Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Adds
Eight weeks are in the books, and the fantasy football playoff race is starting to take shape. If your roster has a few holes, this is not the time to sit back and hope your draft picks suddenly remember how to play football.
Let’s get to work.
Ownership note: The players below are listed as available in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues in the current waiver reporting. ESPN, Sleeper, and Yahoo roster percentages are not identical and change throughout the week. Check your league’s actual availability before placing a claim.
The Week 9 Waiver Adds
Running Backs
1. Mike Washington Jr. – Las Vegas Raiders
Washington is the running back to target this week. The rookie appears to have moved ahead of Ashton Jeanty as the Raiders’ primary early-down option, and that kind of opportunity is exactly what fantasy managers should be chasing.
Washington is rostered in approximately 27% of Yahoo leagues. There are still questions about his ball security and pass protection, and the upcoming schedule against San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver isn’t particularly friendly. But volume is king and having out rushed Jeanty 25 to 2 last week, at running back, Washington appears to be getting his opportunity to lead the backfield.
FAAB recommendation: 18–25%
Managers desperate for running back help can justify going higher.
2. Kaelon Black – San Francisco 49ers
Black is a speculative addition with significant upside if Christian McCaffrey’s hamstring injury becomes a bigger issue. The rookie has shown good vision and physical running ability, and he’s worth stashing before an injury forces everyone else to chase him.
Black isn’t a polished receiving back, so his value is tied primarily to rushing opportunities. That’s fine. You don’t need every bench player to be a complete fantasy package. Sometimes you just need the next man in line.
FAAB recommendation: 5-8%
3. Seth McGowan – Indianapolis Colts
McGowan is an interesting stash because of the uncertainty surrounding Jonathan Taylor’s future in Indianapolis. Taylor has reportedly been involved in trade speculation, and if the Colts move him, McGowan could find himself in a much larger role.
The rookie has not done enough to warrant a major investment yet, and even a starting job in a struggling offense comes with limitations. But running backs who are one transaction away from a starting workload deserve attention.
FAAB recommendation: 5–8%
4. Devin Singletary – New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, leaving Singletary and Cam Skattebo to handle the backfield workload. Skattebo is the more exciting option, but Singletary has been a capable NFL runner and pass catcher.
He isn’t a player to spend aggressively on, but he could provide usable depth and potentially some flex value if the Giants give him enough touches.
FAAB recommendation: 1–3%
Wide Receivers
5. Antonio Williams – Washington Commanders
Williams is one of the more appealing receiver additions this week. With Terry McLaurin out for the season, Washington needs someone to step up, and the rookie responded with five catches for 54 yards on seven targets against Philadelphia.
More importantly, Williams led the Commanders’ receivers in both snaps and routes. That’s the kind of usage that gives us confidence the production can continue.
He’s worth adding in all formats, particularly PPR leagues.
FAAB recommendation: 6–10%
6. Ryan Flournoy – Dallas Cowboys
Flournoy has quietly become a useful piece of the Dallas passing attack. He’s delivered either a touchdown or at least 70 receiving yards in four consecutive games and has drawn at least four targets in every game this season.
He’s still competing for opportunities with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, so his ceiling could be limited. But over the course of the last two weeks Flournoy has out-snapped Pickens, who may be dealing with a hamstring injury.
If Pickens injury doesn’t improve, the Cowboys coaching staff gets frustrated with Pickens or he gets traded, Flournoy has a clear path to WR2 numbers.
FAAB recommendation: 3–6%
7. Caleb Douglas – Miami Dolphins
Douglas continues to make a case for a larger role in Miami. The rookie has produced 13 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns on 19 targets across four games.
He’s averaging 11.9 yards per target, and his production suggests he can be more than a temporary injury replacement. Douglas is a worthwhile addition with the potential to become a weekly flex option.
FAAB recommendation: 3–6%
8. Jakobi Meyers – Jacksonville Jaguars
Meyers isn’t the most exciting name on the waiver wire, but sometimes boring is beautiful. He’s a capable receiver in a productive Jacksonville offense and has accumulated 22 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns over seven games.
He may not be a weekly difference-maker, but he can provide dependable depth and has a path to more targets if Jacksonville makes changes to its receiver room.
FAAB recommendation: 1–3%
Quarterbacks
9. Malik Willis – Miami Dolphins
Willis has been a useful fantasy option because of his ability to create plays with his legs. Even when the passing numbers aren’t spectacular, rushing production gives him a path to a respectable fantasy total.
He has a favorable stretch of matchups beginning with Detroit in Week 9 and Indianapolis in Week 10. He’s worth adding for managers who need a quarterback streamer or a second option in superflex leagues.
FAAB recommendation: 2–4%
Tight Ends
10. Terrance Ferguson – Los Angeles Rams
Ferguson is a stash worth considering if you’re struggling at tight end. He’s been recovering from a high-ankle sprain, but the Rams could use another reliable pass catcher with Davante Adams expected to miss significant time.
Before his injury, Ferguson showed his upside with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown against the Giants. If he returns to the lineup and earns a meaningful role, he could become a useful fantasy option.
Monitor his practice participation before spending.
FAAB recommendation: 2–4%
11. Mike Gesicki – Cincinnati Bengals
Gesicki has scored touchdowns in five consecutive games, which makes him an appealing option for managers looking for immediate help. However, don’t mistake his touchdown production for a reliable weekly target floor.
He’s averaging only 3.4 targets per game and has topped 40 receiving yards just twice this season. The Bengals’ offense gives him touchdown upside, but he’s still a matchup-dependent play.
FAAB recommendation: 1–3%
12. Greg Dulcich – Miami Dolphins
Dulcich is another tight end worth considering, particularly with Miami facing a Detroit defense that has struggled against the position.
He’s had at least four catches and 37 yards in four of his last five games. That isn’t exactly a fantasy explosion, but consistency is valuable at a position where too many players disappear for entire afternoons.
FAAB recommendation: 1–2%
Players to Drop Before Week 9
Waiver claims require roster space, and sometimes the best move is admitting that a player you drafted isn’t going to help you. Don’t let sunk-cost thinking keep a dead roster spot alive.
Players to Consider Cutting
J.K. Dobbins – RB, Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ backfield situation changed dramatically in Week 8. Jonah Coleman exploded for 104 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, while Dobbins managed just seven carries for 13 yards.
Coleman has earned a larger role, and Dobbins’ fantasy outlook has taken a hit. In shallow leagues, he’s a reasonable drop if a better opportunity is available. In deeper leagues, hold briefly to see how the workload settles.
Omarion Hampton – RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton has been a major disappointment relative to expectations. He’s averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and has struggled with ball security. The Chargers have also moved toward a committee approach involving Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell.
He’s not an automatic drop in every league. Hampton still has talent and could regain value. But if you’re in a shallow league and need a roster spot for a player with a clearer path to touches, it’s time to consider moving on.
Xavier Worthy – WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Worthy has struggled to deliver consistent fantasy production. His speed keeps the big-play possibility alive, but fantasy managers need more than a weekly lottery ticket. If he’s not earning enough targets to be a reliable flex option, it’s reasonable to use that spot on a receiver with a better workload.
Tyler Higbee – TE, Los Angeles Rams
Higbee is difficult to trust as a weekly fantasy starter, especially with the Rams potentially getting Ferguson back. Unless you’re in a deep league or have a tight-end premium format, there are better options to pursue.
The Pigskin Verdict
The Week 9 waiver wire is headlined by running backs. Mike Washington Jr. is the priority, while Kaelon Black and Seth McGowan are the kinds of speculative additions who can pay off handsomely if circumstances break their way.
At receiver, Antonio Williams and Ryan Flournoy deserve attention because their opportunities are growing. Caleb Douglas is another young player worth adding before his role becomes obvious to everyone else.
And remember: don’t fall in love with your draft picks. Your roster isn’t a retirement home for underperforming players.
Feed the Pigpen. Clean the Trough. And don’t be afraid to make a move before your league mates do.
