Fantasy football Week 9 waiver wire: Mike Washington Jr. leads the charge as backfields face major shakeups

MIA Miami • #2
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Willis is heading into a nice stretch of games starting in Week 9 against Detroit, and he's worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. Over his next four games, Willis faces the Lions, Colts, Bills and Jets, and he should have the chance for some productive performances in those matchups. He has scored at least 18.6 Fantasy points in three games in a row, and Willis is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

DEN Denver • #10
Age: 26 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Nix had a solid game in Week 8 against Kansas City with 23.3 Fantasy points, and that's after he scored 28.2 Fantasy points at Arizona in Week 7. He should have the chance to play well in Week 9 at Carolina before his bye in Week 10. After the bye, Nix has Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Miami, the Jets, Las Vegas again and Buffalo, with the Steelers the only tough matchup in that stretch. Nix is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NYG N.Y. Giants • #9
Age: 23 • Experience: 3 yrs.

McCarthy played well in Week 7 at Houston with 20-of-28 passing for 252 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions and just 1 rushing yard. He only scored 10.2 Fantasy points, but he looks comfortable in New York's offense. He has a favorable stretch of games coming up against Philadelphia, Washington, Jacksonville and Indianapolis in his next four outings, and McCarthy should be considered a low-end starter in those matchups. McCarthy is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

ATL Atlanta • #9
Age: 26 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Penix was miserable in Week 8 at Tampa Bay with 8-of-24 passing for 125 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions, along with 11 rushing yards. It was miserable conditions in the rain, and I'm going to ignore that performance for Penix. He's worth using as a low-end starter in deeper leagues in Week 9 against Cincinnati in Spain, and two of the past three quarterbacks against the Bengals have scored at least 20.9 Fantasy points. Penix is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

ARI Arizona • #15
Age: 30 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Minshew will start for Arizona in Week 9 at Seattle after he replaced Jacoby Brissett in Week 8 at Dallas, and Minshew played well with 17-of-23 passing for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. He has a brutal stretch of games coming up against the Seahawks, Rams and Chiefs, but Minshew should be added in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

MIN Minnesota • #11
Age: 33 • Experience: 11 year

Kyler Murray (hamstring) is banged up and Wentz could start in Week 9 against Buffalo, which is a favorable matchup. Wentz could also replace Murray, even when healthy, since he's been struggling as Minnesota's starter, and Justin Jefferson is visibly upset. Wentz scored 25.2 Fantasy points against Green Bay in Week 1 when he replaced an injured Murray, but Wentz also scored 6.3 Fantasy points in Week 2 at Chicago. He should be added in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

IND Indianapolis • #5
Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Daniel Jones will remain the starter for the Colts in Week 9 against Dallas, but he could get benched soon. Richardson replaced Jones in Week 8 at Jacksonville and was 2-of-2 passing for 8 yards and had 4 rushing yards in the fourth quarter. Richardson should be added in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB, and he could be a productive Fantasy option if given the starting job.

LV Las Vegas • #4
Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie

The Raiders surprised us by having Washington lead the backfield in Week 8 at the Jets ahead of Ashton Jeanty, and we'll see what happens in Week 9 at San Francisco. Against the Jets, Washington played 60 percent of the snaps and had 25 carries for 83 yards and no targets for 8.3 PPR points. Jeanty played 40 percent of the snaps and had two carries for 9 yards and three catches for 64 yards on four targets for 10.3 PPR points. Jeanty is still the better Fantasy running back for the Raiders, but Washington can be a flex in this role. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NYG N.Y. Giants • #26
Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Cam Skattebo (hamstring) was injured in Week 7, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring) was placed on IR. The Giants came off their bye in Week 8, and Skattebo was still dealing with the injury Monday. If he can't play in Week 9 at the Eagles then Singletary would be the lead running back, which would make him at least a flex in all leagues. He has appeared in four games this season and scored at least 13.8 PPR points in two of them. Even if Skattebo plays, Singletary could still have value in deeper leagues with Tracy out. Singletary is worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

ARI Arizona • #22
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Jeremiyah Love (ankle) and Zonovan Knight (concussion) were injured in Week 8 at Dallas, and Allgeier took over and dominated the Cowboys. He had 11 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown and five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown on five targets for 36.1 PPR points. We'll see what happens with Love and Knight heading into Week 9 at Seattle, but Allgeier will be a flex option if both are out. It's a tough matchup against the Seahawks, but Allgeier should get enough work to help your Fantasy team if needed. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB. Just keep in mind that Knight (55 percent rostered) played better than Allgeier in the two previous games, and Knight might be the waiver wire option if healthy for 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

IND Indianapolis • #20
Age: 25 • Experience: Rookie

We keep waiting for the Colts to trade Jonathan Taylor, and if that happens, then McGowan would likely be the No. 1 running back in Indianapolis, making him a flex in most leagues. He would share touches with D.J. Giddens, and the Colts could also acquire a running back in whatever trade they make. It won't be a great situation since Indianapolis is clearly starting to plan for 2027, but it's worth stashing McGowan for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAAB. McGowan would have a great matchup in Week 9 against Dallas if he does happen to start this week.

