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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Target Acquired: Surprise Target Grabbers from Week 9 and Possible Breakouts

The fantasy playoffs are only a couple weeks away. The bye has been in full effect. Owners are scrambling to fill their squad with worthy replacements in their stars' absences. The Bills, Lions, Colts, and Raiders all have the week off.

Here is a look at the surprise target grabbers from Week 9, and a look at possible breakout options for Week 10 based on the usage they are seeing in the passing game. You can ask me more waiver wire and game day questions on Twitter @DemetriRafto.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

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

 

Surprise Week 9 Target Grabbers

Lance Kendricks - (TE, LA)

After two straight seven-reception weeks, Lance Kendricks has inserted himself into the Los Angeles Rams' offense. Kendricks was targeted a career-high 12 times and reeled in 90 yards; his most since December of 2012. Amidst the production, Kendricks dropped a crucial, routine catch on third-and-goal in the fourth quarter that would have inched the Rams closer to coming back against the Carolina Panthers. The team settled for a field goal and the loss.

Kendricks, despite the impressive showing, remains a matchup-based option. The Rams head to New York to face a Jets squad that has allowed the 12th most fantasy points to tight ends and 272.2 passing yards per contest, according to Yahoo! Sports. Kendricks has found the end zone only once this season yet could accumulate enough receptions and yards against a spiraling Jets defense to be a useful play this weekend.

 

Albert Wilson - (WR, KC) 

Albert Wilson tied a career-high with eight targets on Sunday, although he reeled in only three for 42 yards. One of those three went for a touchdown, his third in a professional uniform. Wilson could see another boost in target volume if Jeremy Maclin misses more time. Maclin went down with a groin injury early in Kansas City's win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The issues with trusting Wilson are that he's unestablished and still remains behind Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley on the depth chart. Hill is a guy you want to target more than Wilson when looking for bye week replacements off of the waiver wire.

 

Quinton Patton - (WR, SF) 

Quinton Patton is another wideout that had an inaugural showing on Sunday. Patton finished Week 9's shootout versus the New Orleans Saints with a career-high six receptions on a career-tying nine targets for 109 yards; his most in four professional seasons. He still has not found the end zone and has scored only one touchdown in his career, but looked to be favored by Colin Kaepernick as the team played catchup against the Saints.

Patton has emerged as the best option in the pedestrian group of receivers in San Fransisco, but heads into a difficult matchup against an Arizona Cardinals club that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts this season, according to Yahoo! Sports. He can remain on the wire, unless you're in need of a desperation punt.

 

Possible Week 10 Breakout Options

Cameron Meredith - (WR, CHI)

Jay Cutler returns, wins one game, against the Minnesota Vikings, and suddenly makes Chicago players relevant to fantasy again. The value of Zach Miller and Alshon Jeffery has remained steady throughout the season, but someone like Cameron Meredith has shown bursts of brilliance followed by moments of nonexistence.

Meredith exploded for noteworthy showings in Week 5 and Week 6, accumulating 20 receptions on 27 targets for 243 yards and a touchdown. In two games since, Meredith has reeled in only two catches on four targets for 36 yards. He didn't seem to mesh too well with Cutler in Chicago's win before their bye, but heads into a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to Yahoo! Sports, the Bucs have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to receivers, while they have already relinquished 18 touchdowns through the air. Meredith is a punt, but has enough upside to stir some appeal around his name. With all the attention likely pinned to Jeffery on Sunday, Meredith should see a ton of one-on-one matchups.

 

Marqise Lee - (WR, JAX)

It's difficult to trust a receiver on the Jacksonville Jaguars that doesn't answer to the first name of Allen. But Marqise Lee has been a bit of a surprise for fantasy so far. While only owned in 4% of Yahoo! leagues, Lee has put up some solid points for PPR leagues on three separate occasions. Against a stingy Kansas City defense last week, Lee posted four catches on eight targets for an impressive 84 yards.

It doesn't get any easier for the struggling Jaguars as they host a Houston Texans squad that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to wideouts this season. But with Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns tightly covered, Lee could find plenty of openings to reel in enough catches to make him a worthy punt on Sunday.

 

Zach Ertz - (TE, PHI) 

After a solid season debut where he reeled in six of seven targets for 58 yards, Ertz missed the following two weeks with an injury. Following Philadelphia's bye, Ertz returned to the field but was unable to reassert himself into the Eagles' offense, catching only nine passes over a four-week span.

Week 9 proved to be a turnaround showing for Ertz, posting eight catches on eight targets for 97 yards, ushering his name back into waiver-wire-pickup consideration. Still likely owned in over 50% of leagues, Ertz is a streaming option against an Atlanta Falcons team that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season and currently own the 31st ranked pass defense in the league.

