There aren’t many sexy options on the waiver wire heading into Week 9. However, if your fantasy football team needs some reinforcements, there are still several players who could provide value in their upcoming matchup. Let’s take a look at some of the top players to target who are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
Fantasy Football: Week 9 NFL Waiver Wire Pickups
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (70% available)
Gus Edwards is one of the few exciting options on the waiver wire this week. Mark Ingram (ankle) was forced to sit out Sunday against the Steelers, which resulted in Edwards receiving a season-high 16 carries that he turned into 87 yards and a touchdown. What’s even more impressive is that he did that in such a difficult matchup. He’ll have another tough matchup against the Colts this week and will still have to split carries with J.K. Dobbins, but if Ingram is still out, Edwards is worth starting in most leagues.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 1 (15% of FAAB budget)
Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions (51% available)
It’s been a rough season for Kenny Golladay, who missed the Lions’ first two games with an injury and went down with a hip injury in Week 8 against the Colts. He’s now expected to miss at least Week 9, if not longer. Marvin Jones finished with two touchdowns against the Colts and has received at least five targets in three straight games. With Golladay out, he should become the Lions’ top wide receiver. Also working in his favor will be an excellent matchup against the Vikings, who have allowed the third-most passing yards per game in the league.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 2 (5%-10% of FAAB budget)
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (94% available)
The Bears offense is erratic, which makes any receiver outside of Allen Robinson risky. However, if you need help at receiver this week, Darnell Mooney should at least be on your radar. He’s received at least five targets in six straight games and registered a season-high 69 receiving yards to go along with a touchdown in Week 8 against the Saints. The Bears’ passing offense might have more success in Week 9 than usual considering they will face the Titans, who have allowed the sixth-most passing yards per contest.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 3 (3%-5% of FAAB budget)
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (87% available)
The key here will be the status of Calvin Ridley, who suffered a mid-foot sprain Thursday against the Panthers. If he’s forced to sit this week, then Russell Gage would step in as the Falcons’ No. 2 wide receiver behind Julio Jones. Gage has shown that he can be productive when given added opportunities, including posting 160 yards and two touchdowns across the first two games of the season when he received a total of 21 targets.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 4 (3%-5% of FAAB budget)
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Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots (99% available)
It’s ugly at wide receiver for the Patriots right now. They played Week 8 without Julian Edelman (knee) and N’Keal Harry (concussion), which resulted in Jakobi Meyers leading the team with 10 targets. He actually led by a wide margin considering no other player saw more than four passes thrown his way. He cashed in on his opportunities, finishing with six catches for 58 yards. Edelman is on IR, so best-case-scenario, the Patriots can only get Harry back for Week 9. That should lead to added opportunities for Meyers again versus a Jets defense that is amongst the worst in the league.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 5 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers (92% available)
The 49ers’ injury situation at wide receiver isn’t much better than the Patriots’. Deebo Samuel (hamstring) was unable to play against the Seahawks on Sunday, which resulted in Kendrick Bourne turning a season-high 10 targets into eight catches for 81 yards. The 49ers have a quick turnaround since they have to play Thursday against the Packers, so if Samuel remains out, then Bourne is worth considering in deeper leagues. There will also be added targets up for grabs with George Kittle (foot) out.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 6 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)
Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts (96% available)
Injuries are a common theme at wide receiver this week. The Colts lost T.Y. Hilton (groin) against the Lions when he was unable to play in the second half. While his numbers weren’t eye-popping, Zach Pascal finished with three catches for 44 yards on six targets. The key is that Pascal has now received at least six targets in three of the last four games. If Hilton is unable to play in Week 9, Pascal has WR3 potential despite a tough matchup against the Ravens.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 7 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)
Drew Lock, Denver Broncos (90% available)
Of the four teams on a bye in Week 9, only the Bengals and Eagles have fantasy-relevant quarterbacks. That should mean that most fantasy managers won’t need to turn to the waiver wire for help. However, if you are already weak at the position and your starter doesn’t have a good matchup, then Drew Lock should be on your radar. He led the Broncos to an impressive comeback win over the Chargers on Sunday, throwing for 248 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He’ll look to build on that strong performance when he faces the Falcons, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 8 (1% of FAAB budget)
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (79% available)
Logan Thomas was playing well before Washington had a bye in Week 8. He posted four receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Cowboys in what turned out to be a runaway win for Washington. Before that, he caught three passes for 42 yards and a touchdown against the Giants in Week 6, the same team that he will meet in Week 9. With seven red zone targets through seven games, Thomas should once again be a threat to find his way into the end zone.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority: 9 (1% of FAAB budget)
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