Things start to get a bit more challenging in fantasy football now as we head into Week 9 of the season. There are six teams on a bye and several key players injured, which leaves us making some tough calls on the Week 9 waiver wire. Tyreek Hill owners hold their breath as the superstar wide out is dealing with a groin injury, while those who own Cooper Kupp can likely put him back in the starting lineup this week. Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook owners can only hope they get their early round picks back soon, just in time to make a playoff push. If you need wins right now, you may be better off dealing those two backs to people in your league who are cruising to a first round bye. There are couple players such as Peyton Barber who are right around the 60 percent mark in Fantrax. Make sure he’s owned as rookie Ronald Jones is likely out for weeks.
Teams on bye:
Arizona Cardinals
Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Key Week 9 Injuries
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger (finger) – fracture on non-throwing hand
Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) – unlikely to play WK 9
Josh Allen (elbow) – missed WK 8
Derek Anderson (arm) – left WK 8 game
Running backs
Melvin Gordon (hamstring) – questionable WK 9
Leonard Fournette (hamstring) – BYE
Sony Michel (knee) – missed WK 8
Dalvin Cook (hamstring) – likely out until WK 11
Royce Freeman (ankle) – missed WK 8
Ronald Jones (hamstring) – expected to miss few weeks
Raheem Mostert (ankle) – sidelined Monday
Theo Riddick (knee) – missed WK 8
Darren Sproles (hamstring) – BYE
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green (toe) – expected to be fine
Tyreek Hill (groin) – left WK 8
Cooper Kupp (knee) – ‘good chance’ returns WK 9
Will Fuller (knee) – done for season
Keke Coutee (hamstring) – missed WK 8
Quincy Enunwa (ankle) – missed WK 8
Jamison Crowder (ankle) – missed WK 8
Kenny Stills (groin) – missed WK 8
Pierre Garcon (shoulder/knee) – sidelined Monday
John Ross (groin) – likely out WK 8
Rishard Higgins (knee) – missed WK 8
Tight Ends
Geoff Swaim (knee) – likely out WK 9
Week 9 Waiver Wire (under 60% Owned on Fantrax)
Courtland Sutton, WR – Denver Broncos (55%)
Courtland Sutton is coming off a career high 78 yards last week against the Chiefs. He had three grabs on four targets and enters this week with two touchdowns in his last four games. There are strong trade rumors surrounding Demaryius Thomas, and if he were to get dealt that would leave Sutton with a much bigger role in this offense. The future looks bright for the rookie wideout.
*UPDATED – Demaryius Thomas has been traded to the Houston Texans. That move boosts the value of Courtland Sutton as he’s now the number two option in the passing game. Also take a look at DaeSean Hamilton in deeper formats. It puts a bit of a damper on Coutee’s outlook, but he still has some value in PPR formats. He’s also not 100 percent healthy right now.
DeVante Parker, WR – Miami Dolphins (60%)
DeVante Parker played his third game of the season last week and had six catches for 134 yards. It makes you wonder why he hasn’t played all season, especially when his agent spoke out last week saying Parker has been healthy. With Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills sidelined, the Dolphins didn’t have much of a choice but to play Parker. The playoff schedule for Miami is not great, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. You have to take it day-by-day with Parker and he has the Jets this week and the Packers the following week. That’s not awful, plus he could end up with another nine targets.
D.J. Moore, WR – Carolina Panthers (57%)
D.J. Moore had a career high six targets, five catches, and 90 yards last week against a very good Baltimore Ravens defense. He played 71 percent of the snaps with Torrey Smith sidelined. This week, Moore will draw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who allow the second-most fantasy points to wideouts.
D.J. Moore set a season-high in snaps (70 percent), routes run (26), and targets (6) in Week 8. Carolina faces Tampa Bay’s “defense” next.
— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) October 29, 2018
Keke Coutee, WR – Houston Texans (50%)
If Keke Coutee was dropped in your league, go grab him. Even with Coutee missing last week’s game and questionable this week, he’ll be a factor when he returns. Will Fuller is done for the season which would leave Coutee as the second option in the passing game.
Anthony Miller, WR – Chicago Bears (49%)
Anthony Miller scored his third touchdown of the season last week, and it was his second in the last three games. Miller hasn’t hit the 40-yard mark yet, but he has back-to-back games with seven targets. If Allen Robinson continues to miss time, Miller will continue to rack up targets in an offense that has scored 141 points in their last four games.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR – Green Bay Packers (26%)
It looks like Marquez Valdes-Scantling earned himself some more looks when Geronimo Allison was sidelined. Valdes-Scantling only had two catches last week, but totaled 45 yards and found the end zone. He has two touchdowns in his last three games and is starting to get Aaron Rodgers’ attention. MVS has 12 catches for over 200 yards in those three games. Allison had just the one catch on one target last week, and is just a guy we liked because this offense is potent. MVS has more skill and upside.
Tre’Quan Smith, WR – New Orleans Saints (55%)
Tre’Quan Smith was quiet last week, but the Saints had some issues throwing the football in Minnesota. That’s expected. This week, he’ll get the Rams in what will likely be a shootout. New Orleans also has Cincy, Philly, Atlanta, and Tampa on the schedule. He’s a solid stash and one that most people probably dropped after last week’s three catches for 18 yards.
Ito Smith, RB – Atlanta Falcons (55%)
Ito Smith was dropped last week due to the Falcons being on bye, but they return this week so he should be scooped up where available. Devonta Freeman could be sidelined for the rest of the season and if anything were to happen to Tevin Coleman, you’d have yourself an RB2. Smith also ranks inside the Top 15 in red zone rushing attempts. There’s value in that.
Josh Adams, RB – Philadelphia Egales (11%)
Josh Adams is not worth a high pick as the Philadelphia Eagles are on bye this week, and it’s going to remain a crowded backfield when they return. Adams led the Eagles in carries (9), rushing yards (61), and his 21-yard run in Sunday’s win against Jacksonville was the longest by a Philadelphia back this season. Wendell Smallwood was still involved, though, as he had eight carries and two catches. One of his catches resulted in a 36-yard touchdown. Corey Clement took a backseat as he only had five yards on five total touches. Adams is big and runs hard, but his two longest runs came on some pretty big holes. The Eagles will be without Lane Johnson for the next several weeks due to a knee injury, which hurts an already banged up offensive line. On top of that, Darren Sproles could return Week 10. Nonetheless, Adams deserves more touches, it’s just Doug Pederson tends to rotate through all his backs. I also wouldn’t drop Smallwood unless you are in a shallow league and desperate for a back this week.
Devontae Booker, RB – Denver Broncos (48%)
Make sure Devontae Booker is scooped up in leagues. It doesn’t hurt to have as much running back depth as possible. Booker was solid in a bigger role last week as he had 78 yards on nine carries and another 23 on four catches. Royce Freeman was reportedly close to playing last week and if he returns, it’ll be hard to roster Booker…even in deep PPR formats. It’s also a tough matchup against the Houston Texans. Again, it doesn’t hurt to have depth.
Spencer Ware, RB – Kansas City Chiefs (36%)
Just another reminder, that Kareem Hunt owners should have Spencer Ware on their roster. This offense is so legit that Ware could put up RB2 numbers if given the opportunity. Ware is the number one running back handcuff in football after those that were already hit on (James Conner & Latavius Murray). I feel the same way about Giovani Bernard and Malcolm Brown. These are strong handcuffs for Joe Mixon and Todd Gurley owners.
Chris Herndon, TE – New York Jets (24%)
Chris Herndon didn’t get as much volume as I thought he would last week, but he scored a touchdown for the third straight game. That’s good enough for me and it should be for you if you’re trying to replace Zach Ertz, C.J. Uzomah, Evan Engram or Eric Ebron. Herndon has over 100 yards on seven catches in his last three games. The New York Jets are without a lot of weapons on offense and the matchup this week isn’t bad. Miami has allowed five touchdowns to tight ends in their last three games.
Ed Dickson, TE – Seattle Seahawks (9%)
Ed Dickson made his season debut last week, and caught two balls for 54 yards with a touchdown. There’s not a lot to get excited about here when it comes to Dickson, but you may need a tight end this week. With six teams on a bye, it’s very possible. If you can’t get Jack Doyle, Dickson may be your next best bet.
QB Streams:
Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders @ SF (67%)
Baker Mayfield – Cleveland Browns vs. KC (68%)
Ryan Fitzpatrick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ CAR (21%)
Jameis Winston tossed four picks last week and was pulled in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick. Tampa Bay announced that Ryan Fitzpatrick will start this week in Carolina. Winston is tied for the league-league with 10 interceptions, while Fitzpatrick has five. Fitz has a 10.76 yards per attempt and a 68 completion percentage, compared to 7.98 and 64 percent from Winston. It’s not the best matchup, but if you can’t get Carr or Mayfield, you may have no choice. One thing still remains, and that’s the fact Fitz will be forced to throw due to his poor defense.
Like these Week 9 Waiver Wire adds? Get more Chris Meaney on his new podcast, By Any Means. Each week he’ll bring in guests from around the industry to break down all the fantasy news you need to know for your march to the championship.