The fantasy football season is hitting its stride, and waiver wire management is more crucial than ever! Injuries, lineup shake-ups and shifting roles can all make a big impact, and finding those lesser-known players can pay dividends in the weeks to come.
As always, “In the Scope” is here to highlight a few lesser-discussed players on the Week 9 waiver wire who could make a difference for your squad be priority adds in Week 10.
- Cedric Tillman (WR, Cleveland Browns) | 16.0% rostered
- Josh Downs (WR, Indianapolis Colts) | 48.6% rostered
- Jalen McMillan (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 41.7% rostered
- Ricky Pearsall (WR, San Francisco 49ers) | 22.4% rostered
- Xavier Legette (WR, Carolina Panthers) | 24.0% rostered
- Parker Washington (WR, Jacksonville Jaguars) | 0.1% rostered
- Sterling Shepard (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 10.3% rostered
- Jalen Tolbert (WR, Dallas Cowboys) | 27.6% rostered
Joe Flacco (QB, Indianapolis Colts) | 2.1% rostered
Managers needing a rest-of-season quarterback should take a good, hard look at Joe Flacco. While he might not appear in some projections yet, he’s the starter moving forward and already had a couple of impressive performances for the Colts, posting two finishes as the QB4 and QB18 in his initial outings. Averaging 20.7 fantasy points per game, he ranks as QB3 in fantasy points per game this season, a number that places him among the elite, albeit with a tiny sample size.
However, Flacco’s recent performances echo his success from last season. In five starts with Cleveland, he averaged 21.8 fantasy points, pacing as QB3 ona. points-per-game basis. The Colts’ schedule might be average and there is a bye in Week 14, but if Flacco remains the starter, he’s a solid option to roster in one-quarterback leagues. Unlike some of the more volatile options, like Sam Darnold or Bo Nix, Flacco’s experience should give him a weekly floor that managers can trust. He might be on his retirement tour, but he’s willing to take risks and air it out, and there’s massive fantasy upside.
Keaton Mitchell (RB, Baltimore Ravens) | 3.5% rostered
Jalen Coker (WR, Carolina Panthers) | 0.1% rostered
Jalen Coker’s recent increase in snap count and target share in Carolina is something to monitor. The rookie receiver has capitalized on his opportunities, posting a solid 18% target share and 34% air yard share when given chances. With Carolina’s offense ranking 11th in pass attempts, Coker has room to carve out a meaningful role, especially with veterans and other young players still developing.
The potential for trades or other lineup shifts in Carolina would only bolster Coker’s fantasy relevance. Even if the rookie’s role remains limited, his high air yard percentage and deep Average Depth of Target (aDOT) offers flex appeal in deeper leagues, especially with Andy Dalton’s experience benefiting Carolina’s pass-catchers.
Check out all of our Week 9 fantasy football content: