Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Week 9 Byes: Cleveland, NY Jets, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay
Tagavailoa has been dreadful at times, but can sometimes flash
the upside that got him a big contract, including the 205-4-0
stat line he put up in a rout of the Falcons on the road. Up next
he gets a great matchup against a Ravens team that has allowed
the 2nd-most points to opposing QBs.
Dart just keeps putting up solid fantasy performances, mostly
on the strength of his legs. He passed for 193-1-0 and rushed
for 6-17-1 in a loss to the Eagles; that's a passing TD
in every game he's started and a rushing TD in four of five
starts. Fire him up again against the 49ers this week, who have
allowed a 11:0 TD:INT ratio through their first seven games.
Murray has been out the last two games dealing with a foot injury,
but is expected to return after the Week 8 bye. If not, Brissett
has proved capable, throwing for 599-4-1 over the last two games.
Either QB should be startable in a great matchup against the Cowboys,
who have been torched by the position and given up the most fantasy
points.
Joe Flacco, CIN vs NYJ: Flacco has been on fire since moving
to the Bengals, going for 223-2-0 passing and even getting a rushing
TD in a shootout loss to the Jets. Up next he gets another positive
matchup against the Bears.
Michael Penix Jr., ATL vs MIA: Penix strung together limited
practices throughout the week as he dealt with a bone bruise to
his knee before being ruled out against the Dolphins. He’ll
try to suit up against the Patriots Week 9.
Tracy saw more work for the Giants after Cam Skattebo left with
a dislocated ankle, and rushed for 10-39-0 and going 3-2-14-0
through the air. Tracy should take over the bulk of the workload
with Skattebo done for the year. This week he'll face a 49ers
defense that has allowed the 3rd-most receptions to RBs.
Marks had another solid outing in a win over the 49ers, rushing
for 11-62-0 and catching all 4 targets for 49 yards. Up next he
gets a stingy Broncos defense, but has shown a nice floor with
his receiving ability.
Monangai rushed for 7-24-0 as the Bears were playing catch-up
to the Ravens and starter D'Andre Swift saw a large workload.
He should see significantly more work against a Bengals team that
has allowed the most points to the position, including a combined
25-198-2 line to Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis in a Week 8 loss.
Spears is demanding more work from Tony Pollard, as he rushed
for 9-59-1 and caught 3-3-23-0 in a runaway loss to the Colts.
Up next is a decent matchup against the Chargers, but his expected
receiving work should provide a decent floor.
Knight led the backfield in touches in a Week 7 loss to the Packers,
going 14-57-0 on the ground and 4-3-7-0 through the air. This
week he'll face a porous Cowboys defense that has allowed
the 2nd-most points to the position.
Other RBs to consider: Ollie
Gordon II MIA (vs BAL), Kareem Hunt KC (@ BUF)
Tyler Allgeier, ATL vs MIA: Allgeier was able to spike a rushing
touchdown and even catch 2 passes for 10 yards despite a blowout
loss to the Dolphins. He should see less work in a game against
the Patriots this week.
Update:Brashard
Smith, KC vs WAS: Smith only rushed 3 times for 8 yards in
a win over the Commanders on Monday Night Football. Up next is
a positive matchup against the Bills.
Hutchinson led the Texans in receiving in a big win over the
49ers, going 6-5-69-1. If both Christian Kirk and Nico Collins
are forced to sit again, Hutchinson could be worth a look against
a tough Broncos defense.
Dike led all Titans receivers with a 8-7-93-0 line, so that's
back-to-back big games for the rookie. With Calvin Ridley (hamstring)
sidelined, Dike saw more work than usual. If Ridley sits again,
Dike should be busy against a tough Chargers defense.
Washington has seen more work with Tyreek Hill out for the year,
and finally had a nice stat line in a surprising blowout of the
Falcons, going 5-4-36-1. Up next is a juicy matchup against a
Ravens defense that has allowed the 2nd-most points to WRs.
Watson has been on IR all season, recovering from a knee injury
in 2024. In his first game action, he caught all 4 targets for
85 yards in a win over the Steelers. Up next is a tough Panthers
secondary, but with Jordan Love dealing, Watson could be the top
target.
Loveland saw more work with Cole Kmet out, and caught 3 of 5
targets for 38 yards. Up next he'll get a vulnerable Bengals defense
that has given up the most points to the position.
Marvin Mims,
DEN vs DAL: Mims couldn't replicate his monster game in a big
win over the Cowboys, as he suffered a concussion late in the
game and Troy Franklin led the team in all receiving categories.
Up next will be a much tougher test against the Texans.
Josh Reynolds,
NYJ @ CIN: With Garrett Wilson out with a knee injury, Reynolds
was expected to take over as WR1. Unfortunately, he's been put
on IR with a hip injury, so his fantasy relevance is likely over
for the season.
Xavier Legetter / Jalen Coker, CAR vs BUF: Coker was 2nd on the
team in targets and managed a 4-3-36-0 receiving line, while Legette
caught 2 of 3 targets for 17 yards in a blowout loss to the Bills.
It was a bit surprising there weren't more than 24 pass
attempts in such a lopsided loss. They'll get a chance at
redemption against the Packers this week.
Tez Johnson,
TB @ NO: Johnson had a solid game in relief of Chris Godwin and
Mike Evans, seeing the 2nd-most targets and going 6-5-43-0 in
a comfortable win over the Saints. The Bucs are on bye this week,
but he could be worth an add if Godwin is out again Week 10.
TE Mason Taylor, NYJ @ CIN: Taylor led all pass catchers in targets,
and delivered a nice 8-5-34-1 stat line in a shootout win over
the Bengals. The Jets are on bye this week, but Taylor will be
worth an add for Week 10 against the Browns.
The Lions were on bye this week, but in Week 7 they had 4 sacks
and 2 turnovers in a rout of the Buccaneers. Up next is a divisional
game against a Vikings team that has given up the most points
to opposing DSTs.
Chargers @ TEN
The Chargers defense was dominant in a win over the Vikings,
getting 5 sacks and a turnover while holding them to 10 points.
Up next they’ll get the Titans, who have given up the 2nd-most
points to opposing defenses.
Rams vs NO
The Rams were on bye this week, but the week before they dominated
the Jaguars overseas, getting 7 sacks and only giving up 7 points.
This week, they’ll face a Saints that has allowed the 4th-most
points to opposing DSTs, and may be starting rookie Tyler Shough
after Spencer Rattler was benched.
Other D/ST to consider: Jaguars (@ LV)
Last week’s waiver adds:
Colts vs TEN: As expected, the Colts ran up
the score against the Titans, getting 4 sacks and a turnover in
a blowout win. Up next will be a tougher test against the Steelers.
Chargers vs MIN: See above.
Falcons vs MIA: The Falcons laid a big egg in
a blowout loss to the Dolphins, getting only 1 sack and giving
up 34 points to a reeling Dolphins team. They won’t be a
fantasy option against the Patriots.
