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RotoBaller staff's fantasy football Week 9 waiver wire pickups for 2025. Expert advice for waiver wire RB, WR, TE, QB targets from Phil, Dan, Craig and Alex.
Somehow, we've passed the halfway point of the fantasy football season. While the waiver wire isn't as robust as it was in the early weeks of the year, it's important to continue to mine value and load your bench will upside. You never know which players could suffer minor or major injuries down the stretch, so backfilling your roster and making moves each week is key.
Pivoting when your players are injured, underperforming, or on a bye is always the name of the game in fantasy football, and we're here to guide your waiver-wire decisions.
Our RotoBaller experts Phil Clark, Alex Ciulla, Craig Rondinone, and Dan Fornek are here to help you identify the top RB, WR, TE, and QB targets ahead of Week 9.
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Running Backs Waiver Wire Week 9
Selections By Phil Clark
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
Tracy’s role within the Giants’ backfield rotation has fluctuated on multiple occasions during his second season. That includes his rise into lead back duties during Week 8, following the unfortunate ankle injury that was sustained by Cam Skattebo. Tracy operated with a season-high 73.5% snap share in Week 1. He also encountered a shoulder injury that sidelined him in Week 3, then registered a 33.6% snap share in Weeks 6 and 7. Tracy had also dropped below Skattebo on the Giants’ depth chart before Tracy functioned as New York’s RB1 following Skattebo’s departure in Week 8.
Tracy operated with a 63.5% snap share during New York's matchup with Philadelphia. He tied his season high with 10 carries, generated 39 rushing yards, and finished 10th among all backs in rush percentage over expected (44.4%) according to Next Gen Stats. He also ran 17 routes and collected two of his three targets from Jaxson Dart. Tracy will now sustain an ongoing role as the Giants’ primary back if Skattebo’s injury forces him to the sideline. That vaults Tracy atop the list of priorities on this week’s waiver wire. Tracy is currently available in over 50% of all leagues, but that percentage will decrease significantly this week.
Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia secured Bigsby during a September 8 trade with Jacksonville, but Bigsby had been limited to four offensive snaps from Weeks 2-7. However, Bigsby is now primed to emerge as a valuable asset for both the Eagles and fantasy managers if Saquon Barkley‘s hamstring injury prevents him from operating in his usual capacity as Philadelphia's RB1. Barkley sustained the injury during the third quarter of the Eagles' Week 8 matchup with the Giants.
That elevated Bigsby into temporary lead-back duties for Philadelphia, and he secured a 27.1% snap share during the contest. Bigsby also maximized his nine carries by eclipsing 100+ rushing yards for the third time in his career (104), and averaging 11.6 yards per attempt. Will Shipley registered a 13.6% snap share, accumulated three carries, and generated two rushing yards as Bigsby was utilized as the Eagles’ primary back following Barkley’s departure.
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
Barkley’s health will determine Bigsby‘s role in Philadelphia’s backfield after the Eagles return from their Week 9 bye. That does not prevent you from infusing Bigsby into your roster, as he is currently available in 83% of all leagues. Bigsby is also positioned to ascend into a sizable workload during Philadelphia’s remaining matchups, if Barkley is sidelined for any reason.
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Monangai emerged as Ben Johnson’s choice to operate as Chicago’s RB2 entering the regular season, and he has retained that role throughout the Bears’ first eight matchups. Monangai’s promising numbers have also ignited a 36% increase in his rostership percentage during the past week, as fantasy managers capitalize on Monangai’s prospects of developing into a starting option as his encouraging rookie season advances.
Monangai has now attained a 37.3% share during his last six matchups. He also established season highs in attempts (13), rushing yards (81), in Week 7, and rose to 10th among all backs in rush yards over expected (23) according to Next Gen Stats. Monangai also secured a 46% snap share when Chicago traveled to Baltimore in Week 8, which was his highest percentage of the season. He also accumulated seven carries, 24 rushing yards. and expanded his season total to eight red zone attempts.
Roschon Johnson has been relegated to a minuscule 1.2% snap share since Week 1 and is not lurking as a threat to Monangai’s role. Monangai will vault into lead-back duties for Chicago if D'Andre Swift is sidelined during the Bears’ remaining matchups, which bolsters your incentive to add Monangai this week.
