulnerable to opposing quarterbacks this season. That has not been the case over the last two games, though, and I am not that interested in playing Tagovailoa on a short week…Trevor Lawrence has a decent enough matchup, but we just have not seen him consistently put up fantasy points. He has 1 or fewer touchdown passes in five of seven games this season.
Running Back Waiver Targets, Week 9
1. Tyrone Tracy, Giants — Available in 58.1% of ESPN leagues
Tracy is a classic “not in my league” kind of pickup, but it is possible he was dropped in many active, competitive leagues due to bye weeks, so be sure to check. Over the final three quarters on Sunday — Cam Skattebo was injured on his first snaps of the second quarter — Tracy played 32 snaps to just 8 for Devin Singletary. He had 12 touches to 3, ran 17 routes to 4, and had 10 carries to 2. He also got the lone goal-to-go carries among the running backs, though he did lose a rushing touchdown to Jaxson Dart a couple of plays later. From Week 5 on last season, Tracy was the RB21 in per game half PPR scoring in a worse offense. He is a no brainer big bid. Make sure you use Faab Lab to see how big that bid needs to be.
2. Bam Knight, Cardinals — Available in 81.5% of ESPN leagues
The Cardinals brought back Michael Carter to the practice squad after surprisingly cutting him on Monday, but Knight has been the lead back in Arizona over the last two games, and we saw that spread increase before the bye. In Week 7, Knight handled 17 touches to 9 for Carter, though Carter did run one more route and played just 8 fewer snaps. The Cardinals get the Cowboys this week. That is a great matchup for Knight, but it could also mean a game script that more favors a passing down option like Carter, assuming he is elevated to the active roster ahead of the game. Still, Knight is a starting running back available on waivers. Go get him.
3. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs — Available in 72.5% of ESPN leagues
4. Brashard Smith, Chiefs — Available in 88% of ESPN leagues
The late-arriving news about Isiah Pacheco has thrown a wrench into the Week 9 waiver process. With Kansas City heading to their bye in Week 10, it is possible that Pacheco only ends up missing one game, which would send this backfield right back into an unholy trinity for fantasy purposes. That limits the long-term upside for anyone here, and we also do not know how things will shake out between Hunt and Smith. Given the magnitude of the game against the Bills and how they have been used this season, I would lean toward Hunt if targeting someone to fill in for just this week. The matchup is good against a Bills team giving up 5.3 yards per carry to running backs this season, and Hunt should have the role near the goal line no matter how the usage between the 20s shakes out. He is also the veteran in a big game environment. I would be more interested in Smith if we get news that Pacheco is going to miss more time, since he can carve out a meaningful role as the pass-catching back, but I am not sure how much work he gets against Buffalo.
4. Tank Bigsby, Eagles — Available in 80.6% of ESPN leagues
It was extremely difficult to rank the next four backs. By tomorrow, I might change my mind. Bigsby is pretty solidly at the top, though, because he is in the best offense of this group, and Saquon Barkley is dealing with a soft-tissue injury, which can linger. Based on what we know, the most likely scenario is that Barkley is ready to go after the bye, but there is at least a chance Bigsby is the lead back for the Eagles for one or two games.
5. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars — Available in 78% of ESPN leagues
This should perhaps be Sampson, but even if he ends up the starter out of the bye, you are relying on a running back in a bad offense that will have competition, assuming Jerome Ford is not traded. For Tuten, Travis Etienne could just dominate touches the rest of the way, but the lead back has not been the most efficient with his touches of late. Before the bye, Tuten set season highs in routes and his share of the backfield carries. It is not likely, but it would not be shocking if the Jaguars looked to make a change during the bye week.
6. Dylan Sampson, Browns — Available in 90.5% of ESPN leagues
It seems like Quinshon Judkins will be fine, but there is the chance Sampson emerges from the bye as the lead back in Cleveland. In the second half, Sampson played 22 snaps to 8 for Jerome Ford, ran 17 routes to 7, had 6 targets to 2, and had 3 carries to 0 for Ford. Of course, the Browns were run out of the building in the third quarter, so the game script was perfectly set up for Sampson. Will Ford get more run in a more competitive game? Will Ford even be on the roster after the bye? Do we really care about a running back in this offense? All valid questions.
7. Isaiah Davis, Jets — Available in 92.1% of ESPN leagues
Davis is coming off a great game, turning 12 touches into 109 yards from scrimmage. He played just 9 fewer snaps than Breece Hall, though he touched the ball 8 fewer times. Ultimately, Davis needs Hall to be traded to have a shot at real fantasy value, but that possibility remains open. Even if Hall sticks around, Davis has that nice combination of a decent weekly touch total as the passing back in a team that will be trailing and big contingency upside should something happen to Hall.
