Week 9 waiver wire: Fantasy football pickups
Week 8 delivered plenty of surprises. Gardner Minshew made a dramatic return, Tampa Bay won without completing a pass, Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase all had huge fantasy outings, and Tony Pollard has scored five touchdowns across his past two games. Kirk Cousins is still putting up strong numbers, too. There are some useful options on the waiver wire this week, so let’s take a look.
Week 9 byes
The Steelers and Titans are off next week.
Week 8 injuries
Lamar Jackson, Ravens, QB
It was a rough start to the game for Baltimore. Jackson injured his hand on the Ravens’ first offensive play when he hit a defender’s helmet on his throwing follow-through. He was ruled out and will need surgery on his thumb. Jackson has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least four games. Before deciding whether to drop him, fantasy managers will want more information about his chances of returning this season. Still, that decision may be coming soon.
Tyler Huntley, Ravens, QB
Huntley came in for Jackson but left after suffering a turf toe injury. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano entered as the emergency quarterback, and the results were not encouraging. For now, it looks as though Fagnano could be asked to start against the Jaguars on Thursday night.
Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight, Cardinals, RBs
Love aggravated an ankle injury and had to leave the game, while Knight suffered a concussion. Their exits, along with Gardner Minshew’s strong play, opened the door for Tyler Allgeier to take over and produce a huge outing.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals, WR
Wilson caught eight of 15 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. After the game, he revealed that he has two broken ribs. He played through the injury, so for now, I’m not too concerned about his availability.
Kendrick Bourne, Cardinals, WR
Bourne suffered a high ankle sprain, according to the broadcast. There isn’t an obvious receiver ready to take on a big workload behind him, but Michael Wilson and Trey McBride could both see plenty of opportunities while Bourne is out.
Josh Palmer, Bills, WR
Palmer injured his hamstring in Week 8 and didn’t return. He’s been dealing with injuries on and off this season. If he misses time, Keon Coleman could be among the biggest beneficiaries.
Zachariah Branch, Falcons, WR
Branch left the Week 8 game with a hamstring injury and did not return. If he’s sidelined, Olamide Zaccheaus could take on a larger share of the slot snaps.
Hunter Henry, Patriots, TE
Henry injured his foot in the second quarter against Miami. He had three catches for 30 yards before leaving and couldn’t get back into the game, despite trying to return. Eli Raridon would be next in line if Henry misses time, and he has already shown he can perform at the NFL level.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys, TE
Ferguson injured his ankle early in the loss to Arizona and was unable to return. Brevyn Spann-Ford had already started taking some of his snaps, so he could move into the top tight end role if Ferguson is out. His target total is usually modest, but he’s worth considering in two-tight-end leagues.
Quarterbacks
Malik Willis, Dolphins (18%)
Willis had a quieter game against the Patriots, though it wasn’t a disaster. He threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, and ran once for just two yards. The matchup against Detroit next week is appealing, and I’d be comfortable using him as a streaming starter.
Gardner Minshew, Cardinals (0%)
Minshew came on for a struggling Jacoby Brissett and completely changed the game. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, then led Arizona to an overtime win. It would be surprising if he didn’t start against Seattle next week.
Minshew has had a habit of looking excellent one week and shaky the next, so there’s some risk here. Even so, the Cardinals’ offense is interesting, and he could be useful for a spot start when the matchup is right. Arizona’s schedule is tough over the next three games, but it gets friendlier after the Week 11 meeting with Kansas City.
Running backs
Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (52%)
Allgeier’s week took an unexpected turn. He had struggled in the two games Jeremiyah Love missed with an ankle injury, rushing 26 times for only 57 yards. Against Dallas, though, Love and Bam Knight both left with injuries, and Allgeier took advantage. He ran for 147 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, then caught all five of his targets for 44 yards and another score.
It’s worth waiting for more information on how long Love and Knight might be out before going all in on Allgeier. Arizona faces Seattle, the Rams and Kansas City over its next three games, which isn’t an easy stretch.
Seth McGowan, Colts (31%)
Jacksonville routed Indianapolis 42–7 in Week 8. Before the game, reports said All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor was firmly on the trade block. Taylor still played a large number of snaps, with McGowan continuing to back him up. The Colts’ backs had little success against a strong Jaguars run defense.
Indianapolis faces Dallas next week. If Taylor is traded—or sits while the team explores a deal—McGowan could have a favorable opportunity in his first start.
Mike Washington, Raiders (27%)
Washington started ahead of Ashton Jeanty and carried the ball 25 times for 83 yards. Jeanty actually scored more PPR points, catching three passes for 64 yards, while Washington wasn’t targeted. Upcoming games against the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos make a breakout harder to count on. But if Washington keeps getting close to 25 carries a game, he’s worth adding for the volume alone. The key question is whether this was a one-week change.
Dylan Sampson, Browns (17%)
Sampson offers a reasonably steady floor in PPR leagues because of his receiving work. He had just one carry for seven yards against Pittsburgh, but caught six of eight targets for 62 yards. In his only other game this season, he rushed six times for 45 yards and caught all three targets for another 32. With New Orleans up next, he could be a useful spot starter.
Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (19%)
Johnson caught all five of his targets for 128 yards and a touchdown, adding 10 yards on his only carry. Kenneth Walker remains the lead back, and that role isn’t likely to change. Still, Johnson showed enough to make a case for more touches. He’ll remain a boom-or-bust option behind Walker, but there may be more upside here than there was before.
Wide receivers
AD Mitchell, Jets (11%)
It’s been difficult to predict which Jets receiver will have a big week, but the group has produced fantasy-relevant outings. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. had his turn over the previous two weeks; this time, Mitchell caught seven of nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Malik Washington, Dolphins (48%)
Washington caught five of six targets for 40 yards and his first touchdown of the season. His six targets tied for the team lead, and he finished with the most receptions. It wasn’t a massive performance, but he’s shown he can earn opportunities in this offense. The matchup with Detroit next week gives him some upside.
Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys (58%)
Flournoy has become more involved lately, with 14 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns over the past three weeks. George Pickens has been playing through injuries, which has helped create opportunities, but Flournoy has also done enough to stay involved. Jake Ferguson’s injury could lead to even more work for him.
Tight ends
Mike Gesicki, Bengals (18%)
Gesicki played a larger share of the snaps this week and recorded his best totals for targets, catches and yards since Week 1. Injuries among the Bengals’ tight ends have created more room for him, and that could help him stay involved.
Touchdowns have been the dependable part of his game: he has scored in all seven appearances this season. He has also had three games with three or fewer targets, so the weekly volume is still a concern. If his targets climb, though, he could become a more reliable fantasy option.
Terrance Ferguson, Rams (16%)
There’s still no clear timeline for Ferguson’s return from an ankle injury, but he’s worth considering as a stash. With Davante Adams out, Ferguson could be used more like a wide receiver, giving him appealing upside at a position where that can be hard to find. Hopefully, there’ll be a clearer update before waivers run.
Darnell Washington, Steelers (3%)
Washington has been a little more consistent lately, scoring three touchdowns across the Steelers’ past five games. He also showed his big-play ability in Week 8, catching three passes for 94 yards. The main limitation is his role: he’s still used to block often and doesn’t run many routes.
Still, Aaron Rodgers has shown a willingness to look for him near the goal line, so more touchdowns could follow. Pittsburgh has a bye next week, which makes Washington a less urgent add. The Bengals matchup after the break could be a good time to use him if needed.
