Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Players to Add, Stash & Drop (Week 9)

Fantasy football managers starved for help at running back found little to sate their appetites early in the season. Lately, however, there have been some hearty entrées on the menu.

Last week, Broncos RB Jonah Coleman was scooped up in virtually every league where he wasn’t already rostered. The rookie wasted no time paying off his investors, producing 104 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against the Chiefs on Sunday.

This week, another rookie running back is the top prize on waivers. The Raiders’ Mike Washington Jr., who’s rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues, appears to have supplanted Ashton Jeanty as the primary early-down back in Las Vegas. Washington will attract some hefty FAAB bids this week.

One player not included in this week’s waiver article because he’s rostered in more than half of Yahoo leagues is Tyler Allgeier. Cardinals RBs Jeremiyah Love (ankle) and Bam Knight (concussion) both left Sunday’s game with injuries, leaving Allgeier as the last man standing in the Arizona backfield. Allgeier finished with 11-147-1 rushing and 5-44-1 receiving, making him the top fantasy scorer for the week among RBs. Allgeier remains unrostered in 48% of Yahoo leagues and should have a big role on Sunday when the Cardinals face the Seahawks in Seattle.

Let’s take a closer look at the top waiver targets for Week 9.

(Shout-out to Nathan Jahnke of PFF for the snap and route data from Week 8 games.)

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 9

Week 9 Waiver Grade: B

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Week 9

Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.

(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues; Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)

Running Backs

Mike Washington Jr. (RB – LV): 27% Rostered

Next Opponents: @SF, SEA, @DEN
True Value: $18
Desperate Need: $34
Budget-Minded: $10

Analysis: It seems inconceivable that a running back drafted sixth overall in 2025 would be relegated to a passing-down role less than halfway through his second NFL season, but that appears to be the fate of the Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty.

Averaging 3.1 yards per carry going into Week 8, Jeanty was replaced by rookie fourth-round pick Mike Washington Jr. on early downs. Washington was averaging 4.9 yards per carry going into Week 8. He carried 25 times for 83 yards Sunday in the Raiders’ 38-33 win over the Jets.

Washington is an extraordinary physical specimen. At this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Washington ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at 223 pounds, giving him a 100th percentile speed score, according to PlayerProfiler.com. Washington also had a 39-inch vertical jump. The speed-power combination Washington can deliver is exquisite.

Washington doesn’t offer much upside as a pass catcher, since Jeanty excels in that area and will still be used in a pass-catching role. Washington has had fumbling issues in the past, he has a bad habit of turning his back to contact, and he’s not much of a pass blocker.

Time will tell whether this RB arrangement holds for the Raiders. It’s possible Jeanty returns to a workhorse role if he shows improvement or if Washington fails in his expanded role. But rushing volume is worth chasing on waivers, and Washington appears poised to get substantial rushing volume in the weeks to come.

Washington is about to get a run of tough matchups, with the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos up next on the schedule. But if you’re weak at running back, Washington is worth a robust FAAB bid this week.

Kaelon Black (RB – SF): 31% Rostered

Next Opponents: LV, @DAL, MIN
True Value: $10
Desperate Need: $19
Budget-Minded: $4

Analysis: Frankly, it’s surprising that Kaelon Black is rostered in only 31% of Yahoo leagues. Christian McCaffrey strained his hamstring in Week 7 and briefly left the 49ers’ Week 7 loss to the Falcons. Black played a season-high 47% snap share in that game and had 12-63-1 rushing.

The reporting has been optimistic about McCaffrey’s injury, suggesting it’s only minor and that McCaffrey should be good to go against the Raiders when San Francisco emerges from its Week 8 bye.

But 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t always been entirely forthright about McCaffrey’s injuries. In the late summer of 2024, Shanahan expressed little public concern about a McCaffrey injury that was described as calf tightness. It turned out CMC had Achilles tendinitis in both feet. He went on injured reserve and didn’t play his first game of the season until November.

The third running back selected in this year’s draft and the only RB drafted in either the second or third rounds, Black has been impressive as a runner thus far, with 233 yards and a touchdown on 57 carries. He has an excellent 57.9% rushing success rate, per Fantasy Points Data, and is slightly above league average in rushing yards over expected par carry and yards after contact per carry.

