Week 9 Waiver Wire

Welp it happened, Derrick Henry got hurt! Fingers crossed this is the last casualty for the fantasy season but in case it isn’t we’ve got you covered on some players you should be picking up for Week 9 and some guys to stash now to see how roles may change in the coming weeks!

Boston Scott, RB

While Gainwell was the hot waiver wire add in Week 8 Boston Scott wanted to join in and becomes a hot waiver add in Week 9. While Gainwell’s ceiling maybe higher because of his versatility Boston Scott’s role should keep him on the field. We did see a Jordan Howard sighting but ultimately Boston Scott should continue to work as the teams between the tackles runner.

Week 8 stats: 18 points (12 carries 60 yards 2 TDs 1 target)

FAAB Bid: $9 – $19

Adrian Peterson, RB

Signed by the Titans on Monday after Henry was ruled out for the next 6-10 weeks, we haven’t seen AP since last season. While that’s troubling, last we saw of him he was still a monster. So if he can carve out some touches and work as the likely “between the tackles” back, he could certainly be a viable flex play with an even higher ceiling based on the weekly matchups.

Week 8 stats: N/A

FAAB Bid: $9 – $17

Jeremy McNichols, RB

It’s hard to say who is going to take the reins now that Derrick Henry is out for 6-10 weeks (read, the season). So far this season, McNichols has looked like the guy, so he is at least worth a prospective add. However, monitor Adrian Peterson (just signed today) and anyone else they may bring in over the next week, as this will surely have implications to bear in mind.

Week 8 stats: 4.8 points (3 catches 3 targets 33 yards)

FAAB Bid: $9 – $16

DeVante Parker, WR

Fuller does not see to be getting any healthier and Parker saw a health amount of targets in Week 8 posting an 8 catch 11 target week turning that into 85 yards. It looked like he didn’t miss a beat if any managers were not patient with Parker and he is on your waivers we suggest you pick him up now.

Week 8 stats: 12.5 points (8 catches 11 targets 85 yards)

FAAB Bid: $4 – $8

Carlos Hyde, RB

Hyde appeared to be the lead back, totaling 15 touches after Robinson went down with what is being called a “heel injury”. Whether JRob is able to play in Week 9 or not, Hyde should see an uptick in usage, as a dinged up Robinson will likely not be on the field as much, or if he should sit out, Hyde would likely have a workload almost to himself. Unfortunately, he draws a matchup against Buffalo, who has been dominant all year against runners, but Hyde could still be a viable bye week play while understanding he is likely very TD dependent.

Week 8 stats: 10.2 points (9 carries 32 yards 6 catches 8 targets 40 yards)

FAAB Bid: $4 – $7

Russell Gage, WR

With Calvin Ridley taking some time off someone needs to step up for the Falcons. Gage started the year as the #2 WR on the depth chart, but unfortunately he had some injury issues and he has missed a chunk of the season already. While he put up 0 points last week, he played 68% of snaps and is worth a speculative add in all leagues.

Week 8 stats: 0 points (0 targets)

FAAB Bid: $2 – $6

Jordan Howard, RB

Well, Scott strikes again. Howard hit big if you picked him up, taking 12 carries for 57 yards and 2 TDs. When everyone and their brother thought the backfield was Gainwell’s (and maybe a little Boston Scott), here comes ol Jordan Howard to throw a wrench into everything. Now, 2 TDs are likely going to be hard to replicate, but if he is the goal line back or used as a pounder… he has a lot of upside going forward.

Week 8 stats: 17.7 points (12 carries 57 yards 2 TDs)

FAAB Bid: $3 – $5

Elijah Moore, WR

A slow start to the season has started to pick up ever so slightly, and Moore has no posted 9.70 and 10.10 points in back to back weeks. It’s also worth mentioning he did this with Mike White under center and while facing New England and Cincy. This week, he draws a much more favorable matchup against Indy’s banged up secondary, and with rookie RB Michael Carter starting to come on as well, he should find even *Moore* space to operate.

Week 8 stats: 10.1 points (6 catches 6 targets 67 yards)

FAAB Bid: $1 – $4

Tajae Sharpe, WR

Along with Russell Gage Tajae Sharpe is worth a look in leagues with Ridley sitting out for what seems to be indefinitely. Sharpe played 68% of snaps last week (same as Gage) and hauled in 5 of 6 targets for 58 yards. Sharpe also had 4 receptions and 53 yards during the other game Ridley sat out for personal reasons. While the numbers aren’t huge, he’s worth a low bid if you need either a bye week flex or you are desperately hurting at the WR position.

Week 8 stats: 8.3 points (5 catches 6 targets 58 yards)

FAAB Bid: $1 – $3

Pat Freiermuth, TE

Again, a bit of a tentative add, but Freiermuth is carving out a nice role in Pitt, seeing 7 targets in back to back weeks, yielding 9.30 and 12.40 points respectively. If he can continue to stay on the field and be one of Ben’s preferred targets, he could easily grow into a viable streaming option week to week.

Week 8 stats: 12.4 points (4 catches 7 targets 44 yards 1 TD)

FAAB Bid: $1 – $2

Evan Engram, TE

This is a tentative add, predicated on many of the same points that Scott made in his weekly “Players to Pick Up Now” article. But, if he is traded, he could see a bump in production, assuming he goes to a team who uses his skill set a bit better than the Giants have so far. On the flip side, if he stays with the Giants, he has one of the most favorable schedules as we head down the stretch and into fantasy playoffs. He could be a sneaky little play, and if Golladay continues to struggle with injuries, he has even more upside.

Week 8 stats: 9 points (3 catches 4 targets 15 yards 1 TD)

FAAB Bid: $1 – $2