Week 9 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups and Drops

The waiver wire has seen better weeks. Heck, last week was more fruitful for fantasy owners needing a boost. Still, with the byes about to get intense for the next three weeks, just about every owner out there will be looking to add to their quality depth. 

To help you along in that aim, I've not only broken down some of my top targets for the week, but also will help you drop some dead weight on your team. Let's get to it.

Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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If Denard Robinson is somehow still available in your league—believe it or not, he's only owned in 16.4 percent of ESPN leagues—jump on him immediately. In the past two weeks, Robinson has rushed 40 times for 235 yards and a touchdown and has clearly seized the starting role in Jacksonville's backfield. 

At a position rife with injuries and committees, that makes Robinson quite valuable. Most weeks he'll only be a flex consideration, but he's absolutely a player who should be rostered across the board at this point. 

Brandon LaFell, WR, New England Patriots 

You might want to wait a week before adding Brandon LaFell. After all, he has 17 or more fantasy points in Weeks 4, 6 and 8 and five or fewer points in Weeks 5 and 7. So yes, he's up for a down week. You've been warned. 

On the other hand, the New England passing attack is red-hot at the moment, and LaFell appears to be Brady's preferred target out wide. His 11 receptions for 124 yards and a score against the Chicago Bears appears to have solidified that notion. 

Somehow, LaFell is owned in just 8.8 percent of ESPN leagues. He should absolutely be rostered in all of them and considered a flex option every week. 

Andrew Hawkins, WR, Cleveland Browns

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Sometimes, knowing exactly what you'll get is more valuable than the uncertainty that comes with a high upside but a low consistency. If that sounds about right to you, Andrew Hawkins is your guy.

Hawkins has seven or more fantasy points in five of seven games this year and has gone for double-digit totals the past two weeks. Sure, during that time he has just one touchdown, but it's nearly a guarantee he'll see five receptions a contest, making him a solid PPR add as well. 

Yes, his value will take a hit once Josh Gordon returns. But until then, if you need that consistent 7-10 points a week, Hawkins is your man.

Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Very quietly, Carson Palmer has scored 16 or more fantasy points in all four of his starts this season and has gone for 20 or more points twice. There's no doubt he has very nice weapons at his disposal, especially with youngster John Brown looking like the real deal. 

With 16 teams taking their bye in the next three weeks, there's a strong chance you'll need to rely on a QB2. Palmer is a great addition as a spot starter. 

Bobby Rainey and Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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There's a lot going down in Tampa Bay these days. Even before Doug Martin left Sunday's game with an ankle injury, there were rumors floating around that he could be traded. Adam Schefter of ESPN was on the story:

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Teams have already approached Tampa Bay about Martin, and some around the league believe that the Buccaneers would be willing to deal him for the right price before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, according to sources.

But it's a tough trade to cobble together. 

The 25-year-old Martin is a former first-round pick and Tampa Bay still could use his services this season, then attempt to deal him for similar compensation after it is completed.

One reason Martin is considered expendable is that, starting next week, rookie third-round pick Charles Sims is eligible to come off the injured-reserved designated-to-return list.

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In the short-term, Rainey is the player you want if Martin is sidelined. But if you are playing the long game, it wouldn't be shocking to see the team give Sims a long look to prove he can be the man, especially if the team moves on from Martin. 

If your team is strong and you can take a flier on a player that might pay off down the line, go with Sims. But if you need help immediately, Rainey is the better option. Either way, monitor this situation carefully. 

Jonas Gray, RB, New England Patriots

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It would appear that the debate over who will replace Stevan Ridley's power back role has been solved, and Jonas Gray has come out the winner after rushing 17 times for 86 yards on Sunday. Shane Vereen is probably still the player to own in this backfield, but if you are looking for a sleeper selection who could end up blowing up, Gray is an interesting add this week. 

Just don't expect weekly consistency. He plays for New England, after all, a team that loves shuffling backs in and out of the rotation. But Gray certainly did plenty to show he deserves his piece of that pie.

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Doug Baldwin didn't have his finest game on Sunday with six receptions for 61 yards, but he did lead the team in targets, receptions and receiving yards. That is coming off of a huge Week 7 performance that saw him snag seven passes for 123 yards and a score.

Baldwin isn't a sexy addition by any measure and is only a flex consideration based on matchups, but you could do worse if you need more wide receiver depth. With Percy Harvin now long gone, Baldwin remains the player to own in this passing game.

Martavis Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Talk about entering the fantasy conversation with a bang. 

In the past two weeks, he has seven receptions for 123 yards and three scores. He gives Pittsburgh the red-zone threat they desperately needed and appears to be slowly surpassing Markus Wheaton in the pecking order. The Steelers aren't always going to have 522 passing yards in a game, but it does appear that Bryant will continue to be a bigger part of the offense moving forward.

Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

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When a player has consecutive games with double-digit fantasy points, you pay attention. When he has at least 50 receiving yards in six of the eight games he's played, you pay attention. And when he's just a rookie who is building a rapport with his fellow rookie, quarterback Blake Bortles, you keep your attention on him.

Look, Robinson is nothing more than a WR4 with occasional flex consideration, namely in deeper leagues. But if you are hurting at wide receiver, are about to be due to byes or are in a dynasty league, you can do worse than Robinson, who it appears is going to be Jacksonville's top option in the passing game for years to come.

Players to Drop

Here's how the backfield of the St. Louis Rams split the touches on Sunday:

Player	Touches	Yards	TD
Zac Stacy	8	37	0
Tre Mason	8	33	0
Benny Cunningham	5	35	0

At this point, I'm not sure you need to own any of these players, especially since we have no idea how this committee will shake out. But a full-blown three-headed monster appears to be the new normal in St. Louis and, worse, the monster doesn't appear to be very ferocious.

If you drop any of these players, I certainly don't blame you.

If you haven't dropped Matt Asiata yet, do so now. Jerick McKinnon is the man in Minnesota now, and with 35 carries for 186 yards in his last two games, it isn't a role he's about to relinquish. 

Ditch Chris Johnson. He has eight total fantasy points in his past four games and, quite frankly, he's just not very good. It's all about Chris Ivory for the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.

With Denard Robinson playing like a stud, Toby Gerhart no longer needs to be owned. He might get some goal-line work or short-yardage treatment, but this looks like Robinson's job now.

All point totals, points-against statistics and ownership percentages via ESPN standard-scoring leagues. Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than a J.J. Watt selfie.