Waiver Wire Watch: Week 9

Oct 31, 2016

Editor's Note: We're happy to have Brandon Niles on the Waiver Wire Watch this year. He'll work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile the weekly list of pickups and generate recommended prices for FAAB leagues.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 9. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets (FAAB). Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance. For extremely shallow or extremely deep leagues, be sure to review our Rest-of-Season Rankings (updated every Tuesday) to get an idea of how to value players not on this list.

Quarterbacks

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers ($2)

Kaepernick had only 143 passing yards and a touchdown against the Bucs before the bye this week, but he added 84 yards rushing. He should continue to supplement his passing stats with rushing numbers in Chip Kelly’s offense. He’s one of the top available streaming options this week with a matchup against the vulnerable Saints defense. He’s a nice low-cost rental as he’s available in 93% of leagues and should turn in a quality day against New Orleans.

Next up: Saints, @ Cardinals, Patriots

Josh McCown, Cleveland Browns ($2)

McCown was back in the starting role against the Jets on Sunday and while the Browns lost again, he put up 341 yards and a pair of touchdowns. McCown was a borderline QB1 last season as a starter and the Browns have a terrible defense that should force them to throw the ball the rest of the year. If you’re desperate at the QB position or need a streaming option, you could do worse than the veteran McCown while he’s healthy, despite an unfriendly schedule the next few weeks. Note: The Browns may elect to start Cody Kessler once he's healthy.

Next up: Cowboys, @ Ravens, Steelers

Alex Smith/Nick Foles, Kansas City Chiefs ($1)

Smith left the game on Sunday with a concussion, so monitor his status, but Foles came in and threw for 223 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Colts. Whoever starts for the Chiefs this weekend should be worth streaming. The Jaguars just got torched by Marcus Mariota and the Titans. Plus, they get the Panthers in Week 10, who have a secondary that has struggled all year. Check Smith’s health before you add him, but either player should have some temporary value the next few weeks.

Next up: Jaguars, @ Panthers, Bucs

Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos ($1)

I’m not thrilled with the fantasy potential of Trevor Siemian, but he does face the Raiders and the Saints over the next two weeks and he has two very good WRs combined with an effective rushing attack. He had 312 yards and four touchdown passes against the Bengals back in Week 3, which shows he can put up numbers in the right situation. The Raiders and Saints should be enough of a situation to make Siemian worth streaming for the next two games.

Next up: @ Raiders, @ Saints, Bye

Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings ($1)

Bradford hasn’t eclipsed 300 yards yet this season, and he’s only had two games with multiple touchdowns. He was a let-down on Monday night against the Bears, throwing for only 228 yards and one touchdown in a Vikings loss. That being said, he has a great matchup against the Lions this week, who have allowed 19 touchdown passes to opposing teams this year – tied for most in the league. Bradford isn’t a great option, but in a nice matchup, he has streaming value in large leagues.

Next up: Lions, @ Redskins, Cardinals

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles ($1)

Wentz’s fantasy numbers continue to be underwhelming, but his long-term dynasty value is still fairly high. He lost a close one against the Cowboys on Sunday night, but he looks like an up-and-coming player for Philadelphia. Against the Giants this week, I’m not interested in Wentz as a streamer. New York has given up only seven touchdown passes this season. Wentz does have a nice Week 10 matchup at home against the Falcons however that should be tempting for streamers.

Next up: @ Giants, Falcons, @ Seahawks

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins ($1)

Tannehill has a great matchup against the Jets this week. He had only 204 yards against the Bills before the bye, but he threw a touchdown and didn’t turn the ball over in a Dolphins win. While that isn’t a guarantee that he won’t come out and play like garbage, a home game against a struggling Jets secondary makes Tannehill a low-cost streaming option for desperate fantasy owners this week.

Next up: Jets, @ Chargers, @ Rams

Case Keenum, Los Angeles Rams ($1)

Keenum had a horrible game against the Giants before the bye this week. He had 291 yards and a touchdown, but ended up with four interceptions. A couple games like that and the Rams may turn to Sean Mannion or rookie Jared Goff. However, if you’re desperate for a streaming option, Keenum gets to face the Panthers, Jets, and Dolphins the next three weeks, making him borderline streamable in large leagues.

Next up: Panthers, @ Jets, Dolphins

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys ($1)

I’m not convinced Romo gets his job back from rookie Dak Prescott, but this is probably a good time to get him for pretty cheap if you have the space to stash him. This week against the Browns, he’s unlikely to get a start, but if he does end up in the lineup, it’s a great matchup.

Next up: @ Browns, @ Steelers, Ravens