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Week 9 Waiver Wire (and Wake Early Wednesday)
Below are the players I'm considering adding to my rosters before week 9 kicks off. All of these players are near or below 50% rostered in Yahoo leagues and therefore likely to be available in most leagues.
Important note: I'm typically pretty frugal with my waiver priority and FAAB, usually only spending on a player that can win me the week. In other words, if they're just "depth" adds and nice-to-haves that might not even see my lineup, then I'd rather wake up early on Wednesday morning and add them for "free" instead of using a waiver claim for them.
Pro Tip: It's a little extra effort, but I have a recurring Wednesday morning "appointment" (reminder) on my calendar with a link to a Google Doc. Inside that google doc are the links to alllllll 20+ of my leagues followed by a bulleted list of who I plan to add/drop in each one. This helps me keep track without spending waiver priority for convenience, a short-sighted move.
Quarterback
As is almost always the case, there aren't any QB's I'd use waiver priority or FAAB dollars on. But there's a few guys in mind for streaming purposes:
Justin Fields - 42% rostered - averaging 21.2 fantasy points per game over his last 4 games, largely on the back of 10.5 carries and 69.25 rushing yards per game with 2 rushing TDs in his last 2 games. The Bears are expected to score just 19.75(ish) points in a week 9 loss to the Dolphins, but there could be some shootout potential against a Fins defense allowing the 6th most fantasy points per game to QBs. Fields' finally-showing rushing prowess raises both his floor and ceiling regardless of matchup.
They're likely not available in your league, but high on my streaming list in shallow leagues would be Aaron Rodgers (88% rostered), Tua Tagovailoa (93% rostered), Derek Carr (81% rostered), Geno Smith (77% rostered), and Kirk Cousins (90% rostered).
Running Back
There are not any RBs that I'd consider using waiver priority or FAAB on this week. That said, here are several RBs to consider adding to your roster after waivers clear:
Isiah Pacheco - 34% rostered - The Chiefs sent fantasy managers into a week 7 frenzy when it was surprisingly announced that Isiah Pacheco would start week 7. He technically did, but he played just 30% of the snaps (Jerick McKinnon played 44% and Clyde Edwards-Helaire played 27%) and received just 8 touches/carries. Still, he's in play as a fantasy option as heavy bye weeks set in, and he's particularly attractive in games the Chiefs are projected to win big, which could very well be the case in weeks 9 and 10 against the Titans and Jaguars.
Kenyan Drake - 32% rostered - it's gross and will never feel right, but Kenyan Drake does have 11 touches in 3 straight games and 16 or more PPR points in 2 of the last 3 contests.
Latavius Murray - 40% rostered -has 10 or more touches in each of the last 3 games, plus 15 or more PPR points in 2 of the last 3 games. The Broncos are on bye this week, so you *should* be able to get him free if he's available.
Kyren Williams - 45% rostered - Kyren Williams makes for a mighty fine upside stash after it was announced that Cam Akers has likely played his last snap with the LA Rams. I don't know if Williams is the answer LA is looking for, but it seems clear that Darrell Henderson ain't it. The 5th round rookie might get his chance.
Rachaad White - 30% rostered - Yet to hit 9 touches in a single game despite seeing Leonard Fournette rack up 23+ touches four times, Rachaad White still isn't seeing quite enough volume to be a valid standalone fantasy football option. But he did play a season high 43% of the snaps in week 7 (Fournette played 60%) and carries massive, league-winning potential if the Buccaneers current workhorse goes down.
Alexander Mattison - 45% rostered - not a standalone option, but a league-winning bench stash if something happens to Dalvin Cook.
Caleb Huntley - 4% rostered - has 16 touches in 2 of the last 3 games. They're all carries and it's minimal upside, but 16 touches puts Huntley at least on the flex radar during heavy bye weeks.
Cam Akers - 42% rostered - what if he gets traded somewhere that will use him? What if he returns to LA and plays for the Rams since it's been clear that Darrell Henderson/Malcolm Brown/Ronnie Rivers are not the answer? Akers probably isn't either, but he's worth a flier.
JaMycal Hasty - 9% rostered - not a standalone fantasy option, but becomes a top waiver-wire add if something happens to 205 pound Travis Etienne who's suddenly getting 20+ touches.
Ronnie Rivers - 1% rostered - had twice as many touches (12) as anyone else in the Rams backfield in week 8 (Darrell Henderson had 6 and Malcolm Brown ad 5). He also had 4 targets/catches while Henderson had 2 and Brown had 0. Note that Rivers played just 36% of the offensive snaps and likely isn't here to stay (Kareem Hunt to the Rams anyone?), but he's worth adding, especially if LA doesn't make a move tonight.
D'Ernest Johnson - 4% rostered - becomes the next man up behind Nick Chubb if Kareem Hunt is traded. He'd be a potential standalone flex play with Nick Chubb, and a possible league-winner if something happens to Chubb.
Wide Receiver
There are not any wide receivers that I'd use priority on this week in "normal" sized leagues, but there are several I'll consider adding to my rosters after waivers clear:
Romeo Doubs - 47% rostered - has 7 or more targets in 4 of the last 6 games, including 3 performances of 15 or more PPR points. May have earned another slice of Aaron Rodgers' all-important trust after a miraculous TD catch that left Rodgers praising the rookie on the sidelines.
Wan'Dale Robinson - 49% rostered - Wan'Dale is still surprisingly rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. He shouldn't be (even despite week 8's dud). The Giants are on bye week 9 so you *should* be able to get him without using priority on him if he's available.
