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Fantasy football leagues are won on the waiver wire. Our waiver wire tools at Footballguys make it easy.
Every week, our Sigmund Bloom writes about every trending player in the NFL, moving players up and down based on what we’ve seen. For players who are mostly available in fantasy football leagues, he’ll provide an estimated amount of FAAB to bid on the waiver wire.
These waiver wire tips are essential in winning your fantasy football league. In this article, we’ll highlight a handful of noteworthy players. But for deeper leagues and more waiver wire additions, check out our full Upgrade and Downgrades feature.
Check out some in-depth explanations on these waiver wire pickups courtesy of Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey on a new episode of The Audible.
Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
QB Matthew Stafford, LA Rams (bid 20-40%)
The return of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp made Matthew Stafford into a strong QB1 against a good Vikings defense (with a Lions hangover, in full disclosure). The Seahawks defense has been inconsistent at best, so Stafford is a solid QB1 in Week 9 and might be for the rest of the season.
QB Jameis Winston, Cleveland (bid 15-30%)
Winston somewhat predictably rejuvenated the Browns passing game and really the entire team in a comeback win over the Ravens. He has an aggressive mentality, and the Browns wide receiver group looks up to the task without Amari Cooper.
QB Bo Nix, Denver (bid 15-30%)
Nix came through with a huge game against the terrible Panthers defense, including hitting on downfield passes that he was missing earlier in the season. This week, he gets a Baltimore defense that should be generous through the air, but discourage running. Nix adds value as a runner and could be a boom/bust QB1 going forward.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Blake Corum, LA Rams (bid 10-20%)
This is a very quiet week on the waiver wire at running back, so we will focus on injury-upside backups. With the heavy workload and injury history for Kyren Williams, along with the Rams offense coming back to life, Corum has to top the list.
RB Jaylen Wright, Miami (bid 10-20%)
Wright should be a priority bench stash if he's out there. He can become fantasy-relevant with an injury to either Raheem Mostert or De'Von Achane, and neither is known for their durability. Wright has also looked explosive and ready to take on both running backs' roles if asked as he has acclimated to NFL action.
RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco (bid 3-5%)
Guerendo is going into a bye, and Christian McCaffrey should be back in Week 10. We're also not sure how long Jordan Mason will be out with the recurrence of his shoulder injury. Still, the rookie is looking much more comfortable in the 49ers' run scheme, and the mere prospect of being the injury-upside stash behind McCaffrey makes him rosterable if bench size allows.
RB MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay (bis 1-3%)
Lloyd is eligible to be activated from injured reserve this week. He's the classic sneaky stash, even though he could be third on the depth chart. The Packers trust Emanuel Wilson, but if Josh Jacobs goes down, Lloyd could show why the Packers drafted him in short order with his ideal hesitate-then-burst running style for the Packers' zone run scheme.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR Cedric Tillman (bid 25-50%)
If Tillman is still out there, he's worth emptying a lot of your waiver wire wallet. He was the top target for Jameis Winston and caught two scores, including the game-winner. He is winning outside and appears to be ready to be a primary target now that Amari Cooper is in Buffalo.
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis (bid 20-40%)
Downs had a big game and could have had two scores if he wasn't down at the one on a spectacular catch. The possibility of Joe Flacco starting would make him into an every-week start. Stay tuned.
WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo (bid 12-25%)
Coleman and Josh Allen are getting on the same page on 50-50 balls, and the results are coming in fantasy leagues even with Amari Cooper's snap count inching up. Coleman has a good matchup in Week 9 against the Dolphins and should be at least a what-the-heck flex.
WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco (bid 12-25%)
It's not clear if Jennings will be the WR2 or WR3 in the 49ers' pass offense once he's healthy enough to play after the bye now that first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is back. Still, Deebo Samuel Sr. has been on and off the injury report all year, and Jennings has shown his ceiling when he's a primary option, so he should be carried through the bye.
WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco (bid 10-20%)
Pearsall was productive enough in the Brandon Aiyuk role to merit a WR3/Flex start in good matchups going forward, although he is going into his bye, and Christian McCaffrey will be back to widen the target tree in Week 10. Pearsall showed why the 49ers made him a first-round pick and could still have some ceiling weeks in this efficient pass offense.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Zach Ertz, Washington (bid 10-20%)
Ertz has put up three straight good fantasy weeks and appears to be the #2 target for Jayden Daniels. He's leveling off as a high-floor/low-ceiling TE1 play heading into a matchup with the Giants.
TE Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati (bid 10-20%)
Gesicki didn't score on National Tight End Day, but he did emerge as the #2 target with Tee Higgins out. If Higgins can't play in Week 9, Gesicki will be a good spot start against a Raiders defense that just gave up Travis Kelce's biggest game of the season.
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