While the running back market remains as dry as I can remember, the quarterback wavier wire is hot with Jameis Winston playing the role of late-season Joe Flacco for the Browns and Joe Flacco playing the role of…I guess late-season Joe Flacco for the Colts.
There are also a lot of interesting receiver names for those hurting at the position following another week of injuries.
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 no more than 5% of ESPN leagues for all you “not in my league” degens.
I will not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because that decision comes down to too many factors including league size, team weaknesses, and the aggressiveness of the other managers in your league.
That said, I will try to clarify when there is a player I am going big on in FAAB bidding.
Also, FAAB Lab is a great, crowdsourced way to get a feel for how much a player will cost in FAAB bidding each week.
Finally, I will not be ranking kickers and defenses because frankly I don’t care about them and want them to disappear from the game.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to it.
Best Quarterback Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
- Derek Carr
- Matthew Stafford
- Jameis Winston
- Joe Flacco
- Malik Willis
Best Running Back Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
- Isaac Guerendo
- Braelon Allen
- Kimani Vidal
Best Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
- Cedric Tillman
- Ricky Pearsall
- Parker Washington
- John Metchie
- Mason Tipton
- Elijah Moore
- Xavier Legette
- Jalen Coker
- Adam Thielen
Best Tight End Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
- Jonnu Smith
- Mike Gesicki
- Grant Calcaterra
- Noah Fant
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Best Quarterback Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
1. Derek Carr – Available in 88.4% of leagues
It is scary to roll out Carr in his first game back from injury, but he gets a prime matchup against a Panthers defense that just allowed 284 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns to Bo Nix. Carr himself touched up Carolina for 200 yards and 3 scores on just 23 attempts back in Week 1. This matchup is worth the risk assuming he is cleared to return.
2. Matthew Stafford – Available in 81.5% of leagues
Stafford has thrown just 35 passes with both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua on the field this season, but he has averaged 7.3 yards per attempt with an 8.6% touchdown rate on those attempts. The Seahawks have given up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the last five weeks.
3. Jameis Winston – Available in 96.7% of leagues
I was hesitant about adding Winston in 1QB formats last week because we did not even know if he would be the starter. Well, he was, and he threw for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns in a surprise win against the Ravens. Perhaps he will not hit 41 attempts every week, but the Browns lead the league in dropback rate this season and are third in my neutral pass rate filter, so those attempts did not come out of nowhere. With Joe Flacco as the starter at the end of last season, the Browns were 5% over their expected pass rate. The schedule does present some concerns, especially two games with the Steelers sandwiched around a game against the Broncos in Weeks 12-14, but Winston is a viable option this week against the Chargers.
4. Joe Flacco – Available in 97.9% of leagues
Flacco is back, taking over the starting job for the Colts with Anthony Richardson struggling. Flacco averaged 6.7 yards per attempt with 5 touchdowns and 1 interception during his two starts earlier this year, finishing as the QB4 and QB19 in those two games. The Vikings pass defense opened the season strong, but they have allowed 7.1 yards per attempt with 12 touchdowns in their last four games.
5. Malik Willis – Available in 99.5% of leagues
We don’t know if Jordan Love will be able to play this week, but if he sits, Willis will be worth a look in deeper leagues and 2QB formats. Willis was the QB17 and QB6 in his two starts earlier this year. He attempted just 19 and 14 passes in those two games, but the Lions should push the Packers to pass more. That could be bad news for Willis from a real-football perspective, but more dropbacks mean more opportunities for him to scramble. The Lions play man coverage at the highest rate in the league, and Willis has scrambled on 20% of his dropbacks against man coverage so far this season.
Watch List: There is no reason to be scared of Baltimore’s defense, and Bo Nix has proven to be a useful fantasy player in good matchups this season. Still, on the road in Baltimore is not the same as beating up on a collapsing Panthers team. Nix is not a bad option, but I am looking elsewhere for this week…The Eagles defense is playing better, and Trevor Lawrence could be without his top three receivers this week…The Titans are not a particularly great matchup, and we don’t know if Drake Maye will be able to play as he recovers from a concussion.
Best Running Back Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
1. Isaac Guerendo – Available in 96.4% of leagues
There is very little available at running back on the wire this week, so Guerendo tops the list despite two major reasons not to add him. First, he is on bye this week. Second, once the 49ers return from the bye, it is likely Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, or both return from injury. Guerendo is just a lottery ticket playing on injury uncertainty, but that is all we have this week.
