Waiver Wire Week 9: Top Pickups, Drops and Expert Analysis

You've been patient long enough.

Whether you've been sitting on the top waiver priority or have a bunch of money left in your free-agent budget, there's no use waiting any longer to exhaust those advantages. Not one but two top running backs went down in Week 8, so you may not have a better opportunity to get a legitimate replacement on the waiver wire.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' Le'Veon Bell suffered a terrible knee injury, which included a torn MCL, and now his season is over. Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte also sustained a knee injury, and while it won't require surgery, he will miss time.

DeAngelo Williams is clearly the top pickup as a proven backup to Bell and should be a priority no matter what your situation is at running back. If you're in desperate need of a running back, you'll grab a top-15 option the rest of the way with him. If you're in great shape at running back, he provides depth you may need later or gives you the flexibility to make a trade.

Rookie Jeremy Langford took over the primary backup role to Forte when Jacquizz Rodgers landed on injured reserve after Week 5. Obviously, Langford isn't as proven as Williams, but like the Pittsburgh running back, he shouldn't have any significant competition for touches as the new lead back.

We may see more major injuries in the coming weeks that cause similar chain reactions on the waiver wire, but there's no use waiting for that when opportunities to grab at least one season-shifting player are available this far into the season.

After some quiet and boring weeks in the free-agency market, Week 8 provided us with far too many injuries, which means I have a lot more options for you to peruse in this week's look at the waiver wire.

Quarterbacks

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr, Oakland

Percent Owned: ESPN, 35.3; Yahoo, 39

The Raiders have made quite a turnaround this season, and Carr's most impressive performance to date came in Week 8 against the New York Jets. He completed 23 of his 36 attempts for 333 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers en route to a 34-20 home victory that moved the Raiders to 4-3. 

In his last two games, Carr has logged 622 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception against the San Diego Chargers and Jets. On the season, he has 15 touchdowns to three interceptions and has hit the 300-yard mark three times. Not only has he benefited from rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper but also the signing of veteran wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Carr faces an average Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 9, and if the Raiders can't slow down the explosive Steelers offense, Carr may need to throw more than usual. You should have confidence he'll produce at a high level.

Week 9 Projection: 290-300 yards, two touchdowns

Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo

Percent Owned: ESPN, 48.3; Yahoo, 40

The Bills haven't had the services of Taylor since Week 5 thanks to a sprained MCL, and their play has suffered as a result of turning to EJ Manuel to start in place of Taylor. But Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan said Taylor is expected to be "100 percent" for this week's matchup against the Miami Dolphins, according to Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News.

Assuming Taylor is good to go for Sunday's matchup, he should have a pretty good chance of being productive, although this looks like a different defense than the one he faced back in Week 3. The Dolphins have made coaching changes that have led to some improvement.

During that Week 3 victory in Miami, Taylor completed 21 of his 29 attempts for a season-high 277 yards and three touchdowns. He added three carries for 12 yards. It won't be as easy for Taylor this time around, especially coming off the injury, but because he's the man in Buffalo once again, he should have value beyond Week 9.

Week 9 Projection: 255-265 yards, two touchdowns; three carries, 24 yards

Droppable Players: Ryan Fitzpatrick

Running Backs

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DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh

Percent Owned: ESPN, 27.2; Yahoo, 24

For the second time this season, the Steelers are planning to take the field without running back Le'Veon Bell, but this time around, they know he won't be back. Pittsburgh was prepared for Bell's two-game suspension to open the season, and Williams came through with strong numbers, running for 204 yards and three touchdowns on 41 attempts.

Now, the Steelers need the veteran to produce like that the rest of the season with Bell out for the year with a torn MCL he suffered in Week 8. On Sunday, Williams had 71 yards on nine carries and added four receptions for 39 yards.

Williams may not be the receiver Bell is, but he's more than capable of picking up the slack on the ground, and that's exactly what Pittsburgh will ask of him starting this week against the Oakland Raiders. He should be a strong weekly starter for the rest of the season.

