By: WeKnowFantasy
We’re entering the stretch run of the fantasy football season where every win seems that much more important to teams trying to make a playoff push or defend their playoff position. If you lost pieces, or simply just have some room to stash some players on your bench, this article is for you! Read below who @MasterSmithers is adding to his fantasy football rosters via the waiver wire this week.
Week 9 Suggestions
Quarterback
Justin Fields (Chicago Bears) - Owned in 26% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. MIA
Much like my blurb on Danny Dimes last week, Justin Fields’ fantasy value comes with his legs. He’s played his way all the way up to QB11 on the season over the past three weeks, all 20+ fantasy point performances in 6-point passing touchdown leagues. Fields is finally utilizing his legs, rushing the ball 34 times over the past three games. He’s got a matchup with the Dolphins on deck, whose defense was torched by Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions last week. Look for Fields to keep up his torrid pace.
Other options: Andy Dalton (22%).
Running Backs
Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) - Owned in 24% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. TEN
I don’t love the running back options this week, but Pacheco is worth keeping an eye on. Recently named the Chiefs’ ‘starting running back’, Pacheco earned the majority of the team’s carries in Kansas City’s week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Pacheco will have to split work with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jet McKinnon, but coming off a bye week I’d expect Pacheco to be even more involved than he was headed into the bye. Double-digit fantasy weeks are on the horizon. Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams) - Owned in 14% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: @TB
The Rams running back room is in shambles. Honestly it has been since Todd Gurley was here and gone in what seemed like the blink of an eye, but I digress. The Rams need something. Ronnie Rivers led the team in running back opportunities last week. If that last sentence made you say “who?”, you are not alone. There are still mere hours left prior to the trade deadline, so the Rams could still add someone. If they don’t, it sounds like Williams will be activated from the IR prior to this week’s game against the Bucs. Take a flier on him if you’ve got bench space and need running back depth.
Other options: Rachaad White (21%), Jaylen Warren (3%).
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Wide Receivers
Devin Duvernay (Baltimore Ravens) - Owned in 29% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: @NO
If Duvernay wasn’t scooped up in your league following his hot start, now is the time to grab him. After last Thursday night’s game Rashod Bateman looks likely to miss a few weeks while Mark Andrews and Gus Edwards also left banged up. With J.K. Dobbins also on the shelf, the Ravens are short on offensive weapons. Enter Duvernay. He looks to be the team’s top receiving option for the time being. Though Lamar Jackson isn’t a QB that is going to sling the ball 50 times a game, Duvernay ought to still get his fair share of opportunities.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (Cleveland Browns) - Owned in 14% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: BYE
DPJ seems to be a legitimate part of the Cleveland offense. As the No.2 pass catcher behind Amari Cooper, Peoples-Jones had a solid Monday night performance that saw the Browns post 32 points on the Bengals. Jacoby Brissett has shown he can make this offense move, and DPJ is a legitimate weapon. If you can afford to hold him through the team’s be week, add him now, if not, make a mental note to grab him next week.
Take a peek for Rondale Moore on your wire this week. I like him better than both options above, but he was owned in just over 40&% of leagues, so I omitted him from above.
Other options: Rondale Moore (46%).
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Tight End
Evan Engram (Jacksonville Jaguars) - Owned in 32% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. LV
I bet you thought this would ‘likely’ be someone else. See what I did there? Though I do believe Mark Andrews’ protégé should be looked at to be added this week, I’m featuring current TE1 Evan Engram. Engram, who currently sits at TE11 on the season scored his first touchdown of the season across the pond last week. Engram hasn’t had less than six targets in a game since week 4, meaning the opportunity is there. That opportunity should be solid this week, as the Las Vegas Raiders come to town. They’ve struggled defensively all season.
Other options: Isaiah Likely (2%), Greg Dulcich (34%).
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