Even though Week 8 isn’t fully in the books, we are ready with our Week 9 waiver wire pickups for the 2021 season. This past week had a few upsets. We saw the last undefeated team lose on Thursday night, with Aaron Rodgers getting the most of his depth chart. We saw the Colts implode after a strong early lead, with the Titans getting a kick in overtime to win the game. There was also some news off the field, with the decision of Calvin Ridley to take a step back from football at the moment to work on his mental health.
This week, while we still have byes to consider, there are just two teams on bye:
- Detroit Lions
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Football Team
All of these pickups are written in percentage, not priority. For a player to be eligible they have to be owned in less than 50% of leagues. The rostered percentage is taken from ESPN. Now, let’s get into them!
Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) v HOU 36.9% rostered
Trade rumours around the Dolphins seem to have calmed, and Tua is now the starter for the season (except from injury). This week he faces up against Houston who have been torched all season. This is an opportunity for Miami’s offense to make a statement.
Teddy Bridgewater (DEN) @DAL 29.8% rostered
Bridgewater feels like a players that I mention nearly every week. The reason is- he is the typical streaming QB. If you are missing Tom Brady this week, then Bridgewater could be the perfect guy for you.
Taysom Hill/ Trevor Siemian (NO) v ATL 0.9/ 0.0% rostered
Jamies Winston suffered a season-ending injury, making the starting role on the offense up for grabs. Siemian was the guy that stepped into the offense against Tampa Bay, but it might be Hill that is the guy the Saints turn to. Hill has been out for a few weeks, but is nearing a return. Whoever the starter is, a matchup against Atalanta is one to target.
Others to Consider
- Carson Wentz (IND) v NYJ 31.7% rostered
- Tyrod Taylor (HOU) @MIA 3.9% rostered
- Mike White (NYJ) @IND 0.6% rostered
Alex Collins (SEA) BYE 48.6% rostered
Collins is the lead back for the Seahawks, but now enters a bye week. He is owned in just about half of leagues, so he might not be available in your league but if he is available, or dropped, pick him up. There are reports that Chris Carson could miss more time this season.
Latavius Murray (BAL) v MIN 31.0% rostered
Murray is the lead back for the Ravens, and any starting RB should be rostered- even awful ones. Yes, Lamar Jackson runs the ball often from QB, but he can’t shoulder the entire workload. Devonta Freeman (13.9%) is a deeper add, but has seen good use at the goalline
Mark Ingram (NO) v ATL 25.2% rostered
Ingram returned to the Saints this week, and saw the field a little bit. The team clearly felt they needed something at the RB position to go alongside Alvin Kamara, and made a move for Ingram. A matchup against Atlanta is a fine one for him to re-establish his role in the offense.
Ty Johnson (PHI) @IND 4.9% rostered
Johnson had a close TD attempt ruled out, with him stepping out of bounds right at the line, but Johnson has been performing well enough. Michael Carter is the clear starter for the team, but Johnson is showing his ability on the work he has been given. If Carter were to go down, Johnson is likely the next person they go to.
Boston Scott/ Jordan Howard (PHI) v LAC 4.5/ 0.7% rostered
The Eagles were going to have a hole that needed filed with Miles Sanders out through injury, the wide expectation was that Kenny Gainwell would be the person to pick up, but it was Scott and Howard that looked better with the carries that they were given. I still think that Gainwell going to be the back you want longer-term, so if he is dropped pick him up, but Scott and Howard are worth picking up ahead of the Chargers game.
Others to Consider
- David Johnson (HOU) @MIA 42.6% rostered
- Samaje Perine (CIN) v CLE 16.7% rostered
- Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) @CAR 7.7% rostered
- Jeremy McNichols (TEN) @LAR 1.8% rostered
- Jaret Patterson (WAS) BYE 0.8% rostered
- Scottie Phillips (HOU) @MIA 0.1% rostered
Brandon Aiyuk (SF) v ARI 46.4% rostered
Ready to be hurt again? If you aren’t, move onto the next person. If you are, then Aiyuk could be a decent add. His ownership is still high, given his struggles, but if he is available then he has some upcoming matchups that he should be very viable for fantasy. Let’s just hope his seven target, four receptions for 45 yards game was the new norm.
Rashod Bateman (BAL) v MIN 19.7% rostered
The Ravens are now through their bye week, making it wellwirth picking up Bateman now. Bateman has looked great since he made it out on the field. Bateman could be one of those mid-season pickups that becomes a league winner.
Jamison Crowder (NYJ) @IND 18.7% rostered
Crowder returned from injury, and since Week 4 has had at least six targets in every game. The Jets offense is a little bit lacklustre, but Crowder in PPR leagues especially he is worth adding.
Russell Gage/ Tajae Sharpe (ATL) @NO 12.2/ 0.1% rostered
The receiver position for Atlanta is up for grabs with Calvin Ridley deciding to take a step away from football for the foreseeable. That gives an opportunity for someone to step up. Gage is the one that is a more established player in the group, but Sharpe was the player that was joint highest in targets with six. My advice would be grab one, and see how it pans out. I’d likely roll with Sharpe though who has seen the work when Calvin Ridley was forced to miss time against the Jets earlier in the season.
Others to Consider
- Randall Cobb (GB) @KC 31.7% rostered
- Van Jefferson (LAR) v TEN 8.5% rostered
- Bryan Edwards (LV) @NYG 6.9% rostered
- Tre’Quan Smith (NO) v ATL 1.6% rostered
Evan Engram (NYG) v LV 23.7% rostered
Engram is getting targeted on the New York offense. The issue is that he isn’t being consistent with them. He is yet to play this week, so could well get injured knowing how this season is going, but a matchup against the Raiders is one to target.
Tyler Conklin (MIN) @BAL 17.6% rostered
Conklin has been used more consistently in recent weeks. This week the Vikings face the Ravens, who are the worst in the league at defending the position.
Others to Consider
- Ricky Seals-Jones (WAS) BYE 48.4% rostered
- Pat Freiermuth (PIT) v CHI 6.2% rostered
Chicago Bears @PIT 26.4% rostered
The Bears defense has enough about it to be a streaming option in the right week. This week they face the Steelers who have allowed Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked on average two times a game, and he has turned the ball over 9 times. With the offense struggling to score, it’s a good streaming option.
Others to consider
- Atalanta Falcons @NO 31.6% rostered
- Green Bay Packers @KC 31.1% rostered
- Las Vegas Raiders @NYG 12.2% rostered
Daniel Carlson (LV) @NYG 30.1% rostered
Carlson is one of the better kickers in the league, and only has this low ownership level because he was on bye last week. Pick him up and don’t worry about your kicker for the rest of the season.
Robbie Gould (SF) v ARI 2.3% rostered
Gould is set to return from IR, and should return to kicking duties for the team. Gould is the forgotten man, and is more likely going to be available as a free agent rather than burning a waiver priority, but Gould is a good option each week at the position
Others to consider
- Randy Bullock (TEN) @LAR 32.5% rostered
- Zane Gonzalez (CAR) v NE 2.2% rostered
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
Image Credit: Scott Taetsch – USA TODAY Sports