 

Other Options: Austin Hooper (TE, ATL) @PHI, Jalin Marshall (WR, NYJ) vs LA, Vernon Davis (TE, WAS) vs MIN




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Denny Hamlin

Wins at Las Vegas and Will Compete for the 2025 Cup Series Title
Kyle Larson

Dominates at Las Vegas but Ends Up Second
Chase Elliott

Struggles to Gain A Solid Finish at Las Vegas After Pit-Road Penalty
William Byron

Strong Run Ends In A Wreck at Las Vegas
Stephon Castle

Set to Suit Up for Monday's Preseason Matchup With Indiana
Garrett Wilson

Expected to Miss "a Couple of Weeks" With Hyperextended Knee
Dalton Kincaid

Ruled Out for Monday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Set to Make Preseason Debut on Tuesday
Josh Norris

Could Miss Eight Weeks
Toumani Camara

Misses Practice on Monday
Zack MacEwen

Out for "Extended Period of Time"
Sean Durzi

to Miss Four Weeks
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Decision Monday
Coby White

Expected to Miss Remainder of Preseason
Lucas Raymond

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Brady Tkachuk

Suffers Injury in Monday's Loss
Lane Hutson

Canadiens Sign Lane Hutson to Eight-Year Extension
Tre Mann

Considered Questionable for Wednesday's Preseason Contest
CFB

Sam Leavitt Viewed as Day-to-Day with Undisclosed Injury
Anthony Santander

Scratched From Game 2 of ALCS With Back Tightness
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Expected to Play on Monday Night
Brock Bowers

Could Sit for the "Long Haul"
CeeDee Lamb

has a Chance to Play in Week 7
Dalton Knecht

Impresses Offensively, Must Improve Defense to Earn Key Role
Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks Sign Alex Antetokounmpo to Two-Way Deal
San Diego Padres

Mike Shildt Retires as a Manager
Tennessee Titans

Titans Fire Head Coach Brian Callahan
Mateusz Gamrot

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Charles Oliveira

Gets Back In The Win Column
Montel Jackson

Drops Decision
Deiveson Figueiredo

Gets Split-Decision Victory
Vicente Luque

Outclassed
Vicente Luque

Joel Alvarez Outclasses Vicente Luque
Jhonata Diniz

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mario Pinto

Remains Undefeated
CFB

Matt Rhule Denying Interest in Penn State Head Coaching Job
CFB

Le'Veon Moss Not Believed to Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Ricardo Ramos

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Chris Godwin

Not Expected to Return in Week 7
Bucky Irving

Not Expected to Return in Week 7
Puka Nacua

Rams Think Puka Nacua has Avoided a Long-Term Injury
Kaan Ofli

Scores Comeback Win
CFB

Bill Belichick Says he's Committed to North Carolina
Moses Moody

Shut Down for Rest of Preseason
Kel'el Ware

Responding Well to Erik Spoelstra's Challenge
Derrick White

Stuffs the Stat Sheet Against Cavaliers
Austin Reaves

Displays Smooth Scoring Abilities Against Warriors
Brandin Podziemski

Drops 23 Points Against Lakers
Puka Nacua

Likely to Miss Time Due to Sprained Ankle
Rashee Rice

Eligible to Play Sunday Against the Raiders
Emeka Egbuka

Expected to Miss "Some Time"
Tiger Woods

Undergoes Back Surgery
James van Riemsdyk

Available for Red Wings Debut Monday
Kris Letang

Considered Day-to-Day
Carson Soucy

Lands on Injured Reserve
Tyler Kleven

Ready for Season Debut Monday
Evgenii Dadonov

Moves to Long-Term Injured Reserve
Drake Batherson

Aims to Return Wednesday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Exits Win Early
CFB

UAB Fires Head Coach Trent Dilfer After 2.5 Seasons In Birmingham
CFB

Penn State Fires Head Coach James Franklin After 10.5 Seasons
CFB

Penn State QB Drew Allar Will Miss The Rest Of 2025 Season With Ankle Injury
Marquise Brown

