Latest / Upper Hand Fantasy / 2026 Week 9 Waiver Wire: The Backfield That Flipped, the Stashes to Roster and Streamers

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2026 Week 9 Waiver Wire: The Backfield That Flipped, the Stashes to Roster and Streamers · Upper Hand Fantasy

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: You're trying to decide who to pick up in week nine?
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: Well, I'll tell you, a backfield just flipped overnight.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: Number one on this list could be the most important ad of the week if you need a running back.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're somehow still sitting on your waiver wire, you need to be ready to spend up.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: We've also got a rookie receiver who just led his team in target share and only his seventh career start.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: A receiver coming off a career day who's somehow still available on waivers in almost 90% of leagues.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: A one-week rental at running back if you're desperate, and one of the best stashes in fantasy who's about to come off of IR.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Plus a few guys everyone's gonna be chasing that I'm passing on.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: So that's what we're doing today.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: Let's get into it.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Couple priority ads, let's start with Mike Washington.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: So the script completely flipped in the Raiders' backfield on Sunday.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: Mike Washington took over the early down roll, it wasn't close.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: 25 opportunities to Ashen Genty's six.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: Now he was relatively quiet on the ground, you know, 83 scoreless yards and 25 carries, but he controlled some of the two-minute work, the goal line opportunities in this game.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: He had six of them.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: Genty basically turned into the passing down back in this game.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Kobiak said after the game that Genty's reduced workload was his decision, and it had nothing to do with Genty's comments about the Jets defense earlier in the week.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: We'll see.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: So either Genty's in the doghouse or this is the new normal, and his work is gonna take a serious hit the rest of the way.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: And we already saw Kobeak use two backs with Sharbin and Walker in Seattle, so this could be a similar type of thing unfolding right in front of us.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: If they're willing to pivot this hard off of Genty, even for one game, Washington is way more than a hankuff at this point.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: He's got standalone value, he could be startable the rest of the season.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: So I'd make him my number one waiver priority.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: I'm probably dropping like 15 to 20% of Fab here because it's not a clear situation, but I definitely want to grab him just in case he ends up being their primary early down back.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: Next up is Adnai Mitchell.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_00: We all knew that Mitchell was coming back at some point.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: He was productive early in the year before he got hurt.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: And after being limited in his return in week seven, he ran as many routes as Omar Cooper Jr.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: this week and put up a career day against the Raiders, seven catches on nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown, team leading 29% target share.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: He's now averaging over a 30% target share in his last two fully healthy games.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: So yeah, this is a target earner.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_00: And it sucks that Cooper couldn't even get a target because of Mitchell's big day.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: And both of these guys are good receivers, and they're gonna go back and forth, right?
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: Good games, some weeks, quiet games, and others.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Cooper still has a slight edge in his role.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: He's the one running routes in two wide receiver sets, but Mitchell showed that he can come through running almost exclusively when they are in three wide receiver sets.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: I think they're both very startable as boom bust flex plays, especially in good matchups.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: And with this kind of upside, Mitchell can't be sitting on waivers in 89% of leagues like he is right now.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: I would go get him.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: I'm probably spending around 10% of Fab or so.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: Next up is Antonio Williams.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: Stefan Diggs and Traylon Burks both scored more points this past week, but look at the usage.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: In Washington's first full game without Terry McLaurin, Williams led the team in routes, run, and earned the most targets against the Eagles, team leading 25% target share for him.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, this is a rookie who's functioning as the commander's wide receiver one right now.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: He just led his team in target share in his seventh career start.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: This is exactly what you want to see from him with McLaurin out.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: The offense still isn't amazing, but it's more than good enough to support him.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: And if Jaden Daniels keeps trusting him like this, bigger games are coming.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: For now, I'll treat him like a very startable wide receiver three with upside.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: And if this offense starts to gel under first year coordinator David Blau, I think his best games are still ahead of him.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: 6% to 8% fat.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: Next up is Tyler Algier.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Jeremiah Love reaggravated his ankle injury.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: He left the game in the first quarter.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: Bam Knight left the game in the second quarter with the concussion, and Algier turned into a bell cow.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: He played 100% of the snaps the rest of the way.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: He destroyed the Cowboys for 191 yards and two touchdowns and only 16 touches.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: Now, obviously, it was the Cowboys, so we can't overreact to the performance, but there isn't another active running back on the roster.