Fantasy football waiver wire Week 9: Streamers, Khalil Herbert, Chase Edmonds, Nyheim Hines and more

Week 9 fantasy football waivers are already here as we hit the second half of the NFL season. This is a big bye week (six teams), and with more injuries popping up, grabbing the right players and upside stashes who could help bring home a title is rather important.

HEADS UP

Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
Listed in order of preference — I’ll often prioritize potential upside over immediate middling production
No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
Streaming QB and TE are grouped together— their ranking might change slightly once projections/ranks run, and DST could shift a bit too
Emojis
- 😤 = I Tried to Tell Ya — players included for several weeks (not much more to add if you don’t want them)
- 🧐 = Check if Dropped — players whose managers might have cut for other need or impatient

WORRY REPORT
More DUCKS 🦆 (1-5) = More Concern (woo-hoo!)
Egg 🥚 = 1/2… or about to birth a new concern duck

Geno Smith, QB, SEA 🦆🦆 — Interestingly, Smith’s best game since Week 5 came with both wideouts banged up. Smith was mediocre against the Cardinals and Chargers — one favorable and one tough matchup — and now the Seahawks face the Cardinals again. Smith is streamable, but he’s also a low-volume passer who needs 2+ touchdowns for QB1 value — similar to Ryan Tannehill in the past.
D’Andre Swift, RB, DET 🦆🦆 — It was Swift’s first game back, it was saved by a receiving touchdown, and it was a bit concerning. Swift didn’t look good between the tackles, as Jamaal Williams continues to impress. Even before his injury, Swift had just one game with more than seven rushes (Week 1) — Williams still had two rushing touchdowns and 11 carries in that contest. This remains a full-blown timeshare.
Michael Carter, RB, NYJ 🦆🦆🥚 — With Breece Hall done for 2022 and James Robinson not even with the team for a week, Carter had just 55.2% of the snaps, seven rushes (26 yards) and 7-4-35 receiving. Thankfully, he had 71.9% of the passing snaps, which was second-most this year, but it doesn’t appear Carter will see the boost we had hoped to see if the Jets wouldn’t maximize his touches in Robinson’s first game. Carter is a lower-end RB2, and he could dip back into the RB3 range if Robinson shows any of his early-season juice.
Brian Robinson, RB, WSH 🦆🦆🦆🥚 — Antonio Gibson looks better than Robinson, who is primarily relegated to early-down/rushing work. Gibson could be best in a timeshare, similar to how Lamar Miller was better with mid-teen touches versus a bellcow role, and since Robinson has returned, Gibson is RB20 and RB26 in FPPG.
Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN 🦆🦆🦆 — The split with Jerry Jeudy is near-even when they play together, but over the past three games, Sutton has bombed. Jeudy had his own terrible two-game stretch earlier this year, and while Sutton should rebound as Jeudy did, he’ll be more volatile and touchdown reliant than Jeudy.
George Pickens, WR, PIT 🦆🦆 — “Kenny Pickett loves Pickens!” The truth is Diontae Johnson still leads in routes, targets and is barely behind Pickens in TmAirYD%, but Pickens has done more with his targets, glossing over the fact that this trio still carries plenty of risk. It’s a trio, and Pickett is still inconsistent, but Pickens does have a high ceiling as the wideout with the most No. 1 NFL receiver ability/makeup. — Now just one duck with Chase Claypool traded to the Bears. Just two main options (plus, Pat Freiermuth) for Pickett helps narrow the passing tree.

