Week 9 features a lot of quality waiver-wire options to help you in both the long and short term in your fantasy league. Even if you missed out on the top names, there are still a few more solid picks to give you a leg up going forward.
Injuries created openings for DeAngelo Williams and Jeremy Langford to be the top choices at running back, while Tavon Austin, Stevie Johnson and Malcom Floyd should all be on teams at receiver. If you are in a league where these men weren’t available or you simply missed on a waiver claim, you might have to look deeper into the free-agent pool.
Here are some potential choices available in over 70 percent of leagues on ESPN.
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler is quietly turning into one of the more consistent fantasy producers at the position, scoring at least 17 points in standard leagues in four straight games. His production is likely going to grow even more with Matt Forte hurt and the Chicago Bears needing to throw the ball more often.
Besides, the quarterback has actually played well when healthy this season, and even better when Alshon Jeffery is healthy. This description from ESPN.com’s Matt Bowen is something you might see quite a bit in 2015:
Cutler had a beautiful passing touchdown to his No. 1 target and a tough run through traffic to earn a rushing touchdown in Week 8. These are not descriptions you might be used to seeing next to Cutler’s name, but he has played well to keep the Bears competitive.
The Week 9 matchup against the San Diego Chargers is likely to be a shootout even with injuries on both sides. The Chargers like to throw the ball a lot, and Cutler will have to match it to keep up on the scoreboard.
After Joe Flacco passed for over 300 yards last week without a proven receiver, Cutler can do the same with a few scores throwing it up to Jeffery.
Pierre Thomas, RB, San Francisco 49ers
If you are looking for long-term help at the position, Theo Riddick is continually getting a bigger role in the Detroit Lions offense. That has the potential to turn him into a viable fantasy starter, especially in points-per-reception leagues, after the Week 9 bye. David Cobb could also be helpful in the future, although he can’t be trusted this week.
For those desperate for a running back to play in Week 9, however, Pierre Thomas might be useful.
Although the veteran likely spent this past Sunday watching football just like you were, a rash of injuries caused the San Francisco 49ers to come calling. According to KNBR, he could be the team’s starting running back just like that:
Starting running back Carlos Hyde hasn’t yet been ruled out for Sunday, but Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reported his foot fracture could be a multiple-week injury that keeps him out until at least Week 11.
This leaves the door open for Thomas, who did average 4.9 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per receptions last season with the New Orleans Saints when given a chance. The 49ers also wouldn’t have signed him unless he was in shape and ready to go.
Against an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this season, second-most in the NFL, Thomas could have a sneaky good game.
Robert Woods, WR, Buffalo Bills
Once again, the best option of the week is on bye, with Kamar Aiken likely stepping into Steve Smith Sr.’s shoes as the No. 1 receiver with the Baltimore Ravens. If you need help beyond this week, that should be your first choice.
Robert Woods should be able to provide more immediate help as the best healthy receiver on the Buffalo Bills roster.
Even after the Week 8 bye, Sammy Watkins is still held back by an ankle injury, while Percy Harvin is out with his hip injury. Watkins still has a chance to play, but Woods is almost certain to get playing time either way.
When given a chance to play, Woods has usually produced. The former USC star had nine catches for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, and he could potentially be even better with Tyrod Taylor throwing him the ball rather than EJ Manuel.
“Throughout the whole training camp, leading up to this process we all have been preaching to ourselves ‘No. 1 receivers, No. 1 receivers,'” the receiver said of his role before Week 8, per Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News. “Now, it’s next guy up. We’ve got to step up, produce and have every guy ready. This is the time to really lead that group.”
With his ability to get open, Woods could be set for another big game for the Bills.
Jacob Tamme, TE, Atlanta Falcons
As great as it would be to watch, the Atlanta Falcons can’t run every single play to Julio Jones. Defenses have started to double- and triple-team the No. 1 option, forcing Matt Ryan to look elsewhere.
One of his best choices recently has been Jacob Tamme, who finished last week’s game with season highs of 10 catches and 103 receiving yards to go with his first touchdown of the year. Jones still got his yards, but Tamme is becoming a quality secondary option with Leonard Hankerson dealing with injuries and Roddy White basically invisible.
If you thought this one game was a fluke, the reality is the team has been trying to get the ball to Tamme over the past few weeks. The tight end is averaging 8.3 targets over the last four games with at least five in each contest.
Scott Carasik of Pro Football Spot sees a quality future connection between Ryan and Tamme:
Against a San Francisco 49ers defense that allows the fifth-most passing yards in the NFL, the tight end could have another big game.
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