8. Emanuel Wilson, Packers — Available in 96% of ESPN leagues
It is important to remember that 8 of Wilson's carries came in the fourth quarter on Sunday night, and Josh Jacobs dominated the work as usual through the first three quarters. Jacbos has struggled a bit the last two games, though, and is not fully healthy. Wilson had 31.6% of the backfield carries in Week 7 and 45.8% in Week 8. At worst, Wilson is a high upside handcuff for Jacobs.
Watch List: Michael Carter was re-signed to the practice squad by the Cardinals, and he should be elevated for this week. He also has a matchup that could play to his role in the offense. There are worse fill ins for those dealing with bye week issues, assuming he is on the active roster by Monday night…Jerome Ford was well behind Dylan Sampson in Week 8, but that could change in a more competitive game script should Quinshon Judkins be forced to miss time…He did not do much with the work, but Jaydon Blue‘s role did expand behind Javonte Williams in Week 8…Ollie Gordon had arguably his best game of the season in Week 8, but he remains well behind De'Von Achane…Blake Corum, Ray Davis, and Brian Robinson stand out as upside handcuffs…Samaje Perine made the most of his work in Week 8, hitting 100 yards from scrimmage and finding the end zone. This backfield split is real, but Perine is not gaining ground on Chase Brown, who has been playing better as of late.
Deep Cuts: Keaton Mitchell once again showed his upside with two long runs, but he is stuck in the No. 3 spot on the depth chart…Jeremy McNichols has stepped into the Austin Ekeler role in Washington…Devin Neal played just 5 fewer snaps than Alvin Kamara and ran the same number of routes…Tyrone Tracy is very likely to be the guy, but Devin Singletary could be worth a look in deeper leagues to see how things shake out…I no longer know who to roster behind Jonathan Taylor. Ameer Abdullah and Tyler Goodson got the snaps in Week 8.
Wide Receiver Waiver Targets, Week 9
1. Alec Pierce, Colts — Available in 89.7% of ESPN leagues
I understand why Pierce is available in so many leagues since it will likely be a roller coaster from week to week. This is a matchup to chase, however, with the Steelers next up on the schedule. The Steelers have allowed the third-most points per game to wide receivers over the last five weeks. Overall for the season, they are 26th in yards per attempt allowed on throws of 20 air yards or more. They are 21st in the rate of 20-plus-yard gains allowed in the passing game. Since returning from injury, Pierce has run a route on 90.3% of Indy's dropbacks, has 21.1% of the team's targets, and has 59.4% of the team's air yards.
2. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots — Available in 69.9% of ESPN leagues
I am guilty of not really buying into Boutte the second time around, so I have absolutely no room to talk, but it is odd that he was dropped in leagues last week. I still have concerns about Boutte about his week-to-week target total, but the guy is making plays and getting targets from a quarterback playing like one of the best in the league right now.
3. Jaylin Noel, Texans — Available in 87.3% of ESPN leagues
Noel did not see the route spike we hoped with Nico Collins out last week, but he still managed to put in a solid fantasy day. More importantly, Braxton Berrios left that game with an injury, and we have no idea when Christian Kirk will return. Noel ran a route on 73.1% of the dropbacks without Berrios on the field and had a 27.3% target share on those dropbacks. Among 79 receivers who have run at least 30 routes the last two weeks, Noel is ninth in target rate per route and third in yards per route run. He has proven he can earn targets and make plays when on the field. We just need the Texans to play him more.
4. Christian Watson, Packers — Available in 87.4% of ESPN leagues
We have to be encouraged by Watson's first game back from injury. He ran a route on 64.9% of the dropbacks and converted on a long catch. To be fair, Jordan Love had his second-most dropbacks of the season, and the Packers will eventually get back both Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, adding to an already crowded situation. We also have concerns about the overall pass rate of this offense, though they have been much more pass-heavy than when Love was injured last season. Despite those concerns, though, Watson is worth stashing to see how this shakes out.
5. Chimere Dike, Titans — Available in 94.7% of ESPN leagues
We don't have a good read on when Calvin Ridley will return, and the Titans are not a passing game we want to invest heavily in. Still, Dike has been a big part of the passing game in recent weeks and has consistently made plays when targeted. In Week 8, he was on the field for 92.9% of the dropbacks, turning 8 targets into 7 catches for 93 yards. The Titans need playmakers, and Dike has proven he can do that. Even when Ridley returns, it would not be surprising if his role continues to grow.
6. Jack Bech, Raiders — Available in 96.6% of ESPN leagues
Bech is unlikely to be a steady contributor if Jakobi Meyers remains on the team through the trade deadline, but there has been a lot of smoke about Meyers being moved. Brock Bowers will return this week and be the No. 1 option in the passing game, but there is room behind him for targets should Meyers move. Bech looks like the favorite for that role.
7. Darius Slayton, Giants — Available in 88.6% of ESPN leagues
Slayton is a better add than everyone here except Pierce and Boutte for teams that need guaranteed targets this week. It was disappointing that he ran a route on just 71% of New York's dropbacks in Week 8, the same number as Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but that should increase as he gets further removed from injury. He still led the team in targets, and we have a long history of Slayton producing solid numbers when given the chance.
