NFL Waiver Wire: Week 9 Deep Dive

Injuries and bye weeks continue to mount. Using the waiver wire to effectively fill those holes could be the key to making a playoff push, which will be a primary aim of this article. A number of key topics were covered in the traditional waiver wire article - including the Saints' QB and Titans' and Eagles' RB situations - so head there for analysis. Let's dig into the rest.

Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa vs. Texans (45 percent ESPN)

Tagovailoa struggled against the Bills, which isn't particularly shocking. He'll face the Texans in Week 9 and Jets in Week 11, which should give him viability as a fantasy starter in two of his next three games.

Carson Wentz vs. Jets (39 percent ESPN)

It may not be advisable to watch Wentz if you play him, but he's gotten enough volume to be a decent fantasy producer. He'll draw matchups against the Jets and Jaguars the next two weeks, and they're both favorable matchups.

Justin Fields at Steelers (19 percent ESPN)

Fields showed the ability to be elite as a runner in Week 8 by topping 100 rushing yards against San Francisco. Despite still largely struggling as a passer, he's now exceeded 38 rushing yards in each of his last three contests. There are still a few reasons for caution, highlighted by the Bears' Week 9 matchup against the Steelers as they've only allowed 77 total rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks this season.

Tyrod Taylor at Dolphins (five percent ESPN, 32 percent FFPC)

Taylor has been designated to return from injured reserve, though it remains unclear when exactly when he'll take the field. However, he could turn out to be a better version of Fields with more upside as a passer - at least in the short-term.  

Jordan Love at Chiefs (zero percent ESPN, 15 percent FFPC)

There's little reason to push it with Love except in the deepest of leagues, but he should find himself in a game environment where the Packers will have to air the ball out. He's a one-week replacement, so this is truly an emergency-only situation.

Running Back

Ty Johnson at Colts (12 percent ESPN, 54 percent FFPC)

Mike White targeted his running backs a combined 20 times in Week 8. The majority of those went to Michael Carter, but Johnson has now recorded 11 receptions for 136 yards across the last two outings.

Latavius Murray vs. Vikings (30 percent ESPN)

Murray didn't practice Wednesday, so it doesn't appear especially likely he'll be back this weekend. He hasn't yet been ruled out, so watch his practice status the rest of the week. Prior to missing the Ravens' Week 7 matchup, Murray recorded four touchdowns in six games. He isn't going to take over the backfield as a workhorse, but could do enough to be a bye-week fill-in with the hope he finds the end zone.

Devonta Freeman vs. Vikings (12 percent ESPN, 41 percent FFPC)

Ty'Son Williams vs. Vikings (12 percent ESPN, 42 percent FFPC)

Le'Veon Bell vs. Vikings (four percent ESPN, 30 percent FFPC)

It's worth keeping the entire Ravens backfield in mind if Murray is sidelined. Watch the news to see who is active of this group. As mentioned with Murray, one player here isn't likely to emerge as a workhorse. But the hope would be one of them gets receiving work or scores a TD.

Mark Ingram vs Falcons (25 percent ESPN)

Ingram has solidified a role in New Orleans, but also one that is certain to remain limited unless Alvin Kamara suffers an injury. He can be a FLEX option in deep leagues with the hopes of 8-to-10 PPR points.

 Kenneth Gainwell vs. Chargers (46 percent ESPN)

Gainwell saw an unexpectedly small role against the Lions in the team's first contest without Miles Sanders. But game script had at least something to do with that, as the team worked from well ahead throughout. That likely had something to do with Gainwell's limited role, and it also isn't likely to be replicated against the Chargers. He isn't a trustworthy start, but it's worth holding/picking him up to see if his role changes with a different situation.

Rex Burkhead at Dolphins (one percent ESPN, one percent FFPC)

Scottie Phillips at Dolphins (zero percent ESPN, two percent FFPC)

The Texans are doing their best to mimic the Ravens' backfield, just in a much worse offensive context. David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay were both outworked by Burkhead and Phillips. It's nearly impossible to trust any of these four backs in Week 9, but the two listed above are both free adds who could pay dividends down the road.

Jaret Patterson – BYE (one percent ESPN, 42 percent FFPC)

Patterson didn't post a massive Week 8 stat line, but he led the team in rushes. Antonio Gibson remains the most valuable RB in Washington due to his role as a receiver, though it's clear the team is limiting his work. A bye week could be enough for Gibson to get some of his health back and diminish Patterson's role. But if your team can afford a stash, he's worth adding now in the event his demand grows after Week 10.   

