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Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

These players are generally available in at least 70% of Sleeper leagues and ranked in order of priority, by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need help at RB? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then, you probably don’t need to chase the top guys.

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Stafford ripped a strong Vikings defense for 279 yards and 4 TDs in the Thursday night win. Of course, he had WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in the lineup.

It was his first top-20 fantasy finish since Week 1, and his first full game with both WRs.

As long as both of those guys are healthy, Stafford is capable of more QB1-level outings going forward. He will be startable when the matchup is favorable, like it will be this Sunday at Seattle. 

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

His 4-TD game vs. Carolina (3 passing, 1 rushing) says more about the Panthers defense than Nix. But the rookie has now finished as a top-16 fantasy QB in four straight games, including three top-10 finishes. 

He gets another plus matchup in Week 9 against the Ravens, who entered this week ranked 29th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs – and then gave up a big game to QB Jameis Winston.

We’ll see if they’re able to get a couple of key members back in the secondary, but Nix will remain a streaming option regardless.

The Broncos have a tough road task in Week 10 at Kansas City. But matchups with the Falcons and Raiders look good on the other side of that.

Running Back

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

Blind-bid recommendation: 8-12%

Davis didn’t do anything special in a blowout win over Seattle. He saw 6 carries – five of them in the fourth quarter.

Davis simply remains too widely available as one of the league’s top handcuffs. He’s 30% rostered on Sleeper; just 17% on ESPN.

If James Cook misses time, Davis would immediately slide in as an RB2 with top-12 upside.

Wide Receiver

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns

Blind-bid recommendation: 30-50%

Tillman followed his 8-81 line in Week 7 with a big 7-99-2 in the Browns’ upset over the Ravens. Totaling 21 targets over those two games shows Tillman is a favorite for QB Jameis Winston.

He has taken over the "X" WR spot vacated by Amari Cooper and already sits just 6 receptions short of Cooper's Browns total for this season (24-18).

It’s worth noting that Cleveland has the toughest remaining WR schedule. But falling behind opponents would likely boost passing volume.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

Blind-bid recommendation: 8-15%

Pearsall snagged all 4 targets for 38 yards in Week 8 and added 39 yards on a designed run.

Keep in mind that Jauan Jennings missed Sunday’s game with a hip injury. He’s expected back after a Week 9 bye.

Still, Pearsall earned Round 1 draft capital, and he has the skill set to earn a steady target share down the stretch. We’ll also have to keep an eye on a banged-up Deebo Samuel.

"Obviously having [Brandon Aiyuk] down, there's going to be a little bit more opportunity for me to go out there and run some routes and get the ball in my hands," Pearsall said postgame. He also noted his lack of practice reps with Brock Purdy and their still-developing connection.

Pearsall is worth stashing ahead of Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay. The Bucs supply one of the best matchups for WRs, per our strength of schedule tool.

Deep-League Options

Jameis Winston, QB, Cleveland Browns

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Winston pulled a major upset over the Ravens. His 334 yards and 3 TDs both marked season highs for the Browns. His 41 pass attempts were more than Deshaun Watson had thrown in a game since Week 1.

Winston threw some reckless passes, as he is known to do. He didn't record an INT for the game, but Winston's 3 turnover-worthy plays tied Trevor Lawrence and Dak Prescott for the Week 8 lead, according to PFF.

Remember his final season in Tampa Bay, when Winston tossed 30 INTs? He also delivered 33 TD passes and finished top-4 in most common fantasy formats.

The upside counters the risk here and makes Winston regularly startable for superflex. As he showed Sunday, he can also be worth using in 1-QB formats for favorable matchups.

Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Willis played well in relief of QB Jordan Love on Sunday, completing 4 of 5 passes for 56 yards and a score. He added 4 carries for 23 yards.

Willis went 2-0 as the Packers' starter earlier this season, totaling 324 yards and 2 TDs passing, and 114 yards and a score rushing. Willis finished QB22 and QB6 in fantasy points those weeks. 

He'll at least be an option in 2-QB leagues vs. the Lions next week if Love sits. Consider Love questionable to play with a groin strain.

Note that Green Bay gets a bye in Week 10.

Running Back

Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

The Broncos RBs struggled early in the season when the offense couldn’t move the ball. But the development of QB Bo Nix gives some hope.

RB Javonte Williams couldn’t get much traction on the ground this week, but McLaughlin rushed eight times for 47 yards. He also scored on his lone reception.

Wide Receiver

Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-12%

WR Cedric Tillman had the biggest game for Cleveland in Week 8. But Moore led the team with 12 targets. He caught eight for 85 yards.

QB Jameis Winston has given everyone in this passing game life.

Moore, of course, has largely disappointed since his 2021 rookie season. And he still ran third in playing time among Cleveland WRs vs. Baltimore. But he's worth a look as a deep stash, especially with handcuff upside should either Tillman or Jerry Jeudy go down.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Parker is the favorite to replace Christian Kirk as Jacksonville’s primary slot receiver. Kirk sustained a season-ending injury against the Packers.

Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr. might miss Week 9 vs. Philadelphia. Gabe Davis’ status looks questionable at best with a shoulder injury. 

Washington caught three of four targets for 46 yards in the loss to the Packers. He saw an expanded role late in his 2023 rookie season, totaling 16 grabs for 132 yards and a score over the final six games, with Kirk out. 

Week 9 brings a neutral matchup vs. the Eagles before two positive draws against the Vikings and Lions.

Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Boutte has led Patriots WRs in snaps over the last three weeks, rising up the depth chart for the Patriots. He led the team in routes (31), target share (245), air yards (960, and aDOT (16.0) this week.

Of course, the Patriots’ offense isn’t setting record anytime soon, especially with Drake Maye likely to miss this week.

But, stashing a potential top WR on any team is worthwhile.

Boutte has talent as seen in college when he dominated the SEC at 18-years old, and it is starting to shine through in the league.

In Week 8, he had a 56.25% separation percentage, better than Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Stashing a talented player whose usage is on the rise is worth his low cost on the waiver wire.

Tight End

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Gesicki popped back up on Sunday with seven catches for 73 yards. It’s not a coincidence that it came in a game WR Tee Higgins missed. 

Gesicki topped rising rookie TE Erick All in route rate (60% to 38%) and target share (23% to 6%). That remains a fluid situation going forward.

But the good news for both guys is that the offense remains pass-happy. They currently sit second-highest in the league in pass rate over expected.

If Higgins remains out for Week 9, Gesicki will be a spot-start option for a plus matchup vs. Vegas.

Top Streaming Defense for Week 7

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers 

The Panthers remain a mess, no matter if Bryce Young or Andy Dalton is at QB. They have scored 14 points or fewer in five of seven games and rank 29th in DVOA.

Targeting them weekly has generally paid dividends and should again this week.

The Saints defense has dropped off from a strong start but has at least three combined sacks and takeaways in three of the last four games. 

Even in a divisional road matchup, the Saints have dominating potential this week.

If you want other defenses to stream this week, check out our Streaming Defense Guide for Week 9.

Grab This Guy

Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals

Blind-bid recommendation: 1-3%

With Tee Higgins sidelined for Week 8, Burton played his largest role to date. 

The results weren’t groundbreaking, but he turned heads with a deep reception vs. CB Darius Slay.

"It was nice to see Jermaine make a play today. I think Jermaine is going to be a good player," Joe Burrow said via SI.com. "He continues to get open, and we’re going to continue that dialogue that quarterbacks and receivers have to have. I think he played well today.”

Here’s more color from HC Zac Taylor:

"Jermaine made a great play on a go-route and stepped up, so there's more that he can continue to do as well to help us. We always love to have Tee out there, because he makes a lot of big plays for us. But I think we're starting to see other guys step up as well, and we've got a comfort level in them.”

Remember that Burton hit the NFL following stops at Alabama and Georgia. He tore up the NFL Combine and arrived in Round 3, despite some character concerns. Ability isn’t an issue here.

Burton’s a clear candidate for a larger role in 2025 – particularly if Higgins moves on. But if things break right, there’s a chance he posts some useful fantasy lines over the next two months.

Drop Candidates

Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots

Gibson fumbled in Week 8 and watched Rhamondre Stevenson out-carry him by 15. The former Commander isn’t a high-priority handcuff.

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

Miller sustained a Week 8 hamstring injury. We’ll see if it costs him time, but this latest ailment continues a troublesome trend going back to last year.

He’s OK to keep around in deeper formats, especially as we await word on severity. But if you need an immediate contributor, Miller’s fine to drop.

Note that the Saints have a Week 12 bye.

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

He sustained a season-ending collarbone fracture against Green Bay.

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Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.