Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week.
Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.
Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 9.
Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements
All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.
It’s amazing how much Cleveland’s offense and playoff outlook has changed after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending torn Achilles. Winston was outstanding in his first start since the 2022 season on Sunday, completing 65.9% of his pass attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 23.6 fantasy points against the Baltimore Ravens. More importantly, he has played well despite the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver. The former top NFL Draft pick has averaged 0.62 fantasy points per pass attempt over the past two weeks.
Last week, the Chargers “held” Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener to zero passing touchdowns and 12.1 fantasy points. However, quarterbacks had averaged 18.1 fantasy points per game over their previous four matchups against Los Angeles, scoring 18.4 or more in all but one contest. Furthermore, the Chargers surrendered 20.4 or more fantasy points to quarterbacks in back-to-back games before last week. Don’t be surprised if Winston has a Joe Flacco 2023 season-like run over the next several weeks, making him a top-seen quarterback for the rest of the year.
Chicago’s run game has been outstanding after an awful start. D’Andre Swift is a top-15 running back, averaging 21 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past four contests. However, Johnson has carved out a role as the No. 2 running back behind the veteran. He has averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game over the past five contests, totaling 8.2 or more in 60% of the matchups. Furthermore, the former Texas star has four rushing touchdowns over the past four games, including last week against the Washington Commanders.
While the Cardinals’ defense can be scrappy, they’ve struggled against the run. Arizona has surrendered 24.2 fantasy points per game to running backs, the fifth-most in the NFL. Last week, the Miami Dolphins backfield had 137 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and 44.7 fantasy points against the Cardinals, with De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert each scoring over 15 fantasy points. Arizona has given up 111 or more rushing yards to running backs in five of their past six games. Johnson should find the end zone at least once this weekend.
Few fantasy players have heard of Chestnut before last week’s matchup against the Detroit Lions. The third-year pro is the Titans’ No. 3 running back, totaling 11 rushing attempts for 49 yards and one receiving for nine receiving yards this season, averaging 3.3 snaps and 0.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he might be Tennessee’s starting running back on Sunday against the Patriots. Tyjae Spears was ruled out on Friday with a hamstring injury. More importantly, Tony Pollard didn’t practice all week because of a foot injury.
The star running back is listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup. Therefore, Chestnut could have a featured role against a struggling Patriots defense. New England has surrendered 25 fantasy points per game to running backs, the fourth-most in the NFL. They have given up over 110 rushing yards and a touchdown to running backs in six consecutive games. Furthermore, running backs have averaged 160 rushing yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 30 fantasy points per game against the Patriots over the past four weeks, totaling two scores in half of the contests.
Carolina traded Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week, making Legette the team’s new No. 1 wide receiver. Furthermore, Adam Thielen (hamstring) is unlikely to play Sunday, creating more target opportunities for the rookie. Legette is coming off a solid performance, totaling four receptions on seven targets for 34 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 11.4 half-point PPR fantasy points against an elite Denver Broncos defense. More importantly, the rookie receiver had an 18.5% first-read target share with Bryce Young under center in Week 8 (per Fantasy Points Data).
When the Panthers and Saints faced off in Week 1, Legette had seven targets, his second-highest total this year. More importantly, New Orleans has surrendered 29.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the seventh-most in the NFL. Furthermore, wide receivers have had over 215 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and at least 38.8 fantasy points in two of their past three matchups against the Saints. Last week, Ladd McConkey had 111 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 26.1 fantasy points against New Orleans on only six targets.
Unfortunately, Puka Nacua re-aggravated his knee injury in practice on Thursday. Yet, head coach Sean McVay said he wouldn’t bet against Nacua playing on Sunday. However, the star receiver will be at less than 100% if he plays. More importantly, Robinson was outstanding last week despite Nacua and Cooper Kupp playing, totaling two receiving touchdowns and 16.5 half-point PPR fantasy points against the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran receiver has been productive with Nacua and Kupp healthy, averaging 14.1 fantasy points per game from Week 13 through Week 16 last season.
The Seahawks have surrendered 26.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, slightly above the league average. However, Seattle’s pass defense has been awful lately. They have surrendered 164.4 receiving yards, 1.4 touchdowns, and 33.5 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past five weeks, giving up 40 or more twice. Last week, the Buffalo Bills wide receivers had 31.7 fantasy points against the Seahawks despite Amari Cooper seeing only two targets. Hopefully, Robinson can find the end zone for the third time in the past four games.
Dallas Goedert will miss his third consecutive game on Sunday because of a hamstring injury. Hopefully, fantasy players planned for the veteran tight end missing Sunday’s game during the waiver wire process earlier this week. However, Calcaterra is a solid last-minute injury replacement, especially in deeper leagues. The backup tight end has averaged 2.7 receptions for 43.3 receiving yards and 5.7 half-point PPR fantasy points over the past three contests. Calcaterra had at least 58 receiving yards and 7.3 fantasy points in two of those games, including last week.
More importantly, the Jaguars have been a fantasy goldmine for tight ends. They have surrendered 11.7 fantasy points per game, the fifth-most in the NFL. Jacksonville has given up four receiving touchdowns to tight ends over the past four weeks, including one to Tucker Kraft in Week 8. Furthermore, tight ends have averaged 80.8 receiving yards and 17.2 fantasy points per game over their past four contests against the Jaguars, scoring 15.3 or more in three consecutive matchups. Hopefully, Calcaterra can keep the touchdown streak against Jacksonville alive on Sunday.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
