Fantasy Football Free Agent Picks Week 9: Bo Nix Leads Waiver Wire Options

The NFL is a “next man up” league. By extension, so is your fantasy football league. You acquired your team during the draft, but it's the moves you make as the season progresses that will ultimately decide whether you're in the playoffs or planning for next season. Each week we help you identify the players available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues whose value has increased for the better and who should be added to your roster as starters or as smart stock for your bench.

Next man up

There is one player available on the waiver wire who can help your fantasy team in all formats for the rest of the season. That player is Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix (included in 36.7% of ESPN leagues).

The rookie took advantage of a favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers, scoring 29.7 fantasy points on the season while showcasing his dual-threat skills. Nix is ​​also making history, as he now becomes just the sixth quarterback to throw eight passing TDs and also rush for four scores in his first eight NFL games. Only Dak Prescott, Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton, Daunte Culpepper and Otto Graham preceded him.

Thanks to Sean Payton for setting Nix up for success. And he has another great game in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, who are giving up the third-most QB fantasy points per game. In fact, the Broncos have one of the most QB-friendly schedules for the remainder of the season.

Next QB up

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (46.5%): Surprisingly, Darnold is still available in almost half of ESPN's leagues. He has five games this season with multiple passing touchdowns. That's huge, especially considering he played just four such games in the previous three seasons combined (18 starts). With excellent receiving playmakers like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and the soon-to-be returning TJ Hockenson, he's primed to succeed. He faces the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10, and both defenses rank in the top 12 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.

Other QB options

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (48.1%): Tagovailoa made his return for the Dolphins in Week 8 after missing four games due to a concussion suffered in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. With Tagovailoa out, Miami's offense struggled, but his return provided a spark even though he scored just 14.5 fantasy points against the Arizona Cardinals. Tagovailoa's presence lifted the entire offense and he remains a solid QB2 option, especially with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as his top targets. In a twist of fate, he will face the Bills again in Week 9.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (18.5%): Stafford posted a season-high 24.7 fantasy points against the Vikings in Week 8, proving that great things often happen when he targets Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. For Week 9, he will be a high-end QB2 option on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.

Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (3.3%): Winston came in for Deshaun Watson in Week 8 and racked up 334 passing yards and 23.5 fantasy points against the usually formidable Baltimore Ravens. With Watson out for the season due to his Achilles injury, Winston is set to start again when the Browns face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9. He's a solid QB2/QB3 option in super-flex leagues for fantasy managers looking for depth.

Next RB up

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (46.3%): In Week 8, Tracy faced a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense that was strong against opponents, but delivered for fantasy managers. He led the Giants' backfield with 22 turnovers and scored 23 fantasy points, solidifying himself as the starter over Devin Singletary. The Giants have one of the most favorable RB schedules for the remainder of the season. However, keep an eye on Tracy's status for the Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders as he is in the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury late in Monday night's game.

Other RB options

play

Isaac Guerendo's Week 8 fantasy recap

Check out some of the stats behind Isaac Guerendo's breakout fantasy performance in Week 8.

Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (3.6%): Jordan Mason's shoulder injury again forced him to leave early, and Guerendo once again stepped up, scoring a career-high 19.2 fantasy points against Dallas. As the 49ers enter their bye week, he is still worth a proactive addition. It's unclear if Mason will miss more time or if Christian McCaffrey will definitely return immediately after the bye. Considering San Francisco's No. 2 ranking in total yards per game, Guerendo could be a valuable asset — even more so if he's made the starter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (16.5%): Benson backs up James Conner, who has been impressive with more than 19 touches in six of eight games. Benson's value depends on Conner's health, and so does Conner never has played a full regular season, there's a good chance Benson will share the workload with Emari Demercado before the season is over.

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (16.8%): Davis had six rushing attempts against the Seahawks in Week 8, while starter James Cook had 20 touches and 28.3 fantasy points. If Cook were to miss time, Davis could be a league winner in the high-powered Bills offense. Think back to Week 6, when Cook was inactive and Davis scored 18.2 fantasy points on 23 touches.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (16.9%): Kyren Williams leads the Rams backfield, averaging more than 20 touches in six of seven games, backed by a solid offensive line. Like many of our waiver wire recommendations, Corum's fantasy value depends on the health of the man ahead of him on the depth chart. Put Corum on your bench for when he's asked to replace Williams' production (14+ fantasy points in every game, with three games of 20+ points).

Next WR up

play

Why Cedric Tillman is a must-add for fantasy managers

Eric Karabell explains why fantasy managers should grab Browns WR Cedric Tillman if they can.

Carlo Tillman, Cleveland Browns (16.0%): The second-year receiver is making waves, with over nine targets and over eighteen fantasy points in consecutive games. This uptick coincides with the Browns trading away Amari Cooper. Cleveland's offense is trending upward with Winston now under center, making Tillman a receiver to consider if you need help. Keep in mind that the Browns face one of the toughest WR schedules for the remainder of the season. Still, the target volume for Tillman should remain strong, so don't overlook him as a valuable addition. If you miss Tillman, fellow Browns WR Jerry Jeudy (49.9%) is a solid fallback option.

Other WR options

Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (48.6%): Downs' roster percentage has fallen in recent weeks but is expected to rise again. He caught four of nine targets for 109 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 8 against the Houston Texans. This performance is especially notable considering Anthony Richardson's struggles as a passer. Richardson finished with a dismal 31.3% completion percentage against Houston, the worst of any Colts quarterback since Jeff George in 1990. The Colts' receiving corps revolves around Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. However, with Richardson in the middle, their production is often boom or bust. Downs remains a high-end flex option against the Vikings in Week 9.

Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (41.7%): With Chris Godwin and Mike Evans out, McMillan played a bigger role in Week 8. He saw seven goals but only scored 9.2 fantasy points. He and Baker Mayfield had some communication issues, resulting in a missed connection during what could have been a long touchdown. McMillan is nonetheless a flex option in deeper leagues heading into Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (24.0%): Legette had a solid game against the Broncos in Week 8, putting up 13.4 fantasy points on a TD pass from Bryce Young. With Diontae Johnson reportedly drawing trade interest, Legette's fantasy value could increase if Johnson is moved. He's worth a roster spot and is best used as a flex option in deeper leagues, although the occasional loss of focus remains a concern.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (22.4%): Pearsall finished Week 8 with just four goals and 11.7 fantasy points against the Dallas Cowboys. Interestingly enough, he had more rushing yards (39) than receiving yards (38) in the game. He's a solid addition in the deeper leagues, but keep in mind he'll likely be fourth in the pecking order behind Deebo Samuel Sr., George Kittle and Jauan Jennings.

Next TE up

play

How Cade Oton is a fit for fantasy managers in need of a TE

Matt Bowen explains why Cade Oton is a “reliable” waiver wire addition for fantasy managers.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (58.6%): I'm breaking one of my own rules here, as Otton is included in over 50% of leagues, but if he's somehow available in yours, you should add him immediately. With Godwin out for the season and Evans sidelined until after Week 11, Otton is already taking a big step forward. Otton's 17 receptions over the past two games are the most by a tight end in Tampa Bay in any two-game regular season in franchise history. Otton has averaged over 18.0 fantasy points in those games. He's a must-start going forward, especially with the Buccaneers' favorable schedule for the position for the remainder of the season.

Another TE option

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (10.4%): Gesicki stepped up against the Eagles in Week 8, finishing with eight goals and scoring 12.3 fantasy points in a game where WR Tee Higgins was ruled out due to a quad injury. Gesicki led the Bengals' TE group in both snaps and routes. In Week 2 against the Chiefs, he finished with nine goals and 16.1 fantasy points when Higgins was sidelined with a hamstring problem. Keep an eye on Higgins' status in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders. If he's not 100%, you know what to expect from Gesicki.