Whether you need to improve your receiving corps or simply find WR help on the waiver wire, here’s a quick rundown of a few players worth considering. Howard and Scott are back, and the Chargers have struggled against the run. Shepard, too, is back from a two-game absence and looks to be a strong option in this matchup.
Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney is an intriguing option on the waiver wire for your deep-format leagues. The Chicago Bears wide receiver has posted double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games. He has a better aDOT than Allen Robinson and a favorable matchup against the Buccaneers secondary. In addition, he has posted back-to-back touchdown receptions. In addition, he is priced at a modest $1.2 million, so he could be worth a look at WR3/FLEX positions in deeper-format leagues.
In addition to his touchdowns, Darnell Mooney has been a reliable flex option in the Patriots’ offense when Harris hasn’t been fully healthy. He tied with Allen Robinson for six targets this week, caught three passes for touchdowns, and rushed for another score. While his target share is lower, he has already averaged more yards per carry than Miller. If he continues to stay healthy, his salary will rise as well.
There are six teams with byes this week. The Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, Vikings, and Chargers all have bye weeks this week. While you aren’t likely to be able to add Darnell Mooney to your lineup, he’s worth a look if you’re looking for a reliable option in your fantasy football lineup. If you’re not in a hurry to pick up Mooney, consider checking out the RotoBaller app. It provides free content on all sorts of topics, including player rankings and injury alerts.
While it is tempting to take the Giants’ free agent Tyrod Taylor or Lance McCullers, it’s important to consider other options for your deep-league TE. In addition to Darnell Mooney, you should also consider Derrick Henry. While both of these players have their upsides, he has a bad injury and may be a risk to play. A good option for the early Week 9 waiver wire is Derrick Henry.
Bryan Edwards
For those who are looking for Fantasy Football Early Week 9 waiver wire help, consider the second-year wide receiver from the Las Vegas Raiders. Coming off a productive Week 7, Edwards has shown steady growth this year, averaging 4.4 targets per game. Last week, he notched his first touchdown since 2020. In addition, the Raiders’ offense is high-upside, so he should continue to post strong numbers against weaker competition.
The Raiders are in a rebuilding mode, so Edwards could see a large amount of work as a field-stretcher in the coming weeks. Still, he’s a boom-or-bust type in fantasy, and his role as an outside receiver will likely be limited. The Raiders also have some quality opponents left, so it’s not a bad time to acquire Edwards.
Despite his limited production last season, Hill should return in Week 9. Considering that he only started four games as Drew Brees’ backup, he is likely to be a good QB1 with upside. Last season, Hill was QB8 in fantasy points per game. He has a solid track record against the Falcons, who he faces this week. If you’re looking for early Week 9 waiver wire help, consider Hill.
A few other players you may want to consider are Elijah Moore and Jami Crowder. These two players will likely be available on the waiver wire, and they could give you some much-needed help in your fantasy football lineups. Elijah Moore, Mike White, and Jami Crowder are all great wide receivers to add to your team. But remember, it’s important to remember that the Raiders released Henry Ruggs III on Wednesday after he was found guilty of violating his probation terms.
Robert Woods
In the absence of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Josh Gordon, Van Jefferson may be the best deep threat to add to your lineup. Neither player saw the field as much as Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, but both WRs played 100% of snaps. Meanwhile, Van Jefferson received seven targets and should be added everywhere and in all formats. However, Woods’ price is still at the low end of what fantasy owners are willing to pay for him.
You might have noticed the availability of Robert Woods on the waiver wire in the early weeks of your fantasy football draft. Woods has rebounded from a slow start to become a PPR WR9 in his last five games, and will remain at the low end of the WR2 scale for the rest of the season. Currently, Woods is averaging six targets and three catches for 45 receiving yards per game, making him a viable WR2/flex option.
As a WR3, Van Jefferson will likely be the Rams’ No. 3 option. Jefferson’s average depth of target is higher than Woods’, and he should receive more snaps going forward. Although Woods is a boom-or-bust WR4, Jefferson’s upside is high, and he can also be a viable backup for Cooper Kupp or Robert Woods.
RB: If your team is short on RBs, you can consider Andrew Luck’s value on the waiver wire this week. He averaged 52.3 yards per game and two touchdowns against the 49ers, and he has good mobility. Aiyuk is worth a 15% FAAB budget and should be a viable option in your one-quarterback or two-quarterback league.
Shepard
You might be tempted to pass up Shepard on your Fantasy Football Early Week 9 waiver wire. But you should reevaluate your decision now. Shepard’s injury could prevent him from playing this week, so he might be a better option if you’re a bit more risk-averse. While his underlying numbers aren’t great, they’re still pretty impressive.
The first thing to do is assess the positional value of Shepard. If he’s in your starting lineup, you’ll likely want to hold off on him until after the trade deadline. That way, you can evaluate him against other players. If Shepard isn’t available, you can try him in your deep-league WR2 spot. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using the right roster percentages. In addition to these rankings, you should check if Shepard is available for trade.
Randall Cobb – As a waiver-wire pick, Cobb has a decent matchup this week. The Jets’ wideout had a nice debut game against the Bills, catching four of seven targets for 42 yards. While Cobb’s upside isn’t as high as his salary, he still has a solid matchup against Cleveland and Jacksonville. In a perfect world, Shepard would be the top waiver-wire pick in every fantasy league.
The Giants are a team with many superstars who can cause injury issues. This week will be no different. With all the injuries to star players, week eight will be a great week to start or add some talented fantasy players. However, a few key injuries will cause teams to rethink their starting lineups. For instance, Barkley will be out of Week 9 due to an ankle injury. Sterling Shepard will miss the Week 9 game as well.
Toney
With wide receivers off week 8, it’s time to start scouring the waiver wire for help. With four teams on bye this week, wideouts such as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, and Terry McLaurin are not available for most owners. But you should not pass up on waiver wire wideouts just because they’re off. These players might be a one-week wonder, but they can give you valuable fantasy football value.
Devante Parker: With Will Fuller not practicing this week, Devante Parker is a worthy WR2 pickup. The Browns have been terrible against the run this season, so he’s worth a look for Week 9.
Calvin Ridley: The Falcons are missing their top WR, but if he goes out, it could be a good chance to get Gage Bateman off the waiver wire. The rookie has a long injury history, but his debut game was enough to see him show off his talent. Considering Ridley’s departure, the new quarterback could be a top target for Matt Ryan.
Ryan Bateman: A rookie with the Baltimore Ravens, Bateman could be a great option for you to add on the waiver wire after the bye week. He’s had just two games to prove himself, but saw six targets over those two weeks. While his passing pie isn’t huge, Bateman’s upside is clear. Adding Bateman to your fantasy football roster will give you exposure to a high-scoring Ravens offense.
If you need WR help for the Jets, consider Jami Crowder and Elijah Moore. Elijah Moore will be back in Week 9, and he has a healthy workload. He’s also a great PPR flex play. A lot of Jets’ receivers have played in double-digit games this year. And if they’re out of Derrick Henry, the Jets might be a good place to add him if you’re looking for a flex.
