Waiver Wire Rankings and FAAB Advice: Week 9 (2020 Fantasy Football)

As we move past the mid-point of the fantasy regular season, it’s as important as ever to utilize the waiver wire in preparation for bye weeks and unexpected postponements. Need a hand in making your waiver wire selections? No problem. We’ve got you covered!

Here are Dan Harris, Mike Tagliere, and Kyle Yates with their waiver wire rankings and FAAB recommendations for Week 9:

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Q1. Who is your top waiver wire option of the week, and why?

I’ll go with Jordan Wilkins, though it’s not because he’s someone who should be started right away. He’s outplayed Jonathan Taylor all year, but the Colts aren’t likely to move on from Taylor that quickly. On top of that, they’ll be going against the Ravens run defense in Week 9, which is horrible for production. This comes down to stashing Wilkins as a guy who “might” steal the starting job down the line, as well as someone who has high-end handcuff value. If Taylor were to miss time, Wilkins would be an every-week high-end RB2. I would put Marvin Jones here if you’re looking for someone to help you in Week 9 alone.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

Because I don’t see any sort of league- or even week-winning upside available on the wire this week, I’m willing to prioritize a player who is entering his bye week, and that’s Jalen Reagor. Reagor didn’t have a crazy game against the Cowboys with only 16 yards receiving, but he did score a touchdown and a two-point conversion, and he has the clearest path to fantasy-relevance. With DeSean Jackson likely out for most if not all of the season and Carson Wentz desperate for reliable pass-catchers, Reagor should be in the WR3 conversation each and every week going forward. That’s worth the top priority in your waiver-wire rankings to me.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

Kenny Golladay left Monday’s game with an injury and Marvin Jones stepped up with two touchdowns in a tough matchup. With Golladay considered week-to-week and expected to miss Week 9 at the very least, Jones should be the top WW add due to his opportunity and the matchup next week. Jones should be viewed as a top-20 WR with upside against Minnesota.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Q2. Which notable waiver wire option for Week 9 was the most difficult to rank?

t’s Cam Akers because even though Darrell Henderson suffered an injury in Week 8, they have their bye in Week 9, so it’s likely he’s back in the lineup. Akers hadn’t received a single touch since Week 5, so he was clearly well behind both Henderson and Malcolm Brown but considering he “could” be a starting running back if Henderson misses time, he should be rostered.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

Jordan Wilkins. On the surface, Wilkins is an obvious top add  because of how well he performed on Sunday, as well as with Jonathan Taylor’s struggles. But Wilkins has never seen consistent touches, and Sunday was only the fourth time had received at least double-digits. Taylor is purportedly dealing with a minor ankle injury (though it indeed sounds extremely minor) and Wilkins and the Colts take on the Ravens next. A part of me wants no part of Wilkins, but a bigger part of me can’t deny that he needs to be a high-priority pickup.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

Nyheim Hines has exploded for multiple scores already this season and then faded into oblivion. Hines should be added based on his performance yesterday, but this backfield is simply too unpredictable to know who to start next week. Hines could go off for another big performance or he could go back to his usage that we’ve seen the past several weeks.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Q3. For managers streaming a D/ST in Week 9, what readily available option (under 40%) should they target?

Going into their bye week, Washington had 22 sacks, which ranked as the fifth-most in football. Daniel Jones has been sacked 20 times through seven games, which ranks as the fifth-most in football. We can all do the math here, right? Jones has been under pressure on 43.8 percent of his dropbacks, which is the highest number in the league, while Washington has pressured the opposing quarterback on 48 percent of dropbacks over the last two weeks.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

The Washington Football Team is a fine option next week against the Giants. They’ve been underrated all season and Daniel Jones is highly-prone to turnovers. It’s an obvious choice for anyone streaming D/STs.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

The Washington Football Team gets another crack at the Giants offense in week 9. They should be picked up and played everywhere next week.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

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Notable Week 9 FAAB Recommendations (in %)

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Q4. Which Week 9 waiver wire option carries the biggest risk of being a waste of FAAB dollars?

It’s Mecole Hardman for me. The Chiefs have continually teased us with production out of Hardman, who’s one of the most efficient receivers the league has ever seen. This has nothing to do with his skills, but more to do with his inconsistent usage, as he was on the field for just 11 pass snaps in Week 7. Because of that, I’m willing to bet he finishes with less than five targets in Week 9.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

Remember when Kenny Golladay missed time early in the season and Jones did little? Remember when he had just three catches without Golladay yesterday? With Golladay out and the Vikings secondary bruised and battered, it looks like a strong spot for Jones. But he has yet to take advantage of similar opportunities despite plus matchups. He needs to be added and probably started next week. But there’s plenty of downside.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

As mentioned above, Hines is an extremely difficult projection for me. He has a wide range of outcomes and there’s a possibility that he just goes back to barely being utilized in week 9. It’s hard to see how that happens after what he did on Sunday, but it’s already happened once this season.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

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