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_00: They're probably gonna bring somebody up for next week's matchup against Seattle.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, super tough there.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_00: I can totally see a situation where he plays 80% plus snaps against Seattle, assuming that Bam Knight doesn't pass the concussion protocol.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: Bam Knight can easily just clear the concussion protocol, and if he does, he could end up playing over Algier again, just like he was before he got hurt in this game.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_00: So I would treat this as a one-week rental at best for Algier.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: I'm only adding him if I desperately need a running back this week.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not even spending big, maybe 5% fab at most.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: All right, a couple stashes.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: First off, Terrence Ferguson.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: We've been on Ferguson for weeks now.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: Like he's gonna be eligible to come off IR at any point.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: So keep being patient.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: Apparently, there's a good chance that he can practice this week.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: We've been hearing about that for a little bit, but I think it's gonna happen.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_00: He's stepping right back into a very productive role once he's back.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: And when he's healthy, he's by far been the lead pass catching tight end.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: He's been targeted on 24% of his routes.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: That's clear in a way the best among all the Rams tight ends.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_00: And that led to a 29% target share back in week two, which is more than any other Rams tight end has had in any game this year.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: There's no clear number two target behind Puka Nakua right now with Devante out.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: Parkinson, Higby, Davis, they all have been taking turns, being the guy week to week, and nobody's been consistent.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: Ferguson already showed us earlier this year that he could pick up the slack when Puka Nakua was hurt.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: So once he's back, I think he's a plug and play tight end one with top five upside.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: One of the best stashes out there.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_00: I'm spending six, seven, eight percent if you need to.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: Seth McGowan is another stash with the Colts officially open into trading Jonathan Taylor.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: I think it would be pretty irresponsible to let the next guy up, you know, float around on waivers for someone else to grab.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: Even on a bad team like the Colts, he is a good pass catcher, too.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: So even in negative game scripts, he could definitely get some dump offs.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm stashing him before the trade deadline.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: Just throw a dollar or two at him.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: If you don't think so, you might have to spend up a little bit more.
• 5:19
  SPEAKER_00: You know your league.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: Tajay Spears is another one.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: Tony Pollard's been a prime trade candidate.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_00: With a deadline coming up, Spears could find himself as the Titans' top back once he's healthy.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: Tennessee's on by this week, so this is a pure stash.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: We could look up in two weeks and see Spears running this backfield if Pollard gets moved.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: So maybe a couple bucks.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_00: That's about it.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: Let's talk about Emmett Johnson real quick.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: Just keep in mind, like I know the production was crazy, right?
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: Six touches, 143 yards, extremely efficient.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: The role didn't change.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, he's still one of the top handcuffs out there, no doubt about it.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: But it's gonna be hard for him to have a standalone value with the way that Walker's playing number one, and Johnson averaging just about five touches a game.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: His 25 points were 16 higher than his expected fantasy points based on his role.
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_00: That's the third biggest gap among running backs this week.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: So I would stash him, but you know, I wouldn't necessarily want to play him, right?
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: Not gonna chase him here just to have him on your roster, maybe a couple bucks.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_00: But once you have him, don't drop him.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_00: Couple deeper ads, Dylan Sampson on the Browns, back-to-back games with 10 plus PPR points.
• 6:15
  SPEAKER_00: This week it outscored Judkins, um, which is not a surprise.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_00: We've been talking about it all week.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: But Cleveland was in a negative game script that led Samson to rack up targets, which has been his bread and butter since he came into the league, and he's been very efficient doing so.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: If the Browns keep struggling, there'll be more games like this.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: He's solid running back depth, he's a PPR flex in a pinch.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: In non-PPR, I don't know if I would prioritize him.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: If you're looking for a wide receiver, Ryan Flournoy could help you.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: 11 plus points in each of his last four games in PPR leagues.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_00: He led the Cowboys receivers against the Cardinals this week.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_00: That shouldn't be happening, obviously, going forward, but he's a good player.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: He's running enough routes, he's attached to a good enough offense to be your flex if you're desperate.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: He's got a great slot matchup against Indy this week.
• 6:54
  SPEAKER_00: And if anything happens to CD or Pickens gets traded, I doubt that'll happen.
• 6:58
  SPEAKER_00: He's a must-start the rest of the way.
• 7:00
  SPEAKER_00: James Connor, like he's kind of this dart throw in deeper leagues, right?