Wide Receiver

Christian Kirk at 49ers (40 percent ESPN)

Rondale Moore at 49ers (27 percent ESPN)

Word emerged Wednesday A.J. Green tested positive for COVID-19. While he could still play Sunday if he tests negative twice within 24 hours (if vaccinated), the most likely scenario is that he'll be out. As a result, the target distribution should narrow to the benefit of Kirk and Moore.

Bryan Edwards at Giants (15 percent ESPN)

Edwards has been on the field for over 80 percent of offensive snaps in four consecutive games, but has yet to surpass five targets this year. That's likely to change in the absence of Henry Ruggs, and Edwards has seen his roster rate rise quickly in shallower leagues.

Van Jefferson vs. Titans (21 percent ESPN)

DeSean Jackson was basically eliminated from the Rams' offense in the last two outings, which allowed Jefferson to earn 13 combined targets. With Jackson now fully out of the picture, Jefferson should maintain at least a five-target-per-game role.

Jamal Agnew vs. Bills (three percent ESPN, 14 percent FFPC)

Fantasy managers have begged for a Laviska Shenault breakout, but instead it could be Agnew who takes over as Jacksonville's most consistent receiver. Across the last three, he's seen target shares of 23, 14 and 21 percent and also posted a 26 percent air-yards share in the team's Week 8 contest.

Gabriel Davis at Jaguars (three percent ESPN)

Davis has been a significant disappointment this season thanks in large part to addition of Emmanuel Sanders. It appears Cole Beasley could be in danger of missing this weekend, which would open the third receiver role to Davis on a short-term basis.

Tajae Sharpe at Saints (three percent ESPN, zero percent FFPC)

Sharpe had a superior role to Russell Gage in Week 8. In the long-term absence of Calvin Ridley, the wide receiver corps in Atlanta could take time to sort out, but Sharpe appears to be one player with a heavily increased role.  

Donovan Peoples-Jones at Bengals (two percent ESPN, 36 percent FFPC)

Rashard Higgins at Bengals (zero percent ESPN, eight percent FFPC)

Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be on his way out of Cleveland, and Jarvis Landry continues to battle a knee injury. The Browns' offense is among  the run-heaviest in the league so it's not a desirable spot to chase peripheral receiving options, but at least one of Higgins or Peoples-Jones could emerge in upcoming weeks. 

Zach Pascal vs. Jets (seven percent ESPN, 33 percent FFPC)

T.Y. Hilton has been ruled out of Thursday's matchup, which should lead to a bigger role for Pascal. Over the last two weeks, he's recorded target share rates of 23 and 16 percent while seeing 19 and 15 percent of air yards share.

Zay Jones at Giants (zero percent ESPN, zero percent FFPC)

Jones has held a minimal role in the Raiders' offense, but should see a bump in involvement without Henry Ruggs. He's not a starting option right now, but qualifies as a worthy stash as his workload is clarified.

Denzel Mims at Colts (zero percent ESPN, 31 percent FFPC)

The Jets will likely be without Corey Davis for Thursday. It will be Davis' second consecutive absence, and in Week 8 it appeared Mims pushed ahead of Elijah Moore for the third receiver role from a routes perspective. The Jets carry a number of middling receivers, so it's realistic Mims emerges in the offense down the stretch.

Tight End

Dan Arnold vs. Bills (nine percent ESPN)

Arnold has earned a double-digit target share in each of the last three weeks. He's had an aDOT of 5.3 and 4.5 in the last two, so his upside appears to be capped. Arnold is best suited for PPR formats, though he's a decent option across the board given the tight end landscape.

Evan Engram vs. Raiders (nine percent ESPN)

Engram hasn't had many boom performances this year, but he's recorded multiple receptions in every game. With Sterling Shepard almost certainly out, Engram should offer a safe floor yet again this weekend.

Albert Okwuegbunam at Cowboys (zero percent ESPN, nine percent FFPC)

Noah Fant was placed on the reserve/COVID list and is likely out Sunday. Okwuegbunam's projected volume still isn't extremely clear with Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick in the picture, but he's worth speculating on as a Week 9 streamer.

Tommy Sweeney at Jaguars (three percent ESPN, six percent FFPC)

Sweeney could be in line to benefit from the absence of both Dawson Knox and Cole Beasley. If either plays, Sweeney isn't likely to see enough volume to produce. But with both sidelined, he becomes a feasible replacement option.  

Geoff Swaim at Rams (zero percent ESPN, zero percent FFPC)

Swaim has taken over as the Titans' top tight end. The combination of Derrick Henry going down and the Rams likely jumping out to a lead should result in more passing volume for Tennessee. If Julio Jones remains out, Swaim could feasibly operate as the team's third pass-catcher.