RADIO
Each week of the NFL season I will take a look at how to improve your fantasy football teams. Below I highlight wide receivers (WRs) and defenses (DEF) that need to be considered on the Week 9 waiver wire for your fantasy football teams. Some may have a good matchup for Week 9, or have been putting up relevant points and should be rostered.
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
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
- Best ball fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers (WR)
Marvin Jones, WR, CIN - Waiver Wire Pickup
Tim Wright, WR/TE, TB - Waiver Wire Pickup
Dexter McCluster, WR, MIA - Waiver Wire Pickup
Honorable mentions: David Nelson, WR, NYJ; Myles White, WR, GB; Drew Davis, WR, ATL
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups - Defenses (DEF)
Defense no-brainer starts: Cincinnati (vs Miami), Kansas City (vs Buffalo), Seattle (vs Tampa Bay)
INDIANAPOLIS (IND), DEF - Waiver Wire Pickup
BALLER MOVE: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ teams)
ANALYSIS: In Week 7, the Indianapolis defense did a decent job of containing the No. 1 offense (Denver Broncos) with four sacks, a safety, an interception, and two fumble recoveries. For Week 9, they will be facing the Houston Texans, who have had issues with the QB position all season. As of this writing, I do not know who the starting QB will be in Houston, but I anticipate that no matter which guy they run out there, Indianapolis will have a much easier task. If you are seeking a defense as a bye-week replacement or streaming option, Indianapolis would be a nice choice.
TENNESSEE (TEN), DEF - Waiver Wire Pickup
BALLER MOVE: Add in Standard Leagues (10+ teams)
ANALYSIS: The Titans will be facing a Rams team that will be starting backup QB Kellen Clemens, who has a 51.8% completion rate with seven TDs and 13 interceptions for his career. To give you a sense of how bad he could be, rumors have it that the Rams have reached out to Brett Favre to consider un-retiring. Favre hasn't played in the NFL since 2010, and he's 44 years old. If true, this smacks of desperation in St. Louis, and it also smells like Clemons is not that great of a player. To make matters worse for Clemons, he'll be facing the #12 ranked defense in Tennessee, who have generated 11 fumbles and recovered seven of those. I have a hunch a fumble will happen in this game as well. Stream away with this defense if they are available in your league.
T.J. Ward, IDP - S, CLE - Waiver Wire Pickup
BALLER MOVE: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ teams IDP Leagues)
ANALYSIS: Over the last three weeks, TJ Ward has been a beast with 27 tackles, a sack and five assists. If you are looking for a safety, Ward would be a nice option for you to consider. If he continues to play at this level, there aren't very many safeties that can contribute at this level that are available on the waiver wire.
Players I recommend beyond my waiver wire rules (above 25% ownership, or if I previously recommended). Add these wide receivers immediately if they are still available in your leagues (in priority order):
Josh Gordon, WR, CLE - Another solid week with a different QB, he's definitely #1 WR option in Cleveland.
Percy Harvin, WR, SEA - Should be back next week, if he's available pick him up!
Keenan Allen, WR, SD - bye week
Harry Douglas, WR, ATL - Another solid week for Douglas; who needs Julio Jones? Just kidding.
Terrance Williams, WR, DAL - Another week, another TD for Williams.
Justin Blackmon, WR, JAC - dropped a would be td pass, he has the talent and potential
Jarrett Boykin, WR, GB - Another solid week and he's filling in nicely for Cobb. James Jones should be back next week.
Vincent Brown, WR, SD - bye week
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, PIT - Had a breakout week after last weeks bust.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, HOU - bye week
Michael Crabtree, WR, SF - Won't be back until late to mid Nov.
Kenny Stills, WR, NO - Previously mentioned (see Week 2 waiver article - yes I can see that far into the future. 🙂 ), had a nice week but only 3 catches.
Golden Tate, WR, SEA - No updates as of this writing
My guidelines:
1. I will not repeat waiver selections. All mentioned players prior to week 4 will apply to the current waiver options and going forward.
2. I will only recommend players that are lower than 25% ownership in Yahoo! or ESPN leagues.
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