Black is a physical runner, but unlike Kamikaze-style ball carriers such as Isiah Pacheco, Black actually has good run vision. The rookie isn’t much of a pass-catcher, though — or at least he hasn’t shown much aptitude in that area thus far. Black has three catches for four yards.

An excellent speculative add in case McCaffrey’s injury snowballs into something significant, Black is worth a hearty FAAB bid if he’s still available in your league.

Seth McGowan (RB – IND): 31% Rostered

Next Opponents: DAL, MIA, @HOU
True Value: $8
Desperate Need: $15
Budget-Minded: $4

Analysis: Saddled with a poor record and going nowhere fast, the Indianapolis Colts began selling off parts last week, trading OG Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks and DT DeForest Buckner to the 49ers. RB Jonathan Taylor is rumored to be available as well, and if he’s dealt, rookie Seth McGowan would become the Colts’ No. 1 running back.

A seventh-round pick out of Kentucky, McGowan has 37-163-0 rushing and 4-12-0 receiving on five targets. He won a training-camp battle with second-year man DJ Giddens to be Taylor’s primary backup.

McGowan, who just turned 25, has good size at 6-0, 223, and isn’t easy to bring down. He’s a good athlete who clocked a 4.49 at the scouting combine and had a 42.5-inch vertical jump.

The question is how much fantasy value a lead-back role with the white-flag-waving Colts would yield. Touch volume at the RB position is important, of course, but McGowan’s TD potential might be limited even in a lead role, and the overall ineptitude of the Colts’ offense might cap his value.

McGowan is certainly an interesting speculative play, but don’t completely blow out the FAAB budget to acquire a largely untested rookie in an oxygen-starved ecosystem.

Devin Singletary (RB – NYG): 4% Rostered

Next Opponents: @PHI, WSH, JAX
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: With Tyrone Tracy Jr. on IR with a hamstring injury, the Giants come out of their bye with Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary as their top two running backs. Skattebo is ostensibly the lead back, but the Giants cut his playing time a few weeks ago when Skattebo’s ball security became an issue.

The 29-year-old Singletary has been a useful jack-of-all-trades RB throughout his career. He’s averaged 4.4 yards per carry over seven-plus NFL seasons and has always been a very capable pass catcher.

It’s possible the Giants trade for a running back ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline. They’ve been mentioned among the potential suitors for the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor. But if the Giants stand pat this week, Singletary might get enough touches this week against the stumbling Eagles to make him at least flex-worthy in Week 9.

Kendre Miller (RB – NO): 26% Rostered

Next Opponents: CLE, CAR, @CHI
True Value: $0
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Bid no more than $1 on Kendre Miller, and only if you’re desperate at running back.

The Saints haven’t been able to run the ball. As a team, they have rushed for 55 or fewer yards in three of their last four games. The Saints’ running game ranks 30th in defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA). When we last saw Miller before the Saints’ Week 8 bye, he had eight carries for six yards against the Steelers.

Travis Etienne Jr. has been on IR with a hamstring injury and is eligible to come off IR this week. If we get word before waiver claims are due that Etienne will return this week, don’t bother claiming Miller.

But if Etienne isn’t ready to come back yet, Miller would be an option for the truly RB-needy this week. His matchup against the Browns is no better than neutral, but Miller has had 38 carries over his last three games.

Running Back Stash Candidates

Don’t chase Kenny Gainwell simply because he had 25-140-0 rushing in Week 8. Gainwell’s big day was the product of a freakishly run-heavy game script for the Buccaneers, who threw only three passes in a rain-soaked 16-0 win over the Falcons. Gainwell hadn’t run for more than 18 yards in a game all season, but he’s had 228 rushing yards over the last two weeks, as the Buccaneers had a similarly run-heavy game script in a Week 7 demolition of the Panthers. Gainwell is a high-end handcuff for Bucky Irving and is a worthwhile stash because of how well the Buccaneers run the ball.

Impetuous fantasy managers might be tempted to splurge on Emmett Johnson after his banner receiving performance in Week 8. Johnson had 5-128-1 on five targets, scoring on a screen pass that went for 73 yards. But there’s no reliable stand-alone value here. Johnson played 12 of the Chiefs’ 68 offensive snaps on Sunday. He is, however, a key handcuff. Johnson is the top backup to Kenneth Walker III and would become immensely valuable if Walker were to miss time. Just don’t overbid.

Samaje Perine briefly flirted with stand-alone fantasy value, but he’s really just a handcuff to Chase Brown. As potent as the Cincinnati offense is, Perine is one of the more essential RB handcuffs in fantasy.

Bhayshul Tuten has taken the lead-back role in Jacksonville and run with it, but Chris Rodriguez Jr. has handcuff value and perhaps a touch of stand-alone value in standard-scoring leagues. Rodriguez is a zero as a pass catcher, but he’s a human hammer of a runner who’s effective at the goal line. Rodriguez, who spent one season playing for Jaguars head coach Liam Coen at the University of Kentucky when Coen was the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator, got his third touchdown run of the season in Week 8.

Wide Receivers

Ryan Flournoy (WR – DAL): 34% Rostered

Next Opponents: @IND, SF, TEN
True Value: $4
Desperate Need: $8
Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Ryan Flournoy, the Cowboys’ No. 3 receiver, has become a consistent contributor. He’s had either a touchdown or 70-plus yards in four consecutive games.

A sixth-round draft pick out of Southeast Missouri State in 2024, Flournoy (pronounced “fluh-NOY”) began to get involved in the Dallas passing game in 2025 and finished last season with 40-475-4. This season, he has 30-342-2 and has drawn at least four targets in all eight of his games.

Flournoy is getting plenty of action even with Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens around. Pickens has been dealing with hamstring and shoulder injuries. If either Pickens or Lamb were to miss time, Flournoy’s value would soar.

Entering Week 8, Flournoy had taken 53.4% of his snaps from the slot, according to Fantasy Points Data. This week, he’ll face a Colts pass defense that has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to slot receivers.

Antonio Williams (WR – WSH): 26% Rostered

Next Opponents: LAR, @NYG, CIN
True Value: $4
Desperate Need: $8
Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: With Commanders WR Terry McLaurin out for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his knee, Antonio Williams was expected to play an expanded role in McLaurin’s absence, and indeed the rookie did just that in Washington’s Week 8 win over Philadelphia.

Williams had 5-54-0 on seven targets against the Eagles. He led the Commanders’ receivers in snaps (50) and routes (29).

The third-round rookie from Clemson should continue to be busy in the weeks to come. He’s well worth rostering — especially PPR leagues.

Caleb Douglas (WR – MIA): 28% Rostered

Next Opponents: DET, @IND, @BUF
True Value: $3
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: If you’re going to roster a Dolphins receiver, make it Caleb Douglas.

A third-round rookie from Texas Tech, Douglas has 13-226-2 on 19 targets in four games. He’s averaging 10.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, which ties him with Justin Jefferson for WR29 in that category. Douglas is averaging 11.9 yards per target.

Well on his way to establishing himself as the Dolphins’ No. 1 receiver, Douglas is playable this week against a Lions defense that has given up the second-most passing yards.

Adonai Mitchell (WR – NYJ): 11% Rostered

Next Opponents: @KC, BUF, @LAC
True Value: $3
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: It can be nettlesome to fantasy managers when one team has an overabundance of talent at the WR position, with teammates vulturing each other’s fantasy value every week. It isn’t often the Jets posing this problem, but, well, here we are.

Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. had 100-yard receiving games and scored touchdowns in Weeks 6-7, looking like a star in the making. Veteran Garrett Wilson had some big games early in the season. And after a relatively quiet, zero-catch return from a finger injury in Week 7, Adonai Mitchell erupted for 7-142-1 in Week 8.

A third-year player who was a throw-in in the trade that sent CB Sauce Gardner from the Jets to the Colts, Mitchell has an appealing combination of size (6-2, 205) and speed (4.34). He’s had issues with drops and focus, but Mitchell’s potential is evident, and we saw on Sunday what he’s capable of.

A player with this much ability should absolutely be rostered in average-sized leagues. But is Mitchell a plug-and-play waiver pickup? Probably not.

With Wilson and Cooper posing stiff target competition, and with Jets QB Geno Smith not really the sort of passer who can make multiple receivers consistently fantasy-relevant, be judicious if you intend to bid on Mitchell this week after his big game.

DeMario Douglas (WR – NE): 37% Rostered

Next Opponents: GB, @DET, BYE
True Value: $2
Desperate Need: $4
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: A.J. Brown missed Week 8 with knee/ankle issues and probably won’t be back for Week 9. With Romeo Doubs on IR with a shoulder injury, DeMario Douglas might be New England’s de facto No. 1 receiver when the Patriots host the Packers this Sunday.

