X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Beating The Waiver Wire - Speculative Stashes for Week 9

It's Wednesday morning. You dropped a player last night expecting to make some moves on the waiver wire, only to wake up and find out you weren't able to get anyone you put a claim in for. What now?

If you've got an open roster spot, its always a good idea to plan ahead for the future. There are plenty of players in the NFL ripe for a breakout game that will fly up the waiver wire in the following week. This column is here to help you anticipate who that's going to be, and stay a week ahead of your competition.

I'll be giving you a couple players who may be worth grabbing before their stock rises. Here are some players that will help you beat the waiver wire ahead of Week 9, in case they emerge this week.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Waiver Wire Stashes and Fliers for Week 9

Josh McCown (QB, NYJ) - 22% owned

I can't believe I'm saying this, but here it is: New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown isn't owned in enough leagues. It feels strange saying that out loud. McCown has thrown for five touchdowns over the last two weeks against actual football teams. The Jets face off against the Atlanta Falcons this week and McCown is actually a useable fantasy option! He's worth picking up for owners looking for a bye week fill-in. He might be more than that if he has another big performance this week.

Matt Moore (QB, MIA) - 6% owned

Veteran backup quarterback Matt Moore stepped in to help revive a Dolphins team that was falling apart and carried them to a comeback win. Moore went 11 for 19 with 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Not bad for just a half of football! If Moore has a good game against the Ravens on Thursday Night, odds are he'll take over the starting job from Jay Cutler permanently. He's a serviceable quarterback surrounded by talented players. For owners desperate for a starter in deeper leagues or just looking for a decent insurance policy, Moore could fill the void if he plays like he did on Sunday.

Austin Ekeler (RB, LAC) - 2% owned

Ekeler may have created a nightmare scenario for Melvin Gordon owners: earned a spot in the Chargers backfield. Gordon has mostly been riding solo as the three down back for much of the past two seasons, but on Sunday Ekeler ran for as many yards as Gordon on 11 less carries, had more receptions, and was the only one of the two to find the end zone. Concerned Gordon owners can read this weeks disaster recovery article to know how to feel. The rest of us should know that if Ekeler proves he was no fluke this week, he's going to play a decent role in the Chargers offense, potentially becoming the primary receiving back in LA. He's one more solid game away from becoming a top waiver target. At just 2% owned, he's worth a look now.

D'Onta Foreman (RB, HOU) - 14% owned

D'Onta Foreman's time may be coming sooner rather than later. He finally surpassed the consistently sub-par Lamar Miller in rushing yards in Week 6. Miller is firmly entrenched in the starting spot, but a breakout game from Foreman would press Bill O'Brien into making a change. Miller hasn't been anything special for Houston and is only producing at a decent level strictly because of his high workload. If Foreman can look like another rookie who can elevate this team, he'll take over that starting spot. It may only be a matter of time.

Eddie Lacy / Thomas Rawls (RB, SEA) - 21% / 19% owned

I talked about these two last week, so I'm not going to go into any depth here. Just know that one of these two guys could potentially end up as the lead back with a decent amount of volume if they have a breakout game. At this rate, it seems like neither ever will, but they make for a decent lottery ticket option if you have an open roster spot.

Robert Woods (WR, LAR) - 32% owned

Robert Woods has emerged from a crowded Rams receiving crew to become a fairly high-floor PPR option. Over the last three weeks, Woods has averaged five receptions for 65 yards. His lowest yardage total was 59 and his highest was 70. Woods doesn't have a huge ceiling and has failed to find the end zone once this year, but he's proven his worth as a FLEX option for owners in PPR leagues just looking for some consistency. Now is the time to grab Woods with the Rams on bye.

Corey Coleman (WR, CLE) - 11% owned

Coleman has struggled to stay on the field during his two seasons in Cleveland. Luckily for him, literally nobody has stepped in to become the Browns go-to receiver, besides the departed Terrelle Pryor. Coleman will have a starting spot and plenty of targets waiting for him when he returns from injury. He's not expected back until Week 10, so you might be able to wait a week on Coleman.

Mike Williams (WR, LAC) - 12% owned

Williams failed to record a catch in Week 7, but he's a guy that will find himself in this article every week until he has the inevitable breakout game, and Week 8 is a great chance for that to happen. The Chargers face off with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The game has shootout written all over it. The Patriots defense has struggled all year, giving up the third most points to opposing wide receivers this year. The 2017 first round draft pick will find his moment at some point this year once he finds a real spot in the receiver rotation. He's worth a hold for anyone who has roster availability. The Chargers didn't draft him to ride the pine.

Dontrelle Inman (WR, CHI) - 1% owned

Speaking of Chargers receivers buried in the depth chart, they just shipped Dontrelle Inman to the Chicago Bears for a seventh round pick. Inman has proven he can produce in the NFL when he recorded over 800 yards and four touchdowns last season. The Bears were desperate for any receivers that could produce at an NFL level. Its unclear if any receiver will find success in Chicago's abysmal passing game, but Inman has as good a chance as anyone. The Bears wouldn't have traded for him if they didn't want to give him a shot to produce. He could provide the spark the Bears need.

Kenny Golladay (WR, DET) - 17% owned

Golladay's breakout performance opening week feels like years ago. He played two mediocre games following and hasn't appeared in a game since, but is finally on track to make his comeback on Sunday Night Football against Pittsburgh this week. With Golden Tate questionable to play this week, Golladay could be on track for a huge comeback performance. He's the most likely receiver in this weeks column to shoot up the Week 9 wire. He's worth grabbing before he has another breakout game.

Nick O'Leary (TE, BUF) - 2% owned

O'Leary continued his solid play in Charles Clay's absence, appearing in 79% of Buffalo's snaps and recording 58 yards on the day. He's going to continue to have value as a decent volume tight end in an offense that loves tight ends. It's surprising that he's still just owned in 2% of leagues. Expect O'Leary to get a bump when he finally finds the end zone in the coming weeks.

Detroit Defense - 42% owned

If Detroit's defense wasn't picked up off waivers this week, you need to grab them immediately. Detroit has been a top five fantasy defense this season with a juicy schedule for the rest of the season:

 
There isn't a matchup in there that should give you much pause, and there is a lot of matchup with huge turnover upside for the Lions. Detroit is a legit ROS start and could give streamers a chance to settle down and cozy up with an elite fantasy defense for the rest of the year. They need to be owned in all leagues.

Josh Gordon (CLE, WR) - 3% owned

See last week's article, and if you're feeling really down on your season, pick up Gordon and watch this video every morning.

 

More 2017 Fantasy Football & ADP Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF