We have some good news and bad news for those getting ready to hit the Week 9 fantasy waiver wire. First, the bad: This week’s top pickups (Latavius Murray, Caleb Huntley, Kenyan Drake, Kyren Williams, Ronnie Rivers, Isiah Pacheco, Greg Dulcich, Devin Duvernay) only include a couple of true “impact” players. The good? They won’t require significant FAAB bids or high waiver claims. Either way, whether you’re focused on one of the few high-priced waiver pickups or the more plentiful low-cost free-agent adds, you need to prioritize and have a budget plan.
As we’ll do every week this season with the help of our friends at Fantasy Alarm, let’s break down the top pickups and project how much of your FAAB budget you should bid on them.
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Week 9 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
By Ray Kuhn, Fantasy Alarm
Justin Fields (CHI). It’s still unclear if Fields has taken the next step as a quarterback, as 208 passing yards last week was a season high, but he has found himself becoming a viable fantasy quarterback. In each of the past four weeks, Fields has put up at least 20 fantasy points on the majority of platforms, largely due to what he’s doing on the ground. Fields has thrown for at least one touchdown in that stretch, but the real value is in his 277 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He should put up big numbers this week against the Dolphins, so grab him now. Projected FAAB bid: 4-6% of total FAAB budget
P.J. Walker (CAR). Walker will be back under center this week against a Cincinnati team that will be working on a short week after being blown out in Cleveland. While the Panthers did not pick up the victory in Atlanta, I would not exactly put the blame on their quarterback, as Walker threw for 317 yards and a game-tying touchdown. Carolina does have some weapons at the skill positions, so the mobile Walker could have a decent floor through the bye weeks. Proj. FAAB bid: 1-2%
WEEK 9 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | Trade advice
Week 9 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Kenyan Drake (BAL). With Gus Edwards now dealing with a hamstring injury, we are back to Drake being a viable option in Baltimore’s backfield. In a limited role on Thursday, Drake picked up 62 yards on seven carries while also catching all four of his targets and scoring through the air. Drake has had success in the past, but the real value here lies in him controlling the backfield this week for Baltimore. Projected FAAB bid: 5-8% of total FAAB budget
Latavius Murray (DEN). With Murray and the Broncos entering their bye week, the price here should not be that steep, and that represents a buying opportunity. Murray has found a role as a workhorse in Denver’s backfield, and that led to 14 carries for 46 yards last week and 37 carries over the past three weeks. He is not exactly a big-play threat, but the volume is there and three touchdowns in four games works pretty well. Proj. FAAB bid: 2-4%
Caleb Huntley (ATL). It’s strange that Huntley is not rostered in more than four percent of Yahoo leagues as of Monday night. It’s clear that the Falcons are going to pound the ball on the ground, and while Tyler Allgeier seems to be taking the lead, there is still more than enough room for Huntley. On Sunday, that led to 16 carries for 91 yards, and it was the second time in three weeks that he had 16 carries. If you are in pinch due to injuries or bye weeks, Huntley could be a solid option to fill that hole, but you’ll have to watch Cordarrelle Patterson’s health, as he’s eligible to come off the IR this week. Proj. FAAB bid: 2-4%
Isiah Pacheco (KC). Until we’re told differently, we’ll assume Pacheco is still Kansas City’s starting RB. He could be ticketed for a bigger role after the bye, so grab him now just in case he takes off in the second half. Proj. FAAB bid: 2-4%
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 9 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Joshua Palmer (LAC). We will need to get some updates on his status, as Palmer missed the Chargers game prior to their bye week with a concussion, but with Mike Williams expected to miss the next handful of weeks because of a high ankle sprain, the Chargers’ second-year wide receiver should continue to see a high workload. While Palmer was a popular add following Keenan Allen’s hamstring injury, he still finds himself available in nearly 75 percent of fantasy football leagues across ESPN and Yahoo formats. Projected FAAB bid: 7-10%
