It was a mostly injury-free Sunday for key fantasy football contributors, and while that’s a welcome relief, it doesn’t help the top Week 9 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. In fact, this week’s initial waivers article might feel like a rerun. We’re touting RBs like Latavius Murray, Kenyan Drake, and Caleb Huntley, all of whom have already been highlighted in this article in the past few weeks, as well as newcomer Ronnie Rivers, who surprised as the leader of the Rams’ backfield.
Our full free agent list also features a few rising pass-catchers that we’ve spotlighted before (TE Greg Dulcich, WR Rondale Moore), in addition to several guys who you might have forgotten about because they’re either on bye or the IR (Isaiah Pacheco, Kyren Williams, Treylon Burks, Josh Palmer). Mostly, though, we’ve packed this week’s waiver-wire recommendations with potential streamers at QB, WR, TE, and D/ST. With six teams (Giants, Cowboys, Steelers, Browns, 49ers, and Broncos) on bye next week, more than a few fantasy owners will be looking for fill-ins. The streamer suggestions are grouped by position and can be found at the end of the list.
With the possible exception of Rivers, all of the RBs mentioned above are worth waiver claims in 10- or 12-team leagues, but it’s tough to say whether they’re worth high claims. None figure to be league-winners, but all have value, especially as we enter some bye-heavy weeks. It really comes down to how badly you need an RB, both in the short-term and long-term. Murray is probably the “safest” bet for future value, but Williams and Pacheco have higher ceilings.
WEEK 9 FANTASY: Full waiver list | FAAB planner | Trade advice
If you’re hurting at TE, Dulcich is also worth a waiver claim, but he loses a little luster because of next week’s bye. Burks and Palmer also have a lot of appeal in 12-team leagues, especially with favorable matchups in Week 9, but generally speaking, you shouldn’t use a waiver claim on a streamer unless you’re really desperate at the position (and desperate in the standings).
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 9
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Kenyan Drake, RB, Ravens. Here we go again. Gus Edwards exited early in Week 8 because of a sore hamstring, paving the way for Drake to have another impressive performance (seven carries, 62 yards, TD reception). Edwards is also dealing with the residual effects of last year’s torn ACL, so Drake could see appreciable carries even if Edwards is active. There’s a lot of upside here, including next week against New Orleans. Keep in mind that Baltimore has a bye in Week 10, which slightly enhances the odds that Edwards sits out.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Latavius Murray, RB, Broncos. Murray split carries with Melvin Gordon early in Week 8, but he ultimately served as the “closer” late, finishing with 46 yards and a TD on a team-high 14 carries. Gordon (nine carries, 29 yards) also scored a TD and had two more targets, but it’s clear that Murray isn’t “going away.” He’ll continue to be a TD threat every week, and if Gordon fumbles again or gets hurt, Murray would be a must-start as a 20-touch-per-game RB. Grab him now ahead of Denver’s Week 9 bye.
WEEK 9 FANTASY: Full waiver list | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Caleb Huntley, RB, Falcons. A week after Tyler Allgeier dominated carries for the Falcons, Huntley wound up leading the team in rushes, carrying the ball 15 times for 86 yards. This situation is obviously unpredictable, and with Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) eligible to return in Week 9, it’s tough to know who you can count on. However, if Patterson remains out next week, Huntley should have high-end flex value against the Chargers’ bottom-five RB defense. He produces whenever he gets a chance.
Ronnie Rivers, RB, Rams. Rams’ rookie Kyren Williams, who’s been on the IR because of an ankle injury since Week 1, is probably a better pickup than Rivers, but until Williams is actually activated, we have to consider Rivers. He surprisingly led the Rams in carries in Week 8 (8) and had four catches, and although he managed just 36 total yards, every “lead” back has value. If Williams is still out in Week 9, Rivers has flex potential against the struggling Bucs’ run defense.
Greg Dulcich, TE, Broncos. Dulcich continues to be a key cog in the Broncos’ offense, catching four-of-five targets for a team-high 87 yards in Week 8. He has at least 11.1 PPR points in his three games this year, and he has to be considered on par with TEs like T.J. Hockenson and Kyle Pitts already in his young career. He’ll be a big-time contributor for the fantasy stretch run after Denver’s Week 9 bye.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including a host of potential streaming options, check out our full Week 9 list.
