There was mass carnage at the quarterback position on Sunday, but you’re not going to find many QBs among the top Week 9 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. Unlike running back, backup QBs often have limited fantasy value, and there simply aren’t many worthwhile starters on most waiver wires (unless you’re a Will Levis truther). That’s why we’re still highlighting guys like Taysom Hill and Jahan Dotson despite their relative ho-humness.
There is one notable QB (other than Levis) who might be on waiver wires, at least in shallow leagues, and that’s the soon-to-return Kyler Murray. He’s still available in 44 percent of Yahoo leagues, and he’ll likely be a popular pickup after Sunday’s injury fest. He tops our full waivers list, but there are plenty of other potential contributors at more premium positions. From RBs (Darrell Henderson Jr., Royce Freeman, Emari Demercado) to WRs (Dotson, Rashid Shaheed, Kendrick Bourne, Brandin Cooks) to TEs (Hill, Trey McBride), we have you covered. There are also plenty of Week 9 streamer suggestions at QB (including Levis!), TE, and D/ST, which can be found at the end of the list.
Here’s the real question: Are any of these guys worth high waiver claims? You can make a case for Hill if you need a TE, as he looks like he’s solidified his role in New Orleans’ offense (stop us if you’ve heard that before). You could also make a case for Murray given his upside or even one of the Rams RBs given their matchup next week. Ultimately, though, you’re likely better off standing pat in 12-team leagues, as there are almost certainly still more big RB injuries yet to come.
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Even if you hold back your high claims, there will likely be plenty of waiver activity. It’s a brutal week for TE byes (Lions, Broncos, Jaguars, 49ers), and Week 10 is brutal for all positions (Eagles, Dolphins, Chiefs, Rams). Stock up on potential streamers now in free agency if you have the roster space, and try to maintain those high claims for when you really need them.
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.
Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals. Murray (knee) practiced in full last week and will likely do the same this week, putting him on track to return in Week 10 against Atlanta. Murray’s ceiling might not be as high as in the past when Kliff Kingsbury was coaching, but his dual-threat ability always gives him a solid floor. Josh Dobbs has put up decent stats while filling in for Murray, and we expect even better production from Arizona’s franchise QB. Now’s the time to grab him if you’re in one of the 44 percent of Yahoo leagues where he’s available.
Taysom Hill, TE, Saints. Hill took a step back in terms of targets (1) last week — perhaps because Juwan Johnson returned — but he continued getting key rushing opportunities, racking up 63 yards and two TDs on nine carries. He also completed a 44-yard pass. As long as continues getting snaps (and there’s no reason to think he won’t), he’ll have TE1 upside, especially next week when a bunch of key TEs (and favorable TE matchups) are off the board. A nice matchup against the Bears only sweetens Hill’s outlook.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Royce Freeman, RB, Rams. For the second-straight week, Darrell Henderson Jr. led the Rams in carries (12), but Freeman led the team in rushing yards (44 yards). Freeman wound up with nine carries and scored L.A.’s lone rushing TD, proving he still has some deep-league flex appeal, at least until Kyren Williams (ankle) returns in Week 12. Grab him now ahead of a highly favorable matchup in Green Bay.
Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Rams. Henderson continues to lead the Rams in carries (12), and he even led the team in receiving yards (54) in Week 8 against Dallas. His 85 total yards prove he has flex value, especially in favorable matchups like next week’s tilt in Green Bay.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Emari Demercado, RB, Cardinals. Demercado operated as Arizona’s primary RB again in Week 8, running 20 times for 78 yards. He’s seen 33 carries and 136 rushing yards over the past two games, and he should have another 15 touches next week against Cleveland. Given the workload, he’ll be a flex in 12-team leagues, but with James Conner (knee) eligible to return in Week 10, Demercado won’t have much staying power as a viable starter unless Conner suffers a setback.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders. Dotson seemed to be high on everyone’s “breakout” list heading into the season, but a slow start saw his ownership drop to 51 percent in Yahoo leagues. That’s sure to go up after his best game of the season. Dotson hauled in eight-of-10 targets for 108 yards and a score against the Eagles. It was his second-straight game with at least eight targets, so it appears he’s back to being a big part of the offense. He’s worth a flex spot next week against New England.
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints. We all know Shaheed is a boom-or-bust WR3/flex, but he’s been booming more than busting this year. He hauled in all three of his targets for 153 yards and a TD in Week 8, and he now has 17 targets over his past three games. A favorable matchup against the Bears awaits in Week 9, so now’s the time to grab the speedster.
Kendrick Bourne, WR, Patriots. We get it — you don’t want to pick up Bourne. We’ve only been recommending him virtually all season, and he remains owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Well, after another three catches, 36 yards, and a TD. He’s now posted at least 12.6 PPR points in three straight games, averaging 7.3 targets per contest in those outings. He’s a solid WR3/flex option next week against Washington if the knee injury he suffered in Week 8 doesn’t keep him out.
Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals. McBride took advantage of garbage time to post a 10-95-1 line on 14 targets against the mighty Ravens’ defense. He’s now seen 25 targets over the past three games, proving he’ll be a big part of the offense with Zach Ertz (quad) out. He has a brutal matchup next week against Cleveland, but he has a lot of upside in PPR leagues most weeks.
Devin Singletary, RB, Texans. Singletary disappointed against Carolina (10 carries, 30 yards), but he still had just two fewer carries than Dameon Pierce ( 12 carries, 46 yards). He’s run almost equal with Pierce in two straight games (25 carries for Pierce, 22 carries for Singletary), and with the latter continuing to struggle this year (3.0 yards per carry), it’s possible Singeltary continues to get more playing time. He’s worth adding in deep leagues ahead of next week’s game against Tampa.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Patriots. Similar to Singletary, Elliott didn’t do anything special this week (seven carries, 36 yards), but he continues to see similar carries and yards as the starter. Rhamondre Stevenson underwhelmed again with 10 carries and 39 yards, and it’s entirely possible that Elliott will soon see more rushing opportunities. Stash him now ahead of next week’s game against Washington.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Cowboys. Cooks scored for the second-straight game, and while his overall stat lines haven’t been eye-popping (4-36 in Week 6, 3-49 in Week 8), it’s clear he’s a key part of Dallas’ explosive offense. He’s worth a bench spot in 12-team teams, and he’s a potential flex next week in a favorable matchup against Philadelphia.
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers. Reed continues to take advantage of his opportunities, catching four-of-six targets for a team-high 83 yards. Given the Packers’ offensive struggles, it’s tough to trust any of their receivers right now, but Reed is at least worth stashing ahead of next week’s game against the Rams.
Demario Douglas & JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Patriots. Smith-Schuster scored his first TD of the year on his lone target in Week 8, and Douglas hauled in five of a team-high seven targets for 25 targets. Clearly, neither had huge games, but with both Kendrick Bourne (knee) and DeVante Parker (concussion) both banged up, Douglas and Smith-Schuster could be New England’s leading receivers in a highly favorable matchup against Washington next week. If you’re in a bind at WR in a deep league, both of these receivers have some limited appeal.
Top fantasy QB streamers for Week 9
Derek Carr, Saints (vs. Bears). Carr continues to put up big numbers despite a nagging shoulder issue and sometimes ugly play, but with his full complement of weapons healthy and on the field, he’s always a threat to take advantage of favorable matchups. Chicago entered last week allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to QBs, so start up Carr back at home.
Sam Howell, Commanders (@ Patriots). The Patriots aren’t a great matchup on paper (though Tua Tagovailoa ripped them up last week), but Howell somehow finds a way to put up good numbers almost every week. An abundance of attempts helps, and he’ll likely get a bunch of opportunities again next week. It might not be pretty, but if you need a QB for both the short- and long-term, Howell could be your answer.
Will Levis, Titans (@ Steelers). Levis is still best suited for 2-QB/superflex leagues, but if you’re in need of a QB in deep single-QB leagues, he’s worth consideration after his four-TD debut. The Steelers entered last week with the No. 25 pass defense before getting shredded by Trevor Lawrence, so there will be yards to be had. Add in Levis’ scrambling ability, and it’s easy to imagine a scenario where he compiles enough stats to have another top-12 QB finish. At the very least, he’s a better option than Zach Wilson (vs. Chargers) and Mac Jones (vs. Buccaneers), who also have favorable matchups.
Top fantasy TE streamers for Week 9
Luke Musgrave, Packers (vs. Rams). Musgrave has had trouble staying healthy, but when he’s on the field, he sees frequent targets. Expect more of the same in Week 9 against a Rams’ defense that entered last week allowing the seventh-most FPPG to TEs before giving up a Jake Ferguson.
Gerald Everett/Donald Parham Jr., Chargers (@ Jets). Everett (hip) missed last week, but whoever starts for L.A. will be a top streamer against New York’s league-worst TE defense.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. Chargers). Conklin is strictly for the deep-leaguers at this point, but with so many top options on bye next week (LaPorta, Engram, Kittle), you might need to dig deep for him. The Chargers entered Week 8 allowing the 12th-most FPPG to TEs, and Conklin is a fairly safe bet for five-plus targets despite struggling last game in a much tougher TE matchup.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. Commanders). Henry is sharing playing time with two other TEs in New England, but he remains the best bet to come up with a big play or score. Washington has been killed by TEs over the past several games, so Henry is worth a look in deep leagues.
Top fantasy defense streamers for Week 9
Los Angeles Chargers (@ Jets). Zach Wilson has been better than expected this year, but New York still entered Week 8 allowing the ninth-most FPPG to D/STs. The Chargers’ fierce pass rush is bound to give him trouble and create some turnovers.
New England Patriots (vs. Commanders). The Pats haven’t lived up to their usual standards in 2023, but the Commanders give up a ton of sacks and a fair number of takeaways to virtually everyone. New England will give up its fair share of yards and points, but it should come through for fantasy owners.
New York Giants (@ Raiders). The Giants’ defense has turned it on over the past few games, posting three takeaways and a TD against the potent Dolphins, shutting down the Bills to the tune of 14 offensive points with two takeaways, and recording 10 sacks against the Commanders and Jets the past two games. They can do damage against the offensively challenged Raiders, too.
Washington Commanders (@ Patriots). Only the Giants entered last week with more FPPG allowed to D/STs than the Patriots. Washington’s defense has flopped in some favorable matchups this year, but it’s also taken advantage of teams like the Falcons and Giants in recent weeks. The Commanders can do the same against Mac Jones and the Pats.
Minnesota Vikings (@ Falcons). Minnesota put up big fantasy days against Carolina, Chicago, and Green Bay and created three takeaways against the 49ers recently. The Falcons allow the seventh-most FPPG to D/STs, so Minnesota can advantage, regardless of who starts at QB.
Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Giants). Regardless of who starts under center, the Raiders can pressure the QB and create some big plays at home like they did against New England and Green Bay, making them a legit deep-league streaming option.
Indianapolis Colts (@ Panthers). Bryce Young is still experiencing growing pains in his first season, and the INT-happy Colts are likely to add to his rookie woes in Week 9.