Week 8 of the 2022 fantasy football season is nearly in the books! And it’s time to improve our rosters on the Week 9 waiver wire. Let’s take a look at the top Week 9 waiver wire pickups and targets that fantasy managers should consider adding to their rosters, which include Latavius Murray, Garrett Wilson, and Rondale Moore.
Note: All roster percentages are from Yahoo, and players are listed by position in order of priority.
Waiver Wire Pickups To Target in Week 9 | Quarterbacks
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (41% Rostered)
This isn’t just for a prime Week 9 matchup against the Dolphins. Justin Fields has proven himself as an every-week QB1.
Fields is averaging 21.5 fantasy points per game over his past four games. That coincides with the noticeable increase in his designed runs. He’s also averaging 76 rushing yards over his past three games. The floor is high and the ceiling is even higher with this newfound Beras offense. He’s worth a 10-15% FAAB bid if you need a quarterback.
Waiver Wire Pickups To Target in Week 9 | Running Backs
Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos (40% Rostered)
In the absence of Mike Boone, the Broncos’ backfield is a full two-man split. In the modern NFL, we love to see that.
Melvin Gordon played 34 snaps to Latavius Murray’s 27. That’s enough for fantasy relevance, especially if he’s going to see 14 carries and two targets.
MORE: Week 9 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
There was no clear goal line back, which is both a positive and a negative. It would be nice for those targeting Murray if it were him, but the fact that he has half the role is good enough for me. He’s worth a 10-15% FAAB bid.
Ronnie Rivers, Los Angeles Rams (1% Rostered)
When Matthew Berry tweeted out that he had a “hunch” Ronnie Rivers would be the lead back on Sunday, I immediately recommended Darrell Henderson’s rushing + receiving yards lower on Underdog Fantasy. Sure enough, Rivers was the starter and clear lead back. He led the team in carries with 12 and out-caught Henderson 4-2.
With the trade deadline looming, it’s entirely possible the Rams go and get someone like Kareem Hunt. If that happens, Rivers becomes irrelevant. Fortunately, with the deadline being Tuesday afternoon, you will know in plenty of time to adjust your waiver claims.
For now, just keep Rivers at the forefront of your mind so as not to forget about him should the Rams not make a move for a running back on Monday or Tuesday.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens (31% Rostered)
Two weeks ago, Kenyan Drake had his 100+ yard effort against the Giants. Last week, Drake completely flopped with five rushing yards. This week, Drake was back to being efficient, with seven carries for 62 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Gus Edwards tweaked his hamstring on Thursday night. By all accounts, he should be fine for next week’s game. But on the chance he’s not, Drake would be a touchdown-dependent RB3.
I wouldn’t prioritize Drake on the Week 9 waiver wire, but I would be remiss not to mention him. He is not a recommended pickup for me.
Caleb Huntley, Atlanta Falcons (4% Rostered)
The Falcons run a two-man backfield. Tyler Allgeier is the lead back, but Caleb Huntley saw 16 carries in his own right. He ran well, totaling 91 yards. This also came against the Panthers.
Cordarrelle Patterson is due back soon, and Huntley isn’t the goal line back. I have to mention him because of his performance, but there’s nothing here. Don’t add him.
Waiver Wire Pickups To Target in Week 9 | Wide Receivers
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals (35% Rostered)
My people! What are we doing here? This is Rondale Moore’s third consecutive week on the waiver wire column. He should’ve been rostered out by this point.
Moore has at least six receptions in three of his last four games. He caught seven balls for 92 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. Moore played just one fewer snap and ran one fewer route than DeAndre Hopkins. He’s the team’s clear WR2 in the absence of Hollywood Brown. Moore is worth a 15-20% FAAB bid.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (47% Rostered)
It looks like Garrett Wilson is back on the table. After four straight dud weeks, Wilson reestablished himself as the Jets’ WR1 in the absence of Corey Davis.
MORE: Week 9 PPR Fantasy Football Rankings
Wilson caught six of seven targets for 115 yards against the Patriots. He led the team in snaps and routes run. Wilson has all the talent in the world, and it’s worth betting on. I would put down an 8-12% FAAB bid on Wilson.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (51% Rostered)
Darnell Mooney is slightly above the rostership threshold, but he’s worth mentioning anyway. With Fields’ improved play, Mooney is suddenly startable. He now has at least 50 receiving yards in five consecutive games. Mooney only saw five targets against the Cowboys, but he caught all of them for 70 scoreless yards. Eventually, Mooney has to find the end zone, right?
Mooney’s usage warrants him being on fantasy rosters. He’s startable during bye weeks as a WR3/Flex. I would put in a 5-8% FAAB bid on him.
Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek, Los Angeles Rams (24% and 3% Rostered)
I really have no idea if either of these guys has any potential to be useful. But Cooper Kupp’s ankle was rolled up on in the waning moment of the Rams’ second loss to the 49ers.
If Kupp were to miss any time, Allen Robinson would be the presumptive WR1, but Matthew Stafford can’t throw to only ARob. Someone else would have to step up. Perhaps they trade for Brandin Cooks, but if not, Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek would be worth speculative adds just to see how things shake out.
Terrace Marshall Jr., Carolina Panthers (1% Rostered)
I was never a fan of Terrace Marshall Jr. as a prospect. But he did just have the best game of his young career with an inefficient four catches for 87 yards on nine targets. It’s the nine targets that pique my interest.
PJ Walker attempted 36 passes in a surprising shootout with Atlanta. I don’t think that’s going to be the norm. It sure looks like DJ Moore has reaffirmed his spot as the Panthers’ WR1. Most weeks, I don’t expect there will be enough volume for anyone else. I would not spend any FAAB on Marshall.
Waiver Wire Pickups To Target in Week 9 | Tight Ends
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (43% Rostered)
A weekly staple on the waiver wire column, Evan Engram had his best game of the season across the pond. Engram caught four of six targets for 55 yards and his first touchdown as a Jaguar.
Engram has now scored at least nine fantasy points in four straight contests. At the tight end position, that is incredibly useful. He remains a worthwhile back-end TE1 and is worth a 5-7% FAAB bid.
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (42% Rostered)
The Broncos’ rookie tight end has completely taken over the TE1 role. Greg Dulcich played 80% of the snaps against the Jaguars, catching four of five targets for 87 yards.
Dulcich has now topped 11 fantasy points in all three of his games this season. Similar to Engram, that’s quite useful. If Russell Wilson could somehow improve his play, Dulcich has top-six upside. That’s worth chasing. He’s worth an 8-12% FAAB bid.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (5% Rostered)
I figure I can’t leave Isaiah Likely off the waiver list. Filling in for an injured Mark Andrews, Likely caught six of seven targets for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Andrews’ injury is not considered serious, and he is expected to play in Baltimore’s next game. However, Likely has proven to essentially be Andrews’ handcuff. If Andrews ever misses time, we have proof of concept with Likely.
In deeper leagues for the TE desperate, there’s an argument to be made for stashing Likely in the event Andrews misses next week’s contest.