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
Sampson had registered a 33.6% snap share and was averaging 13.5 touches/56 total yards per game in Weeks 1-2. Those numbers plummeted from Weeks 3-7 (13.2% snap share), 2.6 touches/8.6 total yards per game, due to the emergence of Quinshon Judkins as Cleveland’s primary back. Judkins secured a 53.8% snap share and averaged 19.8 attempts/81.2 rushing yards per game during that span. However, Judkins sustained a shoulder injury during the third quarter of Cleveland’s Week 8 matchup with New England.
Sampson operated with a 46.2% snap share and accumulated three carries during the contest. He also ran 18 routes, captured five of his six targets, and generated 29 receiving yards. Jerome Ford attained a 23.1% snap share, ran 11 routes, secured one target, and did not register a rushing attempt during the game. Updates surrounding Judkins’ health should be monitored during Cleveland's bye week, and Judkins could resurface when the Browns visit the Jets in Week 10. However, Sampson is positioned to operate with an expanded workload if that does not occur. That provides your incentive for targeting Sampson this week.
Wide Receivers Waiver Wire Week 9
Selections By Alex Ciulla
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
A capricious Denver offense got a get-right game against an exploitable Dallas defense, as QB Bo Nix shows some signs of life. For the second consecutive game, he connected with his former Oregon Duck teammate, Franklin, in the endzone. Franklin scored twice in this one, churning out 89 yards on 6-of-8 receiving. All of which were team-highs.
The second-year pro didn't see nearly as many deep shots as he did a week ago, but it was encouraging that the team drew up designed screens for him. Furthermore, I enjoyed watching him work the intermediate area and get a few layup targets. Denver was a top-ten scoring offense a season ago (24 points per game), and is right there again in 2025. If the passing attack starts to click, Franklin is the most likely candidate, aside from Courtland Sutton, to be productive.
Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
Not even a staunch Browns defense could slow down quarterback Drake Maye and a Patriots squad on a roll. Maye has been incredible, and Boutte continues to be a factor in this offense. The Louisiana native caught his fourth TD in three games in the team's 32-13 win over Cleveland, racking up 75 yards on three receptions (five targets). Boutte hasn't been a high-volume option, but hasn't needed to be with the team firing on all cylinders.
BOUTTE BOMB 💣@DrakeMaye2 | @KayshonBoutte1
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/swF9gYUYS8
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 26, 2025
Unfortunately, we can't bank on him finding pay dirt every week. Still, New England will eventually be in more competitive games, forcing them to air it out more than the 24 times they've averaged over their five-game winning streak. It'd be nice to see Boutte command more targets. As it stands, the touchdown upside is nice, and Maye looks for him deep.
Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans
Cameron Ward showed some growth in the team's 38-14 loss to Indianapolis. There's still a way to go, but if it ever clicks for Ward, Tennessee's offense could be an exciting one. Between rookie wideouts Dike and Elic Ayomanor, and tight end Chig Okonkwo, the Titans offer a bevy of after-the-catch weaponry. For now, let's focus on Dike.
The former Florida Gator was again Tennessee's most productive receiver, leading his teammates in yards (93) and receptions (seven), while tying Ayomanor and Van Jefferson for the lead in targets (eight). Furthermore, it was the first time all season that he outpaced Jefferson in snaps. The rookie was out there a season-high 63 times -- four fewer than Ayomanor, and seven more than Jefferson.
Regardless, the Titans used three-wide receiver sets at the highest rate heading into Week 8 (78.27%) and showed no signs of slowing in their loss. Calvin Ridley (hamstring) will be back eventually, but that shouldn't affect Dike, who mainly operates from the slot. He gets a bump in leagues that afford points for return yards. The 23-year-old is trending up.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson was activated ahead of Green Bay's bout with the Steelers on Sunday Night Football and immediately led all Packers' wide receivers in receptions and yards (4/85). That was despite placing third behind teammates Romeo Doubs (51) and Matthew Golden (42) with 36 snaps. Expect that figure to rise as he's further removed from his ACL injury.
