Waiver Wire Watch: Week 9 Targets

Oct 28, 2019

Photo by Sam Greenwood / Staff / Getty

It’s hard to believe we’re now officially halfway through the NFL season. And more than half of the way through the fantasy season. Where does the time go? Don’t answer that, we don’t have time. There’s too much to sift through on the waiver wire to be worrying about silly hypotheticals. We’ve had trades, injuries, rising playmakers, and streaming targets at quarterback and tight end. I dive into all of this and more below.

Before we get into the meat of the article, there are a few house-keeping items to clear up. Recommendations are based on a PPR-scoring, four-point passing touchdown, 12-team league, with ownership percentages coming from Yahoo. I try to mention when a player is a better streaming play (short-term/one-week starter) versus a long-term addition. Free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB) suggestions are based on a $100 season-long budget. Lastly, the great John Paulsen will edit this article every week and adjust rankings and prices if necessary. Essentially, you’re getting two minds collaborating on this piece instead of one, so lucky you.

Now, with that out of the way, here are some players to target heading into Week 9.

BYE WEEKS: Falcons, Bengals, Rams, Saints

Quarterbacks

1. Derek Carr

2. Cam Newton

3. Sam Darnold

4. Ryan Tannehill

5. Daniel Jones

6. Mitch Trubisky

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders, 26% owned ($10)

Carr is far from an ideal streaming option off the waiver-wire with how much the Raiders run the ball, but Jon Gruden is calling strong offensive games and Carr can be efficient in fantasy in good matchups. That’s what the Lions offer next week, as they’re coming off a game where they let Daniel Jones complete 28-of-41 passes for 322 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against them. Carr played well in a good matchup against the Texans on Sunday, completing 16-of-26 passes for 259 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. If you need a one-week fill-in, Carr should be ready and waiting on the waiver-wire.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, 41% owned ($5)

Newton didn’t practice last week, but he did warm up before the Panthers Week 8 loss to the 49ers (despite being inactive), perhaps hinting he’s almost ready to return. If Newton returns in Week 9, he receives a rather unlucky welcoming party when the Titans defense comes to town. Newton hasn’t been great in his limited work this season, completing 50-of-89 passes (56.2%) for 572 yards with no touchdowns, one interception, and two fumbles. However, he was battling the foot injury that has sidelined him since Week 2 for a good chunk of that, and a healthy Cam Newton is a weapon in fantasy. He could even be worth a bench stash in case he comes back and catches fire down the stretch. Kyle Allen didn’t do much to hold onto his starting job in Week 8, completing 18-of-37 passes for 158 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions against the frightening 49ers defense.

Sam Darnold, New York Jets, 23% owned ($1)

Darnold has been dreadful the last two weeks, but he has a "get right" matchup against the Dolphins in Week 9. Pending Week 8's game against the Steelers, Miami has given up two touchdowns to both Josh Allen and Case Keenum in Week 6 and Week 7.

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans, 30% owned ($3)

Tannehill has acquitted himself well as the Titans starter the last two weeks, completing nearly 70% of his passes for 505 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Tannehill doesn’t have a great matchup next week when he travels to face the Panthers, but he can still be streamed in a pinch. The Panthers have allowed just one QB1 fantasy performance to an opposing passer this season – Gardner Minshew in Week 5 (374 yards, two touchdowns, 42 rush yards).

Daniel Jones, New York Giants, 35% owned ($1)

As mentioned above, Jones rebounded against the Lions after a rough stretch to his season. Jones completed 28-of-41 passes for 322 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions on Sunday. He faces the Cowboys on Monday Night Football in Week 9, a division rival fresh off their bye. The last time the Cowboys took the field, they hounded Carson Wentz, holding him to 191 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Jones is a lower-end streamer, but his outlook is improving as more of his weapons return. Sterling Shepard could be back next week, and if he’s not, Jones has shown a nice rapport with fellow rookie Darrius Slayton so far (16 catches, 267 yards, three touchdowns).

Mitch Trubisky, Chicago Bears, 25% owned ($1)

This is mainly a matchup play, since Trubisky faces the Eagles in Week 9. Philly has given up 17.3 fantasy points to Josh Allen, 20.6 to Dak Prescott and 27.3 to Kirk Cousins in recent weeks. Trubisky is a hot mess, but does have a couple of good fantasy lines in his last four starts, including 231/3 against Washington and 251/2 against the Saints.