Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Mike Washington Jr. Among Slew Of Good Rb Pickups To Consider

Every Monday during the season, Justin Boone breaks down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are generated from Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Key injuries to consider

• Lamar Jackson (thumb, potentially season-ending)

• Tyler Huntley (toe, potentially headed to IR)

• Jeremiyah Love (ankle)

• Bam Knight (concussion)

• Jeremy McNichols (foot)

• Christian Watson (ribs)

• George Pickens (shoulder, hamstring)

• Michael Wilson (ribs)

• Kendrick Bourne (ankle)

• Zachariah Branch (hamstring)

• Josh Palmer (hamstring)

• Hunter Henry (foot)

• Mason Taylor (leg)

• Jake Ferguson (ankle)

Bye weeks

• Pittsburgh Steelers

• Tennessee Titans

Pickups by position

• Quarterbacks

• Running backs

• Wide receivers

• Tight ends

• Defense/Special teams

• Kickers

Top-10 overall pickups for Week 9

1. Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders

2. Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs

3. Seth McGowan, RB, Colts

4. Kenny Gainwell, RB, Buccaneers

5. Kaelon Black, RB, 49ers

6. Antonio Williams, WR, Commanders

7. Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals

8. Malik Willis, QB, Dolphins

9. DeMario Douglas, WR, Patriots

10. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Jets

Quarterbacks

Malik Willis, Dolphins

Willis was the featured quarterback in this space last week, even though I highlighted him more as a long-term option than a one-week streamer. That’s because of a difficult matchup with the Patriots in Week 8, but Willis once again displayed his high floor with 15.6 fantasy points in the contest. It’s good enough to make him the QB14 with only Monday Night Football remaining. 

In his previous two outings, Willis finished as the QB4 in Week 7 and the QB13 in Week 5. His outlook is also becoming brighter thanks to the emergence of Miami’s young skill position players like Caleb Douglas, Malik Washington, Chris Bell and Ollie Gordon II. Between his rushing upside, the improving talent around him and the schedule boost, Willis will be a streaming option every week and offers an intriguing ceiling against more generous opponents. 

Kirk Cousins is 56% rostered but would be the No. 3 QB add behind Willis and Darnold, if available. 

Streaming options

• Sam Darnold vs. ARI (42% rostered)

Risky streaming options

• J.J. McCarthy at PHI (9% rostered)

• Deshaun Watson at Saints (12% rostered)

• Michael Penix Jr. vs. CIN (20% rostered)

• Geno Smith at KC (23% rostered)

Desperation streaming options

• Justin Herbert vs. HOU (45% rostered)

• Baker Mayfield at CHI (27% rostered)

• Tanner McKee vs. NYG (6% rostered)

Desperation streaming options (if starting)

• Daniel Jones vs. DAL (16% rostered)

• Gardner Minshew II at SEA (0% rostered)

• Joe Fagano vs. JAX (0% rostered)

Deep stashes 

• Fernando Mendoza (5% rostered)

• Carson Beck (0% rostered)

• Anthony Richardson Sr. (0% rostered)

Running Backs

Mike Washington Jr., Raiders

The Raiders’ backfield was one of the more stunning developments in Week 8, with Jeanty playing a season-low 40% of the snaps and only seeing five touches. Meanwhile, Washington played 60% of the time and led the way with 25 carries for 83 yards.

Jeanty still managed 73 scrimmage yards thanks to a 45-yard catch, but this is a terrible shift for his fantasy projections moving forward. After the game, Klint Kubiak suggested this was not a one-game punishment and instead a sign of things to come with their running back room. 

Washington has been the top pickup in this column before, as Jeanty entered the season banged up and has looked efficient with his carries all season. The rookie is bringing more juice on the ground and Kubiak clearly wants to see if he can provide a spark there. 

You won’t find Washington on the waiver wire in any of my leagues, but if he’s available in yours it’s time to spend up and acquire him. It’s possible this evolution continues with Washington earning the majority of the early-down carries and Jeanty making the bigger impact as a pass-cacher. That moves Jeanty down into the low-end RB2/high-end RB3 range and Washington not far behind. 

