The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy football 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 fantasy football waiver wire this week. And check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 9.

• More Waiver Wire Picks
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

Bo Nix (DEN): 25% rostered

• Next Opponents: @BAL, @KC, ATL
• True value: $3
• Desperate Need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Good lawd! Nix is on a roll. He has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in three of his last four games (QB8, QB9, QB2). Yes, if you are watching the games, it isn’t nearly as pretty as his fantasy scoring would suggest, but we care about fantasy points around here. Sometimes it’s function over fashion. This week, Nix gets to face the Ravens’ pass-funnel defense, which Jameis Winston just ripped in half. Entering Week 8, Baltimore had allowed the second-most fantasy points via passing and the most passing yards in the NFL.

Jalen McMillan (TB): 49% rostered

• Next Opponents: @KC, SF, BYE
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: In McMillan’s first game as an integral part of the Buccaneers’ game plan, he fell flat. McMillan earned a 14% target share and finished with four receptions and 35 receiving yards. It wasn’t the first step that anyone who picked him up off waivers last week wanted to see. TE Cade Otton and the Tampa Bay running backs took center stage as the biggest beneficiaries of the Bucs’ decimated receiving depth chart. The rookie could still take another step as we move through the season, and the runway is there for him to take off, so pick him up if you need a talented player with the upside to become a weekly WR3/flex if he can figure things out.

Ricky Pearsall (SF): 37% rostered

• Next Opponents: BYE, @TB, SEA
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Pearsall had a disappointing follow-up to his 2024 debut. Against Dallas, he had a 15.3% target share with more rushing yards (39) than receiving yards (38). Pearsall was shoved to third in line for targets, with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle leading the way. That will likely be the pecking order until Jauan Jennings returns, which could be as early as Week 9. Grab Pearsall as a bench stash with upside, but considering him to be anything more than that at this juncture is wishcasting.

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.