2. Braelon Allen – Available in 75.3% of leagues
As I wrote last week, since there are no real adds at running back, taking a shot on a high-upside handcuff makes sense if you have an open roster spot. Allen is high on that list and is going to get some work even with Breece Hall healthy.
3. Kimani Vidal – Available in 93.4% of leagues
I continue to rank Vidal ahead of other handcuffs listed below because of J.K. Dobbins’ injury history and recent struggles, but it is not like Vidal is doing any better on the ground. Gus Edwards is also eligible to return next week.
Watch List: Blake Corum, Ray Davis, Trey Benson, Jaylen Wright, and Roschon Johnson are on that list of handcuffs you can add if you have an open roster spot and want a lottery ticket at running back…Ty Chandler was on that list, but the addition of Cam Akers adds some uncertainty…Sean Tucker probably should be on that list, but he is clearly behind two running backs on the depth chart…With Rico Dowdle ill, Ezekiel Elliott got most of the work in Week 8 and found the end zone, but he still averaged 3.4 yards per carry. Active for the first time, Dalvin Cook did not do any better on his 6 carries. This seems like a situation to avoid…MarShawn Lloyd is eligible to return, but the Packers also have Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks getting snaps behind Josh Jacobs…I would expect Travis Etienne back this week, which should take away any role D’Ernest Johnson might have had.
Deep Cuts: Keaton Mitchell was designated to return and will bring big-play upside if he can earn some snaps away from Justice Hill…Audric Estime is still clearly behind both Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin…Joe Mixon is running wild right now, and Dameon Pierce might not play this week. Still, he is a name to know if something happened to Mixon…Will Shipley had a long touchdown called back this week and could be a name to know if something happened to Saquon Barkley.
Best Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
1. Cedric Tillman – Available in 83.8% of leagues
Tillman was an obvious add last week, but I did have some concerns after Jameis Winston peppered Jerry Jeudy with targets late in Week 7. Those concerns are out the window now after Tillman commanded another 9 looks on Sunday, one more than Jeudy and 3 fewer than Elijah Moore. It is fair to wonder what happens in games in which the Browns do not attempt 41 passes, but Cleveland has been at the top of the league in dropback rate all season.
2. Ricky Pearsall – Available in 77.6% of leagues
Those who need a starter this week should look to Parker Washington since Pearsall is on a bye. He also faces an uncertain role once the 49ers return from that off week since Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings potentially could be ready to play. The upside here is big, though, if one or both of them cannot return after the bye.
3. Parker Washington – Available in 99.9% of leagues
There is a lot of uncertainty around Jaguars receivers with all three of their top options leaving due to injury in Week 8. The one thing we know for sure is Christian Kirk will miss a chunk of time, and Brian Thomas Jr. may also be on the shelf for a couple of weeks. Washington ran a route on 76.5% of Jacksonville’s dropbacks in Week 8, commanding 4 targets he turned into 46 yards. It is concerning Washington has yet to be a target earner – 11.1% target rate per route in his career – but he has been productive when targeted, catching 22-of-30 for 199 yards.
4. John Metchie – Available in 99.9% of leagues
Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods both deserve a mention here, as well, but I am going to make my bet on the former second-round pick who was targeted 4 times on just 8 routes this past week. No matter what, Metchie is at best a one-week rental with Nico Collins set to return in Week 10, but he could have a big role on Thursday night with Stefon Diggs headed to injured reserve.
5. Mason Tipton – Available in 99.8% of leagues
Tipton was only targeted twice in Week 8, but he ran a route on 87.8% of New Orleans’ dropbacks. With Bub Means set to join Rashid Shaheed on the sidelines, Tipton should be on the field moving forward for an offense getting back Derek Carr and set to play the Panthers this week. That makes him worth holding on the bench for another game.
6. Elijah Moore – Available in 98.7% of leagues
It is reasonable to be wary of Moore given his history, but he has run a route on 72.7% of Browns dropbacks over the last two games and has commanded 20.2% of the targets, 4 more than Jerry Jeudy. I would still put him fourth in that receiver group behind Tillman, Jeudy, and David Njoku, but he is worth a look in deeper leagues.
7. Xavier Legette – Available in 76% of leagues
8. Jalen Coker – Available in 99.9% of leagues
9. Adam Thielen – Available in 78.9% of leagues
I am not saying it will be exciting, but the Diontae Johnson trade opens a path for someone to get a lot of targets in this offense. That said, I would not pretend to know who that will be. Thielen had a 25.7% target share last year, seeing 52 more targets than the next closest receiver, and should return soon. It makes a lot more sense for the Panthers to get reps for the young guys, though. Legette had 7 targets and a touchdown in Week 8, but Coker ran more routes on his way to 78 yards and a touchdown of his own. I would prioritize this group as Legette, Coker, and then Thielen just based on upside and the likely reality that no one from this group returns consistent fantasy value in one of the worst offenses in the league.
Watch List: I am much more excited about Alec Pierce with Joe Flacco leading the passing attack, but we know the deal with him…I let myself get excited about DeMario Douglas, but he ran a route on just 63.9% of New England’s passing plays a week after disappearing due to an illness. At this point, Kayshon Boutte looks like the safest bet among Patriots receivers. He is available in 99.7% of leagues…It was disappointing to not get more out of Jalen Tolbert on Sunday night, but those are the ups and downs with CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson dominating targets…The addition of Dionte Johnson puts a damper on any Rashod Bateman excitement…Dontayvion Wicks only ran 9 routes in Week 8, and with Malik Willis possibly starting this week, the entire passing game could be in for a quiet outing…The splits for Tre Tucker with Gardner Minshew did not hold up in Week 8, and he can be left on the wire with Jakobi Meyers back to full health…Demarcus Robinson should be the No. 3 receiver with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back, and he did score some touchdowns down the stretch last season, but there will be a lot of duds along the way, too…Arizona’s passing attack has not been good enough to chase the No. 3 option, but Michael Wilson did find the end zone in Week 8…Trey Palmer only commanded 2 targets in Week 8 even with Sterling Shepard dealing with a hamstring injury, 1 fewer than Rakim Jarrett (11 routes) and 3 fewer than Ryan Miller (17 routes)…It just has not happened for Andrei Iosivas even with Tee Higgins out. We did finally see something from Jermaine Burton, who is available everywhere.
Deep Cuts: As mentioned above, Kayshon Boutte is running the most routes among Patriots receivers…As I wrote last week, there will likely be a lot of ups and downs for the receivers behind Courtland Sutton in Denver. Perhaps Devaughn Vele or Troy Franklin can change that by earning a consistent role, but that has not happened to this point…D.J. Chark is back at practice, and the Chargers need some healthy bodies at receiver…It is tough to know what to make of the Lions’ No. 2 receiver spot since they threw 19 passes against the Titans, but Kalif Raymond did have a good day including his punt return touchdown…As mentioned with Palmer, we did see Ryan Miller and Rakim Jarrett command some targets in the Bucs’ new look receiver room…Tim Jones could find his way to targets given all the injuries to Jaguars receivers…Of course the legend known as Noah Brown caught the game-winning Hail Mary.
Best Tight End Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 9
1. Jonnu Smith – Available in 92.7% of leagues
It did not lead to a big game, but Smith saw 6 targets in Tua Tagovailoa’s first game back, tying Jaylen Waddle for third on the team. Over the last three games, Smith is tied with Tyreek Hill for the team lead with 21 targets. Smith was on his way to a big game against the Bills in Week 2, catching 4 passes for 40 yards in the first half before Tua left with a concussion.
2. Mike Gesicki – Available in 89.6% of leagues
This could all be for nothing if Tee Higgins can return this week, but Gesicki has wild splits with and without Higgins available this season. With Higgins off the field, Gesciki has an 18.9% target share this season, and he was the target on 22.2% of Cincy’s passes in Week 8. He would be a viable starter against the Raiders if Higgins is out again, but he can be sent back to the wire once Higgins returns.
3. Grant Calcaterra – Available in 99.2% of leagues
Calcaterra has had the same issues Dallas Goedert usually does trying to command targets behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and he has the added uncertainty about Goedert’s return date. That said, the matchup this week against the Jaguars is good enough to warrant a look for needy teams.
4. Noah Fant – Available in 91.1% of leagues
Fant did not get a massive target boost with DK Metcalf out, and it is likely Metcalf returns this week. He is heading into a great matchup against the Rams, however, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. In a game that could be a shootout (48.5-point total), Fant could have a better stat line than usual this week.
Watch List: With Hayden Hurst seemingly on track to return, we should see Will Dissly’s target shares get back to normal, but perhaps he is just part of this passing game now…With the top two receivers back, it is tough to see Colby Parkinson commanding too many targets…I could be convinced about Juwan Johnson this week given the matchup, but he ran a route on just 34.7% of New Orleans’ pass plays in Week 8…It was a good week to be a Broncos tight end with two of them catching touchdowns, but there are just too many people running routes to make anyone a viable fantasy option. Lucas Krull has been most consistently on the field as of late.
