Week 9 Early Pickups and Waiver Wire Adds

After his amazing NFL debut, fantasy managers will be scrambling to get Titans quarterback Will Levis

Here’s an early look at the fantasy players you’ll be targeting off the waiver wire this week. None of these players are rostered in more than 50% of Yahoo! leagues. The actual Yahoo! ownership percentage is included in parentheses. Players are listed from the most owned to the least owned after Sunday’s games. Be sure to check out Jen Piacenti’s expanded list of waiver-wire players every Tuesday!

Brandin Cooks, WR, Cowboys (41%)

Cooks was non-existent in the stat sheets in his first four games with the Cowboys, scoring a combined 16.9 points. That caused him to be dropped in a lot of leagues. He’s been much more productive lately, however, scoring a touchdown and at least 14.2 points in each of his last two games. Cooks also has a great matchup against the Eagles next on the schedule, so he’s well worth a look off the wire.

Emari Demercado, RB, Cardinals (36%)

The Cardinals have settled on Demercado as their top running back in the absence of James Conner, who remains on injured reserve. He got the majority of the touches against the Ravens, turning 20 carries into 78 yards in a 31-24 loss. That’s not a huge stat line, but fantasy managers are looking for volume and warm bodies at running back during the bye weeks. Demercado will be a flex vs. the Browns.

Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints (36%)

Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

Shaheed doesn’t always get a ton of volume in terms of targets, but he can make some statistical noise with the balls thrown in his direction. That was evident against the Colts, as he posted 153 yards, one touchdown and 24.3 points on three catches. If you do that math, that’s 51 yards per reception. Shaheed isn’t consistent overall, but he can be a viable flex option during the bye weeks in some formats.

Taysom Hill, TE, Saints (34%)

Hill has put up three good stat lines in a row, as he’s being used in all kinds of roles in the Saints offense. He’s seen 14 targets in the last three games, catching 12 of them, while also rushing for three touchdowns including two against the Colts. In all, Hill has averaged a solid 17.2 points in his last three games and will be a startable tight end moving forward. He’ll face the Bears and Vikings next on the slate.

Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals (19%)

If you’re looking for a free agent at tight end, McBride could be your man. He was in this column last week, but he’s still a free agent in a ton of leagues. In his first game without Zach Ertz, McBride posted 10 catches for 95 yards with a touchdown and scored 25.5 PPR points in a loss to the Ravens. He was also targeted a team-high 14 times in the contest, so this was no fluke. Get McBride now while you can.

Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos (16%)

Mims has done nothing in the stat sheets in the last five weeks, so why would you add him off the waiver wire? Well, the Broncos could have a fire sale as the trade deadline looms, and I’ll bet either Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy gets dealt. If that happens, Mims will move up the depth chart and be in position to play a bigger role in the Broncos pass attack. He’s worth a speculative add for right now.

Will Levis, QB, Titans (3%)

Denny Simmons/USA TODAY Network

Levis made one of the best NFL debuts ever for a quarterback, throwing four scoring strikes in a win over the Falcons. Only Fran Tarkenton and Marcus Mariota have had as many touchdown passes in their first NFL start. The rookie finished with an impressive 26.6 points, making him a prime waiver wire add with so many injuries at the quarterback position. Levis will face the Steelers defense on the road next.

Nick Mullens, QB, Vikings (0%)

The Vikings have lost Kirk Cousins to an Achilles injury, so they’ll be forced to start rookie Jaren Hall against the Falcons. If he struggles, however, Mullens could be the add in multi-quarterback leagues. He’s on injured reserve, but the veteran could be back for Week 10 and start the rest of the season. So, while Hall is the short-term add for the desperate, Mullens could become the long-term fantasy option.

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