There aren’t many obvious “must-haves” among the top Week 9 fantasy waiver pickups and free agent adds, but there are still plenty of potential short-term and long-term contributors, especially at running back. Guys like Kyren Williams, Isiah Pacheco, Latavius Murray, Kenyan Drake, Caleb Huntley, and even Ronnie Rivers will get looks, either as claims on Tuesday night or as free agents after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
That said, the bulk of our full free agent list consists of Week 9 streaming recommendations. With six teams on bye (Giants, 49ers, Broncos, Browns, Steelers, Cowboys), that might have been the case no matter what, but last week’s lack of big injuries and breakouts didn’t leave us much choice. Fortunately, there are a slew of matchup-based sleepers at QB, WR, TE, and D/ST, so we’ve grouped the best options by position and put them at the end of this list.
It’s unlikely that many high waiver claims will be used this week. We’ll need to know more about the health of Williams (ankle), Cordarrelle Patterson (knee), and Gus Edwards (hamstring) before we can recommend Williams, Rivers, Huntley, or Drake as high claims, but chances are Williams and Drake will be nabbed. Murray is probably the “safest” claim, as he should have a big role in the Broncos’ backfield no matter what, but is he worth top-five priority? That’s tough to say, and it ultimately comes down to how badly you need an RB. The same goes for Pacheco, who will have some value but perhaps no more than that of a middling flex.
MORE WEEK 9 PICKUPS: Full waivers list
Greg Dulcich probably has the most value of anyone on this week’s waivers list, but because he’s on bye next week, fantasy owners might not be as quick to claim him. Several other potentially valuable pass-catchers (Treylon Burks, Isaiah Likely, Devin Duvernay, Demarcus Robinson, Rondale Moore, Evan Engram) have both short-term and long-term value, but most will last until free agency, which is generally how you should operate with streamers.
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.
Kyren Williams, RB, Rams. It’s been reported that Williams will have a “big role” in the Rams’ offense once he’s back from an early-season ankle injury. The Rams opened his 21-day practice window last week, so Williams should be back in Week 9 or 10. Considering Ronnie Rivers led L.A.’s backfield in Week 8, the Rams’ depth chart is clearly in flux, so Williams could immediately become the starter when active. Grab him now.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco disappointed in Week 7 after drawing his first NFL start (eight carries, 43 yards), but it seems clear that the Chiefs want to feature the rookie more going forward. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon will still be involved, so it’s tough to see Pacheco really breaking out, but at worst, he’s a high-upside flex most weeks (including next week against Tennessee). At best, he’s a solid RB2. Don’t forget about him.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Kenyan Drake, RB, Ravens. Gus Edwards (hamstring) is expected to be “questionable” for Week 9’s Monday night game in New Orleans, and considering Baltimore has a Week 10 bye, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Edwards sit out to rest his sore knee and ailing hamstring. If that happens, Drake would get the bulk of the RB touches, and after excelling for the second time in the past three games last Thursday (67 total yards, TD), he’d be at least a flex. Given Edwards’ injury history, Drake should be a must-have handcuff until JK Dobbins (knee) comes back.
MORE WEEK 9 PICKUPS: Full waivers list
Treylon Burks, WR, Titans. The rookie wideout has missed a considerable amount of time due to a toe injury that put him on injured reserve earlier this season. He’s eligible to return in Week 9, and if he does, he’ll have a favorable matchup against the Chiefs’ 30th-ranked pass defense. Burks has yet to have a breakout game, but he could do it against the Chiefs, who were allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to WRs heading into Week 8.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens. Likely impressed on Thursday after Mark Andrews exited because of a shoulder injury, catching six-of-seven targets for 77 yards and a TD. We know how important tight ends are in Baltimore’s offense, and we also know that Likely has the goods to produce in any matchup. If Andrews is out in Week 9 — very possible considering he also dealing with a knee issue and Baltimore has a Week 10 bye — Likely would be in play as a low-end TE1 streamer.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups Latavius Murray, Ronnie Rivers, Greg Dulcich, Caleb Huntley, and more, check out our full Week 9 list.
