NFL
By Bill Carroll
Waiver Week 9 is a real opportunity to reevaluate the decisions that you made in your fantasy draft. The trade market may be heating up. Did you sell high on Makea “Puka” Nacua? Did you buy low on Gabriel Davis, Jerome Ford, George Pickens Coleridge Bernard Stroud IV, Logan Thomas, or Michael William Thomas Jr.
Waiver Week 9 Running Backs
Hopefully, you paid no attention to my demented ramblings about Elijah I. Mitchell and Zachary Evans, instead, you used your keen gifts of discernment to hearken to my sage counsel regarding Darrell Henderson Jr., Kareem AJ Hunt, and even D’Onta Foreman. Foreman rushed for 34 yards on nine carries in the Bears 30-13 loss against the Chargers. Foreman also caught 1-of-2 targets for an additional two yards through the air. Naturally, the breakout of three scores was not normal, but he has tallied 45 carries in four games, with 204 yards, 4.5 per rush, two rushing scores, and one via the pass.
Henderson led the Rams in carries, while 31 yards on 12 carries is not scintillating, he added three catches for 54 yards. Royce Freeman, ‘vultured’ a red-zone touchdown. It bears watching to see if Freeman is becoming the short-yardage and goal-line specialist. The best Waiver Week 9 running back target maybe James Earl Conner, who was dropped in some leagues, in any and every place that he can be added, he must be.
Waiver Week 9 Wide Receivers
I hope you did add Josh Downs, he has had at least five receptions in four consecutive games. In many 10 and some 12-team leagues, you may still find Terry McLaurin. He scored his second touchdown of the season and first since Week 2, but his targets were his tops for 2023 and his third of the double-digit count this season. McLaurin next sees a Patriots’ secondary, that is uncharacteristically shaky allowing 6.4 yards per pass attempt, 14th overall, but 7.1 in the last three games, which is tied for 7th worst in the NFL.
Waiver Week 9 Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins has torn his Achilles and is going to be a free agent, Jaren Hall and/or Nick Mullens, [currently on IR for at least one more week], will likely finish this season. In super-flex or two QB leagues, it may be worth a gamble. I prefer Sam Howell who is taken in only 37.7% of Yahoo leagues, if Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, or Russell Carrington Wilson is your regular fantasy QB starter. You could do worse.
Sam Howell completed 39 of his 52 passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns, in week 8. He is number one in the league drop-backs. William Donovan Levis had 19 completions on 29 attempts for 238 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in Week 8, I think it is possible that he may keep the job once Ryan Timothy Tannehill is healthy.
Waiver Week 9 Tight Ends
If you listened to my advice and you did add Trey McBride, you are very welcome. Sadly I will not be able to drop another such treat in your bag, however, Cade Otton, Dalton Schultz, and Logan Lamont Thomas Sr. have all averaged seven or more points in 1/2 point PPR since week five. Cole Kmet has averaged 10.6 points in 1/2 point PPR in 2023 and David Njoku has averaged 6.8 points in 1/2 point PPR.
Waiver Week 9 Placekickers
Dustin Hopkins comes off of a week eight where he nailed both of his field goals and extra points and I expect that to continue. The Saints Blake Grupe has averaged 2.5 field goals per game., New Orleans is going into the Bears game a 7.5-point favorite. I also like Cameron Dicker and Matt Gay.
Waiver Week 9 Defense/Special Teams
Atlanta is facing another rookie QB in their NFL debut. Yes, I know how that played out last week, it seems unlikely that Jaren Hall will light them up as well. The Cowboys are a must against all but the most explosive offenses, the same is true of Pittsburgh, The Browns and Ravens are also good additions in Waiver Week 9. I hope that you found more treats than tricks.
