Injuries can be detrimental to the success of your fantasy squad and can leave you scrambling for a plug-in starter. This is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty spots and reduce that Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic. Keep in mind, it’s that time of the year when bye weeks play a factor, making the waiver wire that much more important. After a light week with only two teams on a bye, there are six teams this time around (PIT, DAL, CLE, DEN, NYG, SF).
If you’re in need of an immediate upgrade, here are the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 9 that could help push your fantasy team in the right direction.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups Week 9 column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Justin Fields, Bears (26.2%)
Justin Fields finally adjusting more to the NFL is very exciting for fantasy managers moving forward because he can be a true dual-threat option. Fields has thrown for over 200 yards in just one game all season, but his fantasy value comes from his legs. This feels like much Jalen Hurts before he broke out this season with a true WR1. Fields has run for over 60 yards in three straight games now, making him among the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups in Week 9 for QB-needy teams.
Taylor Heinicke, Commanders (9.4%)
If you’re in need of a deeper QB option this week because of all the bye weeks, Taylor Heinicke could be a solid option. He’s been decent in fantasy in the limited starts he’s had throughout his career because of his rushing ability. Lately, Heinicke has been getting the job done through the air, winning the last two games for the Washington Commanders. He posted a 22.06 fantasy point performance last week against the Indianapolis Colts, totaling two touchdowns and over 300 yards. Washington will almost always be playing from behind, so Heinicke should be a good fantasy streaming option.
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Latavius Murray, Broncos (32.6%)
Latavius Murray is on a bye this week, but fantasy managers looking for a solid option in the coming weeks should consider adding him now before it’s too late. Murray will still split carries with Melvin Gordon, and it’s unclear which one the Denver Broncos coaching staff prefers, but the coming matchups are too good to pass up. Denver faces TEN, LV and CAR in their next three games following the bye, which could all end up being big fantasy days for the Broncos backfield.
Khalil Herbert, Bears (47.7%)
Another running back that splits his workload with another solid back is Khalil Herbert. Fantasy managers have seen what Herbert is capable of with a full workload, but with David Montgomery back, his ownership took a hit. Despite the split, he’s seen double-digit carries in back-to-back games and has posted at least 15 fantasy points in both. This could also be another situation where you hold Herbert in case of another injury to Montgomery. Herbert ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards, so it’s clear he has the talent to continue seeing touches regardless of Montgomery’s health.
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Kadarius Toney, Chiefs (54.0%)
Kadarius Toney will absolutely be the top fantasy football waiver wire pickup this week after he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. Toney flashed in limited snaps with the New York Giants, but he struggled with injuries and setbacks. Despite Toney being sidelined for weeks, there’s a very strong possibility he wasn’t injured and will be fully healthy with the Chiefs. He turns into a potential fantasy powerhouse at the wide receiver position with Patrick Mahomes now feeding him the ball.
Romeo Doubs, Packers (47.3%)
In a Green Bay Packers offense that lacks talent and production, rookie Romeo Doubs has seemed to carve out a major role. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have much to work with in terms of weapons this season, but Doubs emerges as a possible WR1 option after an impressive performance against the Buffalo Bills. Doubs’ confidence surely rose after he made big catch after big catch, and hopefully, this is the beginning of the Rodgers-Doubs connection. If so, Doubs becomes a very good WR3/flex option.
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Greg Dulcich, Broncos (34.0%)
It’s obvious the Broncos are looking to roll with Greg Dulcich as their starting tight end for the rest of the season and could possibly move Albert Okwuegbunam before the NFL Trade Deadline. Dulcich has fantasy TE1 potential at this point because he has seen consistent volume. He isn’t touchdown-dependent like most tight ends this season and finds value simply from big catches and target share. He’s produced the same with two separate quarterbacks now as well, so his volume isn’t going anywhere.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (32.2%)
After weeks of banging the Evan Engram gavel, he finally found the end zone. Since Week 5, he’s become a focal point in the passing game, seeing at least six targets in all games. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ passing attack can be inconsistent at times, but Engram hasn’t posted an outlier since Week 4. After four solid performances in a row and some weaker defenses near, Engram is a very strong Week 9 fantasy football waiver wire pickup, especially with all the bye weeks.
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