We are now firmly in the second half of the 2023 fantasy football season. The NFL landscape continues to shift, and fantasy managers should always be looking to improve their rosters. Let’s take a look at the top Week 9 waiver wire targets and pickups that fantasy managers should consider adding to their rosters.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 9 | Quarterbacks
Note: As always, all players are rostered in 50% or less of Yahoo leagues.
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (3% Rostered)
I have no idea if Will Levis is actually good. But the man threw for four touchdowns in his first career start. At the very least, there’s a chance he’s just the next big thing. It’s difficult to imagine a healthy Ryan Tannehill getting his job back now.
Fantasy managers in need of a QB will take the shot on Levis now. I wouldn’t start him next week, but now is the time to put him on your bench if you need a quarterback.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (17% Rostered)
It wasn’t the best day for Gardner Minshew, but he did throw two touchdowns. He has now thrown multiple touchdowns in two straight games.
Most importantly, the Colts get the Panthers next week. That’s a great spot for fantasy managers in need of a QB streamer. By no means is Minshew a priority add, but you can certainly do worse when looking for a spot starter.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 9 | Running Backs
This a very weak waiver wire group. Darrell Henderson and Jeff Wilson Jr. are the top adds.
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.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
There’s no massive upside with Henderson, especially with the chance that Matthew Stafford is out 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.
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%
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 9 | Wide Receivers
We don’t have a clear priority add off the Week 9 waiver wire at wide receiver, but Jahan Dotson and K.J. Osborn are worth picking up.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders (50% Rostered)
After writing Dotson off, he bounced back in a big way against the Eagles. The sophomore receiver caught eight of his 10 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown. It was easily the best performance of his young career.
At this point, it’s too early to say if this is a sign of things to come or just a fluke. Regardless, given the hype on Dotson before the season, it’s absolutely worth it to spend some FAAB to bank on the former.
FAAB Recommendation: 15-25%
K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings (50% Rostered)
Take this one with a grain of salt now that Kirk Cousins is done for the season. Osborn caught eight of 10 targets for 99 yards.
With Jaren Hall starting, it’s unlikely anyone other than Jordan Addison and, eventually, Justin Jefferson will be viable. Nevertheless, Osborn has proven capable of posting big games on occasion. He’s at least worth adding to see what happens.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (3% Rostered)
The Demario Douglas takeover is almost complete. Even with JuJu Smith-Schuster active, Douglas operated as the Patriots WR1. He led the team in snaps and routes run. With Kendrick Bourne potentially missing time, Douglas is poised to be Mac Jones’ WR1.
While being the WR1 in a Jones-led offense isn’t the most exciting thing, he’s now seen 13 targets over his last two games. It’s rough out there on the waiver wire, making Douglas worth grabbing to see how things play out.
FAAB Recommendation: 2-10%
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 9 | Tight Ends
The tight end position is not in a good spot this season, but there are some players who are solid adds.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (9% Rostered)
“That’s back-to-back double-digit fantasy point outings for Taysom Hill. At fantasy’s worst position, that’s enough to pay attention.” That’s how I started out last week’s waiver wire blurb on Hill. Well, he did it again and then some.
MORE: NFL Bye Weeks Schedule 2023
Hill went back to being a rusher in this one, only seeing one target. However, he ran it nine times for 63 yards and two touchdowns. He is officially startable in 12-team leagues. Grab him.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-15%
Logan Thomas, Washington Comanders (45% Rostered)
There will be plenty of weeks where you are not thrilled about Logan Thomas’ production. Of course, we can say that about just about every tight end this season. The reality is Thomas provides enough weekly upside to be worth starting.
This week, he caught six of eight targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. He’s now seen 14 targets over his past two games. You can certainly do far worse as your TE1.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
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!