This week was unbelievable for football. We saw some of the league’s top teams flex their muscles while a few stunning upsets kept fans on their toes. Congrats on keeping your job another week, Coach McDaniels! Unfortunately, we also witnessed the devastating injury to New York RB Cam Skattebo, which will sideline him for the rest of the season. I truly feel for Giants fans—it seems like they just can’t catch a break. On a brighter note, Jets' QB Justin Fields silenced some critics by helping the Jets secure their first win of the year. Meanwhile, Cleveland RB Quinshon Judkins left the Browns game with an apparent shoulder injury, though no updates have been released on its severity. Philly RB Saquon Barkley also exited after what appeared to be a nasty groin injury. Although the team claims they’re not overly concerned, I suspect this could still turn into a multi-week absence. With the major news out of the way, let’s dive into the Week 9 waiver wire!
For additional potential Week 6 pickups, check out ASL's Chris Hexter's Injuries & Opportunities - Week 9 or ASL Founder Leonard LaPadula's Streamers For The Desperate - Week 9.
Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence (42% Rostered, Yahoo)
Coming off the bye, there’s a good chance Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is sitting on your waiver wire. If you need a one-week streamer, Lawrence is an excellent play against the struggling Raiders. Last week, it looked like the Jaguars’ offense finally found its rhythm by getting both WR Brian Thomas Jr. (BTJ) and WR Travis Hunter more involved. The weapons in Jacksonville are simply too talented for Las Vegas to contain, and I expect Lawrence to deliver a strong fantasy performance. He currently ranks ninth in total air yards and first in dropped passes—numbers that suggest this offense is on the verge of a breakout. Jacksonville is searching for consistency, and this matchup could be the spark that gets them going. While his upcoming schedule is challenging, Lawrence should be viewed as a solid short-term rental for Week 9.
JJ McCarthy (23% Rostered, Yahoo)
It’s now clear that any talk of a quarterback competition in Minnesota is over. QB Carson Wentz has struggled mightily, and the Vikings desperately need a spark. While J.J. McCarthy didn’t look overly impressive before his injury, the situation around him has completely changed. The rookie now returns to a fully healthy offense featuring Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, Jakobi Mason, and T.J. Hockenson—all dynamic playmakers capable of elevating his game. Minnesota also boasts the third-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy quarterbacks, trailing only Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati QB Joe Flacco. Head coach Kevin O’Connell, known as a quarterback whisperer, has a strong track record of developing young signal-callers, and McCarthy should benefit from that guidance. As the season progresses, expect to see steady improvement and some impressive fantasy outputs from the second-year Michigan Wolverine. If you’re searching for a rest-of-season quarterback, J.J. McCarthy could be your answer.
Running Backs
Tyrone Tracy (48% Rostered, Yahoo)
If you still have any FAB left, it’s time to spend it all. New York RB Tyrone Tracy is a highly talented player who was overshadowed earlier this year by rookie sensation Cam Skattebo and limited by a shoulder injury. Now healthy and back in a featured role, Tracy looks poised to pick up right where he left off. Last season, he proved to be a reliable fantasy option as the lead back, and that production should continue for the remainder of the year.
Tracy brings elite pass-catching ability to the table, and with virtually no competition in the Giants’ backfield, his workload is secure. Even better, New York ranks second in the NFL in run rate, meaning there will be no shortage of opportunities. Outside of WR Wan’Dale Robinson, QB Jaxson Dart has very few consistent receiving threats, which sets up Tracy to dominate both the rushing and checkdown work. With volume, versatility, and game script all working in his favor, consider Tyrone Tracy a strong RB2 for the rest of the year—and a potential league-winner in PPR formats.
Tank Bigsby (17% Rostered, Yahoo
With Eagles RB Saquon Barkley limping off the field after taking an awkward couple of steps, I’m not taking any chances. The Eagles are on a bye this week, but if it’s confirmed that Barkley will miss extended time, now is the moment to grab RB Tank Bigsby — a week early.
Bigsby came into the game and absolutely dominated the Giants, rushing 9 times for 104 yards while playing less than half the snaps. We’ve seen this story before — Bigsby has taken over starting duties in the past and turned them into league-winning fantasy runs. His blend of vision, burst, and physicality makes him a perfect fit behind one of the best offensive lines in football.
Philadelphia’s offense also appears to be regaining rhythm, which could lead to more positive game scripts where they lean on the run in the second half. If Bigsby inherits the starting role, he could immediately deliver RB2 or even RB1 value. For managers with a free bench spot — and a little patience — Tank Bigsby should be a top-priority pickup this week.
