Brothers! Picture where you will be 9 weeks from now. I will be harvesting my profits from winning championships. Imagine you will be there and it will be so. Hold the line, stay with me. If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled, for you are in Elysium and are already out of the playoffs.
Look, injuries have been devastating this season at all positions. Picture the success you will have by making the right moves before the games are played. Put yourself in a position to make the run now. Get the victories now, that will get you into the playoffs of your league. Today is the day, now is the time. Remember what you do echoes in eternity, well maybe not eternity but at least the rest of this season.
Now let’s get to it. This column refers to players rostered in under 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and Sleeper Leagues.
Week 9 Weekend Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons
It looks like Heinicke is getting the start for the Falcons in Week 9. For those of you that remember Heinicke produced relatively well for fantasy purposes when he was the starting quarterback of the Washington Commanders. I am not saying you should expect a top 5 player here but. He has elite young skill position players all around him in Atlanta. He also has a very favorable schedule for the rest of the season if he keeps the job. To top it all off he is available.
9% rostered on Yahoo
4% rostered on ESPN
20% rostered on Sleeper
Other quarterbacks to consider if you are desperate:
- Gardiner Minshew has multiple TDs or over 300 yards in every game he has started this season. Minshew is only 24% rostered on Yahoo.
- Aiden O’Connell is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues. The Raiders have very good pass catchers are wide receiver and running back. If he can make it work he could be viable.
Running Backs
Royce Freeman, Los Angeles Rams
Freeman rushed 9 times for 44 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. He led Rams running backs in snaps with 33. It appears Royce will be on the field and get 10 touches or so. The Rams are playing the Green Bay Packers who give up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing teams running backs. On top of all this Ryan Stafford has a thumb injury that might hamper him some. The Rams will run in Week 9.
5% rostered on Yahoo
22% on ESPN
25% on Sleeper
Other running backs to consider if you are desperate:
- Keontay Ingram of the Arizona Cardinals is rostered in only 7% of Yahoo leagues. Ingram may be the primary ball carrier this week against the Browns as Emari Demercado has been missing practice this week
Wide Receivers
Demario Douglas New England Patriots
The Washington Commanders give up the second most fantasy points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. The wide receiver position averages 12 receptions, 197 yards, and 1.6 touchdowns a week against the Commanders. Douglas led the Patriots receivers in snaps in Week 8. Both Devante Parker and Kendrick Bourne will be out in Week 9. Douglas will build on the 24% target share he had to lead in the Patriots in Week 8 and bring some Pop to your lineup. I would make the add before he has the game where he sees 15 targets this week.
26% rostered on Yahoo
17% on ESPN
38% on Sleeper
Kahlil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Shakir had 6 targets in Week 8, which he turned into 6 receptions for 92 yards. His snap share jumped to 65% of the snaps in Week 8 as well. What does this mean? Well, it means that if you have a bench slot available you might want to add Shakir as it appears his role is growing on the Bills offense.
4% rostered on Yahoo
2% on ESPN
13% on Sleeper
Other wide receivers to consider:
- Quentin Johnston saw an increase in snaps and target share in Week 8. The 6 targets he saw were the most he has had this season. He is a nice addition and only rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues.
Tight Ends
Cade Otton, Tamp Bay Buccaneers
Otton has seen 6 targets in each of the past two games. He is the third option in the passing game behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin with a 12% target share. This week the Buccaneers play the Texans who do not defend the position well so Otton is prey much add and play in Week 9.
5% rostered on Yahoo
6% on ESPN
9% on Sleeper
Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty