The Week 9 byes pales in comparison to the horrors we endured last week, but there are four teams getting rest, so we're not off the hook completely. Detroit, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Washington are the teams set to be absent, so D'Andre Swift, DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, and all the fantasy football studs found catching passes from Tom Brady will need to be replaced in your lineups. That said, while we're still in Week 8, we should look ahead at possible waiver wire pickups and free agents, such as Mark Ingram, Will Fuller, and Evan Engram, we can grab now before they become hot adds on waivers.
Our Week 9 waiver watchlist can help get ahead on potential top streaming targets. We'll continue to help you identify one-week solutions, but we're not giving up on finding season-long value either. The waiver wire might be getting thin, but as injuries mount and bye weeks remove your fantasy studs from action, we have to prepare for all scenarios.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
We know not all leagues have enough roster spots to really take advantage of "stashing players," but for those in deeper leagues (or those who have players on IR or busts worth cutting), our week-ahead watchlist will be useful. Stashing a player or two on your bench when they're still free agents can really pay off if those players have good games. If they don't, they're easy drops. Your spot in the waiver order is valuable, and you want to hold it as long as possible. At the very least, it's good to have a list of names of players to watch on Sunday so you can monitor snap share and targets/touches, and it's always smart to claim matchup-based streamers at positions like TE or D/ST before there's competition for them.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Watchlist
Reminder: This list was put together in the lead-in to Week 8, looking forward to the players who could be popular waiver-wire targets ahead of Week 9. If you have a roster spot to play with, these are free-agent options you could grab early to beat the waiver buzz.
All these players are below 50-percent ownership on Yahoo unless otherwise specified.
WEEK 8 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: QB
Teams on a Week 9 bye: Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team
Carson Wentz, Colts (46) vs. Jets in Week 9
Wentz has played solid football over the past four weeks, scoring at least two touchdowns in every contest. He's had a quietly productive run and faces off with the Jets in Week 9. The Jets have statistically been good against fantasy QBs, but we saw Mac Jones shred them to pieces in Week 7.
Jameis Winston, Saints (46) vs. Falcons
Winston hasn't been the prolific 300-yard passer we hoped for in the preseason, but he sits among the top quarterbacks in touchdown passes per attempt, so the fantasy points come that way. Tua Tagovailoa just threw four touchdowns against Atlanta en route to being the highest-scoring player in fantasy football in Week 7. Winston could find similar success.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (43) vs. Texans
Tagovailoa will probably struggle against Buffalo in Week 8, but he's shown us against Jacksonville and Atlanta he can take advantage of juicy matchups. We'll take him again in Week 9 vs. Houston.
Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos (24) @ Cowboys
Bridgewater has struggled recently after a hot start to the season, but he's remained a low-end QB2 through seven weeks. Dallas' offense should score with ease, so Bridgewater has a path to fantasy success, even if it's in garbage time.
Deshaun Watson (23)
We won't put a matchup for Watson because, let's face it, any value he might have will be tied to trade. It's beginning to seem increasingly likely the troubled star will be moved by the Nov. 2 trade deadline. The NFL has indicated he won't be placed on the commissioner's exemption list, at least not right away, meaning Watson would be eligible to play for his new team. It's unclear how this will all unfold, but at the very least, he's worth stashing until we find out.
Trey Lance, 49ers (21)
We're continuing to remind you to stash Lance for the fantasy playoffs. Jimmy G continues to look mediocre and banged up, and if things continue that way, it's only a matter of time before Lance, when healthy, will be unleashed.
Tyrod Taylor, Texans (5) @ Dolphins
This is a deep-league or two-QB/superflex consideration, but Taylor (hamstring) should be back for Week 9 (if not Week 8). In case you don't remember, he was actually playing pretty well before he got injured. Miami gives up the seventh-most fantasy points to fantasy QBs, and Taylor can add 40 yards and a touchdown on the ground to boost his fantasy output.
WEEK 8 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: RB
Teams on a Week 9 bye: Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team
Alexander Mattison, Vikings (54)
Minnesota was on a Week 7 bye and Dalvin Cook is healthy, so naturally, Mattison is being heavily dropped. If you have room on your bench, he's worth stashing in the case of another Cook injury. He produced just as well as Cook does when he was thrust into a starting role, and he could have league-winning upside if he's the starter later down the road.
Kenneth Gainwell (51); Boston Scott (11), Eagles
It's surprising to see the ownership at just 51 percent after the injury to Miles Sanders (ankle), but even with Boston Scott and Jordan Howard expected to take some touches, Gainwell should be the primary back. He's most valuable in PPR leagues and has been more efficient than Sanders this year, to begin with. This late into the season, you have to jump on any RB that could serve as a primary back for even a small stretch. Scott actually received more carries in Week 7 -- and we know he has receiving upside -- so it's not a bad idea to stash him if you miss out on Gainwell.
