The Week 9 waiver wire is a lot more interesting than last week’s. With four teams on bye, there are several strong matchups and injury replacements to consider.
Here are our five top targets.
Troy Franklin
Troy Franklin has scored 39.8 fantasy points over the last two weeks. He’s been targeted 18 times in that stretch and has logged more than 60 percent of snaps in both games, a notable jump from his workload between Weeks 4 and 6.
Denver faces a stingy Texans defense this week, so it’s not an ideal matchup. Still, Franklin has become one of Bo Nix’s preferred red zone options and a trusted target overall. With only 10.5 percent ownership and his recent production, he’s hard to ignore during a week when DeVonta Smith and Emeka Egbuka are both on bye.
There is some downside. Franklin posted between 2.8 and 9.5 points from Weeks 3 through 6, and Houston could easily slow this offense down. Even so, his snap share and usage make him a worthwhile pickup in most formats.
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Cam Skattebo is out for the season after suffering a gruesome ankle injury. In his absence, Tyrone Tracy Jr., the Giants’ lead back in 2024, handled 10 carries and saw three targets against the Eagles in Week 8.
Those three targets are a promising sign moving forward, especially for PPR formats. New York also has Devin Singletary in the mix, but Tracy has a real opportunity to carve out more snaps if he can provide a spark to a struggling passing game.
The schedule ahead is not easy, but Tracy has the workload and versatility to be a useful depth piece on fantasy rosters.
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has played well enough to be a reliable fill-in for Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield, both on bye this week. In fact, Rodgers could be justified as a starter in his own right in deeper 12- or 14-team leagues, even with the Steelers facing the high-flying Colts.
Pittsburgh’s loss to Green Bay on Sunday night was not on him. His mobility continues to improve each week, his bad throw rate is better than league average, and he is avoiding unnecessary hits.
Bam Knight
James Conner is out for the year, and Trey Benson is on injured reserve until at least Week 10. Bam Knight has emerged as Arizona’s lead back, logging six more snaps than Michael Carter in the Cardinals’ Week 7 loss to Green Bay.
Knight finished with 57 rushing yards and three catches on four targets, while Carter struggled to get anything going. We would not be surprised if Knight’s workload increases in Week 9 against the porous Cowboys defense.
He is a strong pickup, even if it ends up being just a one-week play with Benson eligible to return soon.
Chargers Defense
This is a simple case of fading the Titans. The Chargers defense put up 11 fantasy points in their Week 8 win over the Vikings. Tennessee has allowed a top-six fantasy defense in three straight games and has shown no signs of improving offensively.
This is a high-floor, high-ceiling play. There are not many defenses you would take over the Chargers this week, and there is every chance they reach double digits again given how dysfunctional the Titans have been.
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