Week 8 has come and gone and thankfully, we made it through relatively unscathed in regards to fantasy injuries. No major or fantasy-relevant injuries happened, but that did not prevent all the quarterbacks from sucking. In a season where it has been offense, offense, and more offense, it felt like the defenses struck back this week. Heading into Week 9, the waiver wire is getting barren. However, you found this column so there is no need to fear! The SGPN Early Week 9 Waiver Wire column is here to help your preparation for next week.
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Early Week 9 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football
Trey Burton (TE) – 9.2% of Rosters
Last week the Colts were on a bye and so Trey Burton slipped under the radar on last week’s waiver wire run. Prior to the bye, Burton had been targeted 5+ times each week and played at least 50% of the snaps. Even this week Burton was targeted four times and got a goal-line carry to as well. Burton looks like the go-to guy in Indy and has the versatility to get involved in multiple ways. If you need a tight end for the rest of the season then make Burton your priority this week.
Zack Moss (RB) – 36.4% of Rosters
It was a classic Buffalo weather day, complete with a postgame snow shower. It was also a throwback on the field with the Bills gashing the Patriots for 190 yards. Zack Moss accounted for 81 of those and two touchdowns. John Feliciano returned from injury and appears to be the spark that the Bills rushing offense needed. Moss has been right around 50% of offensive snaps each week and is heavily involved around the goal line as well. If he is available in your league, go get him now and pencil him in as an RB2 each week.
Gus Edwards (RB) – 4.3% of Rosters
Mark Ingram missed his first game with a high-ankle injury and may miss more time beyond this week. Removing Ingram from a crowded Ravens’ backfield opened up the opportunity for Gus Edwards to shine. Edwards averaged 5.4 yards-per-carry on 14 carries and found the endzone once as well. Without Ingram to divide the workload into three, both Edwards and Dobbins have value in leagues. The Gus Bus is far more likely to be available in your league so make him an early week 9 waiver wire target.
Jakobi Meyers (WR) – 0.5% of Rosters
The Patriots offense looked like they might have some life as a run-first attack, but they picked some nice spots to air it out as well. Jakobi Meyers was targeted 10 times when Cam went to air it out and he caught six of those passes for 58 yards. Looking ahead, Meyers has the opportunity to carve out a steady role for the rest of the season. Both N’Keal Harry and Julian Edelman have not looked like explosive options for Cam in the passing game. Meyers looked good on Sunday in a run-heavy game script and looks like he might be involved more moving forward. If you are looking for a high-upside low-cost receiver, Meyers fits the mold.
Corey Davis (WR) – 36.0% of Rosters
Corey Davis has been up and down to a frustrating degree throughout his career. The former first-round pick is treading right on the edge of the Great Bust Canyon. However, things are trending upwards for the Western Michigan product and he has been consistently targeted so far in 2020. It culminated this week with a 10 target, eight catch, 128 yards, and one touchdown performance. Davis has had some big games so far this season and with an injury to Adam Humphries, the Titans may look to get Davis more involved the rest of the season. If he is not rostered in your league, go get him and pencil him in as a flex option this week and beyond. Getting a player with his talent and opportunity off of the waiver wire this late in the season is rare so take advantage of it.
Darnell Mooney (WR) – 3.9% of Rosters
The Bears offense is bad. That being said, their passing offense has looked average to passable at times. Additionally, any offensive struggles are not due to a lack of talent at the receiver position. Between Robinson, Miller, and Darnell Mooney Chicago has plenty of firepower for whichever mediocre quarterback they are trotting out. Against a stingy Saints’ defense, Mooney brought in all six of his targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. Each week he has been on the field for 65% or more of the Bears’ offensive snaps, including 81% of their snaps in Week 7. Mooney is a talented rookie who Matt Nagy is looking to get involved often on the offense. If you add him, Mooney should be a matchup-dependent flex option each week.
Troymaine Pope (RB) – 0.0% of Rosters
The Chargers backfield had been lackluster until this week. Against what was thought of as a stout Broncos defense, the Chargers ran for 210 yards. Surprisingly, 67 of those yards were thanks to Troymaine Pope. Pope was also targeted seven times and caught five of those targets for 28 yards. Pope is a journeyman back who put up more yardage in this game than he did in all his previous work combined (26 total touches for 89 yards and a touchdown). Given that Pope is a veteran it is difficult to say if this is a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come. However, with Ekeler out the Chargers have been looking for a spark at running back. Pope and Jackson gave the Chargers a look they have not had in a while. If you are desperate at running back, Pope is worth a high-upside flier.
Marvin Hall (WR) – 0.0% of Rosters
Kenny Golladay left the Lions’ Week 8 loss with a hip injury. Marvin Jones stepped up in his absence, but so did Marvin Hall. Hall stepped into the limelight easily and led the Lions in yardage (113) and tied Jones in targets (7). The bye weeks and injuries have hit fantasy teams hard this year. Moving into Week 9 you may find yourself staring at a barren waiver wire. Hall is a flex option if Golladay misses time. If you have Golladay on the roster or are truly desperate, put in an early week 9 waiver wire claim on Hall.
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