NFL Waiver Wire: Week 9 Deep Dive

The usual suspect streaming options have largely been identified by this point in the season, so we'll be going a bit more off the radar going forward. Season-long starters are few and far between on the waiver wire, but scooping up the right upside stash or one-week rental can be the difference between a win and a loss in fantasy football — especially when injuries, bye weeks, and wild-card factors like bad weather begin to pile up.

This Thursday article is our second waiver wire piece of the week, intended to give a broad overview of players worth fantasy consideration. Every Monday, Kevin Payne's first edition of the Waiver Wire series summarizes the top names.

For add/drop, start/sit, or any other questions relating to fantasy, just comment below or hit me up on Twitter (@ivilloth). 

The list below includes players rostered in no more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and is listed in order of preference based on half-point per reception scoring and a 12-team league. Depending on your league's scoring and roster settings, certain players might warrant higher consideration than what is listed. Each player's listed roster percentage is based on Tuesday's Yahoo statistics, to give a general sense of availability for a given week.

QUARTERBACK

Philip Rivers vs. Ravens (19 percent) – Rivers has now strung together two straight three-score games, surpassing his TD total through the first five games of the year. Baltimore's defense would usually provide reason for pause, but All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey will miss Sunday's game after testing positive for COVID-19 and a slew of other defensive players — including five linebackers — also have their availability in jeopardy. 

Drew Lock at Falcons (12 percent) – Lock's matchup against an Atlanta defense allowing the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks - even after Teddy Bridgewater flamed out last Thursday - makes him a more than viable streaming candidate. Lock then offers another potentially usable game against the Raiders in Week 10, but he's more likely a guy you're rolling with for a single emergency matchup. And Week 8's win over the Chargers accounted for three of the four passing TDs he's accumulated this season.

Nick Mullens vs. Packers (2 percent) – This is a good week for desperation options at quarterback. And while Mullens hasn't looked great this year, he's proven competent in the past. He'll be without George Kittle (foot), Deebo Samuel (hamstring/illness) and Raheem Mostert (ankle), so the fantasy ceiling/floor combination isn't terribly encouraging.

Jake Luton vs. Texans (2 percent) – Consider Luton another emergency option in multi-QB leagues. He's set to start for at least one game over Gardner Minshew, who's dealing with a thumb fracture and could also be falling out of favor. The Texans represent a favorable debut matchup and it's possible Luton surpasses expectations just as Minshew did as a sixth-round rookie a year ago, but the Jaguars could always make the "conservative" move of switching over to Mike Glennon.

Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush vs. Steelers (0 percent) – Shoutout to whomever of Gilbert or Rush performs better in practice this week, since one of them will win the prize of starting against a dangerous Steelers' defense with Andy Dalton (concussion) on the COVID-19 list and Ben DiNucci having been thrown under the bus after a poor MNF showing. The problems on Dallas's offense go far further than the starter under center and it seems unlikely anything less than a transcendent talent at quarterback will be unable to surpass injuries to both Tyron Smith (neck) and La'el Collins (hip), especially while being hounded by the likes of T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. Even in multi-QB formats, consider the Cowboys' starter this week a fringe option. 

RUNNING BACK

JaMycal Hasty vs. Packers (46 percent) – San Francisco's backfield is often infuriating to predict for fantasy, but Hasty should be a lock for most of the work given he's only one of two healthy tailbacks on the roster and led the team with 12 carries on Sunday. The undrafted rookie has a TNF matchup on tap against a Green Bay defense that's allowed the most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season and was just scorched by Dalvin Cook for 200-plus scrimmage yards and four TDs.

La'Mical Perine vs. Patriots (39 percent) – Perine has now led the Jets' backfield in terms of snaps for three straight games. Getting two or three targets per game has put him steadily around 10 touches, though he hasn't done much with those opportunities (3.7 YPC, 3.8 YPT). Granted, it's debatable whether any RB would be able to overcome the deficiencies of New York's offense. Perine will at least get a somewhat positive matchup against the Patriots, who've surrendered six rushing scores over the past two games.

Tyler Ervin at 49ers (6 percent) – With Aaron Jones (ankle) up in the air for Thursday and both Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon on the COVID-19 list, Ervin could end up leading Green Bay's backfield by default. The San Jose State product is usually more comfortable as a change-of-pace option and he even normally handles WR drills at practice rather than working with the running backs, but will be worth significant fantasy consideration if he ends up seeing a workhorse role.

Gus Edwards at Colts (31 percent) – Edwards and backfield mate J.K. Dobbins both managed to produce against the Steelers with Mark Ingram (ankle) out of the lineup. It was Edwards who got the Ravens' lone rushing TD, though his 16 carries for 87 yards weren't quite as impressive as Dobbins' 15-for-113. The Colts bring another tough matchup, but Edwards should once again get 10-plus carries and therefore reasonable Flex appeal if Ingram misses Sunday's game. 

