Maybe you’ve lost one of your star players to injury? Or maybe your team just needs some extra reinforcement. Whatever it might be, it makes sense to get ahead of your competition and utilise the waiver wire. These are the players you should be targeting in fantasy football ahead of Week 9.
Running back
Ronnie Rivers, Los Angeles Rams – With Cam Akers likely to be traded and Darrell Henderson recovering from an illness, Rivers got the work as the Rams’ lead back in Week 8. The matchup against the 49ers was as tough as they come, but Rivers got the volume that suggests the Rams coaching staff have plenty of trust in him. He looks likely to be the backup behind Henderson for the rest of the season.
D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns – Johnson might not have a single carry all season, but that could soon change. It looks likely that the Browns will trade Kareem Hunt before the 1st November deadline, which would leave Johnson as the RB2 behind Nick Chubb. Given how productive he has been when given a chance he is well worth a roster spot.
Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos – Melvin Gordon is still getting some work, but Murray is playing a key role in this Broncos backfield. He has now had 37 carries in his three games with Denver and has been the favourite option in short yardage and goal line scenarios. Murray is currently averaging 10.4 points per game. He might be 32 years old, but Murray has shown he still has fantasy value.
Wide receiver
Terrace Marshall, Carolina Panthers – It might have taken Matt Rhule getting fired, but it looks like Terrace Marshall is finally getting his chance to impress in Carolina. The departure of Robbie Anderson has seen his snap share increase and he is coming off the biggest game of his young career, with nine targets and four catches for 87 yards. Marshall is still available in 39% of leagues.
Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders – Who’d have guessed that Hollins would be the second option in the Raiders’ passing game this season? Certainly not me! He has earned it though and has shown he is comfortable with a higher volume workload. Hollins now has three games with eight or more targets and four games with double digit fantasy points. He is also available in 42% of leagues.
Tight end
Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks – Dissly has far exceeded expectation this season. Through eight weeks he ranks as the TE16 in scoring and has become a favourite of Geno Smith. He has also logged four games with double digit points, which is as many as the likes of TJ Hockenson. Despite all of this, Dissly is rostered in just 51% of leagues.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – This Bucs offense might not be much good, but make no mistake – Otton has established a good connection with Tom Brady. He has already become the team’s TE1, playing at least 80% of snaps in three of the last four games. He has also earned four or more targets in four of his five games so far.
Quarterback
Andy Dalton, New Orleans Saints – It is increasingly obvious that Dalton will be the Saints’ QB1 moving forward. He has played some pretty solid football since taking on the role in Week 4, ranking as QB12 across that period. The matchup against the Ravens next week is pretty compelling too – Baltimore is allowing 20.2 fantasy points per game to the position.
