Fantasy Football 2021: Week 9 Waiver Wire Pick-Ups
To quote the @TFSDoc this week, “there were fewer injuries, but what we lacked in quantity we made up in quality.”
Yes, true, Derrick Henry and Jameis Winston are out, Sam Darnold and Kyler Murray injured. And, of course, the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Football Team in bye weeks.
So who is out there for replacement?
QUARTERBACKS
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears, 22% Rostered
Maybe this depends on whether head coach Matt Nagy is back?
Either way, Week 8 was a good fantasy week for Fields. He finished the game with a season-high 10 carries, 103 yards, and a rushing touchdown. He was 19-of-27 for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
In Week 9, the Bears will play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints, 19% Rostered
Okay, so profootballnetwork.com has Hill rostered in only 19% of fantasy leagues, and that’s pretty hard to believe. If Hill is not rostered in your league, he is worth a pick-up.
You may not like him as a quarterback, but as a fantasy player, he is good.
Check his concussion status to see if he is ready for Week 9. The Saints will play the Atlanta Falcons Week 9.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens, 30% Rostered
The Ravens were on a bye Week 8 after getting spanked by the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7.
The good news in Week 7, Bateman was on the receiving end of six targets, three receptions, for 80 yards.
The Ravens are passing the ball 54.56% of their offensive plays. That is up from last year’s 44.96%.
Bateman is on the field for a 61.8% snap share and has a 17.6% target share.
In Week 9, the Ravens will play the Minnesota Vikings.
Elijah Moore, New York Jets, 16% Rostered
The Jets have a quick turnaround and will play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.
In their Week 8 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Moore was targeted six times for six receptions and 67 yards.
RUNNING BACKS
Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles, 9% Rostered
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles, 23% Rostered
Does anyone really know what is happening in Philadelphia? It could be a game script, or it could be a new offensive philosophy. Whatever it is, Week 8 saw Howard with 12 carries, 57 yards, and two touchdowns, while Scott had 12 carries, 60 yards, and two touchdowns.
Kenneth Gainwell had more carries (13), but most of it came in garbage time. So….
The Eagles host the Los Angeles Chargers Week 9.
TIGHT END
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers, 36% Rostered
Freiermuth was second on the team in targets (7) in Week 8 and played a season-high 72% of the offensive snaps.
He finished the game with 44 yards on four receptions and one touchdown. Last week he was also targeted seven times for 58 yards on seven receptions.
In Week 9, the Steelers play the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. (The Bears are giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to the tight end position).
CONCLUSION
The waiver wire darling will be running back Adrian Peterson, who the Tennessee Titans picked up after the Henry injury.
Look for quality and quantity on your waiver wire additions. Don’t spend your entire cash flow on one pick-up.
Good luck!
