Waiver Wire Watchlist for Fantasy Football Week 9

October 31, 2025

Joey's fantasy football waiver wire watchlist before Week 9 of 2025. You should keep an eye on these emerging players and consider them waiver wire stashes.

Welcome to Week 9 of our fantasy football waiver wire watchlist for the 2025 NFL season. Week 8 featured some surprising performances from players who were available on the waiver wire, including WRs Troy Franklin (six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns) and Chimere Dike (seven catches for 93 yards).

You know the drill by now: All players listed in this article are rostered in less than 50% of fantasy football leagues, meaning that they are available more often than not. That's why Franklin isn't on this list (he's owned in just over 50% of leagues!).

With that being said, here are five players still on the majority of waiver wires who could help you make significant strides in your fantasy football league. Good luck on the waiver wire and happy hunting!

Waiver Wire Watch List - Running Backs

Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles - 27% rostered

Early in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' blowout win over the Giants, starting running back Saquon Barkley exited the game with a groin injury. In his absence, Bigsby handled nine carries and rushed for a whopping 104 yards, including a 29-yard run on which he refused to go down. Bigsby showcased impressive power and contact balance, running through would-be tacklers behind the line of scrimmage and bouncing off hits downfield.

Tank Bigsby picks up the first down on 2nd & 31

NYGvsPHI on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dhfL54Zxoa

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Bigsby received just one carry with the Eagles before this game, but it's safe to say that he's earned a bigger role for himself. While he's never going to unseat Barkley as a starter, he will mix in on early downs if the Eagles continue to implement the run more following last week's dominance on the ground. If Barkley misses any time following the Eagles' bye in Week 9, Bigsby will become a must-start in fantasy football as the lead back in a talented offense.

Bigsby has never been much of a pass-catcher, meaning he won't see much work on third downs. Regardless, he showed enough against New York to earn more carries, and certainly will have a part to play if the Eagles run the ball more.

Managers who roster Barkley should pick up Bigsby immediately, as he's established himself as the Eagles' clear No. 2 back. But even managers who don't roster the starter should consider taking a chance on the backup.

 Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns  - 11% rostered

The rookie may be relegated to backup duty with the emergence of fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, but there's still a role for him to play in Cleveland. In fact, it may be a bigger one than expected in the coming weeks, as Judkins is dealing with a shoulder injury. While the Browns, like the Eagles, are going on bye in Week 9, there is still the possibility that Judkins does not recover in time to play in Week 10.

Dylan Sampson to be in Lead-Back Role After Bye Week? https://t.co/Ngkf3h8dlo

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 30, 2025

If he isn't ready to go, Sampson will return to his early-season role as the team's top running back, and he'll also earn snaps on all three downs. Unlike Judkins, Sampson is an excellent pass-catcher with excellent hands and vision.

While Sampson has struggled as a runner thus far in the NFL - he averages under two yards per carry this season - more volume could help him improve. While this will not last, as Judkins will return to the starting lineup whenever he recovers, Sampson could carve out a larger pass-catching role if he performs well.

Sampson is a solid pickup in PPR leagues for managers needing starting RBs for cheap. While his value will decrease significantly when Judkins returns, he could continue to earn third-down routes and targets for a Browns team that is often behind in games.

More RB Options:

• Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys - 14% rostered
• Devin Singletary, New York Giants - 4% rostered

Waiver Wire Watch List - Wide Receivers

Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans  - 35% rostered

Since head coach Brian Callahan was fired two weeks ago, no Titans receiver has been more productive than fourth-round rookie Dike. In Week 7, Dike snagged all four of his targets for 70 yards and a touchdown, and in Week 8, he was even better. Operating as the Titans' top wideout for the first time, he received eight targets and caught seven of them, racking up 93 receiving yards.

Dike has begun to build chemistry with fellow rookie Cam Ward and may be the answer to the team's questions at wide receiver. Calvin Ridley came into the year as the team's top wideout, but he's struggled with injuries and poor performance, and rookie Elic Ayomanor has been inconsistent at best. Dike has a real chance to carve out a big role for himself in Tennessee's new-look offense.

Chimere Dike Becoming a Threat in Titans' Offense https://t.co/hELvyu6rEo

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 28, 2025

Dike could find himself as a WR1 in a team that needs to pass the ball frequently due to its leaky defense. Pick him up as soon as possible - he's already a viable flex option in 12-team formats and other deep leagues.

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers - 24% rostered

I already advised readers of this column to pick Watson up before his return, and his first game back proved why. Watson caught four passes for 85 yards in the Packers' win over the Steelers in Week 9, and his deep speed helped unlock the Green Bay passing game. Not only did Watson perform well on downfield routes, but he also opened up space underneath for TE Tucker Kraft, whose monster game helped the Packers score 35 points.

Jordan Love goes DEEP to Christian Watson on 3rd down

GBvsPIT on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/WjFjHQ3HEy

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2025

It is slightly concerning that Watson's four catches came on just four targets. However, what Watson lacks in volume is made up for by his explosiveness and big-play potential. The young receiver stands six feet, four inches tall and has the elite speed required to burn NFL defenses - he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine.

With Romeo Doubs in and out of the lineup and rookie Matthew Golden yet to establish himself in the Packers' offense, Watson's previous chemistry with Jordan Love could make him an important part of the offense down the stretch, and when Green Bay needs a big play, Watson is likely the player they will go to.

As a high-risk, high-reward waiver addition, Watson will prove to be inconsistent week-to-week. However, his spike weeks could prove to be worth the wait if he can find the end zone on Love's signature deep balls.

Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans - 20% rostered

The rookie established himself as the Texans' top receiver outside of Nico Collins in Week 8. Higgins caught four passes for 34 yards and caught his first career NFL touchdown pass in Houston's win over San Francisco. While he was outproduced by teammate and fellow rookie Jaylin Noel (five catches for 63 yards), Higgins led the team with eight targets, indicating that Houston sees him as the team's clear WR2.

Jayden Higgins Sets New Career-Highs With Teammates Sidelined https://t.co/iHY0rSCzn9

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 27, 2025

However, with Collins expected to return this week, Higgins will return to being a secondary option in the Texans' passing game. But it appears that the team has begun to recognize his skills and could incorporate him into the offense more despite Collins' presence. Like Collins, Higgins is a big and fluid receiver who excels down the field and in the red zone.

If the Houston passing game continues to develop as the year progresses, Higgins could become a valuable asset. Keep track of his involvement each week, and he just might become startable by the end of the season.

More WR Options:

• Darius Slayton, New York Giants - 13% rostered
• Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts - 11% rostered

More Fantasy Football Analysis