Week 9 waiver wire roundup
An update on the latest injuries and the waiver wire options that could help you get by.
Please note: I will be sending out the waiver wire roundup on Tuesdays moving forward, and updating the post with the initial player rankings on Wednesday, so you have more time to make use of the waiver recommendations in your league.
🤕 Pain index
🚫 Nope: Chris Godwin (ankle), Christian Kirk (collarbone)
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: Stefon Diggs (knee), Allen Lazard (chest)
🫤 Looking iffy: Tee Higgins (quad), Drake Maye (concussion)
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: DK Metcalf (knee), Brian Thomas Jr. (chest), Derek Carr (oblique), Jordan Love (groin)
Note: The above are estimates based on the latest news and injury reports. Always double-check your own rosters before Sunday kickoff!
🎯 Waiver wire targets
Percentages reflect how many teams have that player rostered in Yahoo! Sports fantasy leagues.
Teams on a bye this week: Steelers and 49ers
Quarterback
With top-10 fantasy finishes at the position in three of the past four weeks and his best performance against Carolina in Week 8 (284-3-0), rookie Bo Nix (25%) has put himself on the fantasy radar. “Nix is arguably the best waiver option at quarterback simply because of how well he’s playing, but he also has a relatively good schedule for quarterbacks the rest of the way,” writes PFF.com’s Nathan Jahnke.
Other QBs to consider: Matthew Stafford (40%), Jameis Winston (6%)
Running Back
This may be the thinnest week yet in terms of attractive RB waiver options, so I’ll just mention Tyler Allgeier (37%) again. He’s a must-roster for Bijan Robinson owners, but can put up big numbers of his own in the right matchups. “He shredded the Panthers for 19.8 points in Week 6 and has a golden matchup against the porous Cowboys in Week 9,” writes NFL.com’s Dan Parr.
Other RBs to consider: Isaac Guerendo (8%), Braelon Allen (37%)
Wide Receiver
“We have an undeniable breakout on our hands,” Yahoo Sports’ Andy Behrens writes of Cedric Tillman (20%). The Amari Cooper trade seems to have skyrocketed Tillman’s usage and fantasy value. He has 15 catches for 180 yards and two scores over his last two games … Jalen McMillan (48%) saw seven targets in Week 8 with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans sidelined. He didn’t do a whole lot with them (9.2 fantasy points), but he’s in line for a decent role moving forward given the injuries … Josh Downs (47%) is still available in over half of leagues, and just put up 109 yards and a touchdown. “Downs is also always one play away from a 50-yard reception. He should be added everywhere ahead of next week's meeting with Minnesota,” writes RotoBaller’s Justin Carter.
Other WRs to consider: Rashod Bateman (44%), Keon Coleman (42%)
Tight End
Zach Ertz (29%) led the Commanders with 11 targets in Week 8 and has been a consistent fantasy TE overall, finishing in the top 11 and scoring double-digits in each of the last three games.
Other TEs to consider: Taysom Hill (30%), Mike Gesicki (8%)
D/ST
The Washington Commanders (13%) have averaged 9.2 FPPG over the past four games, and take on a struggling Giants team coming off of another ugly offensive performance on a short week.
Other D/STs to consider: Saints (34%), Bengals (32%)
Initial Week 9 player rankings
Each week, I’ll add a link to the rankings here once they’re up. Or, bookmark this link and check back there. I’ll also send a “note” out on Substack when they’re ready.
My Week 9 fantasy football rankings for PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard scoring formats will be updated often throughout the week as injuries develop and more matchup data is crunched.
Thanks for the earlier Tuesday posting! I appreciate it.