Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 9

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Raiders

Prior to Week 8's weather-induced 112-yard performance in Cleveland, Carr was a sneaky fantasy streamer with multiple touchdown passes in five straight games.

From Week 2 to Week 7, Carr averaged over 20 fantasy points per game, which ranked 13th at the position during that stretch.

He shouldn't have a problem with a Chargers defense that's among the most friendly units to opposing fantasy quarterbacks and just gave up a three-touchdown day to Drew Lock.

Drew Lock, Broncos

Fresh off his season-best stat line in the comeback win over the Chargers, Lock gets another favorable matchup in Week 9.

Though the Falcons have shown signs of improvement since firing Dan Quinn, Atlanta has still given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. Before containing Teddy Bridgewater last Thursday, the Falcons had allowed over 300 passing yards in each of their first seven outings.

With the skill position talent around him getting healthier, Lock is an intriguing streamer this week.

Long-term option: Tua Tagovailoa at ARI (32% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Kirk Cousins vs. DET (28% rostered), Daniel Jones at WAS (26% rostered), Nick Foles at TEN (9% rostered), Nick Mullen vs. GB (1% rostered), Kyle Allen vs. NYG (4% rostered)

Running backs

JaMycal Hasty, 49ers

Tevin Coleman got off to a hot start on Sunday before reinjuring the knee that kept him on injured reserve for most of the season. That means the 49ers will be without Coleman, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson when they face the Packers on Thursday Night Football.

Hasty's 31 yards on 13 touches wasn't exactly awe-inspiring, but he did salvage his fantasy performance by finding the end zone against the Seahawks.

Fortunately for him, the Packers are the worst defense in the league at stopping opposing fantasy backs. If you need proof, just watch Dalvin Cook's 226-yard, four-touchdown dominance in Week 8.

With Nick Mullens taking over at quarterback, the 49ers will need to rely on the run more than ever. So expect a big dose of Hasty this week, with Jerick McKinnon handling the bulk of the passing down work.

Both backs will be high-end RB3 options with RB2 upside thanks to Green Bay's generosity.

Cam Akers/Malcolm Brown, Rams

Darrell Henderson was forced from this week's game after re-aggravating his thigh injury and now heads into the bye with his status for Week 10 up in the air.

The upcoming bye week should allow you to scoop up Akers and Brown with a lower FAB bid.

As we saw in the Ravens' scenario with Mark Ingram, the running back's injury opened the door for the team to give more touches to their second-round rookie runner J.K. Dobbins. And Much like Dobbins, Akers has flashed on limited usage.

If Week 8 was any indication, the Rams will use Akers as the lead ball carrier with Brown being the more trusted option on passing downs. That would make Akers a potential low-end RB2 if Henderson misses time, while Brown continues in his role as an RB3/flex.

Jordan Wilkins, Colts

Jonathan Taylor's fantasy managers were frustrated before this week, and with news that an ankle injury cost him touches on Sunday, now they might be willing to trade him for anything. That's why we continue to recommend buying low on the rookie, while also investing in his main backup.

Wilkins has been listed as a pickup in the waiver wire column all season and finally gets his own write up because we don't know the severity of Taylor's ankle ailment.

Wilkins saw the field on a season-high 50% of the snaps in Week 8, turning 21 touches into 113 yards and a score. Given the upside he's shown, Wilkins should be rostered in most leagues - just in case Taylor's injury remains a problem.

Zack Moss, Justin Jackson, Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray, and Damien Harris are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

High-upside backups Alexander Mattison (44% rostered), Tony Pollard (19% rostered), and Brian Hill (11% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Dexter Williams at SF (0% rostered), Gus Edwards at IND (30% rostered), La'Mical Perine vs. NE (42% rostered), Joshua Kelley vs. LV (46% rostered), Wayne Gallman at WAS (23% rostered), DeeJay Dallas at BUF (25% rostered), J.D. McKissic vs. NYG (25% rostered), Tyler Ervin at SF (0% rostered)

Other backups to target: Carlos Hyde at BUF (26% rostered), Duke Johnson at JAX (15% rostered), Benny Snell at DAL (97% rostered), Matt Breida at ARI (18% rostered), Rex Burkhead at NYJ (22% rostered)

Injury stash: Rashaad Penny (4% rostered)

Deeper stashes: Troymaine Pope vs. LV (0% rostered), Jeremy McNichols vs. CHI (1% rostered), D'Onta Foreman vs. CHI (0% rostered), Eno Benjamin vs. MIA (0% rostered), Anthony McFarland Jr. at DAL (1% rostered), Devontae Booker at LAC (1% rostered), Jalen Richard at LAC (2% rostered)

Wide receivers

Marvin Jones, Lions

Kenny Golladay is week-to-week with a hip injury, once again thrusting Jones into a more prominent role in the Lions' passing attack.

