“Ch, ch, ch… ah, ah, ah.” That’s totally the sound of the fantasy football playoffs creeping up on you and not somebody in a hockey mask as your Week 9 waiver wire bids fall on Halloween this year. The NFL Trade Deadline is also on Halloween, so it’s important to see who gets moved after an injury-laden Week 8.
Teams on bye this week: Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers
As always, the players below are rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 9 Pickups (2023)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Priority Adds
Chuba Hubbard (RB, Carolina Panthers) | 42.9% Rostered
Although Chuba Hubbard didn’t have an outstanding performance in Week 8, it does seem like he has taken the lead role in this Panthers backfield. In the last few weeks, Hubbard has taken on a more prominent role as Miles Sanders worked through a groin injury. This week, however, may hold a little bit more weight, as the Carolina Panthers were coming off the bye week, and head coach Frank Reich has handed over the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.
In Week 8, Hubbard played 40 snaps, while Sanders only saw the field for 12. The Carolina offense is struggling to put together an identity, so there may be some up-and-down weeks for Hubbard. Still, this late into the season, it’s challenging to find an RB who might get 15 touches each week. The Panthers take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, who have been giving up the fourth-most Points Per Reception (PPR) fantasy points to running backs. Hubbard should be rostered in all formats, and he’s available to grab off the Week 9 waiver wire in almost half of all leagues.
Trey McBride (TE, Arizona Cardinals) | 7.3% Rostered
Trey McBride stepped up with teammate Zach Ertz moving to the Injured Reserve (IR) list this past week. McBride had 10 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown while netting a 38.9% target share on Sunday. For context, the Cardinals were down big pretty much all day to the Ravens and had to throw to keep pace. But that probably won’t be uncommon for the Cardinals for the rest of the season, even with Kyler Murray due back as early as Week 10.
I watched all of McBride’s targets from Sunday, and it’s pretty encouraging usage. Sure, there are the out routes to the flat that only net five or six yards, but there are also several downfield and over-the-middle targets. While McBride won’t maintain a near-40% target share the rest of the season, the Cardinals will likely lean on him as a primary pass catcher. McBride is a target-hog pickup.
Demario Douglas (WR, New England Patriots) | 1.1% Rostered
Demario Douglas led the Patriots’ wide receivers in routes and snaps on Sunday. The sixth-round rookie selection created some buzz during the preseason and now finds himself in a position to get more playing time after teammate Kendrick Bourne left Week 8 and will be out for the season with a torn ACL. Although Douglas has just two starts this season, he finds himself behind only Bourne in yardage for New England WRs. Expect an uptick in looks going to Douglas. This week, he’ll take on the Washington Commanders, who allow the second-most fantasy points to the WR position. Grab him off the Week 9 waiver wire now.
Plug-Ins
Taysom Hill (TE, New Orleans Saints) | 14.6% Rostered
Ah, the yearly stretch where Taysom Hill plays QB, RB and some TE. Regardless of the position Hill plays on the actual NFL field, he’s listed as a TE (and maybe also a QB) on most fantasy platforms. Hill’s routes and targets took a dip this week with the return of teammate Juwan Johnson. Hill’s rush attempts, however, increased to nine attempts, as he rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
I can’t tell you that anything is sticky in terms of attempts and rush share each week with Hill. But what I can tell you is that he’s scored 12.3, 16.8 and 22.5 fantasy points over the last three weeks, and I want that kind of production in my TE position. “NBA Jam” rules dictate that Hill is on fire, so if you need a plug-in this week, he is a safe bet to remain involved. The Saints take on the Chicago Bears, who are giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, the sixth-most to running backs and the 11th-most to tight ends. Regardless of where Hill lines up in Week 9, he has a beatable opponent.
Stashes
Quentin Johnston (WR, Los Angeles Chargers) | 31.4% Rostered
The 21st overall selection of this year’s NFL Draft had the biggest game of his young career on “Sunday Night Football.” Quentin Johnston tallied five catches for 50 yards on six targets in a game that saw teammate Joshua Palmer leave in the first quarter with a knee injury (though he did return and finish the game). The consensus on “QJ” is low, and rightfully so, as he hasn’t done much by way of production or earning targets thus far. That said, rookie wide receivers often find their stride in the back half of the season, and he’s tied to one of the best QBs in the league. I’m intrigued with Johnston moving forward, and he’s worth a spot at the end of your bench.
Thanks for reading my favorite fantasy football waiver wire Week 9 pickups. Looking for more fantasy football advice? Follow me on Twitter @ThatMattKelley.
*Photo Credit: Eric Canha – USA TODAY Sports*