Week 8 is here, and the bye weeks are making managing fantasy rosters even trickier than the usual glut of injuries and under-performers does. Week 9 is just around the corner. These are the players you should be picking up now to get ahead of your league mates.

• Quarterbacks to Stash Ahead of Week 9
• Running Backs to Stash Ahead of Week 9
• Wide Receivers to Stash Ahead of Week 9
• Tight Ends to Stash Ahead of Week 9

Waiver Wire Pickups: Defenses to Stash Ahead of Week 9

L.A. Chargers – 31% Rostered

The Chargers come off their bye week with a game in Week 9 against Marcus Mariota‘s Falcons and then a trip to the Niners. Neither team has been particularly dominating against defenses of late, and both quarterbacks have been known to have the occasional lapse of judgment.

Arizona Cardinals – 12% Rostered

The Cardinals’ defense has gotten a lot right lately, with three defensive touchdowns in the last two games, five sacks and three interceptions. As a result, their defense now has four games scoring double-digit fantasy points this season and should be viewed as a team capable of helping your fantasy team rather than hindering it.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.