Rondale Moore (ARI). Moore was someone I had my eye on prior to the season, but it has taken him some time to find his groove. There’s a correlation between Moore’s strong performance against Minnesota and the fact that he was able to spend the entire game in the slot opposite DeAndre Hopkins. Moore caught seven of his eight targets for 92 yards and his first touchdown of the season. I would expect Arizona to continue putting his speed to use. Proj. FAAB bid: 5-7%
Devin Duvernay (ARI). Duvernay is owned in just over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, but if he’s available in yours, grab him now. Rashod Bateman (foot) is out for at least the next game, and Duvernay has shown he’s one of Baltimore’s top weapons. He totaled over 60 yards with a TD last week, and he should be able to rip off a couple of big chunk plays against New Orleans. Proj. FAAB Bid: 4-6%
Damiere Byrd (ATL). When Byrd caught a 75-yard TD two weeks ago, it was just a nice highlight-reel play, but we saw something similar last week. Once again, Byrd had another long touchdown reception, but this time it came with six targets, three catches, and 67 yards. We don’t want to chase big plays, but the Falcons are not exactly flush with wide receiver talent (even if they do not put a large emphasis on the passing game), so perhaps Byrd will begin to take a larger role on a more consistent basis. Proj. FAAB bid: 2-4%
Terrace Marshall II (CAR). We highlighted Walker above so it would make sense to also take a look at one of his receivers. There is pedigree and talent here, but the Panthers’ offensive situation has been less than ideal, so Marshall is still working to find his footing in the NFL. Health has also been an issue for Marshall, but it appears that he is finally healthy. Marshall was targeted nine times on Sunday, and that turned into four receptions for 87 yards. It’s worth a look to see if his success can continue. Proj. FAAB bid: 2-4%
Demarcus Robinson (BAL). We generally focus more on Lamar Jackson’s proficiency from a running perspective, but there are times in which he does have to throw the ball to wide receivers. With Rashard Bateman (foot) out this week, that workload should flow through to Robinson as it did on Thursday. Jackson and the Ravens did a good job of getting the ball to Robinson in space and letting him make things happen, as he caught six of his eight targets for 64 yards. This week, Robinson should find himself in a similar situation against the Saints. Proj. FAAB bid: 2-4%
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 9 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Greg Dulcich (DEN). This is officially the last call for Dulcich, who’s still under 50-percent owned in Yahoo leagues. The talented rookie has established himself as a must-start just three games into his NFL career (12 catches, 17 targets, 182 yards, TD), and while it’s never fun bidding on a bye-week player, stashing Dulcich is well worth it. Projected FAAB bid: 12-15%
Isaiah Likely (BAL). Tight end is a difficult landscape to navigate, and that is why the emphasis is so strong on Likely. Mark Andrews (shoulder, knee) is currently dealing with multiple injuries, and after he departed early on Thursday, his status for this week is in question. It’s possible that Andrews will be sidelined, which means Likely’s cost will certainly rise. Regardless, Andrews will not be at 100 percent, and I would expect his counterpart to make an impact. Baltimore likes to throw the ball to its tight end, and that led to six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown from Likely last Thursday. Proj. FAAB bid: 7-15%
Tyler Conklin (NYJ). The Jets have to move the ball in the air, and as Zach Wilson continues to struggle to find his footing, he leaned more and more on his tight end this past week. That led to Conklin being targeted 10 times, which he turned into six receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Conklin is a skilled pass catcher whose role should continue expanding as the Jets ask more of Wilson. Proj. FAAB bid: 4-5%
Week 9 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire Defense pickups, streamers
By Matt Lutovsky
As we always caution, you shouldn’t spend more than one percent of your FAAB budget on a D/ST. Here are this week’s potential streaming pickups:
- Minnesota Vikings (@ Commanders)
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Titans)
- Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Panthers)
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seahawks)
