Story by
Fantasy football waiver wire lookahead: 5 players to stash before Week 9
- Story by
- Fantasy football waiver wire lookahead: 5 players to stash before Week 9
Next week, the Chicago Bears , Denver Broncos , Philadelphia Eagles , and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a bye. Combine that with this season's injuries, and the roster crunch is here. Who should you look to pick up now, before Sunday's games start?
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rodgers is on bye this week, and generally, fantasy players don't love the idea of picking up a "non-usable" player. However, this hasn't been a normal fantasy season. We have two top-flight quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson, on injured reserve. We have four teams on bye next week, so we have to operate a bit differently this year. Rodgers is up against the Bengals after the bye, which naturally sets up for a higher-scoring game. He posted 17 fantasy points or more in four of his last six games, which is pretty darn solid.
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Week 5: New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers fans cheer as Brock Purdy #13 leaves the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Week 5: A Seattle Seahawks fan cheers during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Week 5: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson does a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears, 31-7
.
(Sarah Kloepping, Green Bay Press-Gazette)
Week 5: Fans look on from the stands during the game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The game ended in a 27-27 tie
.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Week 5: The mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaxson de Ville, performs before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Jaguars won the game, 19-17
.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 5: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
Week 5: Singer and songwriter Lainey Wilson dances with members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
Week 4: The San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders take the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium.
(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Seattle Seahawks fans hold cutouts of quarterback Sam Darnold prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field.
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Houston Texans mascot Toro and Superfan pose for a photo prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium.
(Thomas Shea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders perform before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium.
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: A young fan of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Tommy Gilligan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Washington Commanders mascot Major Tuddy holds a camera during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 3: Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform during the "Sunday Night Football" game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High.
Week 3: The Maracanã Stadium gets set to host the International Series game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Week 3: The Miami Dolphins cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 3: Corgi dog competitions take place during halftime of the game between the Detroit Lions and New York Jets at Ford Field.
Week 3: Sports mascots compete against pee-wee football players S during halftime of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Week 3: A fan looks on during warmups prior to the game between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
Week 2: Singer Taylor Swift watches the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Week 2: The San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Denver Broncos mascot Thunder rides onto the field after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
Week 2: A Miami Dolphins fan reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium.
(Joe Camporeale, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red poses for a photo prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens mascot performs prior to the game against New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Stephen Lew, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Fans cheer prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
Week 2: The Canadian and U.S. anthems are sung during a pregame ceremony before the "Thursday Night Football" game between Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at new Highmark Stadium.
Week 1: Singer Taylor Swift and actor Tom Cruise attend the "Monday Night Football" game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
Week 1: Houston Texans cheerleaders perform during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: New York Jets fans cheer their team against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
(Chris Carter, Getty Images)
Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville leads the team on the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium.
(Melina Myers, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: The Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders perform at Melbourne Cricket Ground during the NFL International Series game in Australia.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: Fans arrive ahead of the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (in Melbourne, Australia. The 49ers won the first NFL game played in Australia, 27-7 .
Week 1: Kim Thayil of Soundgarden and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam perform during halftime of the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Lumen Field.
1
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
1
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
2
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers fans cheer as Brock Purdy #13 leaves the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
4
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: A Seattle Seahawks fan cheers during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
5
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson does a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears, 31-7
.
(Sarah Kloepping, Green Bay Press-Gazette)
6
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Fans look on from the stands during the game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The game ended in a 27-27 tie
.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
7
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaxson de Ville, performs before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Jaguars won the game, 19-17
.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8
/37
NFL Week 5 highlights, standout performances and reactions
Week 5: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
9
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Singer and songwriter Lainey Wilson dances with members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
10
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: The San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders take the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium.
(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Seattle Seahawks fans hold cutouts of quarterback Sam Darnold prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field.
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Houston Texans mascot Toro and Superfan pose for a photo prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium.
(Thomas Shea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders perform before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium.
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: A young fan of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Tommy Gilligan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Washington Commanders mascot Major Tuddy holds a camera during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform during the "Sunday Night Football" game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High.
17
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: The Maracanã Stadium gets set to host the International Series game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
18
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: The Miami Dolphins cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
19
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Corgi dog competitions take place during halftime of the game between the Detroit Lions and New York Jets at Ford Field.
20
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Sports mascots compete against pee-wee football players S during halftime of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
21
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: A fan looks on during warmups prior to the game between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
22
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Singer Taylor Swift watches the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
23
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
24
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Denver Broncos mascot Thunder rides onto the field after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
25
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: A Miami Dolphins fan reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
26
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium.
(Joe Camporeale, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
27
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red poses for a photo prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
28
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens mascot performs prior to the game against New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Stephen Lew, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
29
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Fans cheer prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
30
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The Canadian and U.S. anthems are sung during a pregame ceremony before the "Thursday Night Football" game between Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at new Highmark Stadium.
31
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Singer Taylor Swift and actor Tom Cruise attend the "Monday Night Football" game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
32
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Houston Texans cheerleaders perform during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
33
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: New York Jets fans cheer their team against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
(Chris Carter, Getty Images)
34
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville leads the team on the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium.
(Melina Myers, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
35
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: The Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders perform at Melbourne Cricket Ground during the NFL International Series game in Australia.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
36
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Fans arrive ahead of the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (in Melbourne, Australia. The 49ers won the first NFL game played in Australia, 27-7 .
37
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Kim Thayil of Soundgarden and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam perform during halftime of the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Lumen Field.
Seth McGowan, RB, Indianapolis Colts
The trade deadline is this coming Tuesday. What if the Colts trade Jonathan Taylor? That's the question a lot of people are asking, and the outcome would put McGowan in a spot for a ton of volume. Are the Colts bad? Yeah, but any running back who could be in line to see 15-plus touches a game will have fantasy value. He may not score a ton of touchdowns, but low-end RB2 work or a flex spot would be firmly on the table for McGowan if he became the Colts' starting running back.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders
There are two reasons why I would stash Williams. First, there's a clear opening in the Commanders' passing game with Terry McLaurin out for the rest of the season. Second, there are a few rumors that the Commanders could look to trade Stefon Diggs, as some teams in the playoff hunt could use a veteran wide receiver. Williams saw a team-high seven targets in the first full game without McLaurin, and that should be his floor moving forward.
Mack Hollins, WR, New England Patriots
Depending on how deep your league is, Hollins might need to be on your radar. A.J. Brown is back from IR, but he didn't play last week and is questionable for this week. Romeo Doubs is still on IR. Hunter Henry left last week's game early and is questionable for this week. There's no denying Hollins didn't play a massive role before his stint on IR, but the snap share should be there for him, and low-end WR2 production could be his potential.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Terrance Ferguson, TE, Los Angeles Rams
Ferguson has been on IR since Week 4, but has returned to practice this week, albeit in a limited capacity. If he's not activated off of IR for this Sunday's game, he could be good to go next week. Given the fact that the Rams are still without Davante Adams, there's a bit of an opening in the passing game. While Puka Nacua dominates the overall target share, Ferguson − who had a ton of offseason hype − could be in line for an emerging role.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football waiver wire lookahead: 5 players to stash before Week 9