Latavius Murray, Ravens (44)
Murray is dealing with an ankle injury, but he's still the most likely to be the Ravens' primary back when he returns and he has the most upside. You can consider Devonta Freeman and Le'Veon Bell, but if Murray is healthy, it's tough to expect much out of those players.
Sony Michel, Rams (39)
Michel doesn't have much standalone value, but he's one of those handcuff RBs that could instantly produce at least RB2 numbers if something were to happen to Darrell Henderson.
Damien Williams, Bears (36)
Khalil Herbert looks to have taken over this backfield in the absence of David Montgomery (knee), but was that just because Williams missed all of last week's practices on the reserve/COVID list? We don't know, but it's worth watching.
Mark Ingram, Saints (33)
Ingram's trade to the Saints might seem like it limits his value, as he's no longer a "lead back," but he wasn't generating much production with Houston even with the additional touches. Now back in New Orleans, he'll get fewer opportunities but be in a better position to take advantage of the ones he does get. He obviously knows the offense, so he should be able to hit the ground running as the power complement to Alvin Kamara. If anything were to happen to Kamara, Ingram would immediately be a high-upside RB2. He's worth grabbing wherever he's available.
David Johnson, Texans (23); Phillip Lindsay, Texans (13)
It's unclear who will be the new primary back in Houston with Ingram gone. Johnson would seem like the most obvious candidate, but the Texans have made it pretty clear he's not in their long-term plans. Johnson very well might be the next Texan out the door, too. Either way, both are worth adding as volume-based flexes for the time being.
Marlon Mack, Colts (17)
This will be the last week Mack is on the list if he's not traded before the Nov. 2 trade deadline. Feel free to drop him or ignore him moving forward if he's still in Indianapolis by that date.
Brandon Bolden, Patriots (10)
Many have tried to speak J.J. Taylor or Rhamondre Stevenson into existence, but let's face it, Bolden is the only RB you can kind of trust outside of Damien Harris, as he's taken on the James White role to some extent. He has PPR upside, and in deep leagues, could be a valuable asset down the road as New England picks up its passing volume.
MORE WEEK 8 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: WR
Teams on a Week 9 bye: Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team
Sterling Shepard (53); Kadarius Toney (51); Darius Slayton (13), Giants
Shepard's and Toney's ownership seem criminally low, as each of them has provided boom weeks and seem to have pretty safe floors when active. We understand it's frustrating to roster guys who are constantly sidelined, but they are both potential WR2s just sitting on a lot of waiver wires. You should prioritize these guys over handcuffs RBs or backup tight ends. Simply put, make some room for them! Darius Slayton remains valuable as long as Shepard, Toney, and Kenny Golladay are banged up.
Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (50)
We weren't shocked when Hardman was a total letdown against Tennessee, but Kansas City's offense was entirely shut down during Patrick Mahomes' worst statistical performance of his career. We'll see what he does against the Giants, but Hardman draws another attractive matchup against Green Bay in Week 9.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (46)
After just one game with under five targets in Week 6, Renfrow drew eight targets, catching seven of them for 58 yards. What we've said all along remains true -- he's a safe floor PPR guy, but his ceiling is limited and you probably don't want to play him often in standard leagues.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (45)
You can't trust Mooney right now, but the hope is this passing game clicks sooner or later, and he could be the No. 1 WR here as the target share has indicated thus far.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (43)
We've told you to stash Gallup (calf) since he was injured in Week 1, but he's still highly available and is set to join one of the league's best offenses in Week 8. That said, if he goes off against Minnesota on Sunday night, you'll have a lot of competition to acquire him.
Marquez Callaway, Saints (43)
Every time Callaway has a decent game, we get excited, just to be let down the following week. But even after a quiet game against Seattle, we're still watching Callaway closely. If nothing else, he's a top streaming option against the Falcons' lackluster secondary in Week 9.
T.Y Hilton, Colts (38)
Hilton is another streaming option as he'll take on the Jets in Week 9, but he could also carry season-long value down the stretch. In the one game sample we saw of him, he caught four passes for 80 yards and looked to have some explosiveness left in the tank.
Rondale Moore, Cardinals (37)
Moore is your classic boom-or-bust guy, but he's been on the bust side for a few weeks now. That said, all it would take is one injury among Cardinals' pass-catchers for him to instantly receive a huge boost in value in one of the league's top offensive attacks.
DeVante Parker, Dolphins (35) — Streamer
Parker (hamstring) has missed a few weeks of action, but he should be back anytime soon and Tua Tagovailoa is playing a high level against bad completion. If Parker plays in Week 9, he's at least a streaming candidate against Houston.
Tim Patrick, Broncos (33)
We'll see what Patrick's role is now that Jerry Jeudy (ankle) is coming back, but Denver plays Dallas in Week 9, so we have to think he'll at least be a streaming option, too.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens (32)
Bateman looks the part of a future No.1 WR. Lamar Jackson's improvement as a passer suggests this offense can support more than one or two pass-catchers.
Will Fuller, Dolphins (29)
Like DeVante Parker, Fuller (finger) has been out several weeks, but he's on track to come back soon, too. We have yet to see him play a game with Tua Tagovailoa, and the unknown is attractive here. We've seen Fuller have plenty of nuclear weeks in the past.
Jamison Crowder, Jets (20); Elijah Moore, Jets (16)
Neither of these guys is going to get us all that excited, but whether it's Mike White or Joe Flacco running the show while Zach Wilson (knee) is out, the unknown target competition makes both of these guys interesting.
Curtis Samuel, Washington (14)
Same ole, same ole with Samuel (groin) -- he should be back at some point this year, and perhaps he will have Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing the ball to him during the fantasy playoffs.
Russell Gage, Falcons (12)
Gage finally broke out against Miami, catching four-of-six targets for 67 yards and a touchdown. Will he do this with any consistency? Probably not, but he can be a flex consideration in favorable matchups in this Atlanta offense this is picking up their groove under Arthur Smith.
Randall Cobb (22); Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11); Allen Lazard (10), Packers
Davante Adams and Lazard shouldn't be out long after being placed on the reserve/COVID list, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling will return from IR as soon as Week 8, and the race for the No. 2 WR role in Green Bay is wide open. Cobb will have something to say about it when he gets back. The Packers take on Kansas City in Week 9, so any of the three could be in for big weeks.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Watchlist: TE
Teams on a Week 9 bye: Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team
Jared Cook, Chargers (53) @ Eagles in Week 9
Cook was a top-12 tight end before the Chargers' Week 8 bye, and Philadelphia gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to TEs heading into Week 7. Cook sits on one of the best offenses in football with a star young QB, so he always has upside.
C.J. Uzomah, Bengals (37) vs. Browns
The Browns aren't technically a great matchup for tight ends, but Uzomah has done enough this season to risk playing him almost regardless of matchup. Did you know he is the only tight end in the league to finish as the overall TE1 more than once? Why play is safe at tight end when Uzomah clearly has the most upside.
Evan Engram, Giants (32) vs. Raiders
Trade rumors have been swirling around Engram, but if he remains a Giant, he has a path to fantasy success against Las Vegas, who has given up the seventh-most fantasy points to the position -- especially with so many New York pass-catchers banged up. If he gets traded, perhaps it will be to a team that can utilize him better.
Tyler Conklin, Vikings (16) @ Ravens
Just as recent as last week vs. Uzomah, the Ravens love allowing nuclear performances to the tight end spot. Uzomah, Jared Cook, Darren Waller, Travis Kelce, and Noah Fant all finished as TE1 against Baltimore, so Conklin very well could, too.
Mo Alie-Cox, Colts (16) vs. Jets
Alie-Cox is a touchdown-or-bust player, but he's reached the end zone four times this year, and New York's defense is beginning to unravel.
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (6) vs. Bears
Freiermuth isn't on the list for his matchup, but he is on the list because he drew seven targets in the Steelers' first game without JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is out for the year with a shoulder injury. Many think Chase Claypool would benefit from JuJu's absence, but it largely unaffected him in the one-game sample we have. He remained out wide with Freiermuth sliding into the slot.
Week 9 defense streamers and sleepers
Teams on a Week 9 bye: Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team
Dallas Cowboys DST (50) vs. Broncos in Week 9
The Broncos' offense is starting to look half-asleep, and while the Cowboys' defense still struggles in the yards-allowed department, it has forced the second-most turnovers per game in the league (2.3).
Las Angeles Chargers DST (22) @ Eagles
The Eagles' offense could feast in garbage time like they've often done, but we like Joey Bosa and Co. to contain Jalen Hurts' rushing a least a little bit. The Chargers have been up and down on defense, but they've excelled against pedestrian offenses.
Las Vegas Raiders DST (20) @ Giants
The Raiders' defensive line led by Maxx Crosby should dominate this game and get to Daniel Jones early and often. Crosby leads the league in pressure, and this is probably the worst offensive line Las Vegas will have faced thus far this season.
Miami Dolphins DST (16) vs. Texans
Miami has one of the worst defenses in football, but the Texans have one of the worst offenses. Let's see who wins out!