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: He hasn't been active activated off of IR, but there's been some talks about Connor potentially being traded.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: So we'll see.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_00: But somebody I needed to mention just in case.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: Marshawn Lloyd, as long as Josh Jacobs case is ongoing, there's always a chance that there's a suspension here.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_00: Lloyd's the guy that Green Bay will probably turn back to if Jacobs were to get suspended again, because they had some more allegations come up this past weekend.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: Um, he's obviously not going to be doing what Jacobs is doing, but he will be somewhat startable if it happens.
• 7:30
  SPEAKER_00: More so for deeper league.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: All right, let's start up by Demario Douglas real quick with AJ Brown out again.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_00: Dobbs Hollins both on IR.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_00: Douglas had three catches and three targets for 76 yards and a 48-yard touchdown.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: That's four touchdowns in his last four games.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: The volume isn't huge, but if Brown keeps missing time, I think he's flex worthy.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_00: Hunter Henry also can miss some time.
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_00: So I think this is a nice depth add if you need a wide receiver start this week.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: Just want to quickly mention a couple guys that I'm not picking up.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: Jameer DK is number one.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_00: You know, Carnel Tate's expected to be back after the bye.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_00: Elijah Mitchell, not really picking him up because Saquon's gonna play through this injury, it seems, and they have a bye the week after.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_00: And then Jalen Naylor, he had a big game, but I don't really care.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: I'm I'm good on Jalen Naylor.
• 8:07
  SPEAKER_00: And then a few quarterback streamers, Malik Willis versus Detroit, uh, the golden matchup for quarterbacks, right?
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_00: He's playing way better lately, too, five touchdowns over the last two games after just four in the first five games.
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_00: If I've been relying on a guy like, I don't know, Jacoby Brissett, who just got benched, um, you know, someone like that, also go ahead and start Malik Willis this week if you're looking for a streamer.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: Sam Darnold against Arizona, great matchup this week.
• 8:27
  SPEAKER_00: And then he gets the Raiders before Seattle's week 11 bye, and then he gets the Cowboys coming out of it.
• 8:31
  SPEAKER_00: So he could have some better games.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_00: Um his quieter games lately, you know, came against tough defenses, like the Chiefs, Broncos, Niners.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_00: So I think he can string together some games here in stronger matchup.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_00: Kyler Murray against Buffalo.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_00: He came through with his first top 10 fantasy performance of the season in a great matchup against the Lions last week.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_00: Justin Jefferson might not agree, but he gets the Bills this week.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: They give up 16 or more fantasy points to all but two quarterbacks this season: Justin Herbert, ew, and Joe Fanyano.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: Ew.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: He's startable.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_00: JJ McCarthy as well.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Eagles are really not playing well.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_00: They're top 10 points per game allowed to quarterbacks this season.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_00: McCarthy's coming off the bye.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_00: He's through for 240 yards in two games this season, including the 243 he had to just that one quarter of action back in week six.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: Complete dart throw, but maybe you're desperate.
• 9:16
  SPEAKER_00: A couple tight end streamers.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_00: I want to talk about Eli Raroden real quick because Hunter Henry left with a foot injury.
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_00: Raridan ran around on a career high 78% of drop backs, 17% target share.
• 9:26
  SPEAKER_00: I liked him a lot as a prospect.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_00: Thought he was very underrated, and I think he's got even more pass catching upside than Hunter Henry at this point.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_00: So if Henry misses time, I think he's a streamer with real upside um in a role that gave Henry three top 10 finishes.
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_00: 3% to 4% fab, if that.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: Greg Dulcich against Detroit.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_00: Not only has he been the primary pass catching tight end for Miami, but he's averaging a 21% target share over these last three weeks.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: He has a matchup against the Lions this week.
• 9:50
  SPEAKER_00: They give up the most points per game to the position.
• 9:53
  SPEAKER_00: Not bad at all.
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: Mike Goseki against Atlanta.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: He can't stop catching touchdowns from Joe Burrow.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: He's scored in all but one of his games played this season.
• 10:00
  SPEAKER_00: He's facing the Falcons this week, who have been very generous to the position.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_00: The way Joe Burrow is playing right now, I would happily roll the dice on Goseki if I were desperate.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_00: And then you got AJ Barner up against Arizona.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, if I absolutely had to, I think Barner could be like a desperate streamer.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_00: 16% target share over the last five games.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: Facing a Cardinals defense that gives up the seventh most fantasy points to the position this year.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_00: That's gonna do it for this week's waiver wire.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_00: If this helped you figure out where to put your fab, who to prioritize, hit subscribe.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_00: We're doing waivers every single week, all season long.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_00: Trade show coming up.
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_00: Good luck this week.
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_00: I'll see you in the next one.