Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 9

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.

Fantasy Podcast: Week 8 takeaways, and early look at waiver wire

Quarterbacks

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buccaneers

Here we are again. After Jameis Winston turned the ball over 11 times in four games, including an embarrassing four-interception loss Sunday, Dirk Koetter had no choice but to reinstall Fitzpatrick as the starter. The veteran backup averaged 410 passing yards and 3.6 touchdowns per game during Winston's three-game suspension and though he's also prone to coughing up the ball, Fitzpatrick has been the better quarterback this year. The Panthers have allowed at least two passing scores in five of their last six contests, a feat Fitzpatrick has already accomplished four times this season. With a possibility that he'll remain the starter in Todd Monken's high-powered attack, Fitzpatrick is worth a slightly larger bid.

Alex Smith, Redskins

Smith has gone back to being a game-manager in Washington, something the coaching staff seems to be encouraging. That's limited his fantasy ceiling, but in Week 9 he'll be going up against a Falcons defense that has surrendered an average of 352 passing yards per game over their last six outings while permitting at least three passing touchdowns five times during that stretch. Smith is a strong bye-week replacement.

Other options: Derek Carr at SF (26 percent owned), Dak Prescott vs. TEN (35 percent owned), Baker Mayfield vs. KC (42 percent owned), Joe Flacco vs. PIT (37 percent owned), C.J. Beathard vs. OAK (9 percent owned)

Running Backs

Peyton Barber, Buccaneers

Barber has topped 80 yards in two of his last three appearances. Ronald Jones' hamstring injury makes Jacquizz Rodgers the only threat to Barber's touches, but Rodgers is more likely to serve as a complementary piece primarily used on passing downs. Secure Barber as the lead back, he will continue to be a volume-dependent fantasy option, offering owners RB3/flex numbers.

Doug Martin, Raiders

Both Martin and Jalen Richard (63 percent owned) were scooped off the wire over the last couple weeks, and each delivered in their own way Sunday. Richard was a solid PPR play with eight catches for 50 yards, on top of his 14 rushing yards. Martin stepped into the Marshawn Lynch role, rushing 13 times for 72 yards while adding two receptions for 17 yards. Martin should continue to offer value in games where the Raiders can stay competitive, and with matchups against the 49ers and Cardinals in two of their next three, he'll be a borderline RB2.

Ito Smith, Falcons

After a quiet Week 7 performance, many owners sent Smith back to the waiver wire for his bye. He hasn't put up big yardage yet, but he did reach the end zone three straight weeks before that down game. With Devonta Freeman on injured reserve, Smith should continue to see around 10 touches each week, including looks near the goal line. He also has significant upside if Tevin Coleman gets hurt.

Raheem Mostert/Alfred Morris, 49ers

Mostert was one of the biggest letdowns of Week 8, with just two carries for 18 yards. Matt Breida gutted his way through another game and Morris surprisingly served as the immediate backup. It was an odd turn of events, considering Mostert flashed while tallying 12 touches for 87 yards in Week 6 and 11 touches for 78 yards in Week 7. Breida appeared to potentially aggravate his ankle injury late in the game, and that could put his availability in doubt versus the Raiders on Thursday. If he plays, both Mostert and Morris will be impossible to trust, but if Breida is sidelined they'll be upside flex plays.

Nyheim Hines, Colts

It seems as though Hines has put his rookie mistakes behind him and is back in the good graces of his coaching staff. Even with Marlon Mack dominating for the second straight week, Hines was able to produce 85 yards on 13 touches against the Raiders. He should already be owned in most PPR leagues, but he has value in standard formats as well behind a Colts line that has drastically improved this season. Hines would also be the main beneficiary if Mack were to miss time again.

Devontae Booker, Broncos

Booker's fantasy value is directly linked to Royce Freeman. With the rookie ruled out, Booker split time with Phillip Lindsay and was able to turn 13 touches into 101 yards Sunday - by far his best outing of the year. If Freeman returns, Booker will revert back to getting the smallest share in a three-man committee. He's a speculative add until we know more on Freeman's status.

Josh Adams, Eagles

Adams led the Eagles' backfield in London, rushing nine times for 61 yards (6.8 yards per carry). By comparison, Wendell Smallwood had 10 touches for 66 yards and a score, though most of that came on the touchdown, which was a 36-yard catch. Corey Clement was the one who really saw his work dialed back, finishing with five touches for 5 yards. With Jay Ajayi on IR, it's become quite difficult to project Philly's ball carriers, and it could get more complicated when Darren Sproles returns to the lineup. Adams is a deep-league stash for owners hoping he can rise to the top of the depth chart in one of the NFL's best offenses.

