Fantasy Football: Week 9’s Best Waiver Wire Options
Week 9 is crunch time. You should try to only fill your roster with players you would start without tears streaming down your face. This is important not only to keep your roster as top-notch as possible but also to hoard potential producers from your opponents. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh but this is fantasy football, and you should mean serious business. (And if you’re reading waiver advice, I’m guessing you do.)
Here are Week 9s “comfortable” roster adds. If you have questions about a specific player or think I overlooked anyone worthy, please go to the comments section.
As always, all players listed are owned in less than 50% of FleaFlicker leagues
Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons RB: Rodgers was as involved in the offense last week as he had been since Week 3. As the season progresses and the Falcons start feeling the pressure of winning a playoff game I could see Rodgers getting more work to keep Michael Turner healthy and just to mix things up. In addition to Rodgers’ 80 yards rushing last week, he has at least three catches in his last five games.
Shane Vereen, Patriots RB: On the spectrum of unpredictable coaches Bill Belichick is dangling off the top. But for two straight weeks Vereen has been used in very consistent fashion, scoring a touchdown in each. He should now be considered a viable option as a flex or bye week replacement. With 7-8 touches a game, Vereen remains a complementary back to Stevan Ridley. And beware: you’ll be stashing Vereen for the future as the Patriots are on a bye this week.
Cecil Shorts, Jaguars WR: Shorts has quickly turned into Blaine Gabbert’s favorite target, following up a 79 yards receiving, 1 TD performance with 116 yards this past Sunday. Shorts should continue to see a healthy number of targets and has good matchups at home against the Lions and Colts over the next two weeks.
Titus Young, Lions WR: I was actually shocked to see Young was only owned in 45% of leagues, but I think it’s a testament to Detroit’s significantly weaker offense this year. Young put up 100 yards on 9 receptions (haling in every target), and scored twice Sunday. There is no reason to think Young will stop getting looks, especially as Megatron continues his odd transformation into Minitron.
More than a junior-level add.
San Diego Chargers Defense: New fantasy rule –- you must start the defense of any team playing the Chiefs. Everything in Kansas City has gone wrong, but the turnovers are the worst past. They have committed SIXTEEN turnovers over the last four games! Grab the Chargers for this week.
Justin Tucker, Ravens Kicker: Tucker has made four field goals over 50 yards this season. A fabulous bye week replacement kicker.
In the tight end department, I don’t see anyone available in over 50% of leagues that I’d recommend enough to give him his own blur. But I do think Dennis Pitta of the Ravens is the best option, largely due to his consistent 3-5 targets a game.