Though he struggled early in the season with Golladay out of the lineup, Jones has come on the last two weeks, recording a 5-80-1 line against the Falcons and 3-39-2 versus the Colts.

If he's still available in your league, he'll be a top-30 option for the length of Golladay's absence. In deeper leagues, you can also look to rookie Quintez Cephus (0% rostered) and field-stretcher Mavin Hall (0% rostered) as deep flex plays.

Corey Davis, Titans

Davis was a recommended pickup following Week 1 and has continued to produce whenever he's in the lineup.

The former first-round pick has 69 yards and/or a touchdown in all five of the games he's suited up in this season. He's also coming off an eight-catch, 128-yard, one-score afternoon against the Bengals.

With his stint on the COVID list behind him, Davis is back to being a WR3 with WR2 upside.

Tim Patrick, Broncos

Patrick missed this past week with a hamstring injury, but was reportedly pushing to play, which is a good sign for a potential Week 9 return.

Since Courtland Sutton was lost for the year, Patrick has stat lines of 4-43-1, 6-113-1, and 4-101-0 in his three full outings, as well as 3-44-0 in the game he left early due to injury.

The only way to explain him being available in 81% of leagues is that most fantasy managers don't realize his value yet. A date with the Falcons sounds like a perfect chance for him to attract attention, so now is the time to get him on your roster before his price goes up.

There are plenty of quality receivers mentioned on this list, but Patrick is someone who could be a regular in your starting lineup for the rest of the season.

Jerry Jeudy, Christian Kirk, Mike Williams, John Brown, and Rashard Higgins are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Flex options: Sterling Shepard at WAS (43% rostered), Jalen Reagor on Bye (24% rostered), Russell Gage vs. DEN (13% rostered), Henry Ruggs at LAC (48% rostered).

Risky flex options: Denzel Mims vs. NE (9% rostered), Jakobi Meyers at NYJ (1% rostered), Tre'Quan Smith at TB (23% rostered), Mecole Hardman vs. CAR (30% rostered), Curtis Samuel at KC (20% rostered), Laviska Shenault vs. HOU (28% rostered), Keelan Cole vs. HOU (29% rostered), Darnell Mooney at TEN (6% rostered), Kendrick Bourne vs. GB (8% rostered), Zach Pascal vs. BAL (4% rostered), Marcus Johnson vs. BAL (1% rostered), Michael Pittman Jr. vs. BAL (7% rostered), Nelson Agholor at LAC (43% rostered), Quintez Cephus at MIN (0% rostered), Danny Amendola at MIN (1% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Demarcus Robinson vs. CAR (2% rostered), Preston Williams at ARI (21% rostered), Scotty Miller vs. NO (31% rostered), Josh Reynolds on Bye (3% rostered), Damiere Byrd vs. NYJ (3% rostered), Randall Cobb at JAX (16% rostered), Marvin Hall at MIN (0% rostered), Anthony Miller at TEN (21% rostered), Hunter Renfrow at LAC (22% rostered)

Injury stashes: Allen Lazard at SF (34% rostered), Sammy Watkins vs. CAR (45% rostered), Emmanuel Sanders at TB (55% rostered), Breshad Perriman vs. NE (7% rostered)

Deep bench stashes: David Moore at BUF (2% rostered), Devin Duvernay at IND (1% rostered), Auden Tate on Bye (1% rostered)

Tight ends

Logan Thomas, Washington

You'll remember Thomas from our early season waiver wire articles, before the Washington offense got bogged down and rendered him unstartable.

Thankfully, with Kyle Allen under center the last two games, Thomas has returned to fantasy relevance with seven catches, 102 yards, and two touchdowns.

He's once again flirting with low-end TE1 production, and given the state of the tight end position, he should be rostered in most leagues.

Eric Ebron, Steelers

Ebron has quietly put up over 40 yards in five of his seven appearances with the Steelers.

Some managers may harbor resentment for past negative performances - don't be one of them. Ebron has proven he can deliver in the right setting and Pittsburgh is giving him an opportunity to re-emerge as a fantasy option.

If you're searching for a George Kittle replacement, Ebron is a great place to start.

Injury stash: Austin Hooper on Bye (39% rostered)

Streamer options: Jordan Reed vs. GB (2% rostered), Albert Okwuegbunam at ATL (1% rostered), Trey Burton vs. BAL (22% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Jordan Akins at JAX (2% rostered), Darren Fells at JAX (7% rostered), Irv Smith Jr. vs. DET (7% rostered), Greg Olsen at BUF (15% rostered), Dalton Schultz vs. PIT (26% rostered), Ross Dwelley vs. GB (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 9 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Titans DEF (48% rostered), Packers DEF (36% rostered), Lions DEF (4% rostered), Texans (5% rostered)