CLE Cleveland • #22
Age: 22 • Experience: 2 yrs.

In two games since returning from a five-game absence with a knee injury, Sampson has scored at least 10.7 PPR points in each outing against Tennessee and Pittsburgh. He has nine catches for 94 yards on 11 targets over that span, and he also added seven carries for 52 yards. Sampson will continue to share touches with Quinshon Judkins, but Sampson should remain a viable weapon in the passing game. He's worth adding for at least 5-10 percent of your remaining FAAB, with his value higher in PPR.

KC Kansas City • #10
Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie

Johnson had a big game in Week 8 at Denver with five catches for 128 yards and a touchdown on five targets, along with one carry for 15 yards. That performance was awesome, but Johnson doesn't have much standalone value as long as Kenneth Walker III is healthy. Now, if Walker were to miss any time, then Johnson would be a must-start running back in all leagues. He's worth stashing on your bench as a lottery ticket for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

TB Tampa Bay • #1
Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs.

Tampa Bay is dominating on the ground right now, and Bucky Irving and Gainwell are playing at a high level. For Gainwell, he has 39 carries for 228 yards and no catches on one target in his past two games against Carolina and Atlanta, and he scored at least 8.8 PPR points in each outing. The Buccaneers won't have the same success against Chicago in Week 9, but Gainwell has the potential to be a flex option in most leagues. And he's a lottery ticket in case something were to happen to Irving. Gainwell is worth adding in all formats for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

WAS Washington • #14
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Williams and Treylon Burks both stepped up in the first game without Terry McLaurin (knee) in Week 8 against Philadelphia. Williams had five catches for 54 yards on seven targets against the Eagles, and his 10.4 PPR points were his best total since Week 1. Burks had three catches for 81 yards on five targets in Week 8 for 11.1 PPR points, and he has now scored at least 10.6 PPR points in each of his past two games. Both should continue to be viable targets for Jayden Daniels for the rest of the season, and I like Williams as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues for up to 10 percent of your remaining FAAB. Burks is worth adding in deeper leagues for up to 5 percent.

WAS Washington • #13
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.

PHI Philadelphia • #9
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Lemon continues to take advantage of DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) being out for the Eagles, and Lemon had six catches for 57 yards on nine targets in Week 8 at Washington. He has now scored at least 11.7 PPR points in the past two games with Smith and Wicks sidelined, with 17 targets over that span, and we'll see if either of them will play in Week 9 against the Giants. If both remain out, then Lemon is worth starting in all three-receiver leagues. And I would still like Lemon in deeper formats even if one of them is active. Lemon is worth adding in all leagues for up to 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

DAL Dallas • #19
Age: 27 • Experience: 3 yrs.

George Pickens was dealing with shoulder and hamstring injuries prior to Week 8 against Arizona, which is something to monitor. Flournoy would be a potential starter in all leagues if Pickens or CeeDee Lamb were to miss any time, and Jake Ferguson (ankle) was also injured against the Cardinals. But Flournoy has played well with Lamb, Pickens and Ferguson on the field, scoring at least 11 PPR points in each of his past four games, with two touchdowns over that span. He's only averaging 5.3 targets per game in those four outings, and his value could skyrocket if Pickens is injured. For now, consider Flournoy a starter in three-receiver leagues heading into Week 9 at Indianapolis, and he's worth adding for up to 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NO New Orleans
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

The Saints are coming off their Week 8 bye and hopefully Tyson can start practicing to make his NFL debut soon. When healthy, he could be a difference-maker to close the season since the Saints are top five in pass attempts, and Tyson could be No. 2 on the team in targets behind Chris Olave. Tyson is worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB. You can also continue to stash Vele, who has done well with Tyson out. Vele has scored at least 11.4 PPR points in four of seven games this season, but he will likely lose value once Tyson is healthy. Vele is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NO New Orleans • #14
Age: 28 • Experience: 3 yrs.