Week 9 Projection: 17 carries, 85 yards, one touchdown; two receptions, 17 yards

Jeremy Langford, Chicago

Percent Owned: ESPN, 2.8; Yahoo, 9

The Bears don't know how long running back Matt Forte will be out after he suffered a knee injury in Week 8, but ESPN's Chris Mortensen said on NFL Insiders that Forte "obviously" won't be available for the next two weeks. While the team is looking at Montee Ball, Langford is the next man up and the one you should be after for your fantasy roster.

The rookie stepped in for Forte in Week 8 to rush for 46 yards on 12 carries, but he dropped his only target on a critical fourth down late in the game. Langford ended up playing 33 of 61 snaps, including all 26 after Forte left the game. 

Expectations for Langford shouldn't be at the same level they are for Forte or even Pittsburgh's Williams, but he should get enough volume to be a low to mid-RB2 starting this week in a favorable matchup against the San Diego Chargers. 

Week 9 Projection: 16 carries, 84 yards; three receptions, 17 yards

David Cobb, Tennessee

Percent Owned: ESPN, 14.9; Yahoo, 23 

The Titans haven't gotten much production out of their backfield, but they could get a boost this week if they choose to activate Cobb for what would be his NFL debut. He has been on the designated-to-return injured reserve since the start of the season with a calf injury but is eligible to play for the first time in Week 9.

According to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com, Cobb said he expects to be activated this week. Former head coach Ken Whisenhunt threw some cold water on the idea of Cobb getting the bulk of the carries because he apparently weighed in a little heavy, which could affect his workload.

The Titans have been working with a combination of Antonio Andrews, Dexter McCluster and Bishop Sankey, but they rank 19th in rushing through eight weeks. Despite being 1-6, Tennessee is just 1½ games out of first place in the AFC South, so it'd be wise to try something different. Cobb could provide the boost the Titans need, especially in a great matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Week 9 Projection: 12 carries, 48 yards; two receptions, 11 yards

Droppable Players: Le'Veon Bell, Khiry Robinson, Orleans Darkwa, Reggie Bush, David Johnson

Wide Receivers

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Malcom Floyd, San Diego 

Percent Owned: ESPN, 27.6; Yahoo, 20

Floyd is the latest veteran to have surprising value this season. We already know his career is coming to a close at the end of this year, so he may be going out on a high note, at least in fantasy since the Chargers are in the midst of a four-game losing streak. 

Tight end Antonio Gates entered Week 8 with a knee injury, but San Diego finished the week with even more problems. Tight end Ladarius Green left the game against the Baltimore Ravens with an ankle injury, wide receiver Stevie Johnson missed time with a shoulder issue and wide receiver Keenan Allen is out indefinitely with a kidney injury, head coach Mike McCoy said, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Floyd gets the nod ahead of Johnson because he's healthy, but he's also been productive during quarterback Philip Rivers' tremendous hot streak. Floyd posted five receptions for 95 yards in Week 6, quieted down with one reception for seven yards in Week 7 and then had four receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns in Week 8. 

Floyd has 21 receptions for 409 yards and three touchdowns and has primarily been a downfield threat, but with all the Chargers' injuries, and especially if Johnson's shoulder issue lingers, Floyd could become a lot more important. He has a chance to come through again when he faces the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. 

Week 9 Projection: Five receptions, 85 yards, one touchdown

Stevie Johnson, San Diego 

Percent Owned: ESPN, 28.7; Yahoo, 43

It's Floyd and not Johnson on top of the waiver-wire additions for the Chargers, but that's only because Johnson had to miss some of the Week 8 game against Baltimore with the shoulder injury. He played 78 percent of the snaps, which was second among the wide receiver corps behind Floyd's 96 percent.

Assuming Johnson is healthy enough to play in Week 9, he's likely a safer pickup than Floyd since he's more than just the downfield option Floyd is. Johnson has been productive thanks to multiple absences by Gates. While Gates is playing through a knee injury, Green's status is up in the air thanks to the ankle injury that limited him to just 10 percent of the snaps in Week 8.

