Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings & Pickups to Target (Week 9)

Our analysts combine to provide rankings for weekly waiver wire targets. We’ll help you prioritize your bids for the week ahead. And check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 9.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings

Waiver Wire Rankings powered by FantasyProsECR ™ – Expert Consensus Rankings

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

Emari Demercado (RB – ARI): 36% rostered

Next Opponents: @CLE, ATL, @HOU
True value: $12
Desperate need: $19
Budget-minded: $7

Analysis: Dare I say Demercado is the bell-cow RB for Arizona? After his 17 touches in Week 7, the undrafted rookie had 20 rushing attempts vs. Baltimore on Sunday. Unfortunately, he did not reprise his role in the passing game in Week 8, with only one target and reception. James Conner still has no timetable to return from IR, so this is likely our last chance to gobble up solid volume on a team that is very good at running the football.

Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO): 36% rostered

Next Opponents: CHI, @MIN, BYE
True value: $5
Desperate need: $8
Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: The Saints’ zone-beating big play threat did it again. Shaheed made all three of his receptions (11.1% target share) count, as he posted a season-high 153 receiving yards with one score. This is Shaheed’s third game of the season with at least 80 receiving yards and his fourth with more than 60 receiving yards. His next two matchups could allow him to keep up the hot streak, as the Bears and Vikings utilize zone coverage on more than 70% of their defensive snaps (per Fantasy Points Data). Entering Week 8, among 89 qualifying wide receivers against zone coverage, Shaheed ranks 35th in yards per route run, ninth in average depth of target and 37th in fantasy points per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Those numbers will only improve after his massive performance against the Colts.

Will Levis (QB – TEN): 4% rostered

Next Opponents: @PIT, @TB, @JAX
True value: $2
Desperate need: $4
Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: I didn’t want anything to do with Will Levis. His prospect profile was littered with red flags and alarm bells, which led to him falling to the second round. After his first NFL start, I can certainly say I was wrong about a lot of things when it comes to the University of Kentucky standout. He was poised and showed good instincts at the line of scrimmage – two things I considered glaring weaknesses in his college tape. He also fed his best player, DeAndre Hopkins, for three of Levis’ four touchdowns on the day. Levis stretched the field while also taking easy looks. The Titans roll into a three-game road stretch, so his mettle will be tested. I wouldn’t mind streaming Levis on the cheap; he has plenty of athleticism and upside to boot.

Trey McBride (TE – ARI): 20% rostered

Next Opponents: @CLE, ATL, @HOU
True value: $10
Desperate need: $16
Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: You might be asking yourself why a player with McBride’s talent was buried at the beginning of the season, splitting time with Zach Ertz. I have no clue, but he has been unleashed now. Even before his Week 8 monster performance, McBride has popped in efficiency metrics as a player who has been screaming for more work. He entered Week 8 ranking ninth in receiving grade, fifth in yards after the catch per reception and third in yards per route run (per PFF). In Week 8, McBride put an exclamation point on these metrics with a stellar 10 receptions and 95 receiving yards on 14 targets. He drew a ridiculous 37.8% target share against a horrendous matchup for tight ends. McBride could flirt with top 10-12 fantasy TE status for the rest of the season. Pick him up now and plug him in as a starter.