The Week 9 waiver wire has no clear top option that fantasy football managers should drop the proverbial hammer on. But there is one guy who looks like a fantasy starter for at least a couple of weeks. Here are a few potential RB targets on the wire this week.
Top RB Waiver Wire Targets in Week 9
More Waiver Wire Targets: WRs | TEs | QBs
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (45% Rostered)
Last week, Darrell Henderson established himself as the lead back for the Rams. Yet, he remains available in more than half of leagues. Let’s change that.
Henderson once again led the Rams in carries, managing 31 yards on 12 carries. He also caught three balls for 54 yards. Had he not had a short touchdown siphoned by Royce Freeman, it would’ve been another solid RB2 performance.
There’s no massive upside with Henderson, especially with the chance that Matthew Stafford is out for an extended period of time. But starting running backs need to be rostered, and Henderson is a starting running back. Pick him up.
FAAB Recommendation: 15-20%
Jeff Wilson, Jr., Miami Dolphins (40% Rostered)
In his second game back, Jeff Wilson Jr. saw his role increase. He still split the RB2 role with Salvon Ahmed, but his 19 snaps were a significant uptick from the previous week.
I get the sense we will see Ahmed pushed aside more and more as the weeks go on, with this becoming more of a 60-40 split between Raheem Mostert and Wilson. If Mostert were to go down, Wilson would be my pick to be the beneficiary. In the explosive Dolphins offense, that’s worth stashing.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals (36% Rostered)
If you shelled out FAAB for Emari Demercado three weeks ago, you probably dropped him after he played behind Keaontay Ingram the week after. Then, you were probably kicking yourself after he resumed control of this backfield in Week 7.
In Week 8, Demercado operated as the clear lead back, carrying the ball 20 times for 78 yards. Playing in a weak offense, he’s unlikely to ever do much, but that volume is useful.
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Every starting running back in the NFL should be on fantasy rosters. Demercado is not moving the needle in any matchup, but he provides a decent floor. Managers struggling at running back can certainly do worse.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
Royce Freeman, Los Angeles Rams (22% Rostered)
Piggybacking off the Henderson recommendation, Royce Freeman clearly has the potential to fall into the end zone. He is also the “handcuff” to Henderson.
Freeman carried the ball nine times for 44 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. Those aren’t exciting numbers, and you’re not starting him, but if Henderson were to get hurt, Freeman would be a top pickup. Get out ahead of that now by grabbing him early.
FAAB Recommendation: 0-5%
Which RBs Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Jeff Wilson Jr. or Kareem Hunt?
Given the team situation of both these players, there’s no denying Wilson has the higher ceiling. If he were to find his way into a 50% role or better, Wilson has legitimate RB1 upside in the Dolphins’ elite offense. Unfortunately, Wilson is not yet in that role, and he may never be.
Kareem Hunt does not have the same upside as Wilson, both in terms of usage and production. Even with Jerome Ford far less than 100 percent, Hunt only played 35% of the snaps this week. He did see a season-high 14 carries, though.
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Hunt is not the guy he was in 2017 or 2018, but he still has some juice left. Both of these players belong on fantasy rosters. But if I had to choose one, it would be Hunt because his value is not nearly as speculative as Wilson’s.
Should You Roster Darrell Henderson or Kareem Hunt?
This one is a much tougher proposition. Both Henderson and Hunt currently have fantasy-relevant roles. Both may be on borrowed time.
Henderson remains the back to roster in Los Angeles. But will he maintain any value when Kyren Williams returns? That remains to be seen.
Hunt has standalone value even alongside a fully healthy Ford, but he’s much more productive when Ford is out/banged up.
Neither situation is going to stay the same. That forces us to guess how things will play out. I can’t profess to know the answers, but if choosing to start one, I would prefer Henderson in the short term. Therefore, he’s my pick.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!