After only two teams on bye in Week 8, there are four teams off this week, with many high-value fantasy players missing. The Falcons, Rams, Saints and the Bengals are all on bye in Week 9. This many teams off could create difficulties setting lineups, leading to many creative adds to simply fill a lineup.
Here are some of my favorite waiver wire adds for Week 9.
To be considered as a possible “add,” they need to be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues. The drops on this list are by no means must-drop, but rather they are droppable.
CLICK HERE for Week 9 Fantasy Rankings!
QB/RB Adds
Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (55.5%)
Over the next three weeks, the Bucs play the Seahawks, Saints and Cardinals, who rank 20th, 25th and 29th against the QB, respectively. Winston may rank outside of the top-15 in fantasy scoring at the QB position, but it is not due to a lack of opportunity. Through eight weeks, Winston ranks first in air yards, with 2,790. The problem is that Winston has thrown 12 interceptions compared to his 14 touchdowns. If Winston can protect the ball a bit better, he could be a very useful fantasy starter during the tough bye week schedule over the next three weeks.
Gardner Minshew, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (49.5%)
Minshew has been on this list before and for good reason. Through eight weeks, Minshew has thrown for just under 2,000 yards with 13 touchdowns with only two interceptions. In Week 9, the Jaguars play the Texans, who just gave up 285 passing yards and three touchdowns to Derek Carr and the Raiders. The Jaguars lost their previous matchup with their divisional opponent, so they are going to come in motivated to win this game to stay competitive in a tough division.
Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers (55.4%)
In Week 8, Jamaal Williams was on the field for 46% of the offensive snaps for the Packers. With his 32 snaps, he had 10 touches for 36 yards and two touchdowns. Williams has had a receiving touchdown in three straight games since returning from his Week 4 injury. This streak will come to an end eventually, but until his usage changes, he will stay in my lineups. In Week 9, the Packers play the Chargers, who just gave up 135 yards to David Montgomery.
Darrell Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams (23%)
After a slow start to the season, everyone is finally starting to see why there was so much hype around the Rams’ third-round rookie. Without Malcolm Brown in the lineup, Henderson has been asked to step up and spell Gurley. In Week 8, Gurley and Henderson had nearly a 50-50 split of the offensive snaps. Henderson has had 11 carries in back-to-back games. The Rams have a bye in Week 9, which will give Brown the opportunity to heal up and possibly be back in the lineup for Week 10. Henderson is still worth a pickup, if you have the roster flexibility.
Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings (17.6%)
Dalvin Cook may be a top RB in fantasy points at the RB position, but Alexander Mattison has been on the field an increasing amount as the season has gone on. In Week 8, Mattison was on the field for 19 snaps and had 13 rushes and two receptions for a total of 64 yards. Mattison has had at least 50 yards four games, showing that he can produce even when Cook is on the field. If Cook is to miss any time down the stretch, Mattison could be a league winner.
Raheem Mostert, RB, San Francisco 49ers (8%)
So far this season, the 49ers have been pretty dominant at rushing no matter which RBs have been active. When Breida was injured in the 49ers Week 8 game, Mostert stepped up and had nine rushes for 60 yards and a touchdown. With the 49ers playing on Thursday night, Mostert is worth an add in case Breida is not able to suit up.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns (57.5%)
In the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Patriots, Nick Chubb rushed for 131 yards, but he had two costly fumbles. This comes one game after losing his first fumble of the year. If Chubb cannot get these fumbles under control, Hunt could have a much larger role than anyone anticipated.
Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins (29.2%)
Guice has missed all season, aside from Week 1, but it looks like he will be ready to go in Week 11 against the New York Jets. When Bill Callahan took over as interim coach, he said that he wanted to run the ball more. Since then, Peterson has had 23, 20 and 14 rushes, proving that he meant it. If Guice is given the same workload as Peterson has seen, he could help propel you to a fantasy championship.
Pass Catcher Adds
Anthony Miller, WR, Chicago Bears (12.8%)
After a slow start to the season, Anthony Miller is quietly starting to turn things around. Miller has yet to catch a TD, but he has had at least 50 receiving yards in three straight games and has seen nine targets over that stretch. The Bears are past their bye week, so if you need a bye week fill-in, Miller is starting to look like a somewhat safe floor and he faces the Eagles and Lions over the next two weeks.
Preston Williams, WR, Miami Dolphins (9.4%)
Through eight weeks, Preston Williams leads the Dolphins in targets, receptions and yards. His big frame is clearly a favorite target for Fitzpatrick and Rosen. Williams is being targeted all over the field and ranks top-30 in the league in air yards. The biggest problem is that Williams has not scored a touchdown since Week 1. With all of the opportunity, touchdowns will come, but until then, Williams offers a very safe floor.
DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins (12.7%)
With a touchdown in three of the last four games, Parker’s season has started to get back on track after a somewhat slow start. Facing the Jets and Colts over the next two weeks, Parker is in line to continue on this little streak that he has going. Parker has not been targeted as much as Williams, but his touchdown upside makes him an appealing flex play over the next couple of weeks.
Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcon (0.0%)
Through the first seven weeks of the season, Gage caught four of his eight targets for 44 yards. But in the Falcons’ first game without Mohamed Sanu this season, Gage caught seven of nine targets for 58 yards. The Falcons have a Week 9 bye, but if you have roster flexibility, he could be worth a flier.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (24.5%)
Over the past five games, Dallas Goedert has been on the field for at least 59% of the offensive snaps. Over that span, he has three touchdowns compared to only one for Zach Ertz. Over the past three games, Goedert has caught 12-of-17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns and has clearly earned the trust of Wentz. Goedert’s targets and yards alone are a safe floor, but the touchdown upside gives fantasy owners a hope for more each week moving forward.
Darren Fells, TE, Houston Texans (12.5%)
Tight end is always a tricky position, unless you have one of the top at the position. So far this season, Fells has been able to catch 23 of his 28 targets and has five touchdowns, emerging as one of the Texans’ top red zone options. Fells has scored a touchdown in three games, with two multiple touchdown games, so the upside is there and he is available on waivers.
Drops
QB: Teddy Bridgewater, Joe Flacco
RB: Kerryon Johnson, Wayne Gallman
WR: Dante Pettis, Donte Moncrief
TE: Jared Cook, Vance McDonald
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