1 of 5 | New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (L) tosses the ball to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during second quarter action against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Photo by Laurence Kesterson/UPI | License Photo
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Aaron Rodgers and Trevor Lawrence are among my fantasy football waiver wire priorities for Week 9.
Bam Knight, Troy Franklin and the Los Angeles Rams defense/special teams are among my other targets.
Another four teams are on bye, which could result in many valuable players ended up on the waiver wire or as available free agents. Be sure to monitor your league’s transactions to help improve your roster, while also ensuring you make adjustments based on potential lineup absences.
Cam Skatteo and Carson Wentz are among the injured players who can be dropped from fantasy football rosters. The status of other injured players should be monitored, as those injuries could impact other players on their teams.
Check out my full list of waiver wire targets below if you need replacement options for injured starters. Injuries, breakout performances and other factors have cleared the way for several players to warrant a spot on fantasy football team benches or maybe even in starting lineups.
Players from the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are on bye, should be benched, or dropped in some cases. My waiver wire priorities each carry an ownership percentage of 60% or less.
Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 9:
ALL-ADD TEAM
QB | Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence; RB | Tyrone Tracy Jr., Bam Knight, Dylan Sampson, Tank Bigsby, Emanuel Wilson, Samaje Perine; WR | Troy Franklin, Kayshon Boutte, Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton; TE | Evan Engram, Theo Johnson; D/ST | Los Angeles Rams; K | Tyler Loop
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Sam Darnold, Tua Tagovailoa; RB | Tyjae Spears, Tyler Allgeier, Blake Corum, Ollie Gordon II, Devin Singletary, Isaiah Davis; WR | Tre Tucker, Alec Pierce, Malik Washington; TE | Jonnu Smith, Chig Okonkwo; D/ST | Detroit Lions; K | Joshua Karty
TOP DROPS
QB | Carson Wentz; RB | Cam Skattebo; WR | Tez Johnson; TE | Noah Fant; D/ST | Tampa Bay Buccaneers; K | Andre Szmyt
QUARTERBACK
Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence and Sam Darnold are my top quarterback streaming targets in Week 9.
I would take a shot on Rodgers out of this group if all three players are available on your waiver wire. The veteran quarterback threw multiple touchdown passes in five of his seven starts this season, including in each of his last three appearances. He also eclipsed 200 passing yards in six starts.
This week, Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Indianapolis Colts, who surrendered at least 250 passing yards in four of their last five games, including in each of their last three matchups. They also allowed six passing scores over the last three weeks. Look for Rodgers to throw for at least 250 yards and two scores in this meeting.
RUNNING BACK
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is easily my top overall waiver wire target this week. He is set to see an increased backfield role after fellow New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8.
Tracy hasn’t been very efficient this year — with an average of 3.5 yards per carry — but is very capable or RB2 or flex value for the rest of the season. He scored just once and has yet to eclipse 50 rushing yards in a game this season, but logged six scores and eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage four times in 2024, his rookie campaign.
This week, Tracy and the Giants will take on the San Francisco 49ers. Look for the second-year ball carrier to eclipse 75 yards from scrimmage. He could move into RB2 value if he finds the end zone for his second score of 2025.
WIDE RECEIVER
Troy Franklin and Kayshon Boutte are my favorite wide receiver targets for Week 9. Franklin was the top wide receiver in fantasy football in Week 8, when he hauled in six catches for 89 yards and two scores.
The Denver Broncos pass catcher also scored in Week 7, when he drew a season-high 10 targets. Franklin drew 18 targets over the last two weeks and should continue to see a heavy dose of looks from quarterback Bo Nix in the Broncos’ evolving passing attack.
This week the Broncos have a tough matchup against the Houston Texans, but I expect Nix to continue to air it out. Franklin can be plugged in as a low-end WR3 in leagues that require starting three wide receivers.
Boutte is another player on a hot streak at the wide receiver position. The New England Patriots pass catcher ranked No. 10 in fantasy points among wide receivers in Week 8, when he caught three passes for 75 yards and a score. That touchdown was his fourth in three weeks.
Like Franklin, Boutte has a tough Week 9 matchup — against the Atlanta Falcons — but he should get several chances to find the end zone for the fourth-consecutive game. He is a boom-or-bust WR3 and solid option if you need a streaming play.
TIGHT END
Evan Engram is another touchdown-or-bust play I like in Week 9. The Broncos pass catcher secured at least four catches in each of his last five starts. He found the end zone just once over that span, but I expect his involvement in the Broncos offense to eventually lead to more red zone opportunities.
He will be among my Top 14 options at tight end in Week 9, when he takes on the Texans, who allowed at least four catches for 40 yards to the position in each of their last two games.
NFL Week 8: Baltimore Ravens defeat Chicago Bears, 30-16
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (C) celebrates with fans in the stands after an interception during the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ 30-16 victory over the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