Rondale Moore - 36% rostered - has 8 or more targets and 10 or more PPR points in 3 of the last 4 games.
Garrett Wilson - 48% rostered - played a season high 88% of the snaps in week 9, registering 7 targets, 6 catches and 115 scoreless yards. He'll take a hit when Corey Davis returns, but the talented 1st round pick is trending up. He's worth rostering in "normal" sized leagues.
Josh Palmer - 27% rostered - Mike Williams and his 9.2 targets per game will miss "weeks not days," keeping Josh Palmer locked into a key role on the Chargers offense after averaging 10.5 PPR points and 7.2 targets per game while Keenan Allen was out. It's not even a sure thing that Keenan himself plays week 9, leaving the door open to WR 1 status for Palmer.
Terrace Marshall - 1% rostered - has played 86% and 93% of the Panthers' offensive snaps since Robbie Anderson got traded. And with DJ Moore possibly on the move before Tuesday's deadline, Carolina's 2021 2nd round pick *could* find himself as the Panthers' WR 1 before week 9 kicks off. At worst, he's the WR 2 there.
Julio Jones - 18% rostered - Julio Jones played a season high 57% of the snaps and operated as the clear WR 3 in week 8. That's worth something in a Tom Brady offense (if it ever gets going).
Darius Slayton - 7% rostered - has 6 or more targets and 11 or more PPR points in 3 of the last 4 games.
Donovan Peoples-Jones - 24% rostered - has 11 or more PPR points in 4 of the last 5 games. He's also high on Basement Brewed Fantasy Football's "TD Regression Cheat Sheet" indicating he's "due" to score a TD any time now. It won't be this week as he's on bye, but that should also make him easy to grab for "free" after waivers clear. Deshaun Watson's return is a few weeks away.
Mack Hollins - 7% rostered - has 11 or more PPR points in 4 of 7 games this season. Has a dangerously low floor, but he's someone to consider in deeper leagues as heavy bye weeks hit.
N'Keal Harry - 0% rostered - the former 1st round pick played a season-high 63% of the Bears' offensive snaps, turning in 2 catches for 24 yards and 1 TD. He's worth rostering in deep leagues.
Laviska Shenault - 0% rostered - played a season-high 29% of the Panthers' offensive snaps in week 8 and submitted 6 targets, 5 catches and 26 yards. Viska's playing time figures to continue to grow and he *could* end up the WR 2 if DJ Moore gets traded. He's worth rostering in deep leagues.
Kalif Raymond - 1% rostered - 5+ targets or 10+ PPR points in each of the last 4 games. DJ Chark will be back and he's an uncomfortable play, but Raymond is worth a flier in the deepest of leagues.
Tight End
As usual, there are no tight ends I would use waiver priority on. Here's who I'd consider in a week 8 pinch however:
Evan Engram - 43% rostered - has 6 or more targets in each of the last 4 games. Gets a Raiders' defense that's allowed the 5th most PPR points per game to TEs (including the MOST TDs) this week and then a Chiefs' defense that's allowed the 9th most PPR points per game to TEs the week after that.
Robert Tonyan - 51% rostered - has 5 or more targets in 4 of 8 games this year, including 2 in the last 3 games. Gets a shootout with the Lions in week 9, a defense that's allowing the 3rd most PPR points per game to opposing TEs.
Will Dissly - 13% rostered - uncomfortable, but plays a Cardinals defense this week that has allowed the MOST PPR points per game to opposing TEs.
Cade Otton - 13% rostered - played 81% and 91% of the Buccaneers' offensive snaps in the last 2 weeks, and put together 5 or more targets in 3 of the last 4 games. 2 tough matchups coming up and he's only an option if Cameron Brate remains sidelined, but he's worth having on your radar, especially in deep leagues.
Greg Dulcich - 41% rostered - played 87% of the Broncos' snaps in week 8. Has compiled 14 targets, 10 catches and 138 yards over the last 2 games. Has scored between 11 and 13 PPR points in all 3 games he's played in his career. On bye this week so *should* be easy to grab if he's available.
Tyler Conklin - 12% rostered - just posted a week-winning 10 targets, 6 catches, 79 yards and 2 TDs. Brutal matchup this week and a bye next week; only a recommended add in deep leagues.
Isaiah Likely - 5% rostered - just posted 7 targets, 6 catches, 77 yards and 1 TD. Only an option if Mark Andrews misses time.
Team Defenses
I'll never use waiver priority on a defense, but there are several defenses I'd be looking to stream in week 9 if I can find them. Assuming I can't get the Eagles (95% rostered), Bills (99% rostered), Patriots (89% rostered) or Buccaneers (85% rostered) I'd be going for the:
Kansas City Chiefs - 32% rostered - their opponent, the Tennessee Titans, are expected to score just 16.75(ish) points, the 2nd fewest on the 26 team, week 9 slate. If Ryan Tannehill remains out, I would take Kansas City over every defense except Philadelphia.
Cincinnati Bengals - 42% rostered - their opponent, the Carolina Panthers, are expected to score just 18.25(ish) points, the 5th fewest on the 26 team, week 9 slate. I would take the Bengals over the Buccaneers this week even if Tampa was available.
Miami Dolphins - 44% rostered - their opponent, the Chicago Bears, are expected to score just 19.75(ish) points, the 6th fewest on the 26 team, week 9 slate.
Minnesota Vikings - 23% rostered - their opponent, the Washington Commanders, are expected to score just 20(ish) points, the 8th fewest on the 26 team, week 9 slate.