Week Nine of the NFL is set to begin, starting with a Thursday night matchup as the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The teams on a bye this week are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans.
Injuries have once again thinned out fantasy lineups, so it's time to restock.
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On the bright side, several players who have been sidelined since the start of the season have a chance to return to the field this week. Also, the NFL trade deadline is fast approaching (Nov. 10), so I featured a couple of backup players who could make an impact if promoted to a starting role.
Below is my full waiver wire column going over the players, by position, that managers should target this week. I know some of these players may not be available in every league, so I solely look players rostered in less than 60 percent of leagues.
TOP WAIVER WIRE TARGETS
QBs
Malik Willis – Miami Dolphins (Rostered: 10.5%):Willis isn't a quarterback I would usually start in fantasy, but he has a supreme matchup in Week Nine against the Lions. With that matchup, he immediately becomes one of the top streaming options at QB. Last week, Detroit allowed Kyler Murray to reach a season-high in fantasy points (19.9), and every QB that has faced the Lions has scored at least 16.96 fantasy points. Expect Willis to be the eighth QB to meet that mark. He also has another QB-friendly matchup in Week 10 against the Colts.
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J.J. McCarthy – New York Giants (Rostered: 15.4%):Yet another solid streaming option is McCarthy. He has a great matchup in Week Nine against the Eagles, who are struggling as a unit and have given up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. McCarthy has thrown for over 240 passing yards in back-to-back games, and Philadelphia's defense has allowed 17.66 or more fantasy points to six of eight QBs.
Sam Darnold – Seattle Seahawks (Rostered: 30.7%):Following the Seahawks' Monday night loss to the Bears, Darnold scored more than 13.98 fantasy points for the first time since Week Three against the Commanders. This week he has a great matchup on paper against the Cardinals, who've allowed the most fantasy points in total and second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. If there was ever a time this season for Darnold to stack consecutive strong performances, it would be Week Nine.
RBs
Jonah Coleman – Denver Broncos (Rostered: 52.4%):If Coleman is somehow still available in your league, you need to run (not walk) to pick him up. With RJ Harvey on injured reserve, the rookie has surpassed J.K. Dobbins on the depth chart and is the clear RB1 for the Broncos. Last week in their win against the Chiefs, Coleman scored 20.4 fantasy points and led the backfield in snaps (66 percent), carries (11) and rushing yards (41). He was also Denver's leading receiver in receptions (4) and yards (63) and was second in targets (5). Moving forward, Coleman is a legitimate RB2 candidate in fantasy for the remainder of the season.
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Tyler Allgeier – Arizona Cardinals (Rostered: 46%):Just when you thought it was safe to drop Allgeier, he appears again. With Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight both exiting the game in their comeback win over the Cowboys, Allgeier played a pivotal part in the Cardinals' resurgence, finishing with 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 touches. It also needs to be said that Love was placed on injured reserve and Knight is in concussion protocol, so Allgeier will likely be the lead back in the near future. If Jonah Coleman is not available, Allgeier is your next top priority on the waiver wire.
Mike Washington Jr. – Las Vegas Raiders (Rostered: 17.6%):I don't know if I can trust Washington as the Raiders' top back with Ashton Jeanty healthy. However, his 25 carries for 82 rushing yards against the Jets on Sunday are something that need to be tracked moving forward. Jeanty has been wildly unproductive in the running game this season, but he has found a way to stay relevant in a demoted role as a receiving back. Washington still managed to rush for only 3.3 yards per carry in a game where the Raiders scored 38 points. Washington's new role in the offense could be something to expect for the rest of the season, which makes him a must-add.
Seth McGowan – Indianapolis Colts (Rostered: 21.2%):I said last week that fantasy managers need to get familiar with McGowan, and I hope they listened. McGowan is in line to possibly take over the Colts' backfield if the organization decides to trade away Jonathan Taylor before the league's Nov. 10 deadline. The former Kentucky product has averaged 4.4 yards per carry on the few snaps he has seen this season. If Taylor is on a new team, McGowan immediately becomes a potential RB2 in a run-heavy offense. Stash him now before you miss out.
Dylan Sampson – Cleveland Browns (Rostered: 11.5%):Sampson is a must-add to your roster if you are in a PPR league. As Cleveland's pass-catching back, Sampson caught six of eight targets for 62 yards in their loss to the Steelers this past Sunday. He has now recorded back-to-back double-digit fantasy point finishes since returning from a knee injury. His volume could also exceed that of Quinshon Judkins, considering Judkins' inefficient play this season. Despite the Browns currently having a winning record, it is wise to expect them to be trailing in most games, which only benefits Sampson's value.
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Emmett Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs (Rostered: 11.9%):Out of all the running backs I've listed, I would have Johnson at the bottom in terms of priority and immediate impact. However, it is a great time to stash him as Kenneth Walker's handcuff. Walker is clearly the bellcow for the Chiefs, but Johnson has showcased his abilities when called upon. In Kansas City's loss to the Broncos on Sunday, Johnson caught five receptions for 128 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown. Johnson would instantly become a low-end RB2 if Walker were to miss any action.
WRs
Antonio Williams – Washington Commanders (Rostered: 16.2%): Last week I said
it's wise to expect Williams to see an increase in snaps, routes and targets. And what do you know, he led the Commanders on Sunday in routes (28), targets (7) and catches (5). He may not be the deep-play threat that some of the other receivers available on the waiver wire are, but he is very appealing in PPR formats with his short-range targets. As long as Jayden Daniels is under center for Washington, Williams can be started as a flex with Terry McLaurin out for the season.
Keenan Allen – Indianapolis Colts (Rostered: 41.5%):Despite the Colts being an absolute organizational dumpster fire with a bottom-tier quarterback and offensive line, Allen has shown himself to be one of the only reliable fantasy options not named Jonathan Taylor or Tyler Warren. Allen caught all seven of his targets for a team-high 67 yards on Sunday against the Jaguars. Fellow wideout Josh Downs requested a trade last week and could potentially be in a new uniform, which would only boost Allen's volume even higher. Allen needs to be picked up in all leagues because of his weekly volume and could become an elite PPR add at the midway point of the season.
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Adonai Mitchell – New York Jets (Rostered: 11.5%):Just like the tight end room for the Los Angeles Rams, it's going to be a coin flip as to which Jets wide receiver will be startable in fantasy between Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. In Week Eight, the coin landed on Mitchell, who recorded seven of nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown, while Cooper finished with a goose egg. It was the exact opposite in Week Seven, with Cooper posting a 100-plus receiving yard performance while Mitchell literally had nothing. Regardless, Mitchell is worth an add if you are in a deeper league, but keep in mind the risk he carries if you start him.
Ryan Flournoy – Dallas Cowboys (Rostered: 22%):Flournoy is one receiver in fantasy who is flying under people's radars. In an offense that has CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens battling for targets, Flournoy has successfully established his own role for the Cowboys. He has seen at least four targets in every game this season and has four or more receptions in half of them. Since Week Five, Flournoy has posted four straight double-digit fantasy point finishes, including last week against the Cardinals, where he caught his second touchdown. If you are in a deeper league and need receiving help, Flournoy is one player most opposing managers won't prioritize on the waiver wire, and he could immediately be started in your flex position.
TEs
Mike Gesicki – Cincinnati Bengals (Rostered: 15.1%):In my Week Eight Start 'Em, Sit 'Em column, I expected the volume for Gesicki would eventually dry up, as he is a touchdown-dependent tight end. However, he proceeded to post a 4-76-1 line against the Titans. He has scored a touchdown in five consecutive games and has scored in all but one game this season. I still believe most of his fantasy value relies on him finding the end zone. But with the Bengals struggling to run the ball and Joe Burrow under center, Gesicki is a must-add at a position that is thin as it is.
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Brenton Strange – Jacksonville Jaguars (Rostered: 49.8%):I feel like a broken record saying this every week, but Strange needs to be added in all leagues. In a game where the Jaguars threw the ball only 10 times in their blowout win over the Colts, Strange still managed 55 receiving yards on two catches. Since Week Four, Strange leads Jacksonville's receiving room with a 21.4 percent target share. He is a low-end TE1 in fantasy and should be started weekly.
