The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 9.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets
Darrell Henderson (LAR): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: @GB, BYE, SEA
- True value: $15
- Desperate need: $24
- Budget-minded: $9
Analysis: Aside from a heart-wrenching vulture job by teammate Royce Freeman, Henderson was the lead back yet again for the Rams. Dallas was ahead on the scoreboard from the word “go.” Henderson still carried the rock 12 times for 31 yards and was somehow the leading receiver for L.A. on the day with 54 yards on three receptions. Both are viable options to add on waivers, but most ultra-serious leagues will only have Freeman available.
Tyjae Spears (TEN): 50% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, @TB, @JAX
- True value: $13
- Desperate need: $20
- Budget-minded: $8
Analysis: According to reports, the Titans have “told Derrick Henry they don’t plan on trading him before the deadline.” That seems awfully foolish, if true. Regardless, the rookie from Tulane is more than just a handcuff behind Henry. Should the King be dealt by Tuesday (because the Titans are full of bologna), Spears would immediately vault into RB2 territory. As it stands, he’s a stash-plus who will earn double-digit touches in negative game scripts with oodles of big-play upside.
Emari Demercado (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.
Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management
Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:
Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.
Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.
Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.
Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.
Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.
Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.
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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 – that 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.