Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 9

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs 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.

Quarterbacks

Jimmy Garoppolo, Gardner Minshew, and Jacoby Brissett are around the 60% ownership mark and are the top streamers this week if available.

Cam Newton, Panthers

Kyle Allen has been named the Panthers' starter for at least one more week, which is a good thing for Newton and his fantasy owners. At this point, there's no reason to rush the 2015 MVP back, so the team should let him take all the time he needs to ensure we get a fully recovered Newton upon his return. Remember, he was a top-three fantasy quarterback before getting injured last season, so his ceiling is extremely high when healthy. Carolina's schedule also softens considerably starting in Week 11, including two matchups against the floundering Falcons down the stretch.

Sam Darnold, Jets

Darnold has been horrible over the last two games while facing the Patriots and Jaguars - defenses that capitalized on the Jets' weak offensive line. Fortunately, his upcoming schedule features six straight matchups against bottom-tier pass defenses that lack strong pass rushes. Darnold can be used as a streamer against the Dolphins as long as his bruised left thumb doesn't cause problems, and then we'll reassess where he stands.

Other options: Derek Carr vs. DET (26% owned), Mason Rudolph vs. IND (17% owned), Mitch Trubisky at PHI (25% owned), Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. NYJ (5% owned), Daniel Jones vs. DAL (23% owned), Ryan Tannehill at CAR (30% owned), Matt Moore vs. MIN (8% owned)

Running backs

Devin Singletary, Adrian Peterson, and Jamaal Williams are around the 60% ownership mark and should be owned in almost all leagues.

Jaylen Samuels, Steelers

In a week that lacked a true top option on the waiver wire, a late-game shoulder injury to James Conner on Monday Night Football may turn Samuels into a major pickup worthy of a significant FAAB bid. After the contest, head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Conner suffered an AC joint injury and more tests will take place Tuesday to determine the severity. This puts Conner's Week 9 availability in serious doubt and potentially could keep him sidelined for an extended stretch with injured reserve being a possibility. Samuels, who underwent a knee scope a few weeks ago, is close to returning and has proven in the past that he can produce as the team's lead back. With Benny Snell Jr. also leaving this week's game with a knee issue, Samuels might step into a full workload next Sunday, vaulting him into the conversation as an RB2 in fantasy. Even if Conner avoids a long-term ailment, this is the fourth time he's been forced from a recent game due to injury.

Kenyan Drake, Cardinals

Normally we put guys who are around 60% ownership in the paragraph above, but Drake is an exception following a trade to the Cardinals on Monday. Chase Edmonds will miss a few weeks for Arizona with a hamstring injury, and third-stringer D.J. Foster was placed on injured reserve. David Johnson's recovery timeline from back and ankle issues remains a mystery, though head coach Kliff Kingsbury is calling him day-to-day, and reports last week indicated Johnson will be sidelined for the team's Thursday night game in Week 9. Trading for Drake makes it seem like Edmonds and Johnson could be out longer than expected. For now, it appears Drake will step into the starting role in a high-volume offense, something fantasy managers have desperately wanted for a while. Unfortunately, the Cardinals' upcoming schedule features games against the 49ers, Bucs, and 49ers again - three daunting run defenses - before their Week 12 bye. Due to the uncertainty around the team's running back injuries and those tough matchups, Drake will be hard to trust as anything more than an RB3 with upside in fantasy lineups over the next few weeks.

Mark Walton, Dolphins

Drake's departure from Miami will lead to even more touches for Walton, who's been getting increased work in recent weeks. Prior to the trade, Walton received 26 touches over his previous two contests, turning them into 133 yards from scrimmage. He then saw 14 touches during a tough test against the Steelers on Monday night. The Jets, his Week 9 opponent, offer a favorable matchup, giving Walton an opportunity to return value. His fantasy playoff schedule is also intriguing, with the Jets, Giants, and Bengals slated for Weeks 14 to 16. The downside to picking him up is that you're rostering a running back on a team trying to lose its games. But volume is king, and Walton is locked in as the Dolphins' starter moving forward. He'll be a low-ceiling and low-floor RB3, with touchdown vulture Kalen Ballage (9% owned) playing a complementary role.

Raheem Mostert, 49ers

The 49ers' rushing attack has been dominant in 2019, ranking second in yards per game (181.1) and first in touchdowns (13) largely thanks to Tevin Coleman's four-score performance against the Panthers. Every year we target Kyle Shanahan's running backs, and this season that's led us to Coleman and Matt Breida. However, Breida's injury woes continued on Sunday, allowing Mostert to rack up 60 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Both Breida and Mostert are listed on the injury report heading into the 49ers' Thursday night clash against the Cardinals, so their practice participation will need to be monitored. But Mostert and even fourth-stringer Jeff Wilson Jr. should be owned in case their number is called to serve as Coleman's sidekick. San Francisco is favored by 8.5 points on the road against Arizona, and another run-heavy game script is possible during a blowout.

Alexander Mattison, Vikings

As you can tell by the bid amounts, there aren't many great options at running back this week. At this point in the season, you should be filling bench spots with high-upside backup running backs because they face a fast path to becoming fantasy difference-makers. Runners like Mattison, Tony Pollard, Jaylen Samuels, Gus Edwards, Ryquell Armstead, and Reggie Bonnafon are one injury away from being top-25 fantasy options, so load up as the bye weeks pass.

