Happy National Tight Ends Day! And happy Week 8! As always, this column highlights players who played on or prior to Sunday’s early slate of games and are rostered in fewer than 40% of leagues.
Due to those parameters, we’re obviously going to be scraping the bottom of the barrel at times – but that’s the beauty of the waiver wire, right? This piece exists to help nudge you in the right direction on Sunday evenings, a full two days before the waiver wire (and real life) chaos of Tuesday.
So, I apologize if the next fantasy RB1 isn’t here, but here are some players I think warrant consideration after Sunday’s early slate of games – Cheers!
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Early Week 9 Pickups to Add
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)
Rostered: 18.5%
Stafford’s two favorite targets, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, returned from injury, and Stafford reaped the benefits. Stafford finished with his highest point total of the season by far. He’s got Seattle next weekend and New England in three weeks. If you’re streaming quarterbacks, Stafford is a strong option.
Jameis Winston (QB – CLE)
Rostered: 3.3%
Listen, we know how the Jameis Winston experience goes. When he’s starting, he is a viable fantasy quarterback. He’s going to have big games like today’s. However, he is also extremely volatile and throws copious amounts of interceptions. At 3.3% rosterships, there are definitely formats where you’re adding Winston.
Blake Corum (RB – LAR)
Rostered: 16.8%
At this point in the season if you roster Kyren Williams, you should roster Corum, who would likely see an increased role should Kyren miss time for any reason. Corum was a third round pick in this year’s draft, so if the Rams’ season gets out of hand, it isn’t unrealistic to think Corum could eventually see some meaningful work even if Williams is active.
Sean Tucker (RB – TB)
Rostered: 7.5%
As a rule of thumb, I like buying into ambiguous backfields when it makes sense. If I have an open roster spot and Tucker is available, he might be worth the dart throw. The 2023 undrafted free agent is sharing time with Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, but should one go down with an injury or lose trust due to fumbles, Tucker becomes an interesting prospect. After all, Tucker did run for 136 yards on 14 carries in Week 6.
Braelon Allen (RB – NYJ)
Rostered: 24.7%
Allen was drafted in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft and was utilized by the Jets right away. He scored 29.4 PPR points in weeks two and three. Obviously, Breece Hall remains an extremely talented player and the top dog in this backfield. However, if Hall misses time or the Jets find themselves tanking at the end of the season, Allen will certainly see more work.
D’Ernest Johnson (RB – JAC)
Rostered: 2.9%
Johnson is a deep, deep league dart throw, but I figured I’d include him because my first three choices here are essentially handcuffs. Johnson has served as a change-of-pace, passing downs back for the Jaguars at times. Over their next three games, the Jaguars take on Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Detroit – three games where many expect the Jaguars to be playing from behind and, therefore, passing. If you’re in some monster league and need a dart throw, Johnson is fine.
Michael Wilson (WR – ARI)
Rostered: 12.5%
Wilson caught a touchdown today, his second in three weeks. The second-year wide receiver leads the Cardinals in snaps played at this point in the season. Given that the Cardinals could be playing from behind and throwing the football quite a bit in the future, Wilson should be considered for teams needing a flex or WR.
Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE)
Rostered: 16.0%
Tillman is one of the few players in Cleveland who benefitted from the quarterback change. In his last two games, Tillman has 15 catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Tillman was also Dorian Thompson-Robinson‘s target of choice last weekend, which is a bonus in case DTR sees any time under center. Tillman is a priority waiver add and immediate WR2 consideration.
Elijah Moore (WR – CLE)
Rostered: 1.3%
Moore has 14 catches for 126 yards over his last two games. Given that his hot streak started when Cleveland made a change at quarterback due to Deshaun Watson‘s injury, Moore should be rostered in more than one percent of leagues. I’m comfortable considering him a borderline flex play in most formats with Jameis Winston under center.
Trey Palmer (WR – TB)
Rostered: 7.0%
With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both out for extended periods of time, the Buccaneers are looking for their younger receivers to step up. Palmer is a 2023 sixth-round pick out of Nebraska with blazing speed. I’m adding him here because his explosivity gives him a lofty ceiling. Obviously, he’s rostered in seven percent of leagues for a reason, so his floor is still low. However, his 12.2 yards per reception is nothing to scoff at.
Tyler Conklin (TE – NYJ)
Rostered: 28.2%
Conklin has either 50+ yards or a touchdown in four of his last six games. In a dismal TE landscape, he’s a streaming option.
Mike Gesicki (TE – CIN)
Rostered: 10.4%
I’d put Gesicki in the same category as Conklin, which is a streaming option. Gesicki caught seven of eight targets for 73 yards today. Prior to today, however, he had accumulated just 180 yards. I’d prefer Conklin, but if you’re desperate, Gesicki has shown flashes.
Cincinnati Bengals Defense/Special Teams
Rostered: 39.2%
The Bengals slide in just below that 40% threshold and they take on the Las Vegas Raiders who have scored 20 points or fewer four games in a row.
Tennessee Titans Defense/Special Teams
Rostered: 2.2%
New England Patriots Defense/Special Teams
Rostered: 4.0%
If you’re really scraping for a D/ST streamer, the Titans and Patriots play each other next weekend in a battle of underwhelming offenses. I’m fine with starting either team.
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