Joe Serpico shares his top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups heading into Week 9.
Jameis Winston, QB, Cleveland Browns: The former No. 1 overall pick started his first game of the season with Deshaun Watson out for the year and led the Browns to an impressive win against the Ravens. Winston threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, the final score coming a play after Kyle Hamilton dropped what could have been a game-ending interception. The Browns’ offense showed signs off life when Joe Flacco took over for Watson last season and we could see an encore with Winston under center. With more than half of the league on byes in the coming weeks, Winston is a decent streaming option in 12-team leagues and needs to be rostered in Superflex leagues.
Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos: Jayden Daniels is getting all the attention for Rookie of the Year, but the Broncos’ rookie signal-caller has finished as a QB1 in three of the past four weeks. He is QB3 overall in the last four weeks. His surprising contributions as a rusher are a big reason for his success. Next up for Nix is the Ravens’ defense, which has allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Isaac Guerendo, RB, San Francisco 49ers: Another rookie previously featured in the waiver-wire list, Guerendo took over as the lead back for the Niners with Jordan Mason once again forced out of action. He finished with 14 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown while adding another 17 yards on three receptions. The 49ers are on a bye this week. That gives Mason time to heal, but reports indicate Christian McCaffrey could be back for Week 10. If you own any of the Niners’ backs, Guerendo is a decent insurance piece until we get clarity on Week 10.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns: Let me start by saying I was wrong to say Tillman was a one-week wonder. With 15 receptions on 21 targets in the last two games, he is clearly a focal point in the Browns’ offense without Watson. Tillman finished as WR3 with 99 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens. If this target share continues, Tillman will be a must-start for fantasy owners, but for now, he needs to be rostered.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Shockingly still rostered in less than 50 percent of fantasy leagues, Downs was targeted 10 times against the Texans on Sunday and added another deep score to his resume. He did lay a dud last week with just one reception for three yards, but Downs is WR7 and has 43 targets since Week 4. Anthony Richardson’s inaccuracy is a concern, but the opportunities are there for Downs to shine. He needs to be rostered in all leagues, and if Joe Flacco were to take the reins, Downs’ value skyrockets.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Gesicki was one of several tight ends who had a terrific outing on National Tight Ends Day. He led the Bengals with 73 receiving yards and made a couple of highlight-reel catches. Tee Higgins missed the contest against the Eagles with an injury, leading to the increase in targets for Gesicki. If Higgins is out again in Week 9, Gesicki is a solid streaming option.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots: Drake Maye has been looking Henry’s way often since taking over as the starting quarterback in New England. Henry has finished as TE7 and TE4 in the two games with Maye at the helm and at least five targets in both games. Follow the numbers, not the names. Henry (TE6) and Ertz (TE8) each have more targets and fantasy points than Sam LaPorta (TE17) and Mark Andrews (TE21).
Top Handcuffs (Rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues)
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Braelon Allen, New York Jets
Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Tyler Goodson, Indianapolis Colts