FAAB Waiver Wire Bidding - Fantasy Football Pickups to Target for Week 9 (2025)

Nick Mariano's fantasy football waiver wire FAAB bidding guide for Week 9 (2025) -- how many FAAB dollars (free agent acquisition budget) to spend on waivers.

The fantasy playoff picture is starting to round into form after eight weeks, which means you know where to be aggressive and where you can afford to stash long-term plays. We know that this particular weekend brought severe swings with smashes, flops, and injuries. It's time to rally around these key adds with our famous waiver wire pickups list and our fantasy football waiver wire columns by position -- specially tailored for leagues using FAAB.

Remember that these FAAB prices do not indicate how much these free-agent players will go for, and you should know how many wallets remain to contend with as you go. While we're through the miserable six-team bye week, Week 9 still has the Browns, Bucs, Eagles, and Jets heading off. Do note that the Bengals, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Titans will be out for Week 10.

As always, I cannot know your specific league outlook, so please try to leverage historical data and personal knowledge whenever possible. We're going to cap the rostered rate at 40% on Yahoo!, but you can adjust if someone is dropped or remains on the wire above that threshold. This is when it pays to study your league's FAAB behavior and win on the margins!

• 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

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold (QB, SEA) - 36% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

Darnold led Seattle to a gritty win over a top defensive unit (Houston), completing 17-of-31 pass attempts for 213 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Thanks to capitalizing on earlier, better matchups, Darnold’s 6.3% touchdown rate, 2.1% interception rate, and 250.6 yards per game are nearly identical to last year.

But in the face of offensive line fears in Seattle, his 4.5% sack rate is a clear career-low mark, and nearly half of his ‘24 rate in Minnesota. And now, Darnold gets another better matchup, this time against a bottom-10 Washington defense that has recently allowed Geno Smith, Michael Penix Jr., Caleb Williams, and Dak Prescott to top 250 yards with multiple scores.

J.J. McCarthy (QB, MIN) - 23% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

McCarthy is poised to start in Week 9 against the Lions in Detroit, which would be his first start since an ugly Week 2 effort that yielded a high-ankle sprain. Outside of that one electrifying second-half against Chicago, it’s been sketchy for JJM.

But his ankle looked good hopping around on the sidelines in Week 8’s loss to the Chargers, so hopefully the rushing upside remains. You’re hoping that this month-plus off with Kevin O’Connell’s tutelage yields a profit.

If McCarthy hits, then you’ve got a mobile QB with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and two healthy RBs for the first time. Detroit provides a great litmus test because the rest of its schedule supplies nothing but above-average fantasy QB matchups. That’s why you make the add.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA) - 19% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

Tagovailoa entered Week 8 with a putrid 1:6 TD-to-INT ratio, so naturally, he bounced back with four TDs on 20-of-26 passing against a stout Atlanta D. The Falcons fell apart with Kirk Cousins at the helm.

Still, a flipped field doesn’t let us hand-wave Tua’s good day away. They’ll host Baltimore on Thursday, which could blow up if Lamar Jackson has the Ravens threaten 40 points.

**If Marcus Mariota, Mac Jones, or Tyler Huntley wind up starting, then they are viable streams, in that order.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, NYG) - 48% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 60-75%
Aggressive Bid: 75-85%
Desperation Bid: 85-100%

We’ll widen the lens a bit, as Tracy is likely an all-FAAB situation following the season-ending ankle injury for Cam Skattebo. While Devin Singletary is also a nice dollar dart, Tracy should be the one to soak up the passing work seen between Skattebo and Jaxson Dart.

Given the team’s record and injuries, a trade for RB reinforcements seems unlikely. While Tracy’s 3.5 yards per carry mark is awful compared to last year’s 4.4 tally, at least he hasn’t fumbled! (He had five last year.) How dire is your RB situation?

Tyjae Spears (RB, TEN) - 31% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-10%

Spears moved the ball well on Sunday, rushing nine times for 59 yards and a score with another 23 yards on three catches. It’s his third straight game with three or more receptions, and his first TD.

The timeshare with Tony Pollard heavily limits both of their ceilings, but Spears has shown more burst of late, and Pollard trade rumors are arising. Week 9’s game against the Chargers at home should bring a similar multi-score defeat to this Indy result, so it’s nice to see Spears still able to make things happen.

Dylan Sampson (RB, CLE) - % rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-10%

Quinshon Judkins left the Week 8 blowout loss in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and will hope to recover through the bye for a Week 10 date with the Jets. I realize that burning a roster spot on a potential backup RB through a bye week is tough, but you know your needs.

#Browns standout rookie RB Quinshon Judkins suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder and is considered day-to-day. Cleveland has a bye next week. pic.twitter.com/w6SePWL4He

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2025

PPR managers must note his five catches on six targets for 29 yards in the relief effort. Of course, he caught eight balls for 64 yards in Week 1 as well. The rushing stats are gross, but Sampson could sneak in a week of PPR viability if Judkins is forced to miss a decent matchup with NYJ.

