We were so excited that no teams were on bye in Week 8. We forgot that just meant more players were available to get hurt. As we pour one out for Kirk Cousins, Kendrick Bourne, and the many others injured last week, it’s time to turn our focus to replacing them on the Week 9 waiver wire.
Pro Tip: Remember the bye weeks. Because of depth issues, managers may have to drop players that they usually wouldn’t. While no teams were on a bye last week, the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars are all off in Week 9. Watch to see who is cut during tomorrow’s waiver run.
Quick Note: All players listed are available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues. While not everyone plays on ESPN, studies show most do. So, if they’re available there, they’re likely available on your Week 9 Waiver Wire. Pick ‘Em Up!
Week 9 Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Normally, I don’t advocate blowing FAAB on QBs. There is always plenty to choose from in free agency after waivers, and you should just stream the position. This list will usually be small, but if you’re desperate, this is who I would prioritize this week.
Sam Howell (69% Available)
Howell is the QB8 on the season and was the best fantasy QB in Week 8. He is averaging over 20 fantasy points per game, and, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, he has a very favorable schedule leading up to his Week 14 bye.
Derek Carr (78% Available)
Carr is coming off a 22-point week and gets to face the Bears in Week 9. Chicago gives up the 4th-most points to fantasy QBs this season, and the Saints get Minnesota, who gives up the 10th-most, next week. He’s not worth a ton of FAAB, but this will get you ahead of the streaming crowd.
Running Backs
Tyjae Spears (54% Available)
Spears is playing well enough to be on a fantasy roster as is, but with Derrick Henry trade rumors swirling, he is a must-add. We will know of Henry’s fate later today.
Justice Hill (71% Available)
While Gus Edwards is taking over this backfield, Hill is still a decent play. He’s the RB34 on the season and averaging almost nine fantasy points per game.
Tyler Allgeier (50% Available)
While we all hate the thorn in Bijan Robinson’s side, ignoring him in fantasy is a mistake. Allgeier is getting half the work and has turned that into a top-30 season thus far.
Chuba Hubbard (57% Available)
I am late to the Chuba Hubbard party, but while Miles Sanders can’t seem to get healthy, Hubbard has played well. He has a limited ceiling but is averaging eight fantasy points per game and already had his bye week.
Roschon Johnson (53% Available)
This backfield is tough to figure out, and Khalil Herbert’s impending return will only complicate matters. I’m betting that the Bears want to see what they have in their younger talent, and Johnson should be involved in the passing game for the rest of the season.
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Wide Receivers
Rashid Shaheed (81% Available)
Shaheed has emerged as the favorite deep target in New Orleans, and it has been fun to watch. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
Josh Downs (50% Available)
Gardner Minshew loves Josh Downs. The rookie is averaging seven targets per game with no fewer than six targets in any of his last four games. He is the WR11 over that span.
Rashee Rice (50% Available)
Not sure how I can make this much more plain or simple after repeating myself for four weeks. You. Want. The. WR1. In. Kansas. City.
Romeo Doubs (51% Available)
Doubs is on pace for almost 130 targets this season and is pretty clearly the top WR in Green Bay. It’s only translated to an overall WR41 ranking, but he is still averaging over 12 fantasy points per game.
Brandin Cooks (50% Available)
Cooks was hurt at the start of the season, but he and the Dallas offense came out of their bye week hot. I’m not sure if that continues for many weeks, but they have a Week 9 date with Philadelphia, and they give up the most fantasy points to WRs.
Tight Ends
Much like QB, I don’t usually recommend blowing any waiver priority or FAAB on a tight end, either. You can generally wait until Wednesday and play the streaming game. However, early in the season, there are sometimes players that should be rostered, and leagues are missing out. These are those players.
Trey McBride (92% Available)
This is what we’ve been waiting for after Arizona made McBride the first TE drafted in 2022. With Zach Ertz on the IR, McBride led the team in every receiving category in Week 8. With Kyler Murray’s return imminent, McBride is a weekly starter for fantasy managers moving forward.
Taysom Hill (85% Available)
Hill is a running back with a tight end designation, and that is once again providing a cheat code for fantasy managers that fire him up. He had two rushing TDs last week and is a top-5 TE over the previous month.
Logan Thomas (62% Available)
Usually, I don’t mention three TEs, but Thomas is the only top-10 tight end that is still available in over 50% of leagues. He is averaging over 10 points per game and just dropped 16 on the Eagles. As I mentioned when discussing Sam Howell, the Commanders have a good schedule and a late bye. Thomas should be added by any team currently streaming the position.
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