Douglas was targeted on three of Drake Maye‘s 20 pass attempts Sunday and had 3-70-1, scoring on a 48-yard catch-and-run.

The 25-year-old Douglas has scored four touchdowns over his last four games and has produced at least 65 yards in three of those contests.

Douglas has a suboptimal matchup this week against the Packers, who have been stingy to slot receivers. But Douglas gets a very favorable Week 10 matchup against the Lions, who entered Week 8 having given up more fantasy points to slot receivers than any other defense.

Jakobi Meyers (WR – JAX): 47% Rostered

Next Opponents: @BAL, @TEN, @NYG
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Jakobi Meyers is a capable No. 2 receiver in a good Jacksonville offense. He has 22-309-2 over seven games and is averaging an impressive 10.0 yards per route run.

Meyers has been doing his best work against man coverage and against single-high safety looks this season. Unfortunately, his next three opponents — the Ravens, Titans and Giants — tend to favor zone coverage and/or two-high safety looks. But none of those three pass defenses are to be feared, and Meyers’ value could get a boost if the Jaguars decided to trade mercurial WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Quarterbacks

Malik Willis (QB – MIA): 20% Rostered

Next Opponents: DET, @IND, @BUF
True Value: $3
Desperate Need: $5
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: The top streaming QB option of Week 9, Malik Willis could be your solution at the QB position for the next two weeks, since this week’s sexy matchup against the Lions is followed by another alluring one against the Colts.

After throwing only two touchdown passes in his first five games, Willis has thrown two TD passes in each of his last two contests. He’s thrown for more than 200 yards in each of the last two weeks. Willis also brings serious rushing value to the table. He has 36-225-3 as a runner this season.

Willis is QB21 in fantasy points per game among quarterbacks with at least three starts. Over the last three weeks, he’s QB8 in fantasy points per game with 20.8.

This Sunday, Willis faces a Lions defense that has given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

Sam Darnold (QB – SEA): 40% Rostered

Next Opponents: ARI, @LV, BYE
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: If you’re streaming quarterbacks this season and looking to cover yourself for the next two weeks (and aren’t into Malik Willis), Sam Darnold should be on your radar.

By no means is Darnold having a banner season. He’s averaging 215 passing yards a game, with eight TD passes and eight interceptions in six starts. Only once this season has Darnold scored more than 15 fantasy points in a game. Darnold is coming off a mediocre performance against the Bears in which he completed 17-of-34 passes for 188 yards with two TD passes and one intrerception.

But Darnold gets a primo Week 9 matchup against the Cardinals, who entered Week 8 having allowed 22.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, second-most in the league. Over their first seven games, the Cardinals gave up 17 TD passes and 243.7 passing yards per game while yielding 8.5 yards per pass attempt.

In Week 10, Darnold gets a road game against the Raiders, who entered Week 8 having allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game (20.8) to QBs.

J.J. McCarthy (QB – NYG): 9% Rostered

Next Opponents: @PHI, WSH, JAX
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: If you aren’t yet ready to wrap your arms around J.J. McCarthy … hey, we get it.

The former University of Michigan star was awful in Minnesota last season, and five good quarters of football with the Giants might not be enough to make the McCarthy skeptics reconsider their position. No worries. There are other fish in the streaming-QB ocean.

But McCarthy has looked pretty good with the Giants so far. In Week 6, McCarthy relieved Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter and nearly orchestrated a come-from-behind win against the Saints, with 243 yards, a touchdown and an interception in less than 12 minutes of clock time. McCarthy got the start in a road game vs. the Texans in Week 7 and completed 20-of-28 passes for 252 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, as the Giants pulled off an upset in Houston.

McCarthy is averaging 10.1 yards per pass attempt over his last two games, with a passer rating of 95.2. The athletic McCarthy is also a very willing and able runner. He had a 28-yard scramble in the game against the Saints.

This week, McCarthy has a road game against the Eagles, whose pass defense has at least been respectable even in what’s looking like a lost season. In Week 10, McCarthy will have a favorable home matchup against the Commanders.

If you’re open-minded to the possibility that McCarthy can be redeemed after his nightmarish 2025 season, the young QB is an intriguing and affordable dart throw.