DeeJay Dallas at Bills (29 percent) – It sounds like Carlos Hyde (hamstring) won't play Week 9 and Chris Carson (foot) could come down to a game-time decision, so it's conceivable Dallas gets another chance to lead Seattle's backfield. Mostly by virtue of scoring despite an inefficient YPC, Dallas put up a more than solid fantasy day (18 carries for 41 yards) in an expanded role last weekend.

Wayne Gallman at Football Team (22 percent) – Gallman has now scored and looked serviceable with around 10 carries in back-to-back games, both against tough run defenses in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. Washington brings another stout defensive front, but Gallman will be a perfectly fine Flex play if Devonta Freeman (ankle) remains out.

Tony Pollard vs. Steelers (19 percent) – Ezekiel Elliott is dealing with what seems like a minor hamstring injury, but that type of issue can quickly grow into a larger problem. Pollard remains one of the highest-upside backups in the league even with the Cowboys' recent struggles on offense, simply due to the massive role he'd stand to inherit if Elliott went down.

Matt Breida at Cardinals (26 percent) – With Myles Gaskin (knee) expected to miss three games, Breida could be Miami's starter as long as he's able to shake his new hamstring injury. If Breida also becomes sidelined, the Dolphins will be left to roll with some combination of Jordan Howard (18 percent), Patrick Laird (0 percent), Salvon Ahmed (0 percent) and Lynn Bowden (0 percent) against the Cardinals. Howard's touchdown upside would make him the most tempting option of that group. 

Jordan Wilkins vs. Ravens (11 percent) – Wilkins made the most of Jonathan Taylor apparently playing through a minor ankle injury by racking up 20 carries for 89 yards and a score during Sunday's win over the Lions while also taking his only catch for 24 yards. His 18.3 fantasy points in PPR exceeded his first six games of the season combined. Taylor doesn't necessarily look like he'll miss time, so this could end up a three-man committee and headache for fantasy managers.

Dexter Williams at 49ers (2 percent) – A 2019 sixth-round pick and current practice squad resident, Williams could get promoted for Thursday's game if Aaron Jones (calf) can't go. He only managed five carries for 11 yards as a rookie and hasn't yet handled an offensive snap this season, but for what it's worth to those in desperate scenarios and looking to roll the dice his tape at Notre Dame was somewhat intriguing.

Nyheim Hines vs. Ravens (32 percent) – Hines put together his second two-TD game of the season during Sunday's win over the Lions, turning two of his three receptions (on five targets) into touchdowns. Jordan Wilkins dominated Indianapolis's backfield touches with Jonathan Taylor nicked up, presumably making him the better option to pursue on waiver wires than Hines. And two scores on eight touches isn't sustainable enough to chase.

Frank Gore vs. Patriots (14 percent) – Gore and Perine are essentially splitting New York's carries down the middle, and 10 rushes per game are worth something for fantasy in emergency scenarios. As mentioned earlier, the Patriots have recently been lenient with allowing rushing TDs. But a primetime Monday affair against his much-hated Jets seems like the perfect opportunity for Bill Belichick to take out some frustration and have his defense bounce back in a big way. 

Troymaine Pope vs. Raiders (1 percent) – Pope appears to be giving Joshua Kelley a run for his money as LA's No. 2 running back, as he outcarried him Week 8 and looked substantially better with his touches producing 10 carries for 67 yards. However, Pope is now in the concussion protocol and his status for Sundays' tantalizing matchup against the Raiders is up in the air. 

WIDE RECEIVER

Sterling Shepard at Football Team (45 percent) – Shepard is coming off back-to-back games with at least five catches and 50 yards, and he's also scored once during that span. As long as he's healthy, Shepard is a near lock for double-digit points in PPR formats - especially as the Giants figure to play from behind quite often the rest of the way.

Allen Lazard at 49ers (35 percent) – Lazard is still on IR, but he'll be eligible to return as a early as Thursday. Once back on the field, he'll immediately slot into the mix as a WR3 for fantasy purposes. In two of the three games he's played this season, Lazard has gone over 15 fantasy points. 

Nelson Agholor at Chargers (36 percent) – Agholor's Week 8 goose egg can essentially be written off for having any predictive value, given he's a deep threat who was playing in 35 MPH winds. He scored in the previous three games, including a 107 yard performance against the vaunted Tampa Bay secondary Week 7. 

Mecole Hardman vs. Panthers (31 percent) – Hardman has mostly been quiet this year, but displayed one of the "boom" games he's known for with a season-high 96 yards and one score versus the Jets. Granted it happened on a day where Patrick Mahomes exploded for 416 yards and five touchdowns, but that sort of result is always within the realm of possibility for the Chiefs. Sammy Watkins (hamstring) appears to be nearing a return, but Hardman will still be firmly in the conversation as a boom-or-bust bye-week replacement.

Jalen Reagor BYE (24 percent) – Reagor made about as many plays as one could hope for in his return from IR by catching three of six targets for 16 yards and a score plus a two-point conversion. The rookie first-rounder figures to serve as one of the clear top targets for Carson Wentz going forward alongside Travis Fulgham. Holding him through the bye could be hard to justify in shallower leagues, considering the general state of Philadelphia's offense. 