Emmett Johnson, Chiefs

Don’t get too excited about Johnson’s 128 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches in Week 8. After all, he only played 19% of the snaps. 

The real shock is that he’s still available in over 80% of leagues. The fifth-round rookie has been a must-add in all formats for a while, as the high-upside backup behind Kenneth Walker III. The only difference after this week, is that Johnson might begin to provide some flex potential even with Walker healthy. 

As we approach the midway point in the season, the recommended FAB bids will increase, especially when it’s a player who’s one injury away from stardom. Don’t be timid when trying to add Johnson this week, he’s one of the best stashes to have on your bench. 

Seth McGowan, Colts

The Colts look like a team ready for the season to be over, which isn’t a great sign after… (checks notes)... Week 8. 

The trade rumors surrounding Jonathan Taylor have only intensified since I mentioned McGowan as a stash in last week’s column. Taylor even seemed a little emotional on the sidelines in the loss to the Jaguars, perhaps recognizing that it might be his last time in a Colts’ uniform. 

We still have a week before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10, but at this point I would be surprised if Taylor isn’t on a new team by then. As long as Indy doesn’t get a starting-caliber back as part of the return for JT, McGowan would be next man up to start — with DJ Giddens as the new change-of-pace option. 

For as bad as the Colts offense has been lately, they still have one of the 10 best fantasy RB schedules in the second half of the season, so McGowan could be a sneaky fantasy RB3 down the stretch.

Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers

What is going on with the Buccaneers offense? After throwing just 11 times for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 7, Baker Mayfield somehow topped that feat by only throwing three times on Sunday and failing to complete a single pass. 

And yet, the Bucs won both games thanks to incredible efforts from their defense and rushing attack. Bucky Irving is posting some of the best stats of his career at the moment, while his backup Gainwell has been nearly as productive with 14 carries for 88 yards last week and 25 attempts for 140 yards in this game. 

Despite limited touches early in the season, this is a nice reminder that Gainwell can be dangerous when called upon. We aren’t going to see Tampa’s recent commitment to the run continue to this degree, but it makes sense for their offense to lean on the ground game. The Bucs are another backfield with a top-10 fantasy schedule the rest of the way. 

So, consider Gainwell a fantasy RB3 with a much higher ceiling if Irving were ever to miss time. 

Kaelon Black, 49ers

Black is a rookie backup I’ve been featuring in this column all season, encouraging managers to stash him away in case of a Christian McCaffrey injury. 

The veteran did get banged up in their last game in Week 7 before the bye, but was fortunately able to return to the game in the second half. That led to increased usage for Black, who rushed 12 times for 63 yards and a score. It was his highest output since a 15-touch, 70-yard stat line in the opener. 

McCaffrey downplayed the injury after the game and with the time off, I’d expect him back this week. CMC later confirmed he is dealing with a “mild” hamstring strain. However, it’s clear Black is up to the challenge if his number is ever called. 

Stashing a talented No. 2 back playing behind a 30-year-old starter who handled 450 touches last year isn’t the worst idea in the world. Black should be rostered everywhere and would provide RB2 fantasy production with RB1 upside if McCaffrey were ever sidelined. 

James Conner, Cardinals (IR)

This is an extreme long shot, but Conner is a potential trade candidate who’s sitting on IR in Arizona. I have the veteran stashed in several leagues, just in case the Cardinals send him to an RB-needy roster before the deadline. There’s also the possibility that the recent string of injuries in the Cardinals’ backfield (Jeremiyah Love, Bam Knight) leads to Conner being activated and put into the lineup. 

Tyler Allgeier is 52% rostered but would be the No. 1 RB add, if available. 

