The waiver wire is beginning to open up again in fantasy football, as the guys discussed on the latest podcast. There are fill-in options to get you through Week 9 and others that will likely last on your roster through the playoff push to your championship run. Here are your fantasy football 2019 Week 9 waiver wire recommendations.
Chris Conley – 9.7% Rostered
Dede Westbrook aggravated the shoulder issue he’s been dealing with since Week 7 and left the Jaguars Week 9 contest against the Jets, with an added neck issue appearing on the report as well. Conley seized the opportunity and had himself a day with three catches for over 100 yards and a score on seven targets. The seven targets matched his season-high, the third time he’s hit that mark. Conley finds himself as the second or third best option in the passing game, depending on your outlook of Westbrook. He’s a ceiling play when you’re facing multiple bye weeks because his opportunities are limited, but with Westbrook, potentially on the shelf, those chances could come by a little more often.
Jonnu Smith – 0.5% Rostered
With Delanie Walker injured, third-year man Jonnu Smith has had success in back-to-back weeks with new QB Ryan Tannehill. Smith could find himself as the primary option for Tannehill after leading the team in targets in Week 8. There’s a tougher matchup on the horizon with the Carolina Panthers, but with the potential volume that Smith could see he is worth acquiring for anyone looking to fill their TE spot.
Mark Walton – 11.6% Rostered
With Kenyan Drake traded to the Arizona Cardinals, second-year man Mark Walton is now set to assume lead back duties for the tanking Miami Dolphins. The performance won’t be launching your team into the stratosphere, but every starting RB in the NFL needs to be on fantasy rosters. However, I feel it’s necessary to say that this is oddly reminiscent of writing about Wendell Smallwood a few years back when he was the last man standing for the Philadelphia Eagles. The opportunity will be there, but I wouldn’t consider what he’ll be receiving as high-quality opportunities, or if he has the necessary talent to make the most of them. Still, if the injury bug has hurt you with the likes of Kerryon Johnson, Alvin Kamara, David Johnson, or Chase Edmonds missing time, Walton offers a fill in that has more upside than any of the numerous available backups on better offenses.
Auden Tate – 34.4% Rostered
I’m not getting tired of talking about Auden Tate for the umpteenth time. He won’t be the only Bengals WR to appear on this list, but his track record on the season has him as my preferred option. With six or more targets in every game since Week 3, when his bump in playing time started, and double-digit PPR points in all but two games during that same span, Tate is the best option fantasy owners should be looking at for production in both the short and long term. With the Bengals on a bye this week, league mates may be overlooking Tate, so make sure you make them regret that.
Russell Gage – 0% Rostered
After Mohamed Sanu was traded to the New England Patriots, it was Russell Gage, who earned the start in three-wide receiver sets for the Atlanta Falcons. Making the most of this new chance, Gage caught 7-of-9 targets for 58 yards. Teammate Justin Hardy was Gage’s main competition and only ended up with four targets. His newfound role is far from secure, but right now, it’s Gage’s to lose, and the return of Matt Ryan after their Week 9 bye may be enough to lift Gage to weekly flex consideration.
Before you leave
Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown and DK Metcalf are both under 70% owned and should be higher, their adjustment to the speed of the NFL will undoubtedly help fantasy owners who may be overlooking their current status. Of the two Brown is the priority so make sure you check your league in case he has slipped through the cracks.
Hunter Renfrow could be an interesting deep league find. He went 4/88/1 on four targets on his way to a nice day. His 65 yard TD grab was a quick slant where he shook two weak tackle attempts, but the play may earn him a few more looks from Derek Carr. Primarily just a possession receiver, his path to fantasy success would involve being peppered with more targets on the way to stat lines that see him as a high floor/low ceiling option.