Watch List: It seems like Brandon Aiyuk is getting closer to a return, but we could be into the fantasy playoffs before that happens…As I was worried about last week, Xavier Legette continued to run a lot of routes, but the targets did not find him…Elic Ayomanor ended up with a decent day, but it would have been a lot better if he had not slowed down on what could have been a long catch…Jayden Higgins found the end zone with Nico Collins sidelined, but Collins' likely return should affect Higgins' route total more than any other receiver…Rashod Bateman will be back live as a touchdown and big play prayer with Lamar Jackson returning…Malik Washington had a good game, but he is still running the third-most routes for a passing game we can't trust…Luther Burden is in the concussion protocol and has not seen his role grow…Jalen Coker did see his usage spike, but there is not enough there in this Panthers passing game…Calvin Austin returned to his usual role, and that secondary option in Pittsburgh could be useful in deeper leagues…We need to watch Terry McLaurin‘s practice reps this week after he seemed to aggravate his quad injury. Luke McCaffrey had the biggest role among the secondary receivers on Monday night, but we have seen Chris Moore get a bump with McLaurin out…Cedric Tillman is expected back after the bye, but does that matter in this Browns offense?
Deep Cuts: Even with Calvin Austin back, Roman Wilson‘s expanded role continued, and he ended up catching a touchdown. Still, how much upside is there as at best the No. 3 option in Pittsburgh's passing attack?…Pat Bryant continues to see his role expand, and Marvin Mims is in the concussion protocol…Even with Nico Collins expected back, Xavier Hutchinson should continue to run a lot of routes, though he traditionally does not draw a ton of targets…Garrett Wilson will likely be back after the bye, but Tyler Johnson‘s performances the last two weeks are worth noting.
Tight End Waiver Targets, Week 9
1. Colston Loveland, Bears — Available in 75.9% of ESPN leagues
All bets are off if Cole Kmet returns this week, but we got pretty good usage out of Loveland in Week 8. He ran a route on 78% of the dropbacks and earned 5 targets. This week, he gets a mouth-watering matchup against the Bengals, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends over the last five weeks.
2. Juwan Johnson, Saints — Available in 67% of ESPN leagues
It has not always led to production, but Johnson's usage has remained solid. He has run a route on 83.1% of New Orleans' dropbacks this season, and he has 15 targets combined over the last two games. After Tyler Shough took over at quarterback in Week 8, Johnson saw 20% of the team's targets and 33.2% of the air yards.
3. Theo Johnson, Giants — Available in 80.6% of ESPN leagues
Johnson has been hit or miss, mostly related to touchdowns, but his underlying usage is great. Over the last two games, he has run a route on 97.1% of New York's dropbacks, and he has seen 20% of the team's targets. The 49ers have traditionally been a tough matchup for tight ends, but that is no longer the case with Fred Warner out for the year.
4. Isaiah Likely, Ravens — Available in 96% of ESPN leagues
I promise this is the last time Likely will be on this list if it does not happen this week with Lamar Jackson back in the fold and a great matchup against the Dolphins on deck. It was only 2 targets, but Likely ran 1 more route than Mark Andrews and was third on the team overall in routes run. He has run a route on 64% of the dropbacks when healthy so far this season. He is going to be on the field with Jackson. That is worth stashing where possible for one more week.
5. Terrance Ferguson, Rams — Available in 99.7% of ESPN leagues
Ferguson is nothing but a deep league stash, so do not pick him up expecting to play him this week. Ferguson's case is a lot like when we identified Oronde Gadsden as a rookie whose role was increasing several weeks ago. Like Gadsden, Ferguson's role expanded before the bye because of an injury — the Rams used a lot more tight ends with Puka Nacua out — and the expectation is the offense will return to normal with Nacua back in the fold. If that is the case, it will not leave a ton of targets for anyone besides Nacua and Davante Adams. Still, Ferguson is a highly drafted rookie (No. 46 overall) who showed proof of concept when he was given the opportunity. It is worth stashing him in deeper leagues, especially in tight end premium.
Watch List: Mason Taylor is on bye this week, and Garrett Wilson will hopefully be back after that. Still, I would bet on Taylor being second in targets the rest of the way…Dalton Schultz did not deliver with Nico Collins sidelined, and Collins should be back this week…Brock Bowers is expected back this week, sending Michael Mayer back to the wire…There is not a lot of passing volume to go around behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which makes both A.J. Barner and Elijah Arroyo touchdown or bust options…Gunnar Helm got a touchdown, but he is still sharing routes with Chig Okonkwo in a bad passing offense…I can't believe I am writing the name Greg Dulcich in the year of our lord 2025, but he led the Dolphins tight ends in routes with Darren Waller on injured reserve. It was only 10 because of the game script, but it is something to watch.