Chances are if you’re reading this, you got unlucky with an injury in last week’s matchup or you need to find a replacement for players on bye (SEA, DET, TB, WFT). There have been plenty of injuries that have plagued the league in eight weeks of action, with top-tier fantasy players out for extended periods of time or were unable to suit up Sunday morning, leaving 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 the Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic.
It’s only halfway through the season, so you can still stash those late-round flyers you’re attached to and think could boom moving forward in the season, especially with multiple names added to the injury report this week. But if you need an immediate upgrade now, here are some Week 9 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could help move your team in the right direction.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the Week 9 fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts (32.8%)
Carson Wentz blew it for his team this past week, throwing two interceptions including one in overtime. But, that doesn’t mean he didn’t put up a solid fantasy performance. Wentz has thrown multiple touchdown passes in five straight games and has posted double-digit fantasy football performances in that span. The Colts face the Jets and Jaguars in their next two games, which should be solid fantasy performances for Wentz. He’s rostered in less than 33 percent of leagues and serves as a pretty quality fantasy starter.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (55.2%)
Derek Carr is coming off his bye and has only posted one single-digit fantasy performance out of eight games so far. The Raiders’ offense is surprisingly explosive and Carr has been consistent as a fantasy quarterback. His next few matchups are favorable. starting with NYG then KC. which are two very weak defenses against opposing quarterbacks. He has thrown for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in five of his seven games this season and, with the amount of weapons and good matchups he has, he’s a very solid starter in fantasy.
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Adrian Peterson, Tennessee Titans (0.1%)
With the news of Derrick Henry out for 6-10 weeks with a foot injury, the Tennessee Titans need a starting-caliber running back badly. Jeremy McNichols is simply a pass-catching and change-of-pace back and it’s clear he won’t get full-time responsibilities. Adrian Peterson is quite the veteran, but he looked pretty solid with Detroit last season. He could become the main back in an offense that prioritizes the running game and, considering he used to be one of the best running backs in the league, he could adjust quickly.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (54.8%)
J.D. McKissic is and never will be the featured back in Washington’s offensive scheme, but he is basically a wide receiver at this point. He’s caught at least four passes in the last three games, including two eight-catch games in that span. Washington is on a bye this week, which could bode well for you if you’re targeting him on the fantasy football waiver wire because he won’t be at the top of the list. He’s a wide receiver listed as a running back and will always be involved in the passing game. If you’re in PPR leagues, he’s an easy waiver wire addition for consistent and easy fantasy points.
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins (56.1%)
If there’s any bright spot in the Dolphins offense, it’s DeVante Parker. He’s missed three games due to injury, but had a solid day against the strong Bills defense, reeling in 8-of-11 targets for 85 yards. It’s clear Tua Tagovailoa has trouble throwing the ball down the field which will limit Parker’s fantasy value, but he is talented enough to make some noise regardless. Miami faces Houston next week, which they could easily win, and I expect Parker to be a big part of that.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (13.3%)
The targets for Amon-Ra St. Brown are as consistent as they can get, but the points haven’t shown up yet and that’s mainly because of his horrible quarterback and overall team play. Any Lions receiver will be limited in fantasy because it starts with who’s throwing the ball and what plays are being called on offense on a regular basis. St. Brown has all the potential in the world to carve out the WR1 spot on this poor offense and I think the touchdowns and yards will eventually come. It’s clear the Lions are tanking and won’t be winning many games this season, but it’s also good for St. Brown to get adjusted to the NFL level by constantly playing from behind and seeing more targets.
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (50.2%)
Logan Thomas will likely be activated off IR after this bye week passes and, as a result of being sidelined for multiple weeks, his ownership has dipped underneath 60 percent. Thomas is a stud in an offense that clearly prioritizes the tight end position in the passing scheme. It is very likely that Ricky Seals-Jones eats into Thomas’ usage and snap-count because he played well in his absence, but in the first three weeks, Thomas was utilized and caught two touchdowns. I’d grab him this week if you can even though he has a bye just because there’s a chance other fantasy managers may have forgotten about him.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (8.0%)
With Eric Ebron dealing with a hamstring injury, rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth has the opportunity to prove his worth for a quarterback that is losing his arm strength and could depend on the tight end position more. After only seeing 13 targets through his first five games, Freiermuth has seen 14 targets the past two games and has posted double-digit fantasy points both times. It’s clear the rookie is talented. If he keeps performing well, he will likely be an every down player in the Steelers offense. If you’re in need of a tight end, he is a very solid waiver wire addition.
