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Waiver Wire
Week 9 fantasy football waiver wire
Congratulations on surviving Part 1 of the bye-week apocalypse. Part 2 is just around the corner as the Cardinals, Bears, Bengals, Texans, Patriots and Redskins all take Week 9 off. In honor of it being Halloween this week, here are 13 players to target on fantasy waivers. If none of these players are available in your league, be sure to check out my weekly "Deep Dive" waiver column (published Mondays) for some high-upside players to aim for heading into Week 9. Most of these players are available in a ton of leagues, but there are a few more highly-owned names I wanted to mention just to be safe and help out those in casual leagues too. For those who use the Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) system, I provide a suggested spend for each player at the end of their analysis. If you have more specific FAAB questions, hit me up on Twitter.
![Henry had his best game of the year on Thursday night (20 touches, 97 total yards, one touchdown), aided by DeMarco Murray missing some time with a foot injury. Murray's injury isn't serious, but it's the first sign of wear and tear after the Titans dumped ALL of the touches on him to start the year. Henry is still owned in most leagues, but given his rise, I felt the need to give him a little digital ink. He's a priority add this week if available, and a good trade target as well. If Murray gets dinged up (again), Henry just proved he can shoulder the load for this offense. FAAB suggestion: 50 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/pefz5cbljtgt2av1qhxb.jpg)
Henry had his best game of the year on Thursday night (20 touches, 97 total yards, one touchdown), aided by DeMarco Murray missing some time with a foot injury. Murray's injury isn't serious, but it's the first sign of wear and tear after the Titans dumped ALL of the touches on him to start the year. Henry is still owned in most leagues, but given his rise, I felt the need to give him a little digital ink. He's a priority add this week if available, and a good trade target as well. If Murray gets dinged up (again), Henry just proved he can shoulder the load for this offense. FAAB suggestion: 50 percent.
![The hits keep coming to the Chiefs running backs. Jamaal Charles is now seeing Dr. James Andrews about his surgically repaired knee (never a good sign), while Spencer Ware left Sunday's game against the Colts with a concussion. That puts West high on the waiver-wire pecking order for Week 9. If Ware remains in the concussion protocol next week, West figures to see a healthy amount of touches against the Jaguars. He'll be a high-end RB2 in that event and thus is worth a high waiver priority this week. FAAB suggestion: 15-20 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/eepdaaaghcho9826sy45.jpg)
The hits keep coming to the Chiefs running backs. Jamaal Charles is now seeing Dr. James Andrews about his surgically repaired knee (never a good sign), while Spencer Ware left Sunday's game against the Colts with a concussion. That puts West high on the waiver-wire pecking order for Week 9. If Ware remains in the concussion protocol next week, West figures to see a healthy amount of touches against the Jaguars. He'll be a high-end RB2 in that event and thus is worth a high waiver priority this week. FAAB suggestion: 15-20 percent.
![Filling in for the injured LeSean McCoy (hamstring), Gillislee absorbed 71 percent of the backfield touches, amassing 95 total yards and a rushing touchdown for a solid 15.4 fantasy points. He faces a brutal matchup next week when Buffalo travels to Seattle, but if Shady misses another game Gillislee will be a low-end RB2 on volume alone. FAAB suggestion: 15-20 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/ytqdtxfycoqrrfecgcyl.jpg)
Filling in for the injured LeSean McCoy (hamstring), Gillislee absorbed 71 percent of the backfield touches, amassing 95 total yards and a rushing touchdown for a solid 15.4 fantasy points. He faces a brutal matchup next week when Buffalo travels to Seattle, but if Shady misses another game Gillislee will be a low-end RB2 on volume alone. FAAB suggestion: 15-20 percent.