Curtis Samuel at Chiefs (22 percent) – Samuel is indisputably a playmaker. He's now scored three TDs in the last two games, and two of those came on the ground. That most of Samuel's damage has come on designed plays isn't too encouraging for his chances of becoming a consistent producer, but he offers the gamebreaking ability to function as an upside fantasy Flex option. 

Russell Gage vs. Broncos (12 percent) – Gage (shoulder) will benefit from climbing Atlanta's target pecking order as long as Calvin Ridley (ankle) is out, but he hasn't been very effective in recent weeks while playing through lingering injuries. In PPR formats, the slot man at least provides a fairly safe floor.

Jakobi Meyers at Jets (2 percent) – Meyers appears to be Cam Newton's most trusted receiver with Julian Edelman (knee) and N'Keal Harry (concussion) out, as he drew a team-high 10 targets against Buffalo. Meyers only turned those looks into 58 yards and a two-point conversion on six catches, but could be positioned for a big day with a Monday might matchup against the hapless Jets on deck. 

Darnell Mooney at Titans (8 percent) – Mooney has long been a leader in air yards, and tracking that stat finally payed off Week 8 as he connected with a 50-yard bomb from Nick Foles. The rookie has hauled in at least five targets in six straight games, though he's only been over 50 yards twice over that stretch. 

Marvin Hall at Vikings (1 percent) – Hall replaced Kenny Golladay (hip) - who's expected to miss multiple weeks - in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the Colts. He proceeded to lead the Lions in receiving with 113 yards, though Marvin Jones got both touchdowns thrown to the WR position. As long as Golladay is out, Hall can be considered a fair streaming option in plus matchups. In 16-man leagues and similarly deep formats, Quintez Cephus (0 percent) is also a consideration.

Preston Williams at Cardinals (20 percent) – Williams has only scored double-digit fantasy points once this season, but that demonstrated upside (4-106-1 against the 49ers in Week 5) is exactly what makes him worth holding in deep leagues. It's conceivable - but far from guaranteed - that he and Tua Tagovailoa could begin to develop chemistry and go on a late-season streak. 

Devin Duvernay at Colts (1 percent) – Duvernay had a season-high 45 offensive snaps Week 8 and he logged his obligatory "one big play of the week" in the form of a 39-yard catch. His involvement has seen a clear upward trajectory and Baltimore desperately needs the passing game to come online, so it's easy to imagine a scenario wherein Duvernay becomes relevant down the stretch. For now though, the rookie third-rounder is purely an upside stash in deep leagues. 

Jakeem Grant at Cardinals (1 percent) – Isaiah Ford being traded to New England should set Grant up to start in the slot for Miami rather than split that workload. That could legitimately put him on the fantasy radar as a near every-week option in leagues that award fantasy points for return yardage, given he's one of the league's best big-play special teamers. Grant took his only punt return for 88 yards and a score Week 8 while also returning his lone kickoff for 45 yards. 

TIGHT END

Austin Hooper Bye (39 percent) – Hooper has resumed practicing and looks on track to retake the field after Cleveland's Week 9 bye. The former Falcon has underwhelmed to say the least this season with just one TD and two games above 50 receiving yards. But with Odell Beckham Jr. (torn ACL) out of the picture and Jarvis Landry not looking like his usual self, I'd expect Hooper to play a much more focal role in the passing game during the latter half of the season. 

Jordan Reed vs. Packers (12 percent) – Reed is still on IR at time of writing, but he's eligible to be activated for Thursday Night Football. With George Kittle (foot) likely out the rest of 2020, Reed will immediately become an interesting fantasy option as the top tight end in a Kyle Shanahan scheme once healthy. It seems almost inevitable Reed will go down again, which makes Ross Dwelley (2 percent) a reasonable stash in deep leagues. 

Jordan Akins at Jaguars (3 percent) – Akins was the unquestioned starter for Houston when healthy Weeks 1-3, and he finally looks on track to return from his concussion and ankle injury. If he does immediately reclaim the No. 1 gig as I'd expect, he'll be as good a weekly fantasy option as any tight end outside of the top tier. However, there's always the chance Darren Fells (27 percent) vultures key red zone work. 

Jack Doyle (7 percent) and Trey Burton vs. Ravens (23 percent) – Both Doyle and Burton have scored in back-to-back games, and it seems like Philip Rivers has established a successful trend in terms of utilizing his tight ends more than his wideouts. Burton has two scores as a wildcat QB in as many contests and his versatility likely gives him more upside than Doyle, but both are on the streaming radar as long as Mo Alie-Cox (3 percent) remains in a distant No. 3 role. 

Irv Smith Jr. vs. Lions (7 percent) – Smith only had one target - which he caught for 16 yards - during Sunday's win over the Packers, but it was an anomalously windy game where Dalvin Cook racked up massive scrimmage yards and four scores. Whether they want to or not, Minnesota's offense is going to have to spread production a bit more, and Smith had put together back-to-back solid games with five targets each before being essentially shut down Sunday.