For many of you, the trade deadline in your fantasy leagues is likely just around the corner. It may have already even passed. One thing that means is that working the waiver wire will be more important than ever down the stretch. If your trade deadline has passed, picking guys up and strategically using your waiver priority will be the only way to acquire players. Here are some solid players you should be targeting on the Week 9 waiver wire.
Marvin Jones, WR, Bengals: Jones has come out of nowhere this month, hauling in 15 catches for 250 yards and a whopping six touchdowns over Cincinnati’s past three games. Most of us expected Mohamed Sanu to be the second option in the passing game for Andy Dalton behind AJ Green, but Jones has been that guy. He was probably added in a lot of leagues last week and will still be the most popular add this week. There are some red flags, however. Is his ridiculous touchdown pace going to continue? Not a chance. Andrew Hawkins is set to return from short-term IR soon and should steal some targets from Jones. He can still be productive, but don’t get sucked into the Eddie Royal trap if you already have decent receiver depth. His fantasy scoring rate simply can’t continue.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Colts: Reggie Wayne is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Colts are not going to stop passing with Andrew Luck, so Heyward-Bey and TY Hilton should both see a significant increase in targets. Heyward-Bey has shown some big-play ability and has played on roughly 75% of Indy’s offensive snaps this season. The Colts were on a bye last week, which should have helped DHB and Hilton prepare for expanded roles. The fact that the Colts did not swing a trade for a wide receiver or add a veteran means they trust the guys they have now. Heyward-Bey should be a viable WR3 based on volume alone.
Andre Brown, RB, Giants: The Giants’ backfield has been a mess all season long and remains that way today. Brandon Jacobs is unlikely to return this week from a hamstring injury and David Wilson is still out indefinitely. Peyton Hillis and Michael Cox — the 253rd overall pick in April’s draft — have been uninspiring as expected. Brown has been practicing and is expected to return from the injured list when he is eligible after New York’s Week 10 bye. He scored eight touchdowns in a limited role with the G-Men last season. Tom Coughlin will be hoping Brown can earn the starting job almost instantly.
Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots: Remember this guy? Vereen is expected to return to the Patriots in Week 11 when he’s eligible. In a Week 1 win over the Bills, Vereen rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries and added another 58 yards on seven receptions. He was the most talented offensive player New England had on the field and was obviously a focal point of their offense coming into the season. Stevan Ridley has run well as of late, but no one has been overwhelming for the Patriots this season. New England should move Vereen all over the field when he returns and Tom Brady will try to get the ball into his hands as much as possible. He’s a play-maker when healthy.
Coby Fleener, TE, Colts: For the same reasons we mentioned with Darrius Heyward-Bey, Andrew Luck should be leaning on Fleener more coming out of the Colts’ bye week. Fleener has been inconsistent thus far, but he has three touchdowns and has been a red zone target for Luck. He should be good for at least five targets a game, which isn’t all that bad in what is a very thin batch of tight ends. He’s a great bye-week filler.
Make it work, people.