![Kelley started for the injured Matt Jones in Week 8 and performed well, racking up 87 yards on 21 carries (4.1 ypc) with one touchdown and, most importantly, zero fumbles. Washington heads into its bye in Week 9, which could give Jones time to get healthy and regain control of this backfield. However, given how well Kelley has been playing for the last several weeks, the team might not be so quick to return the reins to the turnover-prone Jones (nine fumbles in 270 career touches). Kelley is worth stashing this week in the event he has earned, at worse, a larger role in a committee. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/mza66ljs0jq664edx0bn.jpg)
Kelley started for the injured Matt Jones in Week 8 and performed well, racking up 87 yards on 21 carries (4.1 ypc) with one touchdown and, most importantly, zero fumbles. Washington heads into its bye in Week 9, which could give Jones time to get healthy and regain control of this backfield. However, given how well Kelley has been playing for the last several weeks, the team might not be so quick to return the reins to the turnover-prone Jones (nine fumbles in 270 career touches). Kelley is worth stashing this week in the event he has earned, at worse, a larger role in a committee. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.
![After Mark Ingram was benched in the first quarter for fumbling in the second game in a row, Hightower took over the backfield and rushed 26 times for 102 yards. While he isn't likely the new No. 1 back in New Orleans, he should factor in more moving forward. Ingram's days as a featured back, or close to it, are numbered if not completely over in New Orleans. Hightower was a league-winning fantasy add last year and could be starting a similar run in 2016, just a bit earlier. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/hnpsfbw60pmcqdsys2ip.jpg)
After Mark Ingram was benched in the first quarter for fumbling in the second game in a row, Hightower took over the backfield and rushed 26 times for 102 yards. While he isn't likely the new No. 1 back in New Orleans, he should factor in more moving forward. Ingram's days as a featured back, or close to it, are numbered if not completely over in New Orleans. Hightower was a league-winning fantasy add last year and could be starting a similar run in 2016, just a bit earlier. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.
![Montgomery missed Sunday's game against Atlanta with an illness, but still needs to be owned in more leagues for his expanding role in an improving Green Bay offense. Adams played several snaps in the backfield with Montgomery on the shelf while continuing his impressive season out wide (12 catches, 74 yards). With Aaron Rodgers heating up and the Packers entering the portion of their schedule against cushy secondaries (IND, TEN, WAS, PHI), both Adams and Montgomery will have weekly flex appeal for the foreseeable future. FAAB suggestion: 15 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/jjzdslg0juzarqhwmzkc.jpg)
Montgomery missed Sunday's game against Atlanta with an illness, but still needs to be owned in more leagues for his expanding role in an improving Green Bay offense. Adams played several snaps in the backfield with Montgomery on the shelf while continuing his impressive season out wide (12 catches, 74 yards). With Aaron Rodgers heating up and the Packers entering the portion of their schedule against cushy secondaries (IND, TEN, WAS, PHI), both Adams and Montgomery will have weekly flex appeal for the foreseeable future. FAAB suggestion: 15 percent.
![Crowder started the year hot, cooled off and has now caught fire once again. Over the last three weeks, Crowder has 19 catches, 267 yards and two touchdowns (all team highs). Washington heads into its bye this week, but Crowder deserves mentioning. Those with the available bench space should stash him, though he does play the Vikings in Week 10. It's a tough matchup, as Minnesota has allowed just 25 catches for 261 yards out of the slot so far in 2016, both lowest in the league. Crowder plays 72 percent of his snaps from the slot, but could see enough volume from Cousins to make the most of his opportunities in a bad spot. FAAB suggestion: 10-15 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/zx2f4dmb80d0obvanzpm.jpg)
Crowder started the year hot, cooled off and has now caught fire once again. Over the last three weeks, Crowder has 19 catches, 267 yards and two touchdowns (all team highs). Washington heads into its bye this week, but Crowder deserves mentioning. Those with the available bench space should stash him, though he does play the Vikings in Week 10. It's a tough matchup, as Minnesota has allowed just 25 catches for 261 yards out of the slot so far in 2016, both lowest in the league. Crowder plays 72 percent of his snaps from the slot, but could see enough volume from Cousins to make the most of his opportunities in a bad spot. FAAB suggestion: 10-15 percent.
