Doing your weekly waivers in fantasy football can be more stressful than performing life-saving surgery on a loved one without any professional tools or medical knowledge. While that might be a slight exaggeration, deciding which players to add off the waiver wire each week can be stressful.
Finding and adding the right guys in shallow leagues is simple, as there are plenty of appealing options, and the waiver wire is full of talent. Unfortunately, making your waiver wire claims in deeper leagues can be a massive pain in the neck.
However, I’m here to help by giving fantasy players 10 waiver wire targets they should add in deeper leagues in Week 9.
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Deep League Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets
All the players in this article are rostered in under 25% of ESPN leagues.
Sam Darnold (QB – SEA): 20.9% Rostered
Fantasy players with an open roster spot can go ahead and add Darnold off the waiver wire. While he struggled in Seattle’s last game, the veteran had been on fire, averaging 274 passing yards, 2.3 touchdowns, and 20.1 fantasy points per contest over the previous four outings. More importantly, Darnold is an excellent streaming option this week. The Washington Commanders have surrendered 265.6 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 21.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over their past five outings heading into Monday night’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Shedeur Sanders (QB – CLE): 1.6% Rostered
Let’s switch from a streaming quarterback target to a stash candidate in deeper superflex leagues. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told the media after Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots that Dillon Gabriel would remain the starting quarterback after the Week 9 bye. However, he has struggled as the starter, averaging only 170.8 passing yards and one touchdown per game. Furthermore, Dillon had two interceptions against the Patriots. Sanders will get a shot at some point this season. Meanwhile, Cleveland has some fantasy-friendly matchups coming up in late November.
Tank Bigsby (RB – PHI): 19.4% Rostered
Thankfully, Saquon Barkley is confident the groin injury he suffered on Sunday is minor. Furthermore, the Eagles have their bye in Week 9, giving the superstar two weeks to rest before their next game against the Green Bay Packers. However, fantasy players should add Bigsby off the waiver wire and stash him, especially if they have Barkley on their team. The former Auburn star was outstanding as Philadelphia’s No. 2 running back against the New York Giants, totaling nine rushing attempts for 104 yards and 10.4 PPR fantasy points.
Zonovan Knight (RB – ARI): 18.5% Rostered
The Cardinals will be without Trey Benson for at least one more game because of a knee injury, meaning he will miss this week’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. They have arguably the worst run defense in the NFL, surrendering 26.9 PPR fantasy points per game to running backs over the first seven weeks. Furthermore, J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey had 172 scrimmage yards, three touchdowns, and 38.2 fantasy points against the Cowboys on Sunday. Knight has been solid, averaging 10.4 fantasy points per game over the past three contests.
Isaiah Davis (RB – NYJ): 7.9% Rostered
New York got their first win of the year on Sunday. While Breece Hall was outstanding, totaling three touchdowns and 32.9 PPR fantasy points, Davis was equally impressive. He had seven rushing attempts for 65 yards and five receptions for 44 receiving yards, totaling 17.9 fantasy points, setting season highs in every category. Davis played well enough to earn more touches moving forward. More importantly, Hall might have played his final game as a member of the Jets, meaning Davis could be the lead running back following the bye.
Jaylin Noel (WR – HOU): 12.7% Rostered
Hopefully, the Texans will get Nico Collins back in Week 9 after the superstar missed Sunday’s win because of a concussion. However, Houston has been looking for someone else to step up in the passing game. Noel has played well lately, averaging 4.5 receptions on 6.5 targets for 70 receiving yards and 11.5 PPR fantasy points per game over the past two weeks, scoring 11.3 or more in both contests. While he is unstartable next week against the Denver Broncos, Noel could be a viable flex option moving forward.
Malik Washington (WR – MIA): 12.4% Rostered
Many expected the Dolphins’ offense to struggle in Week 8 against an impressive Atlanta Falcons defense. Instead, their passing attack was on fire. Washington had his best game of the year, totaling four receptions on five targets for 36 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 13.6 PPR fantasy points, a season-high. He finished third on the team in targets behind De’Von Achane (seven) and Jaylen Waddle (six). Fantasy players should expect that trend to continue with Darren Waller on injured reserve for the next several weeks because of a pectoral injury.
Chimere Dike (WR – TEN): 5.3% Rostered
Last week, I called Dike an excellent last-minute injury replacement against the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie wide receiver didn’t fail, totaling seven receptions on eight targets for 93 receiving yards and 16.4 PPR fantasy points, leading the Titans in every category. Furthermore, he has been outstanding the past two weeks with Calvin Ridley dealing with a hamstring injury, totaling at least 16 fantasy points in both games. Moreover, Tennessee could trade Ridley before the NFL trade deadline next week. Expect Dike to remain Cam Ward’s favorite and most productive weapon.
Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ): 20.2% Rostered
Taylor has averaged 4.6 receptions on 6.6 targets for 39.8 receiving yards and nine PPR fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, totaling 11.5 or more in three contests. Last week, he had his first NFL touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, scoring 14.4 fantasy points. The Jets have a lack of options in the passing game, especially with Garrett Wilson missing time with a knee injury. Whether Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor is the starter coming out of the bye, Taylor should continue to see meaningful target volume.
Gunnar Helm (TE – TEN): 0.4% Rostered
The Titans will be sellers heading into next week’s trade deadline. Chig Okonkwo could also be on his way out of town, as the veteran is in the last year of his contract. Therefore, Helm could be Cam Ward’s starting tight end sooner than later. More importantly, the former Texas star has played well lately, averaging four targets and 7.2 PPR fantasy points per game over the past four weeks, scoring 7.4 or more in all but one contest, including 10.3 on Sunday. Helm is worth stashing in deeper leagues.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
