Kirk Cousins #8 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on from the sideline
Kirk Cousins is quietly having one of the best fantasy seasons of any NFL quarterback(Image: Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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There are a number of potentially valuable fantasy football players available on the waiver wire ahead of NFL Week 9.
Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season is only just finished, yet it is already time for fantasy football managers to turn their focus to Week 9.
Between fresh injuries to star players, others returning from spells on the sidelines, and the looming trade deadline (Nov. 10 at 4 pm ET), plenty is still in flux in fantasy football as the 2026 season approaches its halfway point.
Here are 10 players to consider adding from the waiver wire ahead of NFL Week 9.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos
Jonah Coleman #20 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football
2 of 11There are a number of NFL players that should be picked up off the fantasy football waiver wire if available in your league ahead of Week 9. Here, Mirror U.S. Sports breaks down 10 players, all of whom are owned in fewer than 70 percent of all ESPN Fantasy leagues, that can add real value to your fantasy team over the back half of the season. Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman is a top priority off waivers after his stellar outing (41 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, TD) in a Week 8 win over the Chiefs . Owned in 52.4 percent of all ESPN Fantasy leagues, Coleman should be scooped up as he looks an explosive talent in Denver’s offense.(Image: Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Lemon’s rookie season in Philadelphia has not exactly gone to plan, but there is hope for the first-year wide receiver in fantasy during the back half of the season. With DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) dealing with injuries, Lemon has assumed the lead wide receiver role for the Eagles and logged 13 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in his last two games.(Image: Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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Downs’ fantasy value for the rest of the season hinges on whether or not he gets traded ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline. The Colts wide receiver has requested a move away from Indianapolis, with teams like the Chiefs and Steelers potentially eyeing a deal for him. Owned in 62.6 percent of ESPN Fantasy leagues, Downs should be picked up in the event he moves to a playoff contender, where his fantasy value would undoubtedly rise.(Image: Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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Douglas has been a reliable target for Drake Maye while AJ Brown (knee) and Romeo Doubs (shoulder) sit out with injury. In his last four games, Douglas has eclipsed 15 fantasy points three times, logging 250 receiving yards and four touchdowns in that span. Entering Week 9, he is rostered in just 51.7 percent of ESPN Fantasy leagues.(Image: Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Strange is one of a few tight ends largely available on waivers who is actually worth picking up. The Jaguars have been humming on offense, which makes Strange a threat to score multiple times almost every game. While he doesn’t have a touchdown since Week 1, he is still seeing solid production with 21 catches and 262 receiving yards in his last four games.(Image: Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Cousins continues to be the most underrated quarterback in fantasy football this season. The veteran enters Week 9 with the fourth-most fantasy points among all QBs after his 247-yard, 3 TD showing in Week 8 against the Jets, a game that also saw Cousins score his first rushing touchdown of the season.(Image: Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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