It was mostly the Tucker Kraft show in Week 8, but Watson is poised to play a prominent role for the Pack. He's a legit deep threat, too, something that Green Bay's offense has been lacking. I should have mentioned him here again last week—shame on me. Fortunately, he's available in a wide array of leagues. When healthy, the fourth-year pro has been as good a bet as any to lead this receiving corps. Look for him to be more involved in next weekend's clash with the Panthers and a potential impact asset down the stretch.
Tight Ends Waiver Wire Week 9
Selections By Craig Rondinone
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
Yes, Harold Fannin Jr. is on bye this week. Yes, David Njoku returned from injury and scored a touchdown of his own last weekend. Yes, Dillon Gabriel is struggling in the early going as Cleveland’s starting signal caller. But Fannin remains one of the most viable options on fantasy waiver wires because he has 21 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns over the past month.
Most other tight ends did not post those numbers over the same span. Pick up Fannin now and use him in Week 10 and beyond.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
New York keeps losing gigantic pieces of its offensive puzzle to season-ending injuries. Now that receiver Malik Nabers (knee) and running back Cam Skattebo (ankle) are no longer in the picture, Theo Johnson should be given even more targets and opportunities. The young tight end has scored four touchdowns over his last five games and faces a San Francisco secondary that just let Houston’s C.J. Stroud light them up for 318 yards and two TD despite not having top target Nico Collins (concussion) on the field.
I see Johnson gifting fantasy managers a 5-65-1 line next weekend and becoming a larger focal point of the Giants' offense from here on out. I know Johnson dropped a crucial pass against Philadelphia on Sunday. Forget about it. Do not be worried about former Giants TE1 Daniel Bellinger, either. He had his one good game in Week 7, but it is doubtful he will have more of the same between now and season’s end.
A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks
Super sophomore A.J. Barner only recorded one catch for seven yards in Week 7 and was on bye in Week 8, so he might have been dropped or ignored in many leagues. But Barner already has scored four touchdowns and has converted 18 of the 22 passes thrown to him into completions, so he has been extremely efficient.
Show 'em how it's done @_ajbarner_ 🤝
First multi-touchdown game of his career.📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/GGXpbgEgtz
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 5, 2025
Barner has Washington next on his schedule, a defense that allowed 69 points in a two-game span heading into its Monday night tilt versus Kansas City.
Quarterbacks Waiver Wire Week 9
Selections By Dan Fornek
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Two weeks of being inactive due to an injury, plus a bye week, have helped Murray fall below the 65% threshold required for this article. If he’s available in your league, he should be a priority add. Murray was off to a respectable start in 2025, completing 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions in five games. More importantly, he was showing comfort as a runner again, racking up 29 carries for 173 yards and a touchdown.
The veteran quarterback had five straight games with at least 14.0 fantasy points but failed to score more than 19.0 points in any game this season. Murray was averaging 16.2 fantasy points per game in his first five weeks. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has made it clear that Murray will be the team’s starting quarterback once he’s healthy. There is a very real chance that will happen in a Week 9 matchup against the best matchup against quarterbacks in fantasy this season, the Dallas Cowboys.
Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals
Week 8 was the third time this season that Joe Flacco had fewer than 45 pass attempts, and the second time he had fewer than 35 attempts. Still, Flacco was able to post a season-high 26.3 fantasy points against the Jets. Flacco continued his streak of clean football with the Bengals, posting his third straight game with at least two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The veteran quarterback was able to get there in fantasy thanks to a tush push rushing touchdown.
The Bengals held a lead for most of the game, which capped Flacco’s overall attempts. In Week 9, the Bengals will face the Chicago Bears, who have the weapons to push the game script but have struggled in recent weeks. Flacco should once again be on the radar as a QB2 with a low-end QB1 ceiling.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold went into Seattle’s bye week on a down note, throwing for 213 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against the Houston Texans’ defense. His 9.6 fantasy points were the QB24 on the week.
Before that game, Darnold had put together five straight games with at least 16.0 fantasy points. From Weeks 2 to 6, Darnold was the QB8 in points per game, averaging 19.8 points. Darnold has sufficiently proven that his 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings was not a fluke, putting together a strong, efficient campaign (1,754 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions). The veteran quarterback will come out of his bye week with an excellent matchup against a Commanders secondary that has struggled to stop quarterbacks this season.
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