Flex options

• Dylan Sampson at NO (17% rostered)

• Devin Singletary at PHI (5% rostered)

• Chris Rodriguez Jr. at BAL (26% rostered)

Flex options (if healthy)

• Brian Robinson Jr. vs. CIN (25% rostered)

Flex options (if starter is out)

• Kendre Miller vs. CLE (24% rostered)

Risky flex options

• Kimani Vidal vs. HOU (13% rostered)

• Sione Vaki at MIA (1% rostered)

• Samaje Perine vs. ATL (22% rostered)

• Austin Ekeler vs. LAR (2% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options

• Tyler Goodson at IND (1% rostered)

• Corey Kiner vs. GB (4% rostered)

• Keaton Mitchell vs. HOU (24% rostered)

• Elijah Mitchell vs. NYG (2% rostered)

• Ty Johnson at MIN (2% rostered)

• Justice Hill vs. JAX (5% rostered)

Upside stashes to roster

• MarShawn Lloyd at NE (39% rostered)

• Ray Davis (4% rostered)

Deep stashes

• Isaiah Davis (1% rostered)

• DJ GIddens (0% rostered)

• Kaytron Allen (1% rostered)

Bye-week stashes

• Tyjae Spears (15% rostered)

• Nicholas Singleton (1% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes

• Jonathon Brooks (38% rostered)

• Tank Bigsby (11% rostered) 

Wide Receivers

Antonio Williams/Treylon Burks, Commanders

There isn’t a breakout league-winning receiver on the waiver wire this week. Instead, it’s filled with a variety of WR3/flex options. That’s why you don’t need to go crazy with your bids and I certainly wouldn’t use my No. 1 waiver priority on a wideout this time around. 

With Terry McLaurin done for the season, Williams was a hot waiver-wire recommendation last week. Though he didn’t blow the doors off with a big stat line, he posted his second consecutive game with over 50 receiving yards in the win over the Eagles. It was also the second straight outing where he led the receivers in snaps and routes run. 

His teammate Burks is also intriguing as a flex play. He stepped up before the bye with four catches for 66 yards and came through again in this contest with three grabs for 81 yards. Burks has at least eight fantasy points in four of his last five appearances. 

DeMario Douglas, Patriots

DeMario Douglas has always been a risky receiver to put in your fantasy lineup due to his low floor. We witnessed that occur in Week 7 when he only delivered three catches for 23 yards.

However, Douglas has posted at least 15 fantasy points in his other three outings over the last month, finishing as a top-10 WR each time. Touchdowns helped his cause, but he’s come away with very respectable yardage totals in those games as well (65, 86, 76). 

With A.J. Brown’s uncertain injury timeline and Romeo Doubs still on IR, Douglas is stepping up for Drake Maye. Fantasy managers can continue to take advantage by starting him as a WR3/flex option with temporary upside. 

Adonai Mitchell, Jets

Mitchell is the most difficult player to write about this week, given my undying hope that his talent will eventually turn him into a strong dynasty asset. Sadly, he was on the bench in most of my dynasty leagues during his seven-catch, 142-yard, one-touchdown eruption against the Raiders. 

There’s no denying Mitchell has the ability to produce in an NFL offense, the problem remains consistency. It’s going to be incredibly tough to trust him in a Jets offense that has so many hands calling for the ball, including Garrett Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr., Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Braelon Allen and Breece Hall (when healthy and if he’s not traded). 

This week it was Cooper who was left with zero in the box score. The week before it was Wilson held to two receptions and 26 yards. That doesn’t mean you can’t add Mitchell and see how this plays out, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up for him turning into a startable asset in redraft. He’s more of a boom-or-bust one-week replacement in good matchups. 

Jordyn Tyson is 51% rostered but would be the No. 1 WR add, if available. 

Makai Lemon is 58% rostered but would be the No. 2 WR add behind Tyson, if available. 

Keenan Allen is 51% rostered but would be the No. 4 WR add behind Tyson, Lemon and Williams, if available. 

Khalil Shakir is 53% rostered but would be the No. 5 WR add behind Tyson, Lemon, Williams and Allen, if available. 

