The Only Wavier Article You Need for Week 9

Another week is in the books, and the GoingFor2 team continues to knock out the waiver wire picks you need to win your fantasy league. Not as many “slam dunks” this week, but some really solid players worth adding…

TE Dan Arnold (JAX) 12% Rostered

Arnold was acquired by Jacksonville in a midseason trade between Weeks 3 and 4. He was active in Week 4 in a Thursday night game but didn’t play much. Since then, Dan Arnold had 23 targets in 3 games (he had his bye in Week 7). The tight ends that have more targets per game in that same time frame? Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, Kyle Pitts, TJ Hockenson. That’s it. More average targets than Waller, Knox, Gesicki, Schultz, Fant, Goedert, Ertz. Not only am I picking up Arnold if I don’t have one of the top 6 tight ends right now, but he is a TE1 for me going forward. Kyle Bazin @KyleTheCommish

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RB Adrian Peterson (TEN) 0% Rostered

Adrian Peterson is back. On Monday, the 36-year-old signed with the Tenessee Titans. Peterson signed hours after the fantasy world learned of the Derrick Henry injury. Overall, Henry stands to miss somewhere between six to 10 weeks. Peterson joins a Titans depth chart that is now very thin at running back. Jeremy McNichols has the most experience this year but should remain in his passing-down role. Beyond that, a gigantic void needs to be filled during Henry’s absence.

Peterson will attempt to prove he has enough left in the tank to earn that role on the Titans. Peterson’s last game was Week 17 of 2020 for the Washington Football Team. Overall in 2020, Peterson logged 156 carries for 604 yards (3.87 per attempt) and 7 touchdowns. Modest numbers for sure, but Peterson did produce a few solid games for fantasy. Obviously, Peterson is far from a sure thing. Furthermore, the Titans could sign additional running backs beyond Peterson. Despite all of that, Peterson is worthy pickup this week given the opportunity at stake and the scarcity of options at the volatile position. Jay Christensen @JayC_DFF

TE Pat Freiermuth (PIT) 26% Rostered

Pat Freiermuth has had seven targets in each of his last two games. Most people would think with all the weapons in Pittsburgh that it would be hard for him to get targets. With JuJu Smith-Schuster being out for ready of season, I believe Freiermuth will continue to get a decent amount of targets and fully become Pittsburgh’s TE1. He is stressing to receive more red-zone targets and caught a touchdown in this week’s game. Do I think he is a top 5 tight end, absolutely not. But if you are in need of a tight end due to waiting late in drafts or injuries, Freiermuth is a player you should definitely consider picking up. Mike Hicks @dropthemikeFF

RB Jeremy McNichols (TEN) 6% Rostered

While all your buddies are scrambling to grab Adrian Peterson (36 in running back years is like 55 in regular years) off waivers, maybe consider Jeremy McNichols. Though McNichols hasn’t had a promising career in general, he was having a decent year as a backup to Derek Henry, an obvious bell-cow without much need for a second. 

He’s the receiving back, which, of course, is helpful in PPR leagues, but will also keep him relevant to the team (and fantasy value) despite the AP signing. McNichols has a 5.4 YPC this season on only seven attempts, he has 21 receptions, 203 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. And that’s behind Derek Henry. His role is certain to expand this week, especially while AP adjusts to the team.

The other primary runner running back on the team is Mekhi Sargent, an undrafted free agent acquisition who has had two attempts for two yards. Especially promising for this week is that the Rams rank in the top ten in both receptions and yards allowed to running backs through the air this season. Cecily Riddell @MrsTeamRiddell

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RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (SF) 23% Rostered

There was news that broke today that the current starting running back for the 49ers, Eli Mitchell, is dealing with a rib issue and will be monitored this week. Conveniently, there was also news that the 49ers planned to open the practice window for Jeff Wilson Jr., who would have started the season as the No. 2 running back if not for a preseason injury. The 49ers running back, whoever it is, has value in fantasy, and if Eli Mitchell misses any time, Wilson has shown in the past that he is more than capable of putting up solid fantasy numbers in this offense. Geoff Lambert @GeoffLambert77

WR Van Jefferson (LAR) 25% Rostered

Why is Jefferson a good waiver add this week? First, deep threat wide receiver DeSean Jackson asks to be traded so the Rams shut him down until the trade deadline, then the Rams announce that their other wide receiver, rookie Tutu Atwell, will be put on IR for the rest of the season, and then you couple that with one of Jefferson’s best games of the season — catching three passes on six targets for 88 yards while playing 94 percent of the snaps — and you have yourself a great player to blow some FAAB on. Geoff Lambert @GeoffLambert77

RB Boston Scott (PHI) 23% Rostered

What? You already dropped Boston Scott earlier this season and now you have to take him back? It’s okay. It happens to the best of us. Maybe you wanted to wait and see if Gainwell would get more of the work in the backfield, so you stalled. Well, hurry up, make your move. Jalen Hurts is an inept passer.

The Eagles are gonna be running, not flying this season. 
Although both Scott and Jordan Howard had decent showing Sunday in Miles Sanders’ absence, Sanders took more snap counts and had a slightly higher YPC with five. The Chargers are one of the worst defenses in the league in terms of yards and attempts allowed to running backs. Howard might be one to keep your eye on as well. Cecily Riddell @MrsTeamRiddell

WR Tajae Sharpe (ATL) 7% Rostered

Unfortunately, Calvin Ridley announced Sunday after missing another game that he was stepping away from football for the foreseeable future. That presumably opens the door for Patterson to continue his incredible target share and point production, but maybe it opens the door for Sharpe too. He caught 5 of 6 targets for 58 yards during their Week 8 loss to the Panthers. Though it was only 6, he tied for the lead targets on the team.

Gage seems like the most likely to get in on Ridley’s absence, but he didn’t even get a look from Ryan Week 8. Needless to say, we don’t know what OC Dave Ragone will fire up Week 9 vs The Saints but if you’re looking for a flyer in deeper leagues with shallow waiver wires, I’d grab Sharpe. Courtney Burrows @luvtractor3 

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QB Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) 44% Rostered

Owned in only 44 percent of Sleeper leagues, Tua is amongst the best streaming quarterback options available. Since returning from a rib injury in week six, Tua has completed 86 of 126 passes for 825 yards and six touchdowns. He has also added 11 rushes for 61 yards and an additional TD.

Despite a tough day against Buffalo in week 8( 21 of 39 for 205 yards and a rushing TD), he is in play as a low-end QB1 in week nine vs the Texans. Facing a Texans’ defense that allows the 11th most fantasy points to quarterbacks, he would be a goodbye week replacement for Tom Brady and/or replacement for your struggling quarterback. Brian Craighead @vandygrad92

Others to Consider

RB Derrick Gore (KC)

QB Mike White (NYJ)

RB Jordan Howard (PHI)

WR Jamal Agnew (JAX)

WR Russell Gage (ATL)

RB Mekhi Sargent (TEN)

QB Cooper Rush (DAL)

QB Taysom Hill (NO)

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