Hello there! It’s time for Week 9 of the Exemption Wire Watch.
Another round of NFL games has wrapped up. If you made it through “Goodbye Mageddon,” congratulations! Well, there’s still the Monday night game with the Commanders facing the Chiefs, but, really, it’s not too early to start thinking about bolstering your roster for next week.
We’ll take a look at some players you might want to snag off the waiver wire as we head into Week 9. As usual, we’ll categorize exempt additions as those on teams with up to 60% league enrollment.
Week 9 Bye Teams: Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (51.0%)
On Sunday, the Bengals established a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter, helping the Jets secure their first win of the season. Can’t pin that on Flacco, though. The veteran quarterback threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns, plus an additional touchdown on the ground. What does age mean? The Super Bowl 47 MVP has his sights set on making his 17th All-Pro appearance.
Flacco’s enrollment rate has jumped from around 10% to over 50% in just a week. This might be your last chance to snag him from the waiver wire, so if you’re interested, act fast.
Week 9 Matchups: vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (21.7%)
The Dolphins delivered a strategic win over the Panthers, shaking off their worries from earlier in the season. Tagovailoa threw for 205 yards and tossed a remarkable four touchdowns during their 34-10 triumph over Atlanta, earning himself a season-high of 24.2 fantasy points. This should give the team a much-needed morale boost, at least temporarily.
Aside from a couple of messy turn overs recently, Tagovailoa could be a decent addition to your lineup, especially if surrounded by solid teammates. Maybe keep an eye on him ahead of his game against a Ravens defense that’s had its ups and downs this season.
Week 9 Matchups: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
Samaje Perine, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (3.0%)
Flacco wasn’t the only Bengals player having a good day; Perine also shone during Sunday’s game. Despite Chase Brown getting more carries, Perine led with nine carries for 94 yards and a touchdown. This marks a significant moment as both backs found the end zone together for the first time this season. Here’s hoping they can carry this momentum into next week’s game against the Bears.
Week 9 Matchups: vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET.
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins (13.0%)
Gordon also played well during the Dolphins’ decisive victory over the Falcons, rushing 10 times for 46 yards and catching a 20-yard touchdown pass. This was the first time he received more than 10 touches in a game, and his playing time has steadily increased recently. Keep him on your radar as he may see even more action as Miami’s rocky season plays out.
Week 9 Matchups: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos (35.9%)
Franklin has really stepped up, becoming pivotal in the Broncos’ 44-24 victory over the Cowboys. The second-year receiver caught six of eight targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns. He’s not been regarded as a top-40 receiver this season, but he’s shown he can be a reliable option even with other talent around him. Picking him up from the waiver wire could enhance your squad.
Week 9 Matchups: @ Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET.
Kayshon Boot, WR, New England Patriots (24.5%)
The Patriots are gaining momentum, with quarterback Drake Maye impressing in their 32-13 win over the Browns. Boot made his mark with three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown, contributing significantly to the victory. He’s been excellent at deep routes, possibly ranking high for various measures.
Boot ranks as a top-25 receiver in fantasy scoring and is surprisingly still under 30% ownership in the league. Many should consider him, especially if the Patriots continue their current form.
Week 9 Matchups: vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET.
Jake Tonges, TE, San Francisco 49ers (4.4%)
Just because George Kittle is healthy doesn’t mean Tonges can’t contribute. In Sunday’s game against the Texans, he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass. Now, he may not match Kittle’s level of production, but he’s someone to keep on your roster just in case he gets more chances.
Week 9 Matchups: @ New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET.
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints (24.2%)
The Saints faced a tough loss, 23-3 to the Buccaneers, with the offense struggling, including a mid-game quarterback change. Still, Johnson managed a decent outing with five receptions for 53 yards. With the team likely trailing in future games, he could see increased targets, making him a potential asset.
Week 9 Matchups: @ Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET
