NFL Week 9 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups at Each Position

NFL Week 9 is upon us, which means it’s time to scour the fantasy football waiver for the top pickups of the week ahead of Wednesday.

Whether you’re looking to replace a top player who sustained an unfortunate injury or eyeing darkhorse players who have popped out of nowhere through the first few games of the season, fantasy football experts Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon have you covered with their best Week 9 waiver wire adds.

NFL Week 9 Waiver Wire Breakdown

As usual, the duo hopped on the Fantasy Flex pod on Tuesday and discussed all things related to Week 9 waiver candidates. Among the players highlighted are a few players available in over 60% of leagues. Find out more below.

Make sure to check their weekly fantasy football rankings by subscribing to FantasyLabs’ 2024 fantasy football kit to see how other waiver wire candidates look this week.

NFL Week 9 Waiver Wire Adds

* Availability in home leagues is noted in parentheses.

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford (60%)

Gets a huge boost with both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back

Put up 279 yards and 4 TDs on TNF against a very good Vikings defense

Lack of rushing hurts his upside, but still have him on the QB1/2 cusp this week at Seattle (weather permitting)

Running Back

Stash Candidates

Isaac Guerendo (Mason/CMC time to heal)

Tyler Allgeier (63%)

Zach Charbonnet (49%)

Blake Corum (85%)

Notes:

Slow week, which means there isn’t a back who you should be spending a ton of FAAB on for a 1+ week rental

Doesn’t matter who they face this week because they are bench stashes (could start Allgeier as an RB3/Flex against Cowboys)

It’s important to know which RBs to stash who are an injury away from potential RB1 value

These RBs have that potential, so it makes sense to stash them (if available)

There are a handful of other backs who could be available offering RB2/3 value, but these guys have the most upside

These are league-winning backups

Wide Receiver

Cedric Tillman (80%)

No-brainer now

It will require a hefty FAAB bid

Jalen McMillan (51%)

Led the trio of WRs with a 90% routes run rate

Has big play upside; I think he’s a fringe WR3/Flex for now

At least until Mike Evans returns, he may be the WR who has the most value (outside of Evans)

They may also trade for a WR

Ricky Pearsall (64%)

He’s looked good in his first two games

77% routes run rate

Will need to step up with Brandon Aiyuk out for the season

Jauan Jennings’ return will ding him a bit

But the 49ers have a bye, which will give him added time to get ready for a bigger role and for the 49ers to maximize him

Tight End

Zach Ertz (71%)

Ben Sinnott

Outside of Terry McLaurin, the WR room is musical chairs

Ertz has a steady role as the main TE

4+ receptions in 3 straight, very high floor (which is valuable at TE this year)

TE12 to open the week

Good bye-week fill-in for George Kittle, or if you want more stability and a higher floor

Defense

Bengals (68%)

There’s a reason they are available in 68% of leagues

Good matchup against Raiders for sacks/turnovers/points allowed (Raiders have the 6th-lowest team total)

Minshew was sacked 5 times last week.

Kicker

Will Reichard (85%)

14/14 FGs (4/4 50+) 20/20 PATs

High team total at home in a dome

Will typically be a top streamer, so can just add him long-term

I’ll continue bringing him up until then

If, for some reason, you missed out on him, you can use my ranks to know who my next best available would be