Week 9 Waiver Wire: Early Pickups and Breakout Fantasy Football Candidates

Week 8 of the 2014 NFL season saw the usual suspects putting up the biggest fantasy football numbers, which means owners looking to scrape up hidden gems from the waiver wire may have to search long and hard to patch up their teams.

That being said, unheralded players will often shine bright enough to catch watchful eyes by taking advantage of injuries to those higher on the depth chart or simply improving their performances week by week. And even if a player hasn't quite been a fantasy stud as of late, he just might be able to take advantage of poor opposition and put in a competent Sunday shift.

Let's take a close look at a few players who may be worth picking up for Week 9 and beyond. All ownership percentages are based on Yahoo Sports' fantasy football leagues (subscription required). This list excludes players who are owned by more than 50 percent of teams to account for the larger 12- and 14-player leagues.


Running Back

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers (36 percent owned)

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

The majority of running backs putting up big numbers in Week 8 were known commodities, setting up a seller's running back market in Week 9 with slim pickings on the waiver wire.

For those looking for reliable production from a proven veteran, Jonathan Stewart is a potential RB3 against the porous New Orleans Saints defense on Thursday.

Stewart's been banged up at times this season—just like the rest of the Panthers' running back corps—but put in a solid performance against the Seattle Seahawks as the leading man. He racked up 79 rushing yards on 16 carries and picked up another 15 yards through the air.

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer was impressed with Stewart's turn-back-the-clock day:

It's not a particularly eye-catching display, but 4.9 yards per carry against the Seahawks is nothing to sneeze at. Stewart is also a wide-bodied back, and although he hasn't scored since Week 2, he should be getting the call on runs near the goal line.

DeAngelo Williams could be ready for the tilt against the Saints, per Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer, but high ankle sprains are tough to recover from and he could be limited.

Also Worth a Look: Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore Ravens (send him right back to the waivers when Bernard Pierce returns); Juwan Thompson, Denver Broncos (risky pick, but possible touchdown-vulture extraordinaire)

Wide Receiver

Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots (32 percent owned)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Brandon LaFell was quiet to begin the season, but he has developed into a very reliable target with big-ticket potential in recent weeks.

Benefiting from a superb performance from Tom Brady, LaFell picked up 11 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown. He's definitely no one-game wonder. Somehow, he's still on the waiver wire in most leagues despite a two-touchdown day against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6 and going off for 119 yards and a score in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss, LaFell's big day was simply a matter of taking advantage of what the Bears defense was giving:

Yahoo Sports' Scott Pianowski thinks the word should've gotten out on LaFell sooner:

Expect LaFell to continue to flourish in his first season playing with a truly elite quarterback.

Also Worth a Look: Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (nobody paying attention to him, emerging as Blake Bortles' favorite target); Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland Browns (80-plus yards five times this season, TD in Week 8); Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers (possible poor man's Kelvin Benjamin, but tough matchup coming up vs. Ravens)


Tight End

Jace Amaro, New York Jets (5 percent owned)

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Dipping into the waiver wire for a tight end at this point is the fantasy football equivalent of dumpster diving while the dumpster itself is ablaze. More often than not, you're going to get burned. However, if one is looking for a player showing flashes of potential lately, it's rookie tight end Jace Amaro of the New York Jets.

He put in a solid five-catch, 51-yard performance on Sunday, but perhaps the Jets quarterbacks—whether it's Michael Vick or Geno Smith—will come to realize that he's been a pretty reliable safety valve despite dropping some easy passes this year.

Amaro caught all five of his targets against the Buffalo Bills and has caught 32 of 39 for the season, per ESPN.com. 

He came up big in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos (10 catches, one touchdown), proving that he can make plays against tough opponents. Alas, the wide-open drops still haunt him.

"You get antsy,” Amaro said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “You get excited. I’m still young. I feel like I’ve made every single catch when a guy’s on me or it’s really contested or there’s a guy right there. I feel good about it and I feel like I’m doing a really good job this year."

Still, he's at the mercy of his quarterback, and it might not be long before the Jets just give up and start direct-snapping to Chris Ivory for power runs every play. Amaro is available in most leagues and is a big, athletic player who should continue to improve as the season goes on.

Also Worth a Look: Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders (made some excellent grabs against the Browns); Tim Wright, New England Patriots (hit-or-miss backing up Rob Gronkowski)