Scores Twice in SNF Victory
Patrick Mahomes

Explodes for Four Touchdowns on SNF
Tetairoa McMillan

Scores his First Two Touchdowns in Win Over Dallas
Ja'Marr Chase

Posts Double-Digit Catches in First Game With New Quarterback
Kendrick Bourne

Records 142 Receiving Yards for Second Straight Week
Kimani Vidal

Dominates Backfield Touches, has Huge Game in Week 6
Ladd McConkey

Explodes for 100 Yards and Touchdown in Win
Jonathan Taylor

Has Another Enormous Showing Against Arizona
Josh Jacobs

Scores Two Touchdowns in Victory Over Cincinnati
Brandon Woodruff

Will Not be on NLCS Roster
Keegan Murray

to Undergo Surgery
Max Scherzer

Added to ALCS Roster
Bryan Woo

Makes ALCS Roster
Bo Bichette

Won't Make ALCS Roster
Sacramento Kings

Russell Westbrook, Kings Have "Strong Mutual Interest"
Christopher Bell

the Favorite to Win at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin

on the Pole at Las Vegas
Joey Logano

Can Joey Logano Get Lucky in Las Vegas Again?
William Byron

has the Fastest Car in Practice at Las Vegas
Ty Gibbs

Speed of Ty Gibbs a Good Sign for Toyota at Las Vegas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Should Contend at Las Vegas
Ross Chastain

Scrapes Wall in Practice But Qualifies 15th at Las Vegas
Chris Buescher

Looking for Improvement at Las Vegas
Austin Cindric

It Has Been Hit or Miss for Austin Cindric at Las Vegas
Steven Lorentz

Exits With Injury Saturday
Carson Soucy

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Versus Penguins
Erik Gudbranson

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Saturday
Sean Durzi

Hurt Against Predators
Jaccob Slavin

Suffers Injury Saturday
Kris Letang

Under Evaluation for Undisclosed Injury
Josh Norris

Will Miss "a Significant Amount of Time"
Chase Elliott

Should Run Well at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson

Conservatism May Keep him from Replicating Previous Las Vegas Drive
Josh Berry

After Josh Berry's Las Vegas Win, Ryan Blaney Should be a Top Contender
Chase Briscoe

has Definitely Improved on Intermediate Tracks
Tyler Reddick

An Excellent DFS Option on Paper
Alex Bowman

May Not Get the Attention he Needs at Las Vegas
Brad Keselowski

34th-Place Qualifying Run Makes Him a Must-Start in DFS
Shane Van Gisbergen

Still Not Really Viable for DFS Play
Gleyber Torres

Will Undergo Surgery to Repair Sports Hernia
Bryan Woo

Expected to be on Mariners' ALCS Roster
CFB

CJ Baxter to Miss Saturday's Game Against No. 6 Oklahoma
CFB

Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time
Cody Bellinger

Plans to Opt Out of Contract
MLB

Munetaka Murakami Will be Posted This Winter
Nathan Eovaldi

has Hernia Surgery, Should be Ready for Spring Training
Mateusz Gamrot

Set For UFC Rio Main Event
Charles Oliveira

Returns At UFC Rio
Montel Jackson

Set For UFC Rio Co-Main Event
Deiveson Figueiredo

Returns At UFC Rio
Joel Álvarez

Joel Alvarez Set for his Welterweight Debut
Vicente Luque

A Huge Underdog
Deandre Ayton

Still Waiting to Build Chemistry With Lakers Stars
Mario Pinto

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Jhonata Diniz

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kaan Ofli

Looks To Secure His First Octagon Win
Ricardo Ramos

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Michael Aswell

Looks For His First UFC Win
VJ Edgecombe

Will Not Play on Friday
T.J. McConnell

Expected to Miss at Least a Month
Ben Sheppard

Unlikely to Play in Next Two Preseason Games
Dylan Harper

in Line to Play in First Preseason Game
CFB

North Carolina's Caleb Hood Retiring from College Football
CFB

Jeff Sims Likely to Start Against Utah
CFB

Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Remainder of 2025 Season With Torn Achilles
CFB

Sam Leavitt Not Expected to Play for Arizona State on Saturday
CFB

John Mateer Upgraded to Probable Ahead of Saturday's Red-River Shootout
VJ Edgecombe

Misses Practice Thursday
Jaylen Wells

To Have an Expanded Role in the Offense?
Tanner Scott

Removed From NLDS Roster After Lower-Body Procedure
CFB

Ryan Williams Will Be Available Against No. 14 Missouri On Saturday
CFB

John Mateer Officially Questionable Ahead of Saturday's Game vs. Texas
Will Smith

Catching in Game 3 of NLDS
CFB

North Carolina Discussing Buyout Option Of Coach Bill Belichick
Jackson Chourio

Back in Lineup for NLDS Game 3
Roki Sasaki

"Definitely the Primary Option" in Save Situations for Dodgers
Sahith Theegala

Still Uneven Heading to Japan
Nicolai Hojgaard

Trying to Pick Up Pieces After Last Three Efforts
Vince Whaley

Tries to Add on From Sanderson Farms Performance
Adam Scott

Struggling Some Heading to Baycurrent Classic
PGA

Chris Gotterup Expects to Contend at Baycurrent Classic
Si Woo Kim

Primed for Baycurrent Classic

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP