Beat the Waiver Wire: Week 9

Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. These players include potential bye-week fill-ins, players who are returning from injury, and defenses to look at in advance. 

Week 9 Byes:  San Francisco and Pittsburgh

Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers

In most leagues, these guys aren't available. But if you're fortunate enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.

QB Matthew Stafford, LA Rams (51% rostered on Sleeper)

The return of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, mixed with a tight race in the NFC West, puts Stafford back in the conversation. Stafford had a four-touchdown outing last week, which you know will not come every week, but with his weapons back, you can expect a solid floor. In addition, the Rams have already had their bye, so you know he will be available for the rest of the season, barring injury.

WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco (62% rostered on Sleeper)

Once Jennings was marked out for the Sunday night game, coupled with the Niners' upcoming bye week, it might have caused managers to drop him due to the size of their bench. If that is the case, grab him. Aiyuk is still out for the year, and Deebo looks to be battling a rib injury. When San Francisco returns in Week 10, Jennings will return to his key role in the offense.

Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers (7% rostered on Sleeper)

Andy Dalton will miss another week due to a thumb injury from his car accident, but seeing how Bryce Young fared last week when Dalton is available, the team will probably slide him right back in. Dalton is a deep add, but the Panthers have one of the best schedules for quarterbacks during the fantasy playoffs. They play Dallas, Arizona, and Tampa Bay, all teams with passing EPA per play over expectation.

Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts (19% rostered on Sleeper)

With the news of the 44% completion percentage of Anthony Richardson being benched this week, here comes Joe Flacco to save the day. The Colts are still in the hunt for the AFC South, and in the three games Flacco started this year, he had seven passing touchdowns. The Colts don’t have perfect matchups in the next few weeks, but in Week 12, where six teams are on a bye, they face the Detroit Lions, who are a delightfully pass funnel defense. 

Daniel Jones, New York Giants (17% rostered on Sleeper)

Bear with me. Here is another deep cut, and this one is scary. Jones has finished as a QB1 in good matchups, doing so against Washington, Cleveland, and Seattle, but has struggled in more challenging matchups. However, the Giants get Carolina in Week 10, and after their bye week, New York has a six-week run of prime quarterback matchups.