![Even though he has only played 42 percent of the Titans' snaps over the last three games, Wright still leads the team in targets (18), catches (14) and receiving yards (229). He's tied with Rishard Matthews with two receiving touchdowns in that span as well. In limited appearances, Wright is looking like the best receiver on the offense. Hopefully, his production merits more playing time in the coming weeks. The Titans head to San Diego next week. FAAB suggestion: 10-15 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/otjk2pcbebjfanrmzuvf.jpg)
Even though he has only played 42 percent of the Titans' snaps over the last three games, Wright still leads the team in targets (18), catches (14) and receiving yards (229). He's tied with Rishard Matthews with two receiving touchdowns in that span as well. In limited appearances, Wright is looking like the best receiver on the offense. Hopefully, his production merits more playing time in the coming weeks. The Titans head to San Diego next week. FAAB suggestion: 10-15 percent.
![For awhile it looked like the loss of Eric Decker was squashing the fantasy value of Enunwa. However, perhaps it was simply Enunwa's health holding him back. He led the Jets in targets (11) and receiving yards (93) in the team's Week 8 win over the Browns while adding a touchdown for good measure. His recent injury history and the instability under center for the Jets keep him from being a higher priority add. The Jets face a Dolphins secondary in Week 9 that has allowed 10 passing touchdowns in seven games. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/kgmej9dqfsjg9znzdcph.jpg)
For awhile it looked like the loss of Eric Decker was squashing the fantasy value of Enunwa. However, perhaps it was simply Enunwa's health holding him back. He led the Jets in targets (11) and receiving yards (93) in the team's Week 8 win over the Browns while adding a touchdown for good measure. His recent injury history and the instability under center for the Jets keep him from being a higher priority add. The Jets face a Dolphins secondary in Week 9 that has allowed 10 passing touchdowns in seven games. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.
![Ebron came back in a big way for the Lions after missing three games with injuries. He hauled in seven of 10 targets for a team-high 79 yards in the Detroit's Week 8 loss to the Texans. This game kind of set up perfectly for Ebron and Theo Riddick to eat, as the Texans boast a formidable pass defense that has limited wide receivers throughout the year. Next up for Ebron is a date with the Vikings, a tough matchup, though he'll have low-end TE1 value given his target share and red-zone ability. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/qbkzsn689xkz0c5k5cql.jpg)
Ebron came back in a big way for the Lions after missing three games with injuries. He hauled in seven of 10 targets for a team-high 79 yards in the Detroit's Week 8 loss to the Texans. This game kind of set up perfectly for Ebron and Theo Riddick to eat, as the Texans boast a formidable pass defense that has limited wide receivers throughout the year. Next up for Ebron is a date with the Vikings, a tough matchup, though he'll have low-end TE1 value given his target share and red-zone ability. FAAB suggestion: 5-10 percent.
![So far this year, Brate produces in fantasy when Jameis Winston throws the ball 30-plus times, as he did in Week 8 against the Raiders. Next week's Thursday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta Falcons should put Winston in a pass-heavy game script as Matt Ryan carves up the suspect Bucs secondary. Brate will have streaming appeal playing at home. FAAB suggestion: 5 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/lsjnfpdookvf6ynjvful.jpg)
So far this year, Brate produces in fantasy when Jameis Winston throws the ball 30-plus times, as he did in Week 8 against the Raiders. Next week's Thursday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta Falcons should put Winston in a pass-heavy game script as Matt Ryan carves up the suspect Bucs secondary. Brate will have streaming appeal playing at home. FAAB suggestion: 5 percent.
![As for streaming quarterback options for Week 9, don't overlook Bradford playing at home against one of the worst pass defenses in the league. The Lions are bleeding yards and points to opposing passers, and while they "held" Brock Osweiler in check in Week 8, they probably won't be so lucky against Bradford, who has been playing quite well in 2016. Bradford has yet to play in Week 8, but by Week 9 he could hopefully have a healthier Stefon Diggs and Cordarrelle Patterson back at his disposal. FAAB suggestion: 0-5 percent.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/vggo2fozcwiexcde93rv.jpg)
As for streaming quarterback options for Week 9, don't overlook Bradford playing at home against one of the worst pass defenses in the league. The Lions are bleeding yards and points to opposing passers, and while they "held" Brock Osweiler in check in Week 8, they probably won't be so lucky against Bradford, who has been playing quite well in 2016. Bradford has yet to play in Week 8, but by Week 9 he could hopefully have a healthier Stefon Diggs and Cordarrelle Patterson back at his disposal. FAAB suggestion: 0-5 percent.