Flex options

• Caleb Douglas vs. DET (28% rostered)

• Malik Washington vs. DET (28% rostered)

• Ryan Flournoy at IND (34% rostered)

• Jakobi Meyers at BAL (47% rostered)

Risky flex options

• Brian Thomas Jr. at BAL (43% rostered)

• Malachi Fields at PHI (4% rostered)

• Quentin Johnston vs. HOU (31% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy)

• Rashid Shaheed vs. ARI (25% rostered)

Risky flex options (if starter is out)

• Jordan Watkins vs. LV (1% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options

• Tank Dell at LAC (15% rostered)

• Kyle Williams vs. GB (1% rostered)

• Tre’ Harris vs. HOU (5% rostered)

• Jahan Dotson vs. CIN (2% rostered)

• Efton Chism III vs. GB (2% rostered)

• Jalen Nailor at SF (4% rostered)

• Chris Bell vs. DET (2% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out)

• Reggie Virgil at SE (0% rostered)

• Simi Fehoko at SEA (0% rostered)

• Devin Duvernay at SEA (0% rostered)

Upside stashes to roster

• Travis Hunter (10% rostered)

• Tyreek Hill (13% rostered)

Deep stashes

• Tory Horton (0% rostered)

• Josh Cameron (0% rostered)

• Cyrus Allen (1% rostered)

Bye-week stashes

• Chimere Dike (2% rostered)

• Epic Ayomanor (4% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes

• Alec Pierce (47% rostered)

Tight Ends

Mike Gesicki, Bengals

Gesicki has scored a touchdown in six of his seven outings this season and currently sits as the TE6 in fantasy points per game with only MNF left to be played. 

The concerns over his reduced targets the last couple weeks went away with a four-catch, 76-yard, one-score effort against the Titans on Sunday. He’s now tied his career-high with six touchdowns and he’s accomplished it in just seven games. 

At this point, Gesicki has definitely done enough to warrant being rostered in most formats, but remains available in over 80% of leagues. 

Even if you don’t need a tight end start, Gesicki is in consideration as a flex option. Remember, he’s mostly used as a third receiver out of the slot anyway. The Falcons are a plus matchup for both positions, so Gesicki has a good chance to keep this streak going in a potential shootout in the dome. 

Streaming options (if starter is out)

• Eli Raridon vs. GB (1% rostered)

Streaming options

• Chig Okonkwo vs. LAR (30% rostered)

Streaming options (if starter is out)

• Kenyon Sadiq at KC (13% rostered)

Risky streaming options

• AJ Barner vs. ARI (12% rostered)

• Michael Mayer at SF (13% rostered)

• Greg Dulcich vs. DET (6% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options

• Tyler Higbee at WAS (25% rostered)

• Oronde Gadsden II vs. HOU (4% rostered)

• Brevyn Spann-Ford at IND (0% rostered)

Upside stashes to roster

• Eli Stowers (0% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes

• Terrance Ferguson (16% rostered)

Week 9 streamers

Defenses

Kickers

Drop candidates

Quarterbacks: Justin Herbert, Jacoby Brissett, Aaron Rodgers

Running Backs: J.K. Dobbins, Jacory Croskey-Merrit, Emanuel Wilson

Wide Receivers: Chris Godwin Jr., Xavier Worthy, Romeo Doubs

Tight Ends: Mark Andrews, Juwan Johnson, Jake Ferguson

• Jacoby Brissett has struggled this season and was eventually benched in Sunday’s game. Whether he’s replaced for the rest of season by Gardner Minshew or eventually Carson Beck, Brissett’s time as the Cardinals starter is nearing its end. His only hope for a fantasy revival would come via trade.  

• Regardless of what the depth chart says in Denver, J.K. Dobbins has been overtaken by Jonah Coleman. The veteran has played less than 25% of the snaps in each of past two games and there are also rumors the Broncos could be in the mix to trade for a big-name running back like Jonathan Taylor. Even with RJ Harvey on IR, Dobbins can be dropped. 

• Godwin hasn’t topped 50 yards this season and now the Buccaneers have decided to stop throwing the ball entirely. With Emeka Egbuka likely returning soon, Godwin can be safely sent back to the waiver wire.