Wide Receivers
Christian Watson (16% Rostered, Yahoo
After missing a lot of time due to injury, it finally looks like Green Bay wide receiver Christian Watson is back—and fantasy managers should take notice. With his elite combination of size, speed, and physicality, Watson reminded everyone last night why he was once viewed as a breakout candidate. If he’s still sitting on your league’s waiver wire, now’s the time to pounce before the window slams shut.
Last night, it truly looked like Watson didn’t skip a beat, and it’s clear he is the alpha wide receiver in the Packers' offense. He caught all four of his targets for 85 yards and looked like the physical presence this receiver room has been missing. It seems like QB Jordan Love will lean on Watson and TE Tucker Kraft for the rest of the season to carry the load.
As a reminder, just a couple of years ago, Watson delivered one of the best second-half fantasy performances we’ve seen in recent memory. He’s capable of being the most explosive player on the field every time he laces up. Currently rostered in only 16% of leagues, Watson is worth checking your waivers for immediately. Especially in a flex spot, this is the kind of player who could make the difference for your playoff push. Additionally, if Watson’s chemistry with Jordan Love continues to grow, fantasy managers could be looking at a league-winning waiver pickup heading into the home stretch. He’s healthy, confident, and clearly a focal point of the Packers’ offensive plans moving forward.
Troy Franklin (37% Rostered, Yahoo)
It’s finally happening — the Denver Broncos’ rookie connection between QB Bo Nix and WR Troy Franklin is starting to heat up. For weeks, Franklin has flashed big-play potential, but his Week 8 breakout might be the sign fantasy managers have been waiting for. If he’s still available in your league, this could be your last chance to grab a potential league-winning wide receiver before his stock skyrockets.
To make things even better, He already has built-in chemistry with QB Bo Nix that WR Courtland Sutton simply does not have, dating all the way back to their college days at Oregon. More first reads are going to Franklin (19%), and this past week was truly his breakout performance.
The former Duck caught 6 of 8 targets for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns, showing off the deep-threat ability that made him such a weapon in college. Nix loves taking shots downfield, and that just happens to be Franklin’s specialty. If they start connecting more consistently, Franklin could become a serious force in the flex spot for fantasy play. No matter who the Broncos are matched up against, I expect Franklin to remain heavily involved moving forward.
With his growing role and strong connection to Nix, Franklin’s fantasy value could continue to rise every week. He’s fast, explosive, and already trusted in the offense — the kind of WR who can swing matchups in your favor.
Tight Ends
Harold Fannin Jr. (46% Rostered, Yahoo)
It’s not often that a tight end becomes a legitimate fantasy talking point this deep into the season, but Cleveland TE Harold Fannin is forcing his way into the conversation. On National Tight End Day, the rookie made a statement — not only with his performance, but with how involved he’s become in the Browns’ passing game.
Fannin looked fantastic, and what really stood out was the 8 targets he received. It’s clear there’s a growing connection between him and QB Dillon Gabriel, and in today’s tight end landscape, pulling 12 fantasy points off the waiver wire is incredible value. With a top-12 easiest remaining schedule, the former Bowling Green standout has a legitimate shot to keep producing.
What’s even more encouraging is that his blocking continues to improve every week, which should help keep him on the field for more snaps. If that progression continues, it wouldn’t be surprising to see teammate David Njoku dealt before the trade deadline — solidifying Fannin’s role as Cleveland’s future TE1.
If he is still sitting on your waiver wire, go scoop him up everywhere you can. The volume is real, the chemistry is growing, and the upside is massive.
Jonnu Smith (13% Rostered, Yahoo)
After watching the hit, it seems almost certain that Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth will miss some time. That opens the door for teammate Jonnu Smith, who — while not spectacular — suddenly finds himself in a meaningful fantasy position.
Has Smith looked great this year? Not really. But given how thin the tight end landscape is, opportunity matters more than flash. Smith currently boasts a 74% route participation rate and a 16% target share, both solid indicators of involvement. These numbers won’t turn heads on their own, but the underlying opportunity makes him worth keeping an eye on.
The Steelers have one of the top-five easiest remaining schedules for tight ends, and with Freiermuth sidelined, Smith becomes the primary option at the position. He also ranks second in the NFL in designed targets, showing that the coaching staff (and yes, OC Arthur Smith, not Arthur Blank) is intentionally trying to get the ball in his hands. Although the results have been inconsistent, the process suggests that a breakout game may be on the horizon.
If you’re scraping the waiver wire for tight end help, Smith deserves consideration. The role, usage, and schedule all point toward a player who could deliver serviceable production when it’s needed most.