Michael Penix Jr. (QB – ATL): 20% Rostered

Next Opponents: CIN, KC, BYE
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: It might seem inconceivable to pick up Michael Penix Jr. after a ghastly Week 8 performance against the Buccaneers in which he completed 8-of-24 passes for 125 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions.

In fairness, wet weather nuked the passing attacks for both teams in Tampa Bay’s 16-0 win over Atlanta. Penix’s counterpart, Baker Mayfield, didn’t complete a single throw and attempted only three passes.

Penix had scored more than 20 fantasy points in each of his two previous starts before Sunday’s disaster. In Week 9, he’ll get a potential shootout against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. The Bengals are giving up 304.4 passing yards per game and 7.6 yards per pass attempt, and the high-flying Cincinnati passing game might force Penix to take to the skies frequently in order to keep up.

Deshaun Watson (QB – CLE): 12% Rostered

Next Opponents: @NO, HOU, BYE
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Deshaun Watson has gone three straight games without throwing a TD pass, but he still has some low-level streaming appeal this week against the Saints and perhaps the following week against the Texans.

While the touchdown passes have dried up, Watson has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his last two games. He’s also averaging 27.1 rushing yards per game.

Watson gets a very playable Week 9 matchup against the Saints, who are giving up 249.7 passing yards per game and 7.6 yards per attempt. In Week 10, Watson gets a home game against the Texans, who are allowing 262.7 passing yards per game and 7.5 yards per attempt.

Tight Ends

Terrance Ferguson (TE – LAR): 16% Rostered

Next Opponents: @WSH, @ARI, BYE
True Value: $3
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: Terrance Ferguson has been on IR with a high-ankle sprain. He was eligible to come off IR in Week 8, but the Rams chose not to open his 21-day window to return. It’s possible they’ll designate him to return this week.

An athletic second-year tight end with 4.63 speed and a 39-inch vertical jump, Ferguson had 6-54-1 on nine targets against the Giants in Week 2 when the Rams were without Puka Nacua. Now, the Rams are without Davante Adams, who’s expected to miss about two months with a hamstring injury.

The Rams badly need a credible No. 2 pass-catcher behind Nacua. Ferguson can be that guy. Anyone with a need at tight end should consider making a run at Ferguson this week.

Mike Gesicki (TE – CIN): 18% Rostered

Next Opponents: @ATL, PIT, @WSH
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Touchdown streaks are fragile, and chasing touchdowns is rarely a good idea. That said, Mike Gesicki has scored a touchdown in five straight games, and Bengals QB Joe Burrow has been a touchdown machine.

Gesicki’s contributions in the reception and yardage categories are intermittent. He’s topped 40 receiving yards twice in seven games, and he’s had three games with fewer than 10 receiving yards. Gesicki is averaging 3.4 targets and 2.4 receptions per game.

With six touchdowns on the season, Gesicki has scored a touchdown on 35.3% of his catches and 25.0% of his targets. Those are unsustainable rates.

Still, Gesicki plays in perhaps the most lethal passing attack in the league. You can’t count on his run of touchdown luck to continue, but he’s better positioned for good TD fortune than a lot of other tight ends in the streaming class.

Greg Dulcich (TE – MIA): 6% Rostered

Next Opponents: DET, @IND, @BUF
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Greg Dulcich is starting to become a reliable arrow in the Dolphins’ offensive quiver. He’s had at least four catches and 37 yards in four of Miami’s last five games. Dulcich has had at least four receptions in three straight contests.

Dulcich gets a Week 9 matchup against the Lions, who have given up the most fantasy points to TEs this season. Opposing tight ends have blasted Detroit for 61 catches, 684 yards and 11 touchdowns – all league highs.

Dulcich is a viable streaming TE this week.

Kenyon Sadiq (TE – NYJ): 13% Rostered

Next Opponents: @KC, BUF, @LAC
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Check the status of Mason Taylor before bidding on Kenyon Sadiq. Taylor left the Jets’ Week 8 loss to the Raiders with an apparent leg injury. If it’s only minor and Taylor isn’t expected to miss time, it’s probably not worth adding Sadiq.

However, if Mason is going to miss multiple games, Sadiq could be a worthwhile add.

The rookie flashed earlier this season with a 7-105-1 game against the Lions. Sadiq, the 16th overall pick of this year’s draft, is an athletic unicorn with 4.39 speed and a 43.5-inch vertical jump.