The Chargers are in a downward spiral, but Rivers continues to come through for fantasy owners and will be taking to the air plenty of times when San Diego faces the Bears in Week 9. If healthy, Johnson will be a low WR2 in a nice matchup. 

Week 9 Projection: Six receptions, 77 yards

Tavon Austin, St. Louis

Percent Owned: ESPN, 45; Yahoo, 55

The hottest name in fantasy football is Rams running back Todd Gurley, but you can't overlook the rise of Austin, especially in the last month. That's why he's worth a look again as we get ready for the stretch run of the fantasy season. Based on his ownership percentage, Austin has been on and off fantasy rosters on a week-to-week basis.

In Week 8, Austin carried the ball three times for 21 yards and a touchdown and caught four of seven targets for a season-high 98 yards and a touchdown in a win over the San Francisco 49ers. In the last four games, he has made five trips to the end zone but has done so with just nine carries and 26 targets, so efficiency has been the name of the game as it pertains to his fantasy value. 

My concern is that he's so touchdown-reliant. Austin has just two games with more than four receptions and three games with more than five targets. The bigger issue is trusting quarterback Nick Foles to get Austin the ball, as he's arguably one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league.

Still, St. Louis has been a lot more creative in its use of Austin, and when I talked to him after Week 8, he admitted as such. He also noted how helpful it is to share the field with a playmaker such as Gurley. Austin might not be a lock to be in your lineup in this week's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, but he should be rostered with easier matchups coming up on the schedule.

Week 9 Projection: Four receptions, 58 yards; two carries, 22 yards

Kamar Aiken, Baltimore

Percent Owned: ESPN, 20.6; Yahoo, 19

The Ravens suffered a crushing blow in Week 8 when wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. tore his Achilles tendon and was lost for the season. This is the second time Aiken has become a hot name on the waiver wire thanks to a Smith injury, but unlike the broken ribs Smith battled back from, he won't be coming back this year. That means Aiken has more long-term value.

Aiken hauled in all six of his targets for 62 yards against the Chargers in Week 8. For the season, he has caught 25 of 44 targets for 333 yards and two touchdowns. When Smith was injured in Week 4, Aiken had five receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, and with Smith out of the lineup the following week, Aiken posted four receptions for 78 yards on nine targets.

Unless Baltimore makes a significant move, Aiken looks like its top wide receiver for the rest of the year. He should get volume out of necessity, not only because he's the top option but also because the Ravens defense isn't very good, so Joe Flacco will likely be throwing more to keep his team in games. 

Week 9 Projection: Bye week

Droppable Players: Steve Smith Sr., Eddie Royal, Terrance Williams

Tight Ends

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Benjamin Watson, New Orleans

Percent Owned: ESPN, 52.4; Yahoo, 52

Watson will be 35 years old in December, and his 12th season in the league is shaping up to be one of his best. In a year in which more than a few aging veterans have become fantasy-relevant once again, Watson has joined the fray thanks to another huge performance in Week 8.

In what may have been the greatest game for fantasy purposes we've ever seen, Watson contributed nine receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets in the Saints' 52-49 victory over the New York Giants. It's his second 100-yard effort in three weeks and his third touchdown in four games.

The Saints don't have much of a defense, and Watson has established himself as the top tight end on the team ahead of Josh Hill, so quarterback Drew Brees continues to look his way. The tight end position doesn't produce a lot of consistent options in fantasy, so with his hot streak, Watson's entered the conversation of weekly starters. Watson and New Orleans will look to stay hot against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9.

Week 9 Projection: Five receptions, 65 yards

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh

Percent Owned: ESPN, 35.8; Yahoo, 28 

With the return of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Week 8, I considered Miller a sneaky play, especially with a cheap price tag in daily formats, and he came through with 10 receptions and 105 yards on 13 targets in what was his best performance of the season.

Expectations shouldn't be that high for Miller in the future, but his value should get a slight bump after Pittsburgh lost running back Le'Veon Bell to a knee injury for the rest of the season. Miller could find himself more active as a chain-mover and in the red zone. Plus, Big Ben may have as much trust in him as anyone in the receiver corps. 

The Steelers face a dangerous Oakland Raiders offense in Week 9, so there's a potential for lots of points, which is obviously good news for Miller's fantasy value. Plus, the Raiders have given up a touchdown to a tight end in all but one game this season.

Week 9 Projection: Five receptions, 51 yards, one touchdown

Jacob Tamme, Atlanta

Percent Owned: ESPN, 5.7; Yahoo, 6

Oh look, yet another veteran is coming on to have fantasy value heading into the second half of the NFL season. Tamme had his best game as a Falcon in Week 8, catching 10 of 12 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown in an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tamme has just one touchdown on the season and topped four receptions in only one other game (eight receptions and 94 yards on 10 targets in Week 5), so it's not like he's a necessary addition to your roster. However, with wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (hamstring) injured and wide receiver Roddy White's best days behind him, Tamme is getting some love in the short and intermediate areas.

He'll have a chance to build on his best performance of the season with a decent matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Week 9 Projection: Four receptions, 45 yards

Vernon Davis, Denver

Percent Owned: ESPN, 15.2; Yahoo, 33

Davis hasn't been fantasy-relevant since 2013, but he's finally escaped the abyss of the 49ers offense. The 49ers agreed to trade Davis and a 2016 seventh-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for sixth-round picks in 2016 and 2017, per an announcement from executive vice president and general manager John Elway.

In six games, Davis has posted just 18 receptions for 194 yards and no touchdowns on 29 targets. That's still better than the 17 receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets Owen Daniels has put up with Denver this season.

Davis should immediately become the primary receiving tight end for the Broncos and obviously gets an upgrade in quarterback going from Colin Kaepernick to Peyton Manning. Denver's passing offense hasn't been great, and it's not like Davis has done much, so there's still something to prove, but he's definitely worth an add if you need a tight end. The Broncos have a nice matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.

Week 9 Projection: Four receptions, 48 yards

Droppable Players: Richard Rodgers

Defenses

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Cincinnati

Percent Owned: ESPN, 38.8; Yahoo, 34

Many decided to stay away from the Bengals in Week 8 since they had what looked like a tough matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It turned out to be more of a defensive battle, though, and Cincinnati came away with three sacks and three interceptions and allowed just 10 points in the victory.

The Bengals have a short week as they will face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night in what looks like a better matchup by the numbers. The Browns have allowed at least four sacks in five games this year. The Cincinnati has 20 sacks and eight interceptions this season, both numbers that rank in the top 10 of those categories.

Week 9 Projection: Two interceptions, three sacks, one fumble recovery, 18-21 points allowed

Kickers

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Connor Barth, Tampa Bay

Percent Owned: ESPN, 2.8; Yahoo, 12 

Since rejoining the Buccaneers in Week 5, Barth has been perfect and is getting plenty of opportunities. He has three field goals in each of his three games and has a total of eight extra points.

Barth has been one of the best kickers in the league over the last month, and Tampa Bay is doing enough on offense to keep him busy. It should be another busy day in Week 9 against the New York Giants. New York has one of the worst defenses in the league.

Blair Walsh, Minnesota

Percent Owned: ESPN, 29.2; Yahoo, 29

Walsh stays on the kicker list for another week thanks to low ownership numbers, even though he's been fantastic over the last four weeks. In Week 8, he continued his hot streak by making three more field goals, which means he has 11 over the last three games and hasn't missed since Week 4.

The Vikings continue to roll along at 5-2 but face a tough matchup at home against the St. Louis Rams in Week 9. Still, Walsh should get enough opportunities to stay among the best fantasy kickers.

Fantasy leaders provided by NFL.com. Targets provided by ESPN.com. Snap counts provided by ProFootballFocus.com.