David’s Daily Digest
Tuesday Late-Evening Edition
The Weekly Waiver Wire
This week’s Waiver wire is filled with lots of considerations depending on your need and current circumstance. Some of these player solutions for Week 9 will vary depending on your league availability, but with the return of the byes the answer is on the Wire.
Week 9 Plug n Plays
The Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is only rostered in 7.9% of ESPN leagues. McBride is coming off a huge game in Week 8, seeing 14 targets (albeit much of his damage was done late in the 2nd half) resulting in 10 receptions for 95 yards with a score. With the veteran Zach Ertz on IR, the path to an expanded role for McBride has been paved. His large workload on Sunday was his third straight game with 5 or more targets. With a quarterback change in tow, proceed with caution.
Another Cardinal deserving of a roster spot is running back Emari Demercado, only rostered in 39.2% of ESPN leagues. It’s too early to consider him a long term solution, but he could be a quick bye week fix with flex value. Over his last two games he’s only averaging just over 10 fantasy points per game (ppr), but he has 17 and 21 touches respectively.
Week 9 Streamers
Quarterback Gardner Minshew (Colts) is only owned in 7.5% of ESPN leagues, but he’s been one of the better scoring fantasy QBs the past two weeks. Against the Browns and Saints, two of the tougher passing matchups in the NFL, Minshew has passed for 518 yards, tossed 4 touchdowns, and rushed for two more. Minshew is not going to set the fantasy world on fire, but he’s a decent fix if you’re in a bind.
Rostered in less than half of all ESPN leagues, tight end Jake Ferguson (Cowboys) is coming off a Week 8 performance where he finished as the fantasy TE10. Ferguson grabbed 4 passes for 47 yards and a score. It was a bounce back performance from a disastrous Week 6 performance with one catch and one target. Despite the lackluster games in week 5 & 6, Ferguson is still the fantasy TE14 this season. For lack of better options available, he should fit the bill.
Week 9 Stashes
The Saints rookie wide receiver Rashid Hasheed is still well behind in the receiving pecking order, but his propensity for the big play make him a viable stash candidate. Hasheed has scored 18 or more fantasy points in three games this season, including in Week 8. While he is seemingly a boom or bust play at the moment, he’s only rostered in 18.4% of ESPN Leagues and could pay huge dividends down the stretch.
Wide receiver Donovan People-Jones only owned in 1.9% of ESPN Leagues, was just traded to the Lions, a team in desperate need of a second receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. DPJ should be stashed and a wait and see approach followed.
The Seahawks rookie running back Zach Charbonnet is rostered in only 30.1% of ESPN Leagues. While Charbonnet is the primary backup to Kenneth Walker, he should be rostered at this time. Charbonnet has shown some flash and his time may be coming sooner rather than later. In Week 8 for the first time this season he out-snapped Walker, 34-24.
Week 9 Watchlist
Quarterback Will Levis (Titans) Barely owned in any leagues, he definitely worth keeping an eye on, but unless you have the available bench slot, too soon to add.
Just traded to the Bills running back Leonard Fournette, only rostered in 3.2% of ESPN Leagues should be on your watchlist, but too soon to add.
Wide receiver Quentin Johnson (Chargers) owned in only 31.3% of ESPN Leagues, turned in his best game of the season. He definitely should be on your radar and could even be a candidate worth stashing if you have available real estate on your bench.
The Rest of the Wire.
Only rostered in 16.8% of ESPN Leagues, quarterback Joshua Dobbs should be on fantasy radars, but not much more than that at this time.
Running back Justice Hill (Ravens) is rostered in 28.1% of ESPN Leagues, and offers flex value during the Byes.
Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir owned in .2%, coming off a big week, could be considered a potential streamer in larger leagues.
Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (Panthers) is only owned in 7.9% of ESPN Leagues. Mingo should continue to see his target share grow going forward with the Panthers often playing from behind. He should be on fantasy radars.
Wide receiver Jayden Reed (Packers) is rostered in 17.1% of ESPN Leagues. He should be on your fantasy radar.
Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs is still owned in less than half of all ESPN Leagues. He should be rostered and considered a volatile streaming option through the remaining Byes.
Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder, owned in .7% of ESPN Leagues should be on fantasy radars for now.
Cardinals rookie wide receiver Michael Wilson (8.9% owned in ESPN Leagues) remains on fantasy radars for now.
Tight end Taysom Hill (Saints) owned in just 14.8% of ESPN Leagues, is doing more than enough over the past several weeks as the team’s utility option. He’s a risky streaming option with plenty of reward.
Commanders tight end Logan Thomas is rostered in just 38.7% of ESPN Leagues, and has been trending upward. He should be considered a viable streaming option through the Byes.
Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr (owned in 1.7% of ESPN Leagues) should be considered a viable streaming option as long as Gerald Everett is OUT.
That's my take!
~David G. Ortega
