Week 9 Byes:  Green Bay, Cleveland, Las Vegas, and Seattle

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. 

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 Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (68% rostered on Sleeper)

Cousins quietly has the fourth most passing yards in the NFL, tied for the fourth most passing touchdowns, and has an offensive line that has given up the fourth fewest quarterback pressures in the league this season. He looks comfortable in the offense and, after their bye in Week 12, has a nice run of matchups to close out the year.

WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (82% rostered on Sleeper)

There is a chance Williams was dropped when he got suspended, so if he is available, he should be rostered. Detroit has three great matchups in a row for wide receivers, and Jared Goff is in the MVP consideration.

Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (52% rostered on Sleeper)

That Jim Harbaugh does good things. The team has finally realized they have a great quarterback and are using him. Since the bye week, Herbert has thrown over 225 yards every game, and the team has quite an excellent schedule for quarterbacks looking forward. Herbert is coming into his own with no interceptions in each of his last six starts, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. The Chargers have the fifth-best schedule for quarterbacks, with matchups against the Bengals, Ravens, and Falcons in the next few weeks. The team is in the playoff hunt; plus they have already had their bye week.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (44% rostered on Sleeper)

Some managers might drop Nix after an average outing against the Ravens on Sunday. However, he remains a solid option to target, especially for the fantasy playoffs. The Broncos face the Colts, the Chargers, and the Bengals in the playoffs. The Bengals are the fourth-best matchup for opposing quarterbacks, and Denver looks to still be in the playoff mix (at least currently), so we can hope to see Nix giving it his all that week.