Week 8 seemed to be a down week for many fantasy football enthusiasts. In true 2020 fashion, we also saw several games experience awful weather that may have interfered with your team’s production. Hopefully, you survived and walked away with a win and did not have to encounter an opponent who started Dalvin Cook or Patrick Mahomes.
Entering Week 9 we will continue to deal with the more difficult stretch for bye weeks so some of these waiver targets may find their way into your starting lineup. Whether you’re looking for a starter, depth piece, or possible flyer pick I will do my best to help you out.
One thing I will continue to bring up, and still recommend, is to pay attention to who the other teams in your league have been dropping. With injuries and COVID causing some chaos so far this season many teams may have been scrambling to field a team. There may be some players not identified on this list who could help your team instantly.
As always though I am here to try to identify some of the more popular waiver wire adds, some deeper league options, and some to keep an eye on up until your waivers run. Now every league may be a little different, but I will be looking at players who are on 50% or less of teams across Yahoo and ESPN platforms. I will also include some players who might be above 50%, but are worth the look to see if they’re available in your league.
Bye Weeks: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams
Week 9 Waiver Wire: Possibly taken, but worth a look
JK Dobbins (RB, BAL)
Dobbins and Gus Edwards filled in for a missing Mark Ingram last week. Dobbins looked great as he rushed 15 times for 113 yards and caught 1 reception for 8 yards. Should Ingram miss time again, Dobbins is a strong pickup.
Brandon Aiyuk (WR, SF)
Aiyuk is on 80% of Yahoo teams, but just over 60% of ESPN teams. He had a strong Week 8 with 8 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Although his touchdown came in garbage time, Aiyuk and the 49ers may see more garbage time in Week 9 versus the Packers.
Week 9 Waiver Wire: On less than 50% of teams
Drew Lock (QB, DEN)
Lock showed up in Week 8 with 26 completions for 248 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. Denver gets Atlanta in Week 9 and has given up the most points to the quarterback position. He also then gets Las Vegas in Week 10 and New Orleans in week 12 who are both top six in points to the quarterback position. He’s a decent streaming option for those weeks.
Teddy Bridgewater (QB, CAR)
Bridgewater disappointed against Atlanta on Thursday Night Football as he only threw for 176 yards and a touchdown. He faces off against Kansas City and Carolina won’t be able to keep up. However, Bridgewater will need to throw and there will be plenty of garbage time. Bridgewater is a streaming quarterback and you may want to think about using him even if he burnt you last week.
Jalen Reagor (WR, PHI)
Reagor is on bye this week, but returned to action in Week 8. He caught 3 receptions for 16 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed one time for 6 yards. He likely will begin to get more involved in the offense and if you can stash him through the bye then he is a decent pickup.
Marvin Jones (WR, DET)
Jones came out and had his patented multiple touchdown game in Week 8 off of 3 receptions for 39 yards. Kenny Golladay is already ruled out for Week 9, which means Jones may see an increase in targets. Detroit also gets a Vikings defense who is giving up the 3rd most points to the wide receiver position.
Corey Davis (WR, TEN)
Davis has now seen 10 targets in back to back games. This last week he caught 8 for 128 yards and a touchdown. Chicago is a tough matchup for receivers, but Davis is worth a pickup.
Cam Akers (RB, LAR)
Henderson left the game in Week 8 with a thigh injury and should he miss time I would expect a split between Akers and Malcolm Brown. This backfield is somewhat of a nightmare at times to figure out, but if you’re needing a bye-week fill-in and Henderson is out, Akers is not a bad pickup.
Jordan Wilkins (RB, IND)
Wilkins rushed 20 times for 89 yards and a rushing touchdown. He added 1 reception for 24 yards. Jonathan Taylor is reportedly banged up and if he should miss time Wilkins will likely be involved with Nyheim Hines. However, they get a tough matchup in Baltimore for Week 9. If you’re in desperate need of a running back, Wilkins may be a decent option should Taylor miss time but expect a tough matchup.
Deejay Dallas (RB, SEA)
As essentially the last man standing Dallas had a polarizing day as he rushed 18 times for 41 yards, but caught 5 receptions and found the endzone twice. You will need to monitor the situation with Hyde and Carson, but if they both happen to be out then Dallas will likely get the nod again.
Jordan Reed/Ross Dwelley (TE, SF)
Kittle left the game with an injury in week 8 and is expected to miss extended time. Reed remains injured, but may be back soon. If you’re the Kittle owner and need a tight end you may want to look back to San Francisco for a fill in. For week 9, Dwelley may be the option and seems to have the attention of Mullens who is expected to start.
