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Jackson Sparks' deeper-league waiver wire sleepers for Week 9 (2024). His top free agent sleepers for 14-team fantasy football leagues or deeper.
Unfortunately, the fantasy football waiver wire feels like a wasteland in deep leagues. That always happens at this point in the season, but fantasy managers should continue to explore all available options in hopes of improving their rosters for the playoff push ahead.
The top waiver-wire adds are often obvious for traditional 10- and 12-team leagues, but a larger pool of players is in consideration in leagues of 14 teams or more. Some of these Week 9 deeper-league waiver-wire suggestions could have value right away, while others are simply bench stashes that could help your fantasy team in the future.
We won't cover chalk waiver-wire pickups for shallower leagues like Cedric Tillman and Cade Otton. Instead, we'll only mention players who are under 40% rostered in Yahoo! leagues except a few players narrowly over that mark. Without further ado, here are the top deeper-league waiver-wire targets for Week 9, including Jameis Winston, Tyler Allgeier, Braelon Allen, Parker Washington, Ricky Pearsall, Isaac Guerendo, and more.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Running Back Waiver Wire Targets for Deep Leagues
Tyler Allgeier has now handled at least 12 touches in two of his last three games, which is more than enough to make him a virtual "must-roster" running back in deep formats. The third-year pro can be flexed when fantasy managers are in a tough spot, and he would have at least mid-range RB2 upside if something happens to Bijan Robinson.
Braelon Allen was seemingly phased out of the New York offense when Todd Downing took over playcalling duties from Nathaniel Hackett, but in Week 8, the Wisconsin rookie rushed 12 times and scored a rushing touchdown. Like many of the other running backs listed in this section, he has significant upside if he's pushed into a starting role for a short or long-term stretch.
TD FOR THE ROOK, @BraelonAllen 🙌#NYJvsNE on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/nKVv6yqW6r
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 27, 2024
Ray Davis figures to handle a small workload behind James Cook moving forward, but the rookie from Kentucky has averaged no fewer than 4.8 yards per carry in each of his last three games. There's a chance the bruising back could be leaned on more when the cold Buffalo weather becomes a factor, but either way, he's a high-end handcuff RB. He flashed for over 150 total yards in the one game Cook missed this season.
Isaac Guerendo stepped in for an injured Jordan Mason on Sunday Night Football and rushed 14 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. He would be a clear must-add option in all leagues, but the 49ers are off to a Week 9 bye, and Christian McCaffrey is expected to return in Week 10. Either way, he's worth a flyer pickup in deep leagues for fantasy managers needing help at running back.
Ty Chandler and Cam Akers are on the fantasy football radar in deep formats behind the aging Aaron Jones. Jones has excelled in a bell-cow role with Minnesota, but he has missed at least two games in three of his last four seasons. Chandler and Akers aren't the flashiest backup RBs, but they're in a great offense and would have opportunities to produce should Jones be sidelined at any point.
Jaylen Wright is back to playing third-fiddle behind De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. However, the undersized back and the aging back both carry significant injury risk, and Wright leads the team in yards per carry this season (5.3). With Miami staring down a 2-5 record, it wouldn't be a surprise if he eventually unseats Mostert.
Roschon Johnson has just 32 carries this season, so he's clearly not worth trusting in starting lineups. However, he's worked his way to a goal-line role in the Chicago offense, scoring four rushing touchdowns on the season. Whether he earns a more significant role behind D'Andre Swift is yet to be determined, but he's another quality handcuff back to stash.
Tyjae Spears has missed the last two games via injury, so he is likely to become available on deep-league waiver wires. Tony Pollard has played well and is unlikely to be unseated as the RB1 in Tennessee, but a committee approach could be implemented when Spears returns to health. Spears scored at least 10.1 PPR points in Week 3 and Week 4.
Jerome Ford hasn't shared the field with Nick Chubb this season, as he's been out with a hamstring injury since Chubb's return. Chubb will likely remain the starter when Ford is back, but Ford should move back into the RB2 role and could handle at least a respectable workload. He now also has fantasy RB handcuff status in an offense that looked a lot better with Deshaun Watson out and Jameis Winston in.
Dameon Pierce is behind the workhorse Joe Mixon, but Mixon has already been banged up this season and is not getting any younger.
Blake Corum began his rookie season with no role at all, but now he's at least getting a few touches here and there as a breather back for Kyren Williams. General manager Les Sneed said the team drafted Corum so Williams didn't get worn down late in the year, so it will be interesting to see if the Michigan product has any value down the stretch.
Kendre Miller is averaging 5.8 yards per carry through his first nine totes in 2024. That's far too small of a sample size to have any takeaways, but he's trending toward taking the RB2 role away from Jamaal Williams.
IR Stashes: Keaton Mitchell, Gus Edwards, MarShawn Lloyd
Note: Any direct backup running back, especially one in a good offense, should be considered a bench stash in deep leagues.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets for Deep Leagues
Ricky Pearsall won't be a startable option in Week 9 since the 49ers are on a bye, but he's worth a flyer due to the banged-up San Francisco wide receiver room. Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season, Jauan Jennings missed Week 8, and Deebo Samuel Sr. suffered a rib injury on Sunday night. Pearsall has caught seven of his nine targets for 59 yards in his first two NFL games.
