Week 9 is the week of four NFL teams having byes, and streamers will be scrambling for reliable fill-ins at key positions. In case the managers have been relying on quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield, or just require long-term stability, the good news is that the waiver wire has a number of high-upside options. These are the major pickups of Week 9 and onwards.
Quarterback
Joe Flacco (Bengals, 36% Rostered)
Since joining the Bengals at the beginning of October, Joe Flacco has become one of the most unanticipated fantasy producers of the season. Flacco has been the most fantasy points producer in the position over the past three weeks, averaging an impressive 23.0 points per game, thanks to a phenomenal 126 pass attempts and an impressive Bengals receiving unit. His volume is high-end, although his 6.2 yards per attempt can be improved. He’ll be in a situation that should put them in shootout games.
Sam Darnold (Seahawks, 40% Rostered)
In the event of Flacco’s absence, Sam Darnold is the second-best add streaming and rest-of-season quarterback. Darnold goes into a Week 8 bye to be QB13 on the year, which is a surprise to managers, given the fact that he was available on the waiver wire. The scheduling is also good in Seattle, with the Commanders being the first opponent of Week 9, giving up the fifth-most to opposing quarterbacks. Darnold has three top-10 fantasy quarterback shows in Weeks 3 through Week 6, reflecting a steady improvement and feeling at ease in the high-octane system of Seattle. Darnold is a secure, plug-and-play starter and must be rostered everywhere.
Mentionables: QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville (Rostered: 45%)
Running Back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Giants, 48% Rostered)
Tyrone Tracy has 10 carries and two catches as the Giants’ lead back since the injury of Cam Skattebo, and is providing quality RB2 value. His talent in the area of pass-catching offers a ceiling in the PPR formats, and therefore, he is an asset that any roster needs for the rest of the season.
TYRONE TRACY JR. 🔥
A 45-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO KEEP THE GIANTS IN IT 😤 #NYGvsPIT | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/MRLgsnavoq
— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2024
Bam Knight (Cardinals, 21% Rostered)
Knight is the main back of Arizona when James Conner and Trey Benson were injured; in his recent appearance, he has received 14 carries. When Trey Benson is out, he is a top-24 play. Knight is faced with a generous run defense in the Cowboys in Week 9. An excellent grab off the waiver wire, if available.
Mentionables: RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta (Rostered: 43%)
Wide Receiver
Alec Pierce (Colts, 29% Rostered)
Indy’s main target-beater against single-high looks. Alec Pierce owns a 29.2% target share and impressive yards per route run, benefitting from two straight weeks versus single-high-heavy defenses.
Alec Pierce is going to make so much money this offseason. pic.twitter.com/78Ca3i6A6a
— Colts Film Room (@ColtsFilmRoom) October 27, 2025
Troy Franklin (Broncos, 37% Rostered)
Had the right matchup, Troy Franklin was a decent Flex this past week with 6 catches, 89 yards, and 2TD. He is third on his team in deep targets, fifth in the league in red-zone targets.
Mentionables: WR Kayshon Boutte, New England (Rostered: 40%)
Tight Ends
Colston Loveland (Bears, 22% Rostered)
Stream-worthy with Chicago’s injuries. With Kmet out, Colston saw 80% of snaps. Cincinnati is the best matchup for tight ends.
Not many TE’s can run like this and block like that. Colston Loveland is a unicorn. Hes gonna be JUST fine. #DaBears #Bears pic.twitter.com/reA7XIFVlQ
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 19, 2025
Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns, 46% Rostered)
Solid streamer post-bye, with decent matchups versus the Jets and Ravens. Harold Fannin has put up tight end 1 numbers and has seen a 22% target share since Dillon Gabriel took over as quarterback.
Mentionables: TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets (Rostered: 29%)
Defense
Los Angeles Rams
An average of 8.7 fantasy points and the uncertainty at quarterback against the Saints make the Rams a great waiver wire add this week.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore defense is a solid multi-week strategy, as it gets healthier a week removed from the bye and with upcoming favorable matchups.
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Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams fan reacts during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Week 9 waiver wire provides several possible ways to strengthen your post-season performance, with plenty of options of strong streaming QBs, workhorse RBs, and high-upside WRs that can be found in most leagues. Whether you need a one-week fill-in or long-term starter, these pickups will keep your squad afloat and competitive at least until the end of the season.
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