Analysis
10/30/23
6 min read
2023 Fantasy Football: NFL Week 9 Waiver Wire Targets
Welcome to The 33rd Team’s fantasy football waiver wire article. The players listed below are recommended acquisitions in points-per-reception (PPR) and half-PPR scoring formats. The list will be updated as news breaks throughout the week.
Unless otherwise stated, players listed below are available in at least 50.0 percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues.
>>READ: Takeaways From Every Week 8 Game
Top Waiver Wire Options
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals QB
Forty-two percent of current FAAB
As mentioned in NFL Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets, Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is practicing in full following last season’s ACL reconstruction. Coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters on Monday that Murray could start in Week 9.
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans QB
Sixteen percent of current Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB)
In his NFL debut, Will Levis totaled 238 turnover-free yards passing and four touchdowns passing, plus 11 yards rushing. His 28.6 percent 20-plus-yard average depth of target (aDOT) rate bodes well against the big-play-prone Pittsburgh Steelers, who just lost S Minkah Fitzpatrick to a hamstring strain. Levis profiles as a highly volatile quarterback and should only be rostered by those willing to accept the highs with the lows.
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals TE
Fourteen percent of current FAAB
Trey McBride finished as the overall TE1 with 25.5 PPR points in Week 8. Veteran TE Zach Ertz is on Injured Reserve (quadriceps injury) for at least three more weeks, allowing McBride to solidify his role ahead of QB Kyler Murray’s (ACL reconstruction) potential Week 10 return.
Royce Freeman, Los Angeles Rams RB
Twelve percent of current FAAB
Royce Freeman has trailed Darrell Henderson Jr. in total touches two weeks in a row but took over the passing-down and red zone role in Week 8. No. 1 RB Kyren Williams is stuck on Injured Reserve until Week 12; the Los Angeles Rams are on their bye in Week 10. Both Freeman and Henderson Jr. will see a high volume of touches regardless, and QB Matthew Stafford’s Week 8 thumb injury is likely to result in at least one missed game if not short-term Injured Reserve.
Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams RB
Twelve percent of current FAAB
Henderson Jr. has led the backfield in touches in the past two weeks and retains rights to the primary green zone role. His Weeks 9 and 11 (Week 10 bye) touch opportunities are murky, but he should continue operating as a 1B to Freeman’s 1A, at worst.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks WR
Eleven percent of FAAB
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has not yet assumed a full-time role, but he is averaging 3.5 receptions, 49.5 receiving yards and one touchdown on 5.5 targets per game over the past two weeks. The Seattle Seahawks face teams that have allowed three of the top five highest per-game yardage rates to opposing wide receiver corps: the Tennessee Titans (188.29, fifth-most), Philadelphia Eagles (192.13, fourth-most) and Pittsburgh Steelers (194.86, third-most) in Weeks 15-17.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks RB
Seven percent of current FAAB
Zach Charbonnet is playing efficiently while Kenneth Walker nurses a calf strain.
Leonard Fournette, Buffalo Bills RB
Seven percent of current FAAB
Newly signed Buffalo Bills RB Leonard Fournette possesses the requisite three-down size and skillset to earn a meaningful role in Buffalo’s high-powered offense.
WR Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints WR
Seven percent of current FAAB
The speedy Rashid Shaheed is averaging 16.6 PPR points per game and 2.42 over the past three weeks and gets winnable matchups against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings in Weeks 9 and 10.
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys WR
Seven percent of current FAAB
The Dallas Cowboys’ rest-of-season pass defense schedule is dotted with wide receiver–friendly matchups that benefit Brandin Cooks.
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots WR
Four percent of current FAAB
Demario Douglas assumes No. 1 wide receiver duties with Kendrick Bourne (Week 8 MCL sprain) and DeVante Parker (Week 8 concussion) likely out in Week 9.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills WR
Four percent of current FAAB
Khalil Shakir, the Buffalo Bills’ speedy slot receiver, can be started as a PPR WR4/flex option.
Stash These Players Now
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers WR
Seven percent of FAAB
Quentin Johnston played efficiently for the first time in his career Sunday.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
Five percent of current FAAB
Tank Bigsby would likely assume a high-volume role should No. 1 RB Travis Etienne miss time. The team’s Week 9 bye week reduces FAAB bid competition for the high-upside stash.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos RB
Two percent of current FAAB
The Denver Broncos' Week 9 bye allows coach Sean Payton to replace veteran Samaje Perine with Jaleel McLaughlin as the primary passing-down running back.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers WR
Two percent of current FAAB
Jonathan Mingo posted two career-highs (62 yards receiving and an 80 percent catch rate) following the Carolina Panthers' Week 7 bye. His five targets trailed only WR Adam Thielen’s 11.
Marvin Mims, Denver Broncos WR
Zero percent of current FAAB
Marvin Mims is worth holding through the Broncos' Week 9 bye to see if he gets the time-tested, post-bye rookie playing-time bump.
Streaming Options
Quarterbacks
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (@ Carolina Panthers)
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (@ Carolina Panthers)Four percent of current FAAB
Carolina struggles to stymie downfield passing, creating big-play opportunities for Gardner Minshew to find WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Zach Wilson, New York Jets (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)Three percent of current FAAB
Zach Wilson is a deep-league streaming option against the Los Angeles Chargers. Wilson averages 208.33 passing yards and 22 rushing yards per game over his last three games. Los Angeles offers positive touchdown regression, featuring a swinging-door defense allowing 8.7 yards passing per attempt, the most in the NFL, and 4.7 yards rushing per quarterback rushing attempt, the 10th-most in the NFL.
Tight Ends
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers (vs. Los Angeles Rams)Six percent of current FAAB
The Rams’ 12.7 yards allowed per tight end reception are the most in the NFL so Luke Musgrave could have a big game.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Six percent of current FAAB
Taysom Hill is averaging 17.17 PPR points per game over the last three weeks.
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. New York Giants)
Four percent of current FAAB
Michael Mayer will face the New York Giants, who allow 12.6 yards per tight end reception, the second-most in the NFL.
Defenses
Atlanta Falcons (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Atlanta Falcons (vs. Minnesota Vikings)Three percent of current FAAB
The Vikings are expected to start fifth-round rookie QB Jaren Hall following QB Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tendon rupture.
Kicker
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati BengalsTwo percent of current FAAB
The Cincinnati Bengals’ game vs. the Bills opened with a 47.5-point over/under, Week 9’s second-highest total. Evan McPherson will be regularly involved.
Looking Ahead to Week 10
Chicago Bears (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Chicago Bears (vs. Carolina Panthers)Zero percent of current FAAB
The Bears’ pass rush and moderately healthy secondary should produce against Carolina’s lackluster offense.
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