BYES: CLE, DAL, DEN, NYG, PIT, SF

STREAMING QUARTERBACK RANKINGS

Top Streamers

If You’re Needy

Andy Dalton, NO
Taylor Heinicke, WSH
Ryan Tannehill, TEN
Sam Ehlinger, IND

WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS

Kenyan Drake, BAL — ONLY if Gus Edwards is out. In that case, the Drake is back, and we like the Drake again… only because we have to. With no Edwards or J.K. Dobbins, Drake would be an RB2… albeit, rather risky. If Edwards is okay, Drake is down by Chuba Hubbard or even lower.
Khalil Herbert, CHI — That’s two straight games with Herbert getting at least 13 touches with David Montgomery healthy, and Week 8 came while his Snap% was just 29.6 compared to 41.4 in Week 7.
Tyler Allgeier, ATL — It was another week where Caleb Huntley had the better performance, but Allgeier split the lead, and most importantly, saw most of the passing game work. Cordarrelle Patterson’s return would make Allgeier a dicey option, but until then, Allgeier is an RB2/3 and could hold RB3 value after, given the Falcons’ offense.
Isiah Pacheco, KC — We saw what the “new starter” role meant for Pacheco before the bye, and as of now, the backfield is a full-blown committee. There is a chance Pacheco sees more of a “true” starter role out of the bye, but until we see at least 50% of the snaps and work, Pacheco is a dicey RB3 with Top 15 potential.
Rachaad White, TB — White has been seeing more of the share, and Leonard Fournette has been a bit mid this year. If Fournette misses time, White would be in the Top 15 conversation, and he’s an RB3 with weekly use.
Chuba Hubbard, CAR — D’Onta Foreman is locked in as an RB2, but his 2nd/3rd-and-long and passing down use didn’t improve much without Hubbard, pointing to Hubbard getting some Nyheim Hines-like work. That’s tough to start any given week, but deep leagues might be needy, and Hubbard would be a fringe RB2 if Foreman ever got hurt.
Chase Edmonds and Latavius Murray, DEN — With the Edmonds trade, this mess becomes even messier. Murray sees the early-downs and short yardage, Melvin Gordon now gets a few carries in that area and some passing game work, and Edmonds is the main pass-catcher and 2nd/3rd-and-long option. Overall, it’s hard to like any as more than a matchup-based RB3/fringe RB2 now.
Kyren Williams, LAR — The backfield is a mess and the offensive line can’t block. Sean McVay praised Williams from Day 1, so he could be the majority share leader when healthy, but even then, the Rams’ situation could limit him to RB3 value.
Jeff Wilson, MIA — Traded to the Dolphins with Edmonds off to Denver, Wilson remains a high-end backup, but one that might see a few more touches with the Dolphins than he did behind Christian McCaffrey. Elijah Mitchell is now back to being the high-end backup to CMC once back (soon) with a likely Tyrion Davis-Price lead and timeshare with Jordan Mason until then.
Deon Jackson and Zack Moss, IND — With Nyheim Hines gone, Jackson is back up to No. 2 behind Jonathan Taylor, and we’ve seen him succeed with RB1 potential when Taylor (and Hines) were out. He’s next up and can absorb some of the lost Hines targets. The Moss piece likely means he will work in if Taylor is out (insurance piece), but there is a chance (albeit small) the Colts see something… heck, the Bills were fooled for a bit with Moss… and give him the No. 2 role with time. Jackson ranks here (and would be the top pickup if Taylor is out), and Moss is down at the bottom.
Jaylen Warren, PIT — Also a top backup, Warren has looked better than Najee Harris several times, leading to questions of the Lisfranc injury bothering Harris and Warren getting more work.
Nyheim Hines, BUF — Hines goes from a potential weekly RB3 in PPR to mixing in with James Cook behind Devin Singletary. This hurts the value of every running back, as the Bills are middle of the road in targeting running backs with Singletary monopolizing most. Singletary gets a slight ding, Hines drops and James Cook remains a “when have the lead” option to get more carries… with now near no passing game value. Singletary is a low-end RB2, Hines a risky PPR-reliant low-end RB3 and Cook a hope for a big Bills lead and backup plan if Singletary missed time.
James Cook, BUF — As mentioned before their bye, the Bills could give Cook more work as he continues to develop, and he has continued to see more touches in games with a lead. That should happen plenty down the stretch given the Bills’ talent and schedule. However, the Nyheim Hines trade dings him a bit now (see below).
Isaiah Spiller, LAC — Spiller is a good talent with more upside than Sony Michel if given the opportunity to be the next one up with Joshua Kelley out and the Chargers off their bye week.
Jerick McKinnon, KC — McKinnon has been the most consistent in passing game snaps giving him a low-ceiling/high-floor mix in the mid-low RB3 range — unless the Chiefs whittle down to a two-man backfield with Pacheco and CEH.
Sony Michel, LAC — Michel is the current next option behind Austin Ekeler, but given the skill comparison to Spiller, don’t be surprised to see him fall to being the third option, as he was behind Kelley.

BACKUPS and/or LONG-TERM UPSIDE STASH

Khalil Herbert, CHI
Alexander Mattison, MIN
James Robinson, NYJ
Elijah Mitchell, SF
Rachaad White, TB
Deon Jackson, IND
Jaylen Warren, PIT
Samaje Perine, CIN
Isaiah Spiller, LAC
Zamir White, LV
Dontrell Hilliard, TEN
Matt Breida, NYG
Snoop Conner, JAX

WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS

Garrett Wilson, NYJ — I was surprised to see Wilson under 50% rostered even with recent struggles, and particularly with Corey Davis sidelined. Yes, Davis returning could immediately wet-blanket the excitement, but until then — and in the off chance the Jets turn back to Joe Flacco — we should be rostering Wilson.
Rondale Moore, ARI — Moore was quiet in Week 7 during DeAndre Hopkins’ return but came up huge in Week 8. Since Week 4, Moore has 18.6 TmTGT% and 33-24-251-1 receiving, firmly in the No. 2 role until Marquise Brown returns.
Josh Palmer, LAC — Mentioned last week. Palmer fits the Mike Williams role better than the Keenan Allen one, so don’t be surprised to see Palmer hit that value we hoped to see when in the No. 2 role earlier this year.
Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — Week 8 was Robinson’s worst game as a full-fledged starter, and this is the risk with the Giants offense and Daniel Jones. Nevertheless, his elusiveness and trustworthiness for Jones and Brian Daboll make Robinson a weekly starter in most fantasy leagues.
Devin Duvernay, BAL — With Rashod Bateman out again, Duvernay steps in, but his increase might not be as much as originally thought. Duvernay never topped 80.6 Route%, even when Bateman was out and only surpassed 18.8 TmTGT% once (25.9), which results in just 7-5-54-0.
Alec Pierce, IND — It’s just one game, but Sam Ehlinger turned to Pierce, particularly downfield, more than Matt Ryan had recently. Parris Campbell ran more routes, but Pierce had 5-3-65 and accounted for 52.1% of the team’s Air Yards.
Kadarius Toney, KC — Upside stash that needs patience if you’re doing it. JuJu Smith-Schuster is the No. 1, and even that’s limited in an offense starting with Travis Kelce and involving several weapons. For TmTGT%, Kelce has 23.9, JJSS 19.1, Marquez Valdes-Scantling 15.1, Mecole Hardman 10.0, running backs 16.0 and 15.9 for various others. Toney has play-breaking ability, but 18.0% of the targets looks to be his ceiling, and a floor hovering in the 10% range is plausible given this offense. Toney has WR3 upside but may take a few games to get his role at full peak, and the risk is Toney is droppable by Week 12.
Darius Slayton, NYG — Slayton has at least 19.4 TmTGT% in three of the past four games, finishing 7-6-79, 6-3-58-1 and 6-5-66, respectively, in those. Slayton has WR4 value, particularly during the byes, which the Giants are on now (if you search by projected points this week, you won’t find him).
Jahan Dotson, WSH — Close to a return, and we’ve seen Taylor Heinicke improve Terry McLaurin’s value and take more shots, so don’t be surprised if Dotson returns with WR4 value, albeit touchdown reliant.
Treylon Burks, TEN — The Titans passing game is weak, especially if Malik Willis is under center, but with Ryan Tannehill, Burks has WR3 value with touchdown upside for more when he returns.
Demarcus Robinson, BAL — Robinson had his first good game of the season, and with Bateman hurt early, he had 23.5 TmTGT% and 21.3% of the Ravens Air Yards, finishing with 8-6-64-0. Duvernay is the safer bet, but Robinson has a higher ceiling with the associated risk of giving you a zero.
Mack Hollins, LV — Hollins has been the new No. 2 — in value — for the Raiders this year.
KJ Hamler, DEN — If someone ponies up for Jerry Jeudy, Hamler would be the No. 2 in Denver, though, that’s still extremely volatile and hard to trust even in trying to predict favorable matchups. Hamler moves to the bottom without a Jeudy trade.
Parris Campbell, IND — As mentioned, Ehlinger wasn’t overly interested in the short game for his first start. He’s still a quality quarterback in that area, so better weeks could be in store for Campbell, but the tide has shifted back to Pierce for now.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE — On a bye, but DPJ is strangely much better than Amari Cooper on the road, and the Browns head to Miami out of their bye.
Van Jefferson, LAR — No targets in his first game back, but Jefferson proved valuable last year, even as the No. 3, and there is a chance Cooper Kupp could miss a game or two.
Terrace Marshall, CAR — In the past two weeks, Marshall has 96.7 Route%, 21.1 TmTGT% and 24.1 TmAirYD%. Week 8 showed his upside with a decent amount of targets, but even though Marshall has Top 30 upside, the floor is extremely low in this offense.
Tyquan Thornton, NE — The Patriots receivers are banged up, and as the second option behind Jakobi Meyers, Thornton can be a deep-league WR4.
DeAndre Carter, LAC — More in the Allen role, Carter will spend time in the slot and is the No. 3, but he does have big-play ability.
N’Keal Harry, CHI — Harry didn’t see a route or snap uptick, but he found the end zone in Week 8. Harry is no more than a deep-league dart throw in case he moves to the No. 2 spot with 80%+ of the snaps, and even then, he’d be a mere WR4.

MEH 😒 NO THANKS

Samori Toure, GB — Even with Christian Watson concussed and Sammy Watkins banged up again, Toure ran just 42.4% of the routes. Toure would need Allen Lazard to remain sidelined with Watson and Watkins out to be worthy of a WR4 start.
Damiere Byrd, ATL — Okay, back-to-back weeks, but the Falcons still barely pass, and Byrd didn’t even reach 60% of routes. I’ll take the chance Byrd doesn’t have three straight games with a big touchdown.

UNBREAK MY HEART

Romeo Doubs, GB ❤️❤️❤️ — Look, if all the other Packers are going to fall apart, the volume is undeniable. Even if Lazard returns, Doubs is set as the No. 2 until everyone is healthy. He would rank at the top if everyone is hurt but he and Toure. If Lazard is back but the rest are out still, Doubs checks in ahead of Wan’Dale Robinson.
Darnell Mooney, CHI ❤️❤️❤️❤️ — Mooney was already here, but somehow, he’s still under 60%. We made up two weeks ago, people.

WAIVER WIRE TIGHT ENDS