RADIO
Six teams will be on the bye in Week 9. Six teams and a lot of receiver option that will not be around for your starting lineup. So, this article will be a little different than past weeks because we need to hit as many options as possible. It’s all hands-on-deck this week on the waiver wire.
Instead of going in depth on a few players, we are going to quick hit many options this week that you should keep your eye on. Not all options are the same. Some players may be better in PPR or deeper leagues, so it’s not a one size fits all comparison.
Check here for a complete list of our Waiver Wire Adds for Week 9 for help at all the skill positions. As always, RotoBaller has you covered!
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Front Runners for Week 9 - Wide Receiver Additions
This group consists of wide receivers that I would recommend adding if they are available on your waiver wire. Some are more viable for PPR formats, so take note of that. These players have either earned a greater workload due to injury/performance issues or have shown that they can be weekly contributors to their NFL teams. All players listed have 50% or less ownership levels across fantasy leagues.
Courtland Sutton, DEN - 10% owned
Demaryius Thomas is now gone and Courtland Sutton becomes one of this seasons most anticipated waiver wire claims. Sutton has all of the tools to be a flex play at the least for the rest of the season, but for everyone running to claim him, I offer some small warning. If you are relying on Sutton in your lineup, you are relying on Case Keenum which could prove frustrating. Still, I would be fine using a top waiver claim on Sutton to reinforce your roster. Hopefully you move early though!
Willie Snead, BAL - 33% owned
Willie Snead continues to see targets for the Ravens and in PPR leagues, this guy is a must add for me this week. He is still only owned in 33% of leagues because Michael Crabtree and John Brown are the flashier players. He has now had at least seven targets in all but two games this season and double-digit targets in two of the last three games. In Week 9, the Ravens get the Pittsburgh Steelers who have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year.
Devante Parker, MIA - 13% owned
First of all, I am severally disappointed in myself for writing this section. I have fully supported #NeverParker and until Week 8, Parker hadn’t given me a reason to change my mind. Since the Dolphins are dealing with injuries to Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson, Parker exploded for six receptions on nine targets and 134 yards. There was one fluky play where Jakeem Grant came down with the ball, but it popped loose and flew into Parker’s arms. Now the Dolphins will face the Jets in Week 9, who are giving up the seventh most points to opposing wide receivers this year. Dare I say, is Brock Osweiler the answer for the Dolphins at quarterback this season?
Tre'Quan Smith, NO - 31% owned
Another quiet performance on Sunday night from Tre'Quan Smith, but I am still rushing to add him everywhere. The Vikings secondary was dealing with some injuries but still found a way to limit the Saints passing game as Drew Brees only had 120 passing yards, 99 of which were to wide receivers. It’s the same thing I said last week, you need to own the WR2 for the Saints, even if the results haven’t shown up yet. Game script in the second half led to less work in the passing game and an emphasis on the running game with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Don’t let that deter you when putting in claims this week.
In the Running for Week 9 - Wide Receiver Additions
This group consists of wide receivers widely available on the waiver wire who aren't must-adds but could be worth stashing or streaming if the above options are already taken or if you are dealing with injuries.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB - 6% owned
The debate for the WR2 in Green Bay all off-season was between Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison, but a dark horse candidate may have emerged. After injuries to Cobb and Allison, Valdes-Scantling has stepped up the past three games. Since Week 5, Valdes-Scantling has 12 catches on 21 targets for 216 yards and two touchdowns. I wrote about Valdes-Scantling in the pre-season as my favorite of the rookie wide receivers in Green Bay to breakthrough and make an impact in 2018. His is an athlete who can make some serious plays with the ball in his hands. He could very well be the WR2 in Green Bay the rest of the season and should be added in deeper leagues and teams dealing with depth issues.
David Moore, SEA - 3% owned
Alright David Moore, you have my attention. I am a little late to the party but better late than never. I had my concerns that it was a fluke to start and then Doug Baldwin returned, so he couldn’t keep it up, right? Well, wrong. Moore has averaged more than 19 yards per catch for three of the last four games and has scored in three straight games. He’s not getting a ton of receptions or yards, so he’s not a volume play at this point. His knack for finding the end zone is enough to bite on for weekly play based on touchdown potential. In Week 9, the Seahawks will play the Chargers who had given up 22 targets to wide receivers in the red zone heading into Week 8, sixth most in the NFL. Moore offers some upside in standard leagues and deep leagues, but outside of that, I would keep an eye on options with higher potential ceilings.
D.J. Moore, CAR - 15% owned
That fact that D.J. Moore is still 15% owned is slightly shocking to me. Moore hasn’t done anything impressive this season, but it appears some owners are still holding out hope that the rookie wide receiver breaks out. Moore struggled to do much of anything in the first three weeks of the season but has 227 receiving yards over the past four games. The Panthers get the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9 who have given up 30.63 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. This sets up a potential for a decent streaming option that could offer volume in all league types. His quarterback is Cam Newton though, so always proceed with caution.
Keke Coutee, HOU - 20% owned
Another name that has made its way back to the list is Keke Coutee who was a hot add after his 11-reception performance in Week 4 against the Colts. Coutee hasn’t come close to that production since and has dealt with some injuries, so more than likely he has been dropped by teams who took a chance earlier in the season, evidenced by his 20% owned rate currently. With Will Fuller done for the season after tearing his ACL, Coutee could still be a valuable PPR play regardless of the Thomas deal. Coutee out of the slot will still see plenty of targets as he already has a connection with Deshaun Watson. Thomas may take some time to build that.
Dark Horses for Week 9 - Wide Receiver Additions
This group consists of wide receivers who need some more time to show us what they have but should be on our radar still. Don’t jump to add them yet, but another week or two could prove to be fruitful.
Josh Doctson, WSH - 7% owned
Another name I had promised myself would not show up in this article did. Josh Doctson doesn’t make this list based on his performance but more along the lines of injuries depleting the pass catching options in Washington. Chris Thompson finally made it back in Week 9 and Paul Richardson was also able to suit up, but Jamison Crowder is still missing. This is a guy to keep an eye on in Week 9 as the Redskins take on the Atlanta Falcons who have given up the second most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. If injuries hit again for the Redskins again, keep an eye on Doctson, who could be a cheap addition.
Cole Beasley, DAL - 23% owned
Cole Beasley has been pretty good this season. He hasn’t been a huge fantasy asset and has had some up and down performances (much like the Cowboys offense as a whole) but he now has a new teammate that could help with that! Okay, busted. I just wanted to write about Amari Cooper because it’s been awhile. Cooper will help this offense even if his personal numbers don’t show it. He is a former Pro Bowl receiver with two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt already. Defenses will still need to pay attention to that which will help open the field for Beasley. He is still a decent PPR stash.
More Waiver Wire Analysis
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