The Jets have a fine trio of wide receivers in Garrett Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr. and Adonai Mitchell. If Mason is around as well, there’s simply too much target competition for Sadiq to provide anything close to consistent fantasy value. But if Taylor is out? Maybe.

The Jets have favorable TE matchups the next two weeks with games against the Chiefs and Bills. Entering Week 8, the Chiefs had given up the seventh-most half-point PPR fantasy points per game to tight ends, the Bills the 14th-most.

But again, check Taylor’s injury status before placing a claim on Sadiq.

Eli Raridon (TE – NE): 1% Rostered

Next Opponents: GB, @DET, BYE
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Eli Raridon could be a short-term option at tight end if Hunter Henry is sidelined. Henry left the Patriots’ Week 8 win over the Dolphins with a foot injury.

If Henry is out, New England could be missing a ton of pass-catching firepower in Week 9. AJ Brown missed Week 8 with ankle and knee problems, and WRs Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins are on IR (although Hollins is eligible to come off this week).

A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, Raridon has 13-173-2 on 20 targets.

Defenses

Kansas City Chiefs: 42% Rostered

Next Opponents: NYJ, @ATL, ARI
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Kansas City Chiefs rank 12th in defensive fantasy scoring. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit has collected only eight sacks, but the Chiefs have forced 10 turnovers.

The Chiefs have a friendly Week 9 matchup with QB Geno Smith and the Jets. Smith has limited his interceptions this season, throwing only three in his first eight games, but he’s taken 23 sacks.

New York Giants: 2% Rostered

Next Opponents: @PHI, WSH, JAX
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Giants’ defense has scored just 7.0 fantasy points over its last three games, but the Giants face the Eagles in Week 9, and the Eagles’ offense is capable of making any defense look good.

Since Tanner McKee has taken over at quarterback for Jalen Hurts, who’s out for the season with blood clots, the Eagles have averaged 15 points and 270 yards of offense per game. McKee has thrown two interceptions and taken 10 sacks in his three starts.

The Eagles have become a great team to target with streaming defenses, so the Giants are worth your consideration this week.

Chicago Bears: 27% Rostered

Next Opponents: TB, BYE, NO
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Bears added one of the NFL’s top defenders last week, making a trade with the Titans to acquire DT Jeffrey Simmons. The 29-year-old Simmons is a play-wrecker. He has four sacks this season and had 11 in 2025.

Simmons celebrated his arrival with a sack in the Bears’ 34-17 Monday-night win over the Seahawks. The Bears had three sacks against the Seahawks forced one interception, and held Seattle to 252 yards from scrimmage and 4.5 yards per play.

The Bears have a Sunday-night home matchup against the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield didn’t throw a single pass in Tampa Bay’s wet-weather win over the Falcons on Sunday, and Mayfield threw only 11 passes in the Buccaneers’ Week 7 beatdown of the Panthers.

If a defense has success against the Buccaneers’ running game and can force Mayfield to throw, it can score fantasy points. In his first three games of the season, Mayfield threw two interceptions and was sacked 13 times. Simmons should help keep the Tampa Bay running game in check and force Mayfield to drop back.

Detroit Lions: 26% Rostered

Next Opponents: @MIA, NE, TB
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Although they’ve been giving up ample passing yardage this season, the Lions have high pressure and sack rates. Detroit has piled up 24 sacks in seven games.

Dolphins QB Malik Willis has been sacked 21 times and has thrown five interceptions in seven games.

The Lions are a solid matchup play this week even though they’re expected to be without LB Jack Campbell, who was carted off the field with a neck injury on Sunday.

Kickers

Tyler Bass (K – BUF): 41% Rostered

Next Opponents: @MIN, NYJ, MIA
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Tyler Bass has had surprisingly low rostership all season, and it’s hard to understand why. The Bills are an offensive juggernaut, and Bass has been money this season.

Buffalo is averaging 33.3 points per game and has scored more than 30 points in all but two of its seven games.

Bass is a perfect 13-of-13 on field goals this season and 18-of-20 on extra points. He’s tied for third in fantasy points per game among kickers with 11.1.

The Bills have a tough matchup against the Vikings this week, but at least Bass gets weather-proof indoor kicking conditions at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota.

