Rookies have already had big impacts on the fantasy football season, and now we have more popping up on the Week 9 waiver wire. Do you need running backs? Well, sorry, but tough sledding there. Need wide receivers? Okay! We have options aplenty on waivers, plus streamers and more.
HEADS UP
- Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
- Listed in order of preference — I’ll regularly prioritize potential upside over immediate replacement production
- RB backups have a separate secondary list based on only if the lead option got hurt
- No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
- Streaming QB and TE are grouped together — weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too
- Emojis for brevity
- 😏 = mentioned multiple times, multiple weeks — either you want him, or don’t
- 🫡 = Next Man Up but with deeper startability
BYES: PIT, SF
WORRY REPORT
(Scale 1-5: more ducks = more worry)
- Nick Chubb, RB, CLE — 🦆 — It was a bad matchup, and the more important aspect is seeing Chubb get 72.7% of the RB touches. Top 20 value is coming soon.
- Davante Adams, WR, NYJ — 🦆🦆— In his two Jets games, Adams has 68 routes (tied with Garrett Wilson for the team lead), 23.4 TmTGT% (second) with a team-high 21.4 TmTGT% on third down. Aaron Rodgers still wants the connection with Adams, it’s just been a bit slow to hit its peak, particularly with defenses knowing Rodgers wants to find Adams. As Garrett Wilson continues to make teams pay, the uptick for Adams will come.
- Amari Cooper, WR, BUF — 🦆🦆🦆 — Yes, I had Cooper way too high — well, honestly, anyone ranking him higher than WR80 did, but the shocker was Cooper not seeing a major uptick in routes. Cooper went from 34.3% route participation to 55.0% — yes, better, but not the 80% or more that we wanted to see. Cooper hurt his shoulder a bit too, but the emergence of Keon Coleman and consistent work of Khalil Shakir means the Bills don’t have to force it with Cooper. This looks to be like the Seahawks crew (once Cooper is fully incorporated), which means the Bills can play the matchups, which is what we’ll have to dig into each week.
POWER UP PLAYERS
(Scale 1-5: more Mario mushrooms = more excitement)
- Bo Nix, QB, DEN — 🍄🍄 (can reach four next week) — Nix has 20+ fantasy points in three of his past four games, but as with Caleb Williams before, the schedule has helped. The Broncos faced the Raiders, Chargers, Saints and Panthers — the Chargers were his only worry. Interestingly, Nix had his weakest game against the Saints, but they didn’t need much from Nix in that one. This week is the true test. Yes, the Ravens secondary is highly vulnerable, but they crush the run game, and taking Nix’s scrambling away could rattle him. If Nix comes out the other side with another 20+ point game, it’s time to bring Nix into the QB1 discussion.
- James Cook, RB, BUF — 🍄🍄🍄🍄 — Cook already blew past his 2024 rushing touchdown prop (3.5-4, depending on the site), and is enjoying a breakout campaign — going from RB19 in FPPG to RB9, with a 3.8-FPPG jump. The biggest reason? Cook already has eight G2G rushes and four GL attempts — he had 12 and five, respectively, all of last year. Cook is a Top 10 running back while healthy.
- Cade Otton, TE, TB — 💪🏼🍄 — On #NationalTightEndsDay nonetheless. Everyone knew Otton was a great start last week with the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, hence all of the, “Otton isn’t a streamer!” comments. Any tight end not rostered in 60% or more of leagues will make that list if eligible, so as I said last week, “Yes, he’s an obvious pickup and a must-start option if available.” With those injuries, Otton led the Buccaneers with 21.7 TmTGT%, including 36.4% on third down and three red zone targets (two in the end zone). Only Jalen McMillan had either of those (one of each), which makes it clear Otton is Baker Mayfield’s top “receiver” until Mike Evans returns and a Top 5 tight end.
STREAMING QUARTERBACKS
- Matthew Stafford, LAR (at SEA)
- Jameis Winston, CLE (vs LAC)
- Bo Nix, DEN (at BAL)
- Justin Herbert, LAC (at CLE)
- Aaron Rodgers, NYJ (vs HOU)
- Daniel Jones, NYG (vs WSH)
WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG — 😏 But, I’ll add more. If you’ve been hesitant, the backfield is Tracy’s to lead, and his explosiveness give him a weekly RB1 ceiling even in a tough matchup, as we saw on MNF.
- Tyler Allgeier, ATL — 🫡
- Braelon Allen, NYJ — 🫡
- Zach Charbonnet, SEA — 🫡
- Ray Davis, BUF — Not quite in the Allgeier/Allen/etc. group, but close, and needs to be stashed.
- Tyjae Spears, TEN — 🫡 If he returns, Spears would be in the RB3 conversation for potential pass-happy games.
- Roschon Johnson, CHI — 🫡
- Justice Hill, BAL — 🫡
- Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN — I still don’t want him, and the Ravens are a terrible matchup, but that’s why I’d stash in case Javonte Williams bombs and Sean Payton thinks about mixing McLaughlin in more, again.
- Isaac Guerendo, SF — Yes, stash if you can. There is no guarantee Christian McCaffrey is ready after the bye — though, it sounds as if he should be — and no guarantee Jordan Mason will be 100% after his second injury this year.
- Jaylen Warren, PIT — 🫡
MEH, I’LL PASS
- Ezekiel Elliott, DAL — Don’t be fooled, though, I know you know better without my saying so.
PURELY NEXT MAN UP RANKS
(if an injury ahead of them)
- Tyler Allgeier, ATL
- Braelon Allen, NYJ
- Ray Davis, BUF
- Zack Moss, CIN
- Zach Charbonnet, SEA
- Jaylen Warren, PIT
- Isaac Guerendo, SF
- Blake Corum, LAR
- Ty Chandler, MIN
- Austin Ekeler, WSH
- Tyjae Spears, TEN
- Justice Hill, BAL
- Kimani Vidal, LAC
- Trey Benson, ARI
- Kenneth Gainwell, PHI
- Jerome Ford, CLE
- Tyler Goodson, IND
- Roschon Johnson, CHI
- Kendre Miller, NO
- Emanuel Wilson, GB
- Dameon Pierce, HOU
- Antonio Gibson, NE
- Jaylen Wright, MIA
- Audric Estime, DEN
WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS
- Keon Coleman, BUF — Coleman’s limitations as he develops are masked with Amari Cooper (and Khalil Shakir), as Coleman can be Michael Thomas-light for the Bills. Coleman is both a must-grab and potential sell-high. See below.
- Cedric Tillman, CLE — To give you an idea of his fantasy value — since comparing him to a better Jalin Hyatt or slightly lesser Michael Pittman Jr. doesn’t complete the picture — I said Tillman could have Allen Lazard-like value in the NFL if he hits. Well, he’s hitting,
- Jauan Jennings, SF — Yes, he’s still a must-grab after missing Week 8 and now on a bye. When back on the field, Jennings will have Top 36 upside. The only reason Jennings isn’t No. 1 (and long term he would be) is because the 49ers are on a bye, and if you need upside now and not in a week.
- Jalen McMillan, TB — Led the Bucs in routes and is in the Chris Godwin role. He likely needs Mike Evans back to be inside the Top 36, so still grab McMillan, but the Chiefs matchup is worrisome.
- Jakobi Meyers, LV — 😏
- Xavier Legette, CAR — 😏
- Quentin Johnston, LAC — There is a small chance Joshua Palmer took the No. 2 role back with Johnston sidelined, but the ceiling and ability of Johnston are greater, which means I’m chasing the upside and stashing Johnston first.
- Jerry Jeudy, CLE — 😏
- Jalen Tolbert, DAL — 😏
- Elijah Moore, CLE — Jameis Winston is much better for the Browns and fantasy, but that doesn’t ensure Moore will be trustworthy, just like any other team with three receiver options (Seahawks, etc.). That’s not to say Moore can’t push Jeudy for a top-two role — which is why you stash Moore — but he ran 10 fewer routes than Jeudy in Week 8.
- Josh Downs, IND — Nope. Not moving him up the list. His touchdown came on blown coverage and a pass I could complete… if Downs was about 40 yards closer… but Downs is a stash for Top 30 upside if the Colts turn to Joe Flacco.
- Jalen Coker, CAR — If the Panthers have Andy Dalton back under center and Diontae Johnson is done in Carolina, Coker would be a WR4/5.
- Joshua Palmer, LAC — See: Johnston. Palmer has done well with Johnston out, and he’s a WR4/5 while Johnston is hurt.
