Fantasy: Top waiver wire pickups for Week 9

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) percentages are a guide for how much of your remaining budget to spend. Only players rostered in fewer than 50% of leagues are considered.

Teams on bye: Steelers, Titans

Jump to: RB | WR | TE | QB | DEF

Running backs

Mike Washington Jr.

We've been banging the Washington drum for weeks, so hopefully he's stashed on your roster. If not, and he's available on the waiver wire, you're bidding for what looks like the lead back in the Raiders' offense.

On Sunday, the fourth-round rookie outsnapped Ashton Jeanty 38 to 25, respectively, and logged 25 touches to Jeanty's five. All of Washington's touches were carries, while Jeanty got all of the receiving work. A change of the guard appears to have taken place in Las Vegas' backfield. Jeanty's struggled with efficiency on the ground and has seemingly lost his role as the early-down back.

Head coach Klint Kubiak said after the team's win over the Jets that giving Washington the majority of the carries was a conscious decision and that the game plan had been communicated to Jeanty. The Raiders scored 38 points in Week 8, so they'll likely stick with the new strategy until it proves ineffective.

Other RBs to target:

• Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (19%): The fifth-round rookie displayed his big-play ability in Week 8, taking six touches for 143 total yards and a touchdown. His workload may be limited with Kenneth Walker III carrying Kansas City's offense, but Johnson is perhaps the most important handcuff in fantasy. He could continue to carve out a role that will make him a weekly flex option.

• Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers (42%): There's a good chance Gainwell is rostered in your league, but if he isn't, he's definitely worth a significant bid. Although the Bucs won't play in downpours like they did Sunday all season, their incredible offensive line will continue to allow them to rely heavily on the run game. Tampa Bay has matchups with the Panthers, Chargers, Saints, and Falcons remaining, so there will be opportunities to start Gainwell during bye-heavy weeks.

• Dylan Sampson, Browns (17%): Sampson outsnapped Quinshon Judkins 39 to 27, respectively, in Week 8. That was largely because Cleveland trailed Pittsburgh for most of Sunday's game, and Sampson is the pass-catching back. Still, you can expect the Browns to be in that situation often.

• Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars (26%): Bhayshul Tuten is the running back to roster in Jacksonville, but Rodriguez has a nose for the end zone on a very good team. He's scored three touchdowns in his last five contests and could be an emergency flex option in games in which the Jaguars are heavy favorites.

• Kaelon Black, 49ers (31%): Christian McCaffrey suffered a mild hamstring strain before the 49ers' Week 8 bye. Adding Black as insurance is a no-brainer if you roster McCaffrey.

• Sione Vaki, Lions (1%): If you're rostering Jahmyr Gibbs but haven't yet stashed Vaki, he should be a priority add this week. Vaki is far more likely to have an impact on your team's fantasy success than a backup tight end or fifth wide receiver.

• Seth McGowan, Colts (31%): A Jonathan Taylor trade seems imminent, which would move McGowan into the Colts' starting role. The seventh-round rookie has proven himself to be a capable NFL runner, averaging 4.4 yards per carry on 37 rushes.

• DJ Giddens, Colts (0%): After serving as Taylor's backup last year, Giddens finally received playing time this season in Week 8. He handled six carries for 43 yards and could be in the mix for more opportunities if the Colts decide to trade Taylor.

Wide receivers

Antonio Williams, Commanders

Williams led the Commanders in targets (seven) and route participation (88%) in Week 8, Washington's first game without Terry McLaurin. The third-round rookie converted those opportunities into five catches for 54 yards in a strange game in which Washington had an extremely sloppy start before getting a few short fields, which limited Jayden Daniels to 16 completions. Regardless, bigger days are ahead for this passing offense.

While Williams' final stat line may be underwhelming, his usage is worth being excited about. He should operate as the Commanders' WR1 for the remainder of the season as he continues to build chemistry with Daniels. It may be another lost season in D.C., but Williams could be one of the few bright spots.

Other WRs to consider:

• Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys (34%): George Pickens is playing on a franchise tag, and it's rumored that teams are calling Dallas about his availability. Even if Pickens doesn't go anywhere, Flournoy has a role in the Cowboys' offense. He ran 26 routes on Dak Prescott's 38 dropbacks in Week 8 compared to Pickens' 25. Flournoy has scored at least nine fantasy points (half PPR) in each of his last four games.

• DeMario Douglas, Patriots (37%): A.J. Brown continues to miss time with various injuries; he's currently sidelined by a knee injury. Douglas has stepped up in his absence, averaging 13.9 points per game (half PPR) over his past four outings. Even when Brown returns, Douglas, who operates mostly out of the slot, should still have weeks as a worthy flex option.

• Caleb Douglas, Dolphins (28%): The third-round rookie came back to earth in Week 8 after scoring 20 fantasy points in Week 7. However, Douglas still earned six targets Sunday, catching four of them for 43 yards.

• Adonai Mitchell, Jets (11%): We featured Omar Cooper Jr. here the last two weeks, and now it's Mitchell's turn. Aside from Braelon Allen, rostering any Jets skill-position player has been frustrating. Regardless, Mitchell is worth a spot on your bench in case he wins the WR2 battle outright. He turned nine targets into seven catches, 142 yards, and a touchdown in Week 8, while Cooper failed to register a point.

• Treylon Burks, Commanders (2%): While Williams is the Commanders receiver you want to roster, Burks is also worth considering in deeper leagues. He played more snaps than Stefon Diggs on Sunday and turned five targets into three receptions for 81 yards. Burks won't be a consistent fantasy asset, but he may be able to fill a hole in your starting lineup in a pinch,

Tight ends

Mike Gesicki, Bengals

Gesicki has scored a touchdown in all six of his appearances this year. He leads all tight ends with six scores, yet he's rostered in just 19% of leagues. Although Gesicki is the Bengals' third receiving option, he gets plenty of looks from Joe Burrow. The 31-year-old earned six targets in Week 8, marking the third time this season that he's had five or more. Cincinnati has a tight-end-friendly schedule the rest of the way, so Gesicki needs to be rostered in more leagues.

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Seahawks

There are slim pickings on the waiver wire this week. However, if you need a Lamar Jackson replacement, Darnold is a viable option. The Seahawks play the Cardinals at home, and Arizona gives up the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Darnold may not have the highest ceiling because he rarely scores fantasy points with his legs, but he should net you around 15-20 points, which is serviceable most weeks.

Other QBs to consider:

• Malik Willis, Dolphins (20%): The Dolphins face the Lions at home in Week 9. Detroit allows the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, and Willis is averaging 20.9 points over his last three outings.

• J.J. McCarthy, Giants (9%): In extremely deep leagues, look to McCarthy. The Giants will meet the lowly Eagles, who seem like they've given up on the season.

Defenses

• Saints (4%) vs. Browns
• Giants (3%) @ Eagles
• Bills (10%) @ Vikings