Matt Gay (K – LV): 37% Rostered

Next Opponents: @SF, SEA, @DEN
True Value: $0
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Matt Gay has been remarkably consistent this season. He’s scored eight or more fantasy points in seven of his eight games, and his worst output of the season was a six-pointer.

Gay is 18-of-20 on field goals this season and 19-of-19 on extra points.

The Raiders have been surprisingly punchy, averaging 27.6 fantasy points per game. They have a tough matchup with the 49ers in San Francisco this week, but until Gay stumbles, we’re going to keep recommending him.

Will Lutz (K – DEN): 15% Rostered

Next Opponents: @CAR, BYE, LV
True Value: $0
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Will Lutz is 6-of-6 on field goals over his last three games and 14-of-17 on the season. He’s 14-of-14 on extra points. Lutz is averaging 10.0 fantasy points over his last five games.

Lutz kicks against the Panthers on Sunday. Carolina has given up 70 points over its last two contests.

Andre Szmyt (K – CLE): 2% Rostered

Next Opponents: @NO, HOU, BYE
True Value: $0
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Andre Szmyt gets a dome matchup against the Saints in New Orleans this week. In their three games at the Caesars Superdome this season, the Saints have allowed 103 points.

Szmyt has quietly become one of the more dependable kickers in the league. He’s converted 16-of-18 field goals (including both of his tries from 50+ yards) and is 11-of-12 on extra points.

Fool’s Gold

Titans TE Gunnar Helm had his best game of the season in Week 8, with 5-76-0 receiving on nine targets. But Helm hadn’t produced more than 28 receiving yards in any other game this season, and the Titans don’t exactly have a high-octane passing attack. Plus, Tennessee will be on bye in Week 9.

Some people might see that Dylan Sampson played 12 more snaps than Quinshon Judkins in Week 8 and think that makes Sampson a worthy waiver acquisition. Context is important. The Browns were playing from behind in most of their 27-6 loss to the Steelers on Sunday, and Sampson is Cleveland’s passing-down back. Sampson had just one rushing attempt in that game. He had 6-62-0 on eight targets, but most of that came in garbage time. On the Browns’ final drive of the game, Sampson caught passes on three straight plays for 33 yards. Judkins is the undisputed early-down back. Sampson’s role just isn’t particularly fantasy-relevant in an average (at best) Cleveland offense.

Drop Recommendations

Droppable

Mark Andrews isn’t having a particularly good season, and now he has QB problems. Lamar Jackson is going on IR with a thumb injury that will require surgery, and backup Tyler Huntley is dealing with turf toe. There’s no point rostering Andrews unless you’re in a deep league with ample roster spots.

No Tampa Bay pass catcher has done much of anything the last two weeks, with Tampa Bay finding itself in obscenely run-heavy game scripts. But Godwin hasn’t had a 50-yard game or a touchdown all season and was averaging just 1.17 yards per route run entering Week 8. Godwin has been rumored as a potential trade candidate, but there might not be a landing spot in the NFL that could revive his fantasy value.

Jaylin Noel‘s second NFL season is over. The Texans placed Noel on season-ending IR last week due to turf toe.

Droppable With a Chance of Regret

In half-point PPR leagues, Omarion Hampton had an average draft position (ADP) of RB9, 15th overall. Through seven games, he has 89-309-3 rushing and 11-63-0 receiving. In Week 8, coming out of a bye, Hampton played 29.5% of the Chargers’ snaps and had 9-20-0 rushing and 2-7-0 receiving. The last hope for Hampton investors was that the Chargers would have initiated some sort of offensive sea change during their Week 8 bye. Clearly, that was not the case. As painful as it is for Hampton stakeholders who paid such a steep price for him, the second-year RB is no longer a must-hold.

Don’t Drop Yet

Josh Downs scored a touchdown in Week 8, but he had only four catches for 23 yards. This has been a disappointing season for Downs, but he’s asked to be traded, and it’s worth holding onto him until the Nov. 10 trade deadline to see if the Colts honor his request and move him to a better offensive environment.

Ashton Jeanty appears to have lost his early-down role to rookie Mike Washington Jr. Jeanty is an exceptional pass-catcher, but it will be hard for him to provide sufficient fantasy value if he’s pigeonholed as a passing-down back. Hang on to Jeanty for now in hopes that Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak eventually gives the second-year back more of the early-down work.