Devin Neal (RB, NO) - 4% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

Neal’s quiet Sunday could benefit deep-league managers depending on how Alvin Kamara rebounds from his leg injury (injuries?). The star RB came down awkwardly onto each of his legs on a tackle, but the Saints couldn’t move the ball all game long.

As a result, Neal didn’t even register a carry, instead just catching three balls for 11 yards. The Saints face a stingy Rams defense that has kept opposing RBs to the fewest fantasy points thus far, so don’t get too excited.

Isaiah Davis (RB, NYJ) - 9% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

Davis exploded for a 7-65-0 rushing line and 5-44-0 receiving, with a two-point conversion thrown into the mix. The RBs carried the day for a Jets team that has seen its WR room hit the medical bay. Breece Hall had 147 yards on 20 touches (and a TD pass!), so there’s no changing of the guard here, but Hall could be traded.

Davis’s versatility would make him an interesting lead back, though. Be sure to give the matchup its respect. They eviscerated a Cincy D that lost Trey Hendrickson, and they’ll emerge from the bye to run up against Cleveland’s robust front.

Tank Bigsby (RB, PHI) - 17% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-5%

Finally, all of the folks wondering why Philadelphia moved draft capital for Bigsby get their answer. It was the ex-Jaguar who stepped up after Saquon Barkley exited due to a groin injury, rushing nine times for 104 yards. Will Shipley only turned three carries into two yards, failing to break through beyond being a role player.

It does sound like Barkley will be okay for Week 10 after the bye, but the usage and results both point to Bigsby as the clear handcuff. Just in case there was any doubt! Anyone with deep benches and Bigsby available should prioritize getting his contingent value behind that offensive line on the roster.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers

Troy Franklin (WR, DEN) - 37% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%

Franklin enjoyed a perfect storm on Sunday, thanks to facing a strapped Dallas defense that took its few secondary resources to prioritize taking Courtland Sutton off the table. The second-year WR caught 6-of-8 targets for 89 yards and two TDs, once again pacing the team in air yards (121). This is a far better result compared to 163 AY to 19 actual yards last week, eh?

We’ll also note that Pat Bryant’s touchdown came on the back of 19 routes run, which is the same as Franklin. Marvin Mims Jr. was added to the concussion protocol after the game, which helps cement Franklin as the No. 2 and puts Bryant into a streaming conversation at Houston in Week 9.

Tre Tucker (WR, LV) - 38% rostered
Jack Bech (WR, LV) - 1% rostered

FAAB Bid: 3-5% / 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7% / 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 7-10% / 3-5%

The Jakobi Meyers trade smoke feels bound to turn into fire shortly. The Tyler Lockett signing could take away from these established WRs, but it's more a signal for a Meyers deal than a threat to Tucker. While a healthy Brock Bowers should be the team’s No. 1 receiver, his sustained health is not a given after this lengthy issue, and Tucker/Bech would still enjoy significant opportunity.

If Tucker were dropped during their Week 8 bye, then he would make a good stash. Over the last three games, Bech has a 55.8% route participation rate, though only six targets. Preseason sleeper Dont’e Thornton Jr. has yet to provide hope in limited work, and Lockett could step into that vertical role.

Chimere Dike (WR, TEN) - % rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-5%
Desperation Bid: 5-8%

One week after Dike had a 4-70-1 line to Elic Ayomanor’s 2-29-0 line (59 AY to 39), the returner posted 7-93-0 to Ayomanor’s 4-52-0 (72 to 112). The early Ayomanor hype/role was an important piece of the puzzle, but we can’t overlook that the Titans actually selected Dike earlier in the 2025 NFL Draft (at the start of the fourth round, with EA at the end).

They both saw eight targets, but so did Van Jefferson (1-6-0, yikes). Please note that Dike overtook Jefferson for primary snaps in two-wide sets, which gives us confidence that the role could continue. It’s worth noting that Ayomanor should’ve had a long TD, but Ward overthrew him.

Such is the occupational hazard of being a 2025 Titan pass-catcher. Also, Calvin Ridley could be back from the hamstring injury as soon as next week, which will siphon some targets, but Ridley, Dike, and Ayomanor are a clear top three.

Alec Pierce (WR, IND) - 29% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-5%
Desperation Bid: 5-8%

Pierce’s usage took a step back with Josh Downs back on the field, but the downfield threat still caught two of his five targets for 69 yards. He has joined Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Warren, and Jonathan Taylor as the clear starters, with no one else seeing multiple targets.

Indianapolis has scored 29 or more points in all but one game thus far, averaging 37 points over its last four games. Would you rather have a higher target-earner on a poor offense, or a complementary piece on a top-flight offense?