- Parker Washington, JAX — Last man standing, possibly, but even then, Washington would be a desperation play against the Eagles — kind of like asking Wan’Dale Robinson to be a team’s No. 1 wideout.
- Ricky Pearsall, SF — Pearsall ran the same number of routes as Deebo Samuel, who got banged up. Jennings is still the top choice after Samuel, as Chris Conley actually ran the most routes but was a non-factor. Pearsall can be a weekly, matchup-reliant, dart throw, but unless Samuel or Jennings is out in Week 10, it would be hard to start him.
- Demarcus Robinson, LAR — Better with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua on the field, but still no more than a WR5 with touchdown upside.
- Troy Franklin, DEN — Huge down game for Franklin, but I’d hold/stash where you can, as Franklin has the most non-Courtland-Sutton upside of any Broncos wideout.
- Andrei Iosivas, CIN — Miscast in the Tee Higgins role, so even if Higgins missed another week, Iosivas is a WR4 with value in hoping for a touchdown.
- Noah Brown, WSH — A Hail Mary play, and not just because of Week 8.
- Rakim Jarrett, TB — Jarrett played the Evans role, which makes him more boom-bust, and like McMillan, the matchup is rough, but Jarrett could snag a long touchdown.
DUMPSVILLE
(order I’d drop)
- Rome Odunze, CHI — DJ Moore is a boom/bust WR3 with Caleb Williams and Keenan Allen is semi-reliable, at best, which as expected, has left Odunze unusable without an injury to either.
- Tyler Lockett, SEA — DK Metcalf was out, and Lockett has just one double-digit score since Week 1. He’s more of a thorn in the side of Jaxon Smith-Njigba than startable, and I wouldn’t drop him for anyone after Downs, but you can chase higher ceilings.
MEH, I’LL PASS
- Michael Wilson, ARI — Always chasing the production and rarely comes through when we attempt to start him.
- Kalif Raymond, DET — No Jameson Williams means Raymond can be a Hail Mary in Week 9, but that’s about it.
- Nelson Agholor, BAL — Rashod Bateman isn’t even a trustworthy play without a Zay Flowers injury, so Agholor isn’t worth more than the frustration of seeing him score instead of another Ravens option.
STREAMING TIGHT ENDS
- Taysom Hill, NO
- Hunter Henry, NE
- Tyler Conklin, NYJ
- Will Dissly, LAC
- Noah Fant, SEA
- Zach Ertz, WSH
STREAMING DST
Week 9
- PHI vs JAX
- TEN vs NE
- WSH at NYG
- CHI at ARI
- HOU vs NYJ
- NE at TEN
- NO at CAR
Week 10
- CHI vs NE
- NYG at CAR
- ATL at NO
- PHI at DAL
- WSH vs PIT
- MIA at LAR
BUY LOW, SELL HIGH
BUYS
- Jordan Love, QB, GB — If you can withstand waiting through their bye.
- Nick Chubb, RB, CLE — See Worry Report.
- Alvin Kamara, RB, NO — If you can snag before Derek Carr returns.
- Malik Nabers, WR, NYG — The easiest rest-of-season wideout schedule: WSH, CAR, TB, DAL, NO, BAL, ATL, IND.
- Davante Adams, WR, NYJ — Also see the Worry Report — gets MIA, JAX, LAR, BUF to finish the year, with only the Bills being worrisome.
SELLS
- Jameis Winston, QB, CLE — Tougher matchup, bye week, then a four-game stretch of PIT, DEN, PIT, KC (Chubb can do well, Winston could easily struggle, and people might be gaga after Week 8).
- Najee Harris, RB, PIT — Even before Arthur Smith messes with this, the Steelers have CLE, PHI, BAL, KC to finish the fantasy season, and that Week 16-17 schedule is the worst.
- Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, WR, CIN — Obviously, you don’t sell Chase for less than Top 5 value, or Higgins for less than Top 20 value, but they have a late-ish bye in Week 12, then PIT, DAL, TEN, CLE, DEN, with only the Cowboys as a positive matchup.
- Dalton Kincaid, TE, BUF — As Cooper integrates more, Josh Allen won’t need to force-feed anyone, which means inconsistency for everyone, and the Bills have DET, NE, NYJ the final three games, which are all middle-to-bad matchups for tight ends.
(Top photo of Keon Coleman: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