NYJ N.Y. Jets • #15
Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Just when it appeared like Omar Cooper Jr. was ready to establish himself as a featured option for the Jets, Mitchell comes out and dominates the Raiders in Week 8. He had seven catches for 142 yards and a touchdown on nine targets for 27.2 PPR points, and he has now scored at least 12.3 PPR points in two of four games this season. This could be messy for Fantasy managers moving forward because Garrett Wilson, Cooper and Mitchell are all talented. But someone is going to be left out on a weekly basis, and I don't expect that to be Wilson most weeks. That said, Mitchell clearly has the potential to help Fantasy managers, and he should be rostered in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

MIA Miami • #6
Age: 26 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Washington had his best game of the season in Week 8 against New England with five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown on six targets for 15 PPR points. He has now scored at least 11.1 PPR points in four of his past five games, but this was his best outing with Caleb Douglas on the field for Miami. I expect Washington to hover around 11 PPR points most weeks, which makes him a starter in three-receiver PPR leagues. He should be added for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

BUF Buffalo • #10
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.

D.J. Moore was back in Week 9 against Baltimore from his two-game absence with a shoulder injury, but that didn't stop Shakir from continuing his streak of scoring at least 11 PPR points. He's now done that in four games in a row after he had five catches for 64 yards on six targets against the Ravens. That's an easy stat line for Shakir to repeat most weeks since he should continue to be the No. 3 option in the passing game behind Moore and Dalton Kincaid. I don't mind using Shakir in three-receiver PPR leagues, and he should be added for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NYG N.Y. Giants • #88
Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie

Fields played well in J.J. McCarthy's first start in Week 7 at Houston with four catches for 83 yards on five targets. It will be tough to trust Fields while Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely are healthy, but maybe McCarthy will continue to lean on Fields moving forward. He has a favorable upcoming schedule against Philadelphia, Washington, Jacksonville and Indianapolis in his next four games, and Fields could be a starter in three-receiver leagues. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

MIA Miami • #85
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Dulcich is playing well heading into Week 9 against the Lions, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. It's a great matchup since Detroit has allowed a tight end to score at least 13.3 PPR points in all but one game this season. Dulcich has scored at least 8.3 PPR points in each of his past two games against the Jets and Patriots, with a combined nine catches for 129 yards on 11 targets over that span. I like Dulcich as a low-end starter in all leagues in Week 8, and he should be added for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

CIN Cincinnati • #88
Age: 31 • Experience: 9 yrs.

Gesicki has scored a touchdown in five games in a row, and he's been good when given more than two targets. He has four games this season with at least three targets, and he has scored at least 12.7 PPR points in all of them. Gesicki is the No. 3 pass catcher in Cincinnati behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and Gesicki should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues heading into Week 9 at Atlanta. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

WAS Washington • #85
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs.

I was hoping for a better performance from Okonkwo in Week 8 against Philadelphia, but he finished with just two catches for 32 yards on four targets, including a fumble. He had scored at least 10 PPR points in his previous two games, and hopefully he can get back to that level of production with Terry McLaurin (knee) out. I don't love Okonkwo's Week 9 matchup against the Rams, but he gets the Giants, Bengals and Cardinals after that. Okonkwo is worth stashing in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

LV Las Vegas • #87
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Mayer had another solid game in Week 8 at the Jets with five catches for 53 yards on six targets. He has now scored at least 10.3 PPR points in four of his past six games, and he should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues heading into Week 9 at San Francisco. It's not an easy matchup, but Mayer should continue to get targets from Kirk Cousins and is worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NO New Orleans • #83
Age: 30 • Experience: 7 yrs.

Johnson has tailed off with his production of late, with 5.6 PPR points or less in three games in a row prior to the Saints' bye in Week 8. He had scored at least 10.6 PPR points in each of his first four games, and I hope he can get back to that level of production in Week 9 against Cleveland since the Browns are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Keep an eye on Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), and if he plays in Week 9, then that lowers the value for Johnson. But he's worth adding in all leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB with his matchup against Cleveland.

NE New England • #82
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Hunter Henry (foot) left Week 8 at Miami, and we'll see if he can play in Week 9 against Green Bay. Raridon didn't take advantage of Henry being out, with only one catch for 5 yards on four targets against the Dolphins, but Raridon had scored at least 10.7 PPR points in two of his previous three games before Week 8. The Packers are tough on opposing tight ends, but Raridon should be a go-to option for Drake Maye if Henry is out. And if Henry is out in Week 10, then Raridon would face Detroit. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

LAR L.A. Rams • #18
Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Sean McVay said Ferguson (ankle) could practice in Week 9, and hopefully he can return to action soon after being out since Week 3. With Davante Adams (hamstring) on IR, Ferguson could emerge as the No. 2 receiving option for the Rams behind Puka Nacua. We saw Ferguson featured in Week 2 against the Giants, and he finished with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He has top-12 upside in all leagues, and I would stash Ferguson where available for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.