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Week 9 Waiver Wire - Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)

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.

As the season continues I'm sure many of you reading this article have had your fair share of disappointments in fantasy football.  Whether it's a bad trade, bad draft choice or injury, it all adds to the ongoing complexity of keeping your team competitive, and as Charlie Sheen stated best, "WINNING."  This week, there was a major offensive outburst by one of my recommended players (hint: he's on the Bengals), and the rest of my suggestions are nice PPR choices.  And as always, I will be recommending defenses for Week 9 that are nice streamer choices based off the matchup.

 

With that said, lets get to it.  Here are the waiver recommendations for Week 9 by priority order:

 

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Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers (WR)

 

Marvin JonesMarvin Jones, WR, CIN - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (10+ teams Standard, PPR)
ANALYSIS:  Outside of AJ Green, Cincinnati has been looking for the past couple of years for a solid #2 receiving option.  It looks like they may have found that in Marvin Jones.  For the past three weeks, he's had at least one TD with six TDs total, 250 yards, and 15 catches on 19 targets.  My concern with this recommendation is that prior to the past three weeks, he had been a marginal bench fantasy WR option at best (35 yards/game).  However, as the top cornerbacks continue to focus on AJ Green, someone else will get targets, and it looks like that will be Jones. If you are in a league with a WR bench spot Marvin Jones might be a nice option for you to consider.

 

Tim Wright, WR/TE, TB - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (12+ teams Standard, PPR)
ANALYSIS:  Since the Josh Freeman era has passed in Tampa Bay, Wright has found a new friend in QB Mike Glennon.  Outside of last week's dud (two catches for 15 yards), he's had at least 9 fantasy points.  If you are in a Yahoo! league, Tim Wright is a player that can play both TE or WR; ESPN owners should disregard Wright as a WR option as he is eligible only at TE.  Obviously Wright has chemistry with Glennon over Freeman, so I would expect positive results going forward, assuming Glennon keeps the starting QB job.

 

Dexter McCluster, WR, MIA - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues (12+ teams PPR)
ANALYSIS:  For those of you who are in PPR leagues, Dexter McCluster is a player for you consider.  For the past two weeks, he's had 137 yards on 11 catches with 15 targets (73% catch rate).  Coming into the season, I anticipated that Andy Reid would find a way to get the ball into McCluster's hands, and I believe it's finally happening.  It seems as though Alex Smith will continue to look to him (second-straight week as the Chiefs' leading receiver) for short underneath routes, which is a great opportunity for PPR league players to consider McCluster as a WR option.  For the past two weeks I'd call him a Julian Edelman Lite for 2013.  If he continues at this pace, I anticipate that his value will increase substantially in the upcoming weeks.

 

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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As always, you can find all of our weekly waiver wire recommendations on our famous waiver wire pickups list. And if you haven't joined the best and largest fantasy football chat room community on the web, check out the RotoBaller.com Fantasy Football chat room for live fantasy advice, sit/start questions, and more.

 




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Matas Buzelis

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Giannis Antetokounmpo

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Bobby Witt Jr.

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Mitchell Robinson

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Jarquez Hunter

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Elijah Arroyo

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Saquon Barkley

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Karl-Anthony Towns

Eligible for Massive Extension
Isaiah Stewart

Could Draw Trade Interest
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Michigan?
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Jameer Nelson Promoted to Executive Vice President
Domantas Sabonis

Could be Traded This Summer
Ty Gibbs

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William Byron

Will Start at the Rear at Michigan After Unapproved Adjustments
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Daniel Suarez

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Kayshon Boutte

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Denny Hamlin

Puts DFS Managers in Tough Spot for Michigan
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Get Back to His Old Ways at Michigan?
Chris Buescher

Looking for Another Solid Run at Michigan
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Jonathon Brooks

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Carson Hocevar

Qualifies Second, Seeking Redemption at Michigan
Ross Chastain

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Mitch Marner

Scores Fastest Hat Trick in Finals History
Brad Keselowski

Has Been Solid at Michigan
Will Smith

Scratched With Neck Stiffness, Expected to Return on Sunday
Kenneth Gainwell

Standing Out at OTAs
Bhayshul Tuten

"Picking Up Steam," More in-Tune With New Scheme
Auston Matthews

Maple Leafs Confident of Keeping Auston Matthews
Andrei Vasilevskiy

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Uncertain for Game 3 Against Hurricanes
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Hunter Greene

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Dylan Harper

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Shoots Well in a Loss to the Knicks
Victor Wembanyama

Scores 29 Points in Game 2 Loss
OG Anunoby

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Helps Knicks Secure a Game 2 Victory
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Records Another Finals Double-Double
Jalen Brunson