DeMario Douglas has posted two consecutive dud weeks, but they can both be explained. He exited the Week 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an illness, and quarterback Drake Maye suffered a concussion in Week 8 that hurt Douglas' chances to produce. The second-year pro has three games of at least nine targets this year, so he remains on the PPR fantasy radar.
Michael Wilson has at least six targets in half of his games this year, and quarterback Kyler Murray is quietly having a fantastic season. Wilson is a big-bodied red zone threat, and he scored his third touchdown of the year in the win over the Miami Dolphins.
Parker Washington is set to see more starting reps following the season-ending injury to Christian Kirk over the weekend. Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is also banged up, and his timeline for recovery is unclear at the moment, though he might not miss any action. Either way, Washington, who flashed at times in his 2023 rookie season, is now firmly on the fantasy radar.
Jalen Tolbert has posted at least 43 receiving yards in each of his last three games in the absence of Brandin Cooks. Cooks is eligible to return soon, but Tolbert might simply be a better player at this stage in their respective careers. Don't forget Tolbert had a seven-catch, 87-yard, one-touchdown game against the daunting Steelers' defense earlier this season.
JuJu Smith-Schuster last played in Week 5 and caught seven passes for 130 yards. He suffered an injury and hasn't played since, but he has not been placed on Injured Reserve. The Chiefs brought in DeAndre Hopkins to compete for targets, but with Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown not coming back anytime soon, there could be room for Smith-Schuster to produce at least decent numbers next to Hopkins, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce. Expectations should be tempered, but we're talking about deep leagues here!
Elijah Moore had a productive day in the first start for Jameis Winston, but it was overshadowed by the nuclear performance of teammate Cedric Tillman. Moore caught eight of his 12 targets for 85 yards in the upset victory over the Ravens. It would be surprising if he's a weekly provider, but his final line puts him at least on the fantasy radar in PPR leagues.
Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette could both become weekly producers in the second half of the year since Diontae Johnson is expected to be moved before the NFL's trade deadline. Rookie Jalen Coker is also worth a mention after catching four passes for 78 yards and a score in Week 8.
Xavier Legette gets the TD and honors his horse Dolla Bill with the celly (in Broncos country, no less) 🐎😂
📺: #CARvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vmMWNeDyGg— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III could operate as C.J. Stroud's No. 2 and No. 3 wide receivers behind Tank Dell in Week 9. Collins is required to miss at least one more game after being placed on Injured Reserve ahead of Week 6, and Stefon Diggs suffered a non-contact knee injury on Sunday.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is a low-priority pickup, but fantasy managers in 16+ team leagues should at least consider him after DeAndre Hopkins was dealt to Kansas City. Westbrook-Ikhine has caught five passes for 58 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks. Someone has to step up behind Calvin Ridley. And he has a chance to be that guy as Tyler Boyd continues to underwhelm.
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets for Deep Leagues
Hunter Henry has 16 catches on 20 targets over the last three weeks, which is plenty of usage for a tight end. He was at his best with Drake Maye under center, and it's worth noting Maye could miss Week 9 after suffering a concussion in Week 8. Either way, Henry has been a low-end TE1 through the first half of the season and warrants attention on the waiver wire.
Zach Ertz caught seven of his whopping 11 targets in the thrilling victory over the Chicago Bears. He has now earned at least five targets in each of his last four games and is playing in one of the NFL's best offenses led by Jayden Daniels.
Mike Gesicki has not been a consistent producer at the TE spot but he notched his second game of at least seven catches and 70 yards on Sunday. In favorable matchups for tight ends, he can be streamed -- at least if Tee Higgins is out.
Joe Burrow and Mike Gesicki making magic happen on 3rd and 22.
📺: #PHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/6LDC4TBEWQ— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Will Dissly has surprisingly become a go-to target for Justin Herbert. The 28-year-old has 13 catches on 18 targets for 122 yards over his last two games. It's worth noting his production has come in the absence of Quentin Johnston and Hayden Hurst, but he should remain a key piece of the offense after a strong two weeks.
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets for Deep Leagues/Superflex Leagues
Jameis Winston threw for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in his first start with the Browns. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft has had fantasy success in the past despite being a turnover machine. In 2019, he was the QB3 on the season while throwing 33 touchdowns to 30 interceptions. At least when Cleveland is facing a suspect secondary, he's in play for a spot in starting lineups.
Jameis to Njoku to celebrate #NationalTightEndsDay!
📺: #BALvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/yBLlT5hS5B— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Matthew Stafford finally got Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in Week 8. And right away, he posted 279 yards and four touchdowns. We can't expect that kind of production weekly, but his fantasy floor and ceiling are much higher with his duo of All-Pro wideouts back in action.
Bo Nix has posted at least 19.3 fantasy points in four games this season, and he set a season-high in fantasy points (29.8) against the Carolina Panthers. After just eight games of his career, he's a clear streaming option when your must-start stud is on a bye or out of action.
Drake Maye was on his way to a potential big day against the New York Jets on Sunday, but he exited early due to a concussion. He rushed for 46 yards and a score before leaving, putting his dual-threat skill set on display once again.
Aaron Rodgers has thrown for two touchdown passes in three of his last four games. His ceiling is limited due to a lack of rushing upside, but he is starting to develop a solid fantasy floor.
Backup Quarterbacks to Stash for Two-QB/Superflex Leagues
- Drew Lock, Giants
- Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
- Mason Rudolph, Titans
- Tyrod Taylor, Jets
- Desmond Ridder, Raiders
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