Calvin Austin III (WR, PIT) - 10% rostered
Roman Wilson (WR, PIT) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4% / 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 4-5% / 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 5-7% / 3-5%

Many eyes are drawn to Wilson’s superior 4-74-1 Week 8 line with excitement as the young unknown. While Austin only had 4-28-0 in his return after missing two games, his six targets and ~80% route rate were stellar.

Wilson ran 20 routes (51%) and could see more action in another projected shootout at home against the Colts in Week 9. But Austin’s higher usage does make him a nice waiver target for those needing a plug-and-play, whereas Wilson’s lower floor paints him as more of a stash.

*Keep an eye on Devaughn Vele as a low-end trade beneficiary in New Orleans, pending any move of Chris Olave and/or Rashid Shaheed.

Parker Washington (WR, JAX) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-6%

Many of you rightfully scrubbed Jacksonville’s Week 7 international embarrassment from your minds. Amidst the chaos, Washington snuck in 62 total yards on seven touches (four catches, three rushes) with 10 targets. You might think he’s a “PPR scammer,” but his 13.6 average depth of target is tied for the team lead, while his 22.4% air yard share is second (as are his nine drops).

Brian Thomas Jr. has some trade winds swirling (these were shut down on Monday by HC Liam Coen), but the bigger issue is his wincing and grabbing his arm when we last saw him in a game.

Really bizarre sequence here with Brian Thomas Jr pic.twitter.com/TiZsheMbcj

— Nash Henry (@NashJagsNats22) October 19, 2025

The Travis Hunter ascension can occur while Washington becomes a low-end PPR target. And if BTJ is either hurt or dealt, Washington should soak up more work than Dyami Brown or Tim Patrick, who profile similarly.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends

Juwan Johnson (TE, NO) - 32% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-5%
Desperation Bid: 5-7%

Johnson roared through the first three weeks of action, but then he dealt with injuries, and the Saints got healthy around him. Between other injuries and trade rumors, plus the lack of an effective ground game sans Kendre Miller, Johnson is suddenly near the top of the totem pole again.

He turned eight targets into a 5-53-0 line despite both Olave and Shaheed seeing 12 targets apiece. With five catches in consecutive games, he’ll hit the Week 9 Rams date with some momentum for deep-leaguers.

Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) - 6% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2%
Aggressive Bid: 3%
Desperation Bid: 4-5%

Alright, we thought we were getting Lamar Jackson back last week, but this is the real deal now! There’s no point in re-litigating everything, as you’re investing in Likely if Jackson can play, and ignoring if not. The Week 9 matchup against Miami is a generous one, but you have to stay on your toes for the fantasy-troll Charlie Kolar TD.

Colston Loveland (TE, CHI) - 22% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-5%

The rookie only caught three passes for 38 yards (five targets), which was disappointing given his high draft capital mixed with opportunity, as Cole Kmet sat with a back injury. Loveland was the 10th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it seems like Chicago doesn’t have a plan for him.

Some blame can go to the early injury, but his involvement has only mildly risen after the Week 5 bye. The team struggled against Baltimore, losing 30-16, but hope springs eternal with the Bengals up next. They have allowed the most fantasy points to TEs thus far.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense/Special Teams

*If you can get the Los Angeles Chargers (66% rostered), Detroit Lions (51%), or Green Bay Packers (67%), then they become a priority add.

Los Angeles Rams Defense (vs. NO) - 37% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2%
Aggressive Bid: 3%
Desperation Bid: 4-5%

The Rams return from their bye week rested up and ready to pick up where Tampa Bay’s D/ST left off after a monstrous Week 8. (Side note, those referees totally jobbed the Bucs out of another deserved D/ST TD on Antoine Winfield Jr.’s fumble recovery, dang it.)

Whether it’s Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough, the Saints have little firepower, and Alvin Kamara being banged up only dampens their low ceiling. Oh, and don’t forget that the Rams have more sacks (11) than points allowed (10) over their last two games.

Baltimore Ravens Defense (at MIA) - 32% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%

While the Dolphins just found some offense with 30 points in a win over Chicago, it isn’t enough to erase the horrid season thus far. If Lamar Jackson plays, then the field should stay flipped in Baltimore’s favor, and a tilted scoreboard should keep Miami in risk-taking territory.

Also, Baltimore then faces the Vikings, Browns, and Jets in the following three weeks.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (at LV) - 6% rostered

FAAB Bid: 0-1%
Aggressive Bid: 1-2%
Desperation Bid: 2-3%

Those needing a single-digit option should consider the Jags, who travel to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. They are not the Chiefs, but there’s no ignoring that the Raiders just scored zero points in their last NFL action in Week 7.

After scoring 20 or more points in three of their first four games, the Raiders have 26 combined points in their last three. A healthy Brock Bowers would change the math, but beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to the D/ST bargain bin.

More Waiver Wire Analysis