Other options: Kapri Bibbs vs. ATL (2 percent owned), Javorius Allen vs PIT (46 percent owned), Duke Johnson at KC (47 percent owned), Elijah McGuire at MIA (6 percent owned), Chris Ivory vs. CHI (23 percent owned), Spencer Ware at CLE (5 percent owned), Malcolm Brown at NO (3 percent owned)

Wide Receivers

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

With Demaryius Thomas getting traded to the Texans, it's clear the Broncos are committed to Sutton. The rookie led the team with 78 receiving yards on Sunday, the third time he's eclipsed 50 yards in his last five contests. The only thing holding Sutton back from a massive breakout is targets, and with Thomas out of the picture, he'll definitely see more work in the second half of the season. Consider him a WR3 with WR2 upside the rest of the year.

Geronimo Allison, Packers

This might be your last chance at Allison after he failed to make a dent in the box score in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Allison was tied for second in playing time among Packers receivers in the loss to the Rams. Better days are ahead, as I expect Allison to resume his No. 2 role behind Davante Adams moving forward, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6 percent owned), stealing snaps from Randall Cobb.

Chris Godwin, Buccaneers

During the three full games that Fitzpatrick played to start the year, Godwin was the WR23 in standard and the WR28 in PPR, with over 40 yards and a score each week. Don't let him linger on the waiver wire in your league.

Tyrell Williams/Mike Williams, Chargers

Since they were on bye, let's review last week's write-up about the Chargers' two Williamses: Tyrell and Mike are boom-or-bust wideouts who pack a major punch when they connect. Neither is seeing much volume, but Tyrell has caught seven of his eight targets over his last two games, going for 236 yards and three scores. Mike's production has been much quieter the last few outings, but it only takes one play to make an impact and he hit it with a 55-yard score in London. If you're looking for ultimate upside, Tyrell and Mike are volatile options who have the ability to erase fantasy deficits in the blink of an eye - as long as you can live with the down weeks as well.

D.J. Moore, Panthers

With Torrey Smith sidelined, Moore broke out with five receptions for 90 yards and two rushes for 39 yards Sunday. We saw the first-rounder struggle a bit in the first half of the season with some bad drops and rookie errors, but he's set up for a big second half in an offense that could use another playmaker. He's not far behind Sutton on the upside stash list.

Keke Coutee, Texans

Coutee was originally leading this section before Houston acquired Thomas on Tuesday. Unfortunately, that takes some of the shine off Coutee's fantasy outlook, which was about to blow up after Will Fuller was placed on IR. Coutee is still roster-worthy and has value as a WR4. The rookie missed Thursday’s game with a hamstring issue, but did practice last week, which gives hope he'll be available in Week 9.

Christian Kirk, Cardinals

With 50 yards or a touchdown in five of his last six, Kirk has emerged as a borderline fantasy starter. In theory, the Cardinals will use their bye week to improve the offense under new coordinator Byron Leftwich, which can only help Kirk's outlook.

DeVante Parker/Kenny Stills, Dolphins

Parker had 134 yards last Thursday, finally seeing the field due to the Dolphins' string of injuries at receiver. With Albert Wilson on IR, Miami has to give Parker more opportunities after that performance. He has WR1 talent, though he's never been able to put it together and will likely be a volatile fantasy asset. Stills is already owned in many leagues, but he's someone to stash until we get a better feel for how playing time and targets will be distributed.

Other options: Marquise Goodwin vs. OAK (56 percent owned), Tre'Quan Smith vs. LAR (30 percent owned), Anthony Miller at BUF (9 percent owned), Mohamed Sanu at WAS (49 percent owned), David Moore vs. LAC (3 percent owned), Chris Conley at CLE (0 percent owned), Willie Snead vs. PIT (33 percent owned)

Tight Ends

Jack Doyle, Colts

Doyle's relationship with Andrew Luck was evident in the tight end's first game since Week 2, but we need to qualify his final stat line. Doyle did finish with six catches, 70 yards, and a touchdown; however, the majority of that came on one drive in the fourth quarter. It's still hard to argue Doyle will be a big part of the offense, capping early-season fantasy star Eric Ebron's ceiling. Both players will be back-end TE1s when they return from their bye.

Vance McDonald, Steelers

Since Week 3, McDonald is 10th among tight ends in overall fantasy points. He hauled in five passes for 62 yards in the Steelers' first meeting with the Ravens in Week 4, and since then Baltimore has given up 6-69 to David Njoku, 6-43-1 to Ben Watson, and 4-56-1 to Greg Olsen. McDonald is a fantastic streamer and a potential season-long starter the rest of the way.

Other options: Ben Watson vs. LAR (50 percent owned), Chris Herndon at MIA (6 percent owned), Dallas Goedert on Bye (6 percent owned), Hayden Hurst vs. PIT (3 percent owned), Ed Dickson vs. LAC (1 percent owned)