Other options: Tony Pollard at NYG (13% owned), Jaylen Samuels vs. IND 18% owned), Derrius Guice expected to return Week 11 (29% owned), Darrell Henderson on Bye (27% owned), Malcolm Brown on Bye (15% owned), Rashaad Penny vs. TB (31% owned), Ronald Jones at SEA (46% owned), Tra Carson at OAK (0% owned), Peyton Barber at SEA (38% owned), Brian Hill on Bye (0% owned), Gus Edwards vs. NE (4% owned), Rex Burkhead at BAL (12% owned), Chris Thompson at BUF (28% owned), Ryquell Armstead vs. HOU (1% owned), Reggie Bonnafon vs. TEN (4% owned), Giovani Bernard on Bye (6% owned), Jordan Wilkins at PIT (1% owned), Nyheim Hines at PIT (12% owned), Wayne Gallman vs. DAL (12% owned), Ty Montgomery at MIA (2% owned), Boston Scott vs. CHI (0% owned), Justice Hill vs. NE (5% owned), DeAndre Washington vs. DET 1% owned), Jalen Richard vs. DET (3% owned)

Wide receivers

Robby Anderson, Tyrell Williams, DK Metcalf, Kenny Stills, Christian Kirk, and DeSean Jackson are around the 60% ownership mark and should be owned in almost all leagues.

Phillip Dorsett/N'Keal Harry, Patriots

Though Dorsett hasn't posted a huge game since his 95 yards on four catches with two touchdowns in Week 1, his fantasy outlook is bright as the Patriots' top outside receiver now that Josh Gordon is on injured reserve and expected to be released. Over his last two games, Dorsett has been on the field for 90% of the Patriots' offensive snaps, catching six passes for 89 yards and a score. We'll be watching closely to see how New England plans to incorporate Mohamed Sanu, but Dorsett has already formed a connection with Tom Brady and should be a startable fantasy asset the rest of the way. Treat him as a WR3 against the Ravens.

Meanwhile, Harry has been practicing the last couple of weeks and will be eligible to return to the lineup in Week 9. From a skill standpoint, he can provide a big-body presence on the outside that the team is lacking with Gordon out of the mix. The first-rounder is far from guaranteed a role in the offense though, making him a lottery-ticket stash who could take time to get up to speed.

Preston Williams/DeVante Parker, Dolphins

Williams and Parker have become regulars in this space, and they'll remain high-risk, high-reward fantasy streamers in Week 9 against the Jets. Over the last two weeks, Williams has recorded 10 catches for 124 yards, while Parker has tallied 11 grabs for 114 yards and a touchdown. Williams is the preferred starting option between the two, as the rookie's 27 receptions and 356 yards this season outpace Parker's 24 grabs and 343 yards. Consider them both WR4s with some weekly upside but very low floors.

Jamison Crowder/Demaryius Thomas, Jets

Two variables are working in Crowder and Thomas' favor. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, and teammate Robby Anderson has long been identified as a player of interest who could be dealt. If that happens, Crowder and Thomas would see their targets rise. Even if Anderson stays, the Jets face the lowly Dolphins next Sunday, setting up all of New York's skill position players for success. The team's soft second-half schedule also includes games against the Giants, Redskins, and Bengals, providing more reason to consider a low-cost investment in the Jets' wideouts.

Ted Ginn, Saints

Chasing Ginn requires a slightly longer view as he heads into his bye week. Drew Brees' return resulted in a 42-yard day for the veteran receiver, but his matchups after the week off should pique your interest, with two games against the Falcons and one against the Bucs over the Saints' next four contests. Atlanta and Tampa Bay rank in the top five in fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. The Saints' passing attack is back to full strength with Brees under center, restoring Ginn's big-play ceiling.

Other options: Chris Conley vs. HOU (3% owned), Anthony Miller at PHI (11% owned), Auden Tate on Bye (28% owned), Josh Reynolds on Bye (0% owned), Diontae Johnson vs. IND (12% owned), Darius Slayton vs. DAL (4% owned), AJ Brown at CAR (25% owned), Danny Amendola at OAK (9% owned), Cole Beasley vs. WAS (24% owned), Allen Lazard at LAC (15% owned), Mecole Hardman vs. MIN (33% owned), Russell Gage on Bye (0% owned), Hunter Renfrow vs. DET (1% owned), Keelan Cole vs. HOU (0% owned), Taylor Gabriel at PHI (5% owned), Alex Erickson on Bye (7% owned), DeAndre Carter at JAX (1% owned)

Tight ends

TJ Hockenson and Vance McDonald are around the 60% ownership mark and are the top streamers this week, if available.

Chris Herndon, Jets

A suspension and then a hamstring injury delayed Herndon's 2019 debut, which has been incredibly frustrating for fantasy managers. But don't lose sight of his value, as his return coincides with the easiest part of the Jets' schedule, and he's one of the only tight ends still available in most leagues who offer weekly top-10 upside. Ryan Griffin, Herndon's replacement, posted a 4-66-2 stat line last week while playing over 95% of the Jets' offensive snaps.

Darren Fells, Texans

Fells has notched 49 receiving yards and/or a touchdown in four of his last six contests, and he's clearly enjoying catching passes from Deshaun Watson, one of the league's most dangerous quarterbacks. It's hard to trust Fells as an every-week starter, but if you're one of the unfortunate souls who doesn't own a top-seven or -eight tight end, Fells offers just as much upside as anyone else on the board at that point.

Other options: Jonnu Smith at CAR (19% owned), Cameron Brate at SEA (14% owned), Dallas Goedert vs. CHI (20% owned), Jack Doyle at PIT (15% owned), Kyle Rudolph at KC (37% owned), Irv Smith Jr. at KC (2% owned), Noah Fant vs. CLE (13% owned), Mike Gesicki vs. NYJ (3% owned), Tyler Eifert on Bye (9% owned)