Overcomes Cold Night to Seal Game 2
Michael Harris II

Dealing With Back Tightness, Not Believed to be Serious
Byron Buxton

Suffers Shoulder Contusion After Colliding With the Wall
Sacramento Kings

Kings Want to Trade Their Larger Contracts
Chicago Bulls

Darius Acuff Jr. Works Out for Bulls
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Could Get Traded
MIN

Marcus Johansson Returning to Europe
Thomas White

Likely to Miss Rest of Season With Shoulder Capsular Sprain
Mitchell Robinson

is Upgraded to Available for Game 2
Cole Caufield

Earns Lady Byng Trophy
Nick Suzuki

Lands Selke Trophy
Jose Altuve

Astros Reinstate Jose Altuve From the Injured List
CFB

Reed Harris Hoping to Fill Void in Arizona State Receiving Room
CFB

Nick Marsh Gearing Up for Breakout
CFB

Drew Mestemaker Looking to Catapult Oklahoma State Offense in 2026
CFB

Rocco Becht Brings Experience to New-Look Nittany Lions
CFB

Can Trey White, Adam Trick Keep Texas Tech's Defensive Front Elite?
CFB

Devon Dampier is Key to Success for Morgan Scalley in Year 1
Aaron Judge

Yankees Officially Place Aaron Judge on Injured List With Fractured Rib
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Return in "About a Couple Weeks"
Corey Seager

Rangers Activate Corey Seager From the Injured List
Gabriel Bonfim

Set For UFC Vegas 118 Main Event
Belal Muhammad

In Dire Need Of Win
Edmen Shahbazyan

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 118
Shayne Gostisbehere

Dishes Out Two Power-Play Assists in Comeback Win
Brendan Allen

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Seth Jarvis

Ties Finals With Power-Play Goal
Mark Stone

Scores Sixth Playoff Goal in Overtime Defeat
Tom Nolan

Searches For His Fifth Consecutive Win
Mitch Marner

Records Two Assists in Game 2 Loss
Farés Ziam

Fares Ziam A Favorite At UFC Vegas 118
Brett Howden

Matches Franchise Record With Another Productive Outing
Brayden McNabb

Hospitalized After Taking Puck to Face
Aaron Judge

Diagnosed with Stress Fracture, Out 4-6 Weeks
Shohei Ohtani

has "Small" Blister, a "Non-Issue" for his Pitching Starts
Brent Rooker

Out on Thursday Due to Knee Soreness
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen
Vincent Trocheck

Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
Dylan Larkin

Requests Trade From Red Wings
Corey Seager

Expected to Return This Weekend
Lucas Erceg

Royals to Mix and Match in Ninth With Lucas Erceg Struggling
Aaron Judge

to Undergo Additional Imaging
Ketel Marte

Out on Wednesday With Back, Hamstring Injuries
Corbin Burnes

has Teres Major Strain, Unlikely to Return Until September
Rickie Fowler

Looks To Continue Resurgent Season At Memorial
CFB

Can Eric Singleton Jr. Fully Break Out at Third School?
CFB

Katin Houser Steps into QB1 Role for Illinois
CFB

Savion Hiter an Immediate Impact Freshman for Michigan
CFB

Isaiah Horton Set to Take Over KC Concepcion's Role
CFB

UCLA Transfer Karson Gordon Signs with Austin Peay
CFB

Will Muschamp Bringing New Intensity to Texas Practices
Gary Woodland

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Memorial
Jordan Spieth

Still Searching for a Breakthrough
Alex Smalley

Brings Elite Form to Memorial Tournament
Justin Rose

Looks to Recapture Memorial Tournament Success
Cameron Young

Looks to Get Back to His Contending Ways at Murifield Village
Chris Gotterup

Needs to Find Fairways at Muirfield Village
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Stay Hot at Memorial Tournament
Matt Fitzpatrick

Positioned for Success at Muirfield Village
Keegan Bradley

Looking for Another Strong Finish at Muirfield
Justin Thomas

is an Exciting Play This Week in Ohio
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Memorial Tournament for Third Consecutive Year
Rory McIlroy

Looking for Better Performance at Muirfield Village
Drake Baldwin

Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Garrett Crochet

Diagnosed With Low-Grade Lat Strain
Russell Henley

Coming to Ohio on the Heels of Latest Victory
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking for Better Iron Play at Memorial Tournament
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Continue Dominance at Muirfield Village
Ludvig Aberg

a Great Fit for Muirfield Village
Aaron Judge

Out on Tuesday With Rib/Shoulder Injury
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SEC Coach Calls Buster Faulkner a "Home-Run Hire"
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Auburn a Sleeper in the SEC Under Alex Golesh?
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Noah Fifita Primed for Strong 2026 Campaign
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Oregon Assistant Coach Charged with DUII, Reckless Driving
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Tight End Nick Pollack Commits to Clemson
Akshay Bhatia

Needs the Driver to be True in Ohio
Aaron Rai

Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
J.J. Spaun

Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
Xander Schauffele

One to Watch This Week in Ohio
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