Chig Okonkwo – Washington Commanders (Rostered: 15%):If you didn't watch the Commanders game on Sunday against the Eagles and only caught the box score, you would likely be concerned about Okonkwo. However, I believe Washington needs to involve its athletic tight end more. He nearly had two insane one-handed receptions, with one of them not counting because he couldn't get a second foot down in the end zone. With no more Terry McLaurin for the season, Okonkwo should continue to be involved in the Commanders' offense.
Terrance Ferguson – Los Angeles Rams (Rostered: 12%):I've also mentioned over the last couple of weeks to stash Ferguson while he is on injured reserve. Last week was the first week he was eligible to return to practice, and on Monday, head coach Sean McVay said it is "looking more likely than not" that Ferguson will be on the field this week. Despite the Rams not opening his practice window anytime soon, he should still be picked up if he's available. He is expected to have a big-time role in the offense with the absence of Davante Adams.
Greg Dulcich – Miami Dolphins (Rostered: 1.4%):Just like Ryan Flournoy, Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich is stringing together a successful month that most managers aren't noticing. He has had four-plus receptions and eight-plus fantasy points in three consecutive games. I really like his matchup in Week Nine against the Lions, who've allowed a stunning 27.9 fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. Dulcich is a top-tier tight end streaming option this week.
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D/STs
Chicago Bears D/ST (Rostered: 29%):The Bears haven't had the most stellar defense this season, but the addition of Jeffery Simmons and their matchup against the Buccaneers easily make them one of the most appealing defenses to have in Week Nine. Chicago has been absolutely nails at stopping the run, ranking as the third-best in the league. Tampa Bay's offense relies solely on its running attack to win games because of its inefficient play at quarterback. This is an extremely friendly matchup and should make them streamable this week.
New York Giants D/ST (Rostered: 3.5%):Similar to Chicago, New York's defense hasn't done much this season, but I can't ignore the matchup in Week Nine against the Eagles. Philadelphia's offense has averaged 14.8 points per game and has allowed the highest pressure rate (44.4 percent) in the NFL during its six-game losing skid. With an offense that has a laundry list of injuries, any defense would rag-doll them right now.
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Detroit Lions D/ST (Rostered: 28.7%):I know this might contradict what I said about some of the offensive players on the Dolphins, but the Lions' defense is a streamable option in Week Nine. In the last few weeks, Detroit has allowed 16 points per game to the Packers and Vikings and is averaging 3.4 sacks per game, the second-highest in the league. Miami has allowed the second-highest sack rate (9.2 percent), which should make Malik Willis uncomfortable. And it can't be ignored that the Lions' defense as a whole has improved with safety Brian Branch back on the field.
OTHER PLAYERS TO TARGET/STREAM/KEEP AN EYE ON
QBs
Bo Nix - Denver Broncos (Rostered: 55.7%)
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Deshaun Watson - Cleveland Browns (Rostered: 12.8%)
Aaron Rodgers - Pittsburgh Steelers (Rostered: 41.7%)
RBs
Devin Singletary - New York Giants (Rostered: 3.7%)
Justice Hill - Baltimore Ravens (Rostered: 7.8%)
Bam Knight - Arizona Cardinals (Rostered: 8.8%)
Chris Rodgriguez Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars (Rostered: 12.5%)
Elijah Mitchell - Philadelphia Eagles (Rostered: 3.1%)
WRs
Makai Lemon - Philadelphia Eagles (Rostered: 51.8%)
Demario Douglas - New England Patriots (Rostered: 51.6%)
Caleb Douglas - Miami Dolphins (Rostered: 29%)
TEs
AJ Barner - Seattle Seahawks (Rostered: 7.7%)
Eli Raridon - New England Patriots (Rostered: 1.8%)
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Colby Parkinson - Los Angeles Rams (Rostered: 4.6%)
D/STs
New Orleans Saints D/ST (Rostered: 2.1%)
San Francisco 49ers D/ST (Rostered: 35.5%)
Buffalo Bills D/ST (Rostered: 6.5%)
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST (Rostered: 53.1%)
