A key free agent pickup now could help you win games next week and beyond, which is why our Week 9 waiver wire watchlist includes Kyren Williams, Treylon Burks, Cam Aker and…
Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Update: Kyren Williams, Treylon Burks and Cam Aker
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: TE
- Cade Otton, Buccaneers (13%)
Otton appears to have won Tom Brady’s trust in recent weeks, posting double-digit PPR totals in two of Tampa’s last three games.
If you own George Kittle, Dalton Schultz, Greg Dulcich, or Pat Freiermuth, you could do worse than Otton as a bye-week fill-in next week.
Grab him now, and if he posts a donut on Thursday Night Football, drop him for another potential breakout before the games begin on Sunday.
- Greg Dulcich, Broncos (40%)
Dulcich has a bye in Week 9, but he should be owned because of his high snap and target share.
In two games, he has caught eight of twelve passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. Consider what he could accomplish if Denver ever figured out its offense.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: WR
- Treylon Burks, Titans (18%)
Burks (toe) will be able to return from his IR stint in Week 9, so grabbing him off the waiver wire now may be in your best interest if you’re looking for receiver depth.
The Titans have missed the rookie’s strong hands and after-the-catch playmaking.
Read more: Week 9 Fantasy Injury Update: Latest news on Kenny Pickett, Mark Andrews and Dalton Schultz.
They dropped from 208.3 passing yards per game to 122.6 without him.
When he returns to the field, his usage should be high, and Tennessee has some favorable matchups between Week 10 and the fantasy championships.
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (36%) and Mecole Hardman (34%), Chiefs
Other than Travis Kelce and JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs pass-catchers can lead to fantasy success.
Against the 49ers, Patrick Mahomes spread the ball around the field, hitting MVS three times for 111 yards and finding Hardman four times for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Hardman also had two 28-yard runs and two touchdowns. MVS and Hardman have chemistry with Mahomes and are both lightning fast.
Check to see if your league placed these players on waivers due to Kansas City’s Week 8 bye — you might need them for the home stretch, especially against Tennessee in Week 9.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: QB
WEEK 9 BYES: Giants, Steelers, Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, 49ers.
- Sam Ehlinger, Colts (9%)
For the first time in his pro career, veteran Matt Ryan has been benched, allowing dual-threat Ehlinger to take the field.
Ehlinger should be owned in all deep leagues, especially two-QB and dynasty formats.
The second-year player has yet to throw an NFL pass, but he’s full of promise and is surrounded by a strong young core of weapons.
Start him against the Patriots in Week 9, but if he continues to perform well, feel free to stream him in Week 10 in Las Vegas.
Read more: Injury updates for Cooper Kupp, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman in Week 9 waiver wire pickups
- Jameis Winston, Saints (30%)
The Saints have been missing Jameis Winston’s deep ball while he recovers from a back injury, but for some reason, Andy Dalton is still starting in Week 8.
We doubt that will last, and if Winston reclaims the starting job, he’ll be a valuable addition in the coming weeks, when New Orleans will face pass-friendly defenses.
Winston’s arm usually keeps his fantasy numbers high even when facing tougher defenses.
He’s a chuckler who makes a lot of mistakes, but he’s unflappable. If you need a streamer next week, stash him now and hope he can reclaim his starting spot.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: RB
- Kyren Williams, Rams (36%)
Despite the fact that Los Angeles is clearly done with Cam Akers, he is on a fantasy team in only 36% of leagues.
Williams, who has been out with an ankle injury all season, is expected to play a “big role” when he returns in the next three weeks, according to reports.
It’s unusual to find RB1s on the waiver wire, let alone for a Super Bowl-winning offense.
This Rams team could use some depth at running back, and we could all use it. Act immediately or suffer the consequences later.
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (40%)
Pacheco has been on a roll for a few weeks and recently took the lead over Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
While the numbers aren’t spectacular, Pacheco appears to have the most potential in this backfield and could be in line for a larger role following Kansas City’s Week 8 bye.
- Cam Akers, Rams (46%)
In terms of Akers, how can the Rams pass him up? He’s not in their immediate or long-term plans, and there are plenty of contending teams that could benefit from a capable running back.
Of course, that assumes he’ll be useful to a team that wants him, but he’s an intriguing stash or buy-low trade candidate for fantasy owners concerned about RB depth in the long run.
Week 9 Defense Streamers and Sleepers
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seahawks, 13%)
If you’re in a deep league or competing against D/ST hoarders, the Cards made an appearance here (we all know they exist).
The Seahawks have outperformed expectations this season, but Geno Smith continues to make mistakes on the road, and Seattle’s wideouts are constantly injured.
Furthermore, as evidenced in Week 7, Arizona is capable of making big defensive plays at home.
- Minnesota Vikings (at Commanders, 18%)
Turnover-prone Taylor Heinicke could be in for a long Week 9 against a Minnesota pass rush that posted 10 sacks and six takeaways in its three games prior to Week 8.
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Titans, 29%)
The Chiefs’ defense is one of the most undervalued in fantasy, particularly in plus matchups. While Derrick Henry is a scary cover man, Tennessee lacks passing threats and allows a lot of sacks.
- Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Panthers, 39%)
The Bengals’ defense has quietly done a good job of limiting points, and they’ll be facing either an injured Baker Mayfield (ankle) or P.J. Walker should produce some results in Week 9.
