Jonah Coleman has officially graduated from my Week 8 sleeper list to my first waiver claim of Week 9. Denver is giving him catches and goal-line carries, and several more rookies are pushing into jobs that can help us win. I’m eager to add them while we can still strengthen a WR3 spot or stash a dangerous second back at a manageable price.
These rankings assume a 12-team PPR league with one quarterback and four-point passing touchdowns. Every bid uses remaining FAAB: 40% of remaining means $24 if you have $60 left, etc. Injury-dependent increases appear below.
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Week 9 FAAB Rankings
1. Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos
Bid: 40% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 52.3% | Week 9: at Panthers
Coleman took over Denver’s backfield against Kansas City, outsnapping J.K. Dobbins 41–13 while coach Sean Payton turned to the rookie for four of the five carries inside the five. Payton also sent Coleman into 16 routes to Dobbins’ two. After returning from an ankle injury with nine carries for 54 yards in Week 7, Coleman has already claimed the catches and goal-line chances we were hoping would follow. He gets my first waiver claim.
Coleman jolted Denver’s comeback with a 51-yard catch, finishing with four receptions for 51 yards and another 53 rushing. Dobbins has labored to a 26% rushing success rate this season; Coleman has succeeded on 47%, although he has only 30 carries. Coleman next faces a Carolina front that entered Week 8 allowing 2.28 adjusted yards before contact per RB carry. I’m bidding aggressively for his next three games without injured back RJ Harvey, who cannot return before Week 13. Denver’s Week 10 bye costs us a start; slash the bid if the Broncos complete a trade for another lead back.
2. Mike Washington Jr., RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Bid: 30% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 17.5% | Week 9: at 49ers
Las Vegas stripped starter Ashton Jeanty of almost all his rushing work Sunday and entrusted Washington with 25 carries. Coach Klint Kubiak called only two runs for Jeanty, who had already slipped from a 67.6% team rush share in Week 1 to 47.1% in Week 7. Washington entered the game averaging 4.9 YPC to Jeanty’s 3.1. The rookie had been running better before Kubiak made the division of labor so emphatic.
Jeanty can still make Washington’s new job frustrating in PPR. He caught three passes for 64 yards against the Jets while Washington drew no targets, and Washington needed all 25 carries to grind out 83 yards. A trailing game at San Francisco would favor Jeanty’s receiving role. The 49ers have also added defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to their front. Kubiak called the rotation a “moving target” Monday and included reserve back Dylan Laube. I’ll risk 30% for Washington’s chance to lead the rushing work, stopping short of Coleman’s price because Washington has yet to earn those catches.
3. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Bid: 25% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 45.9% | Week 9: at Seahawks
Allgeier ran through Dallas tacklers, escaped on gains of 63 and 52 yards, then stretched into the end zone as a receiver. Arizona’s veteran was terrific: 191 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 16 touches. He could give an injury-stricken fantasy backfield immediate help if fellow backs Jeremiyah Love (new right-ankle injury) and Bam Knight (concussion) miss Seattle.
Love and Knight both played ahead of Allgeier before getting hurt. Love outsnapped him 13–4 in the first quarter; Knight then outsnapped him 16–4 in the second. Allgeier gained 115 of his 147 rushing yards on those two long runs, while Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald’s defense entered Week 8 allowing a stingy 3.22 YPC. Allgeier’s five catches for 44 yards offer another way to score if Seattle holds down the rushing. Neither injured back had been ruled out in Monday’s updates. Bid 35% if both miss, 12% if Love is out and Knight clears, or 5% if Love returns unrestricted. I’ll risk 25% while those injuries remain unresolved.
4. Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders
Bid: 18% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 16.3% | Week 9: vs. Rams
Quarterback Jayden Daniels turned to rookie Antonio Williams more than any other receiver Sunday as Washington played its first full game without Terry McLaurin. Williams caught five of seven targets for 54 yards and led the wideouts in snaps and routes, participating on roughly 88% of dropbacks. He had already paced the receivers in playing time before the bye while catching three passes for 50 yards.
Williams also got Washington downfield with a 30-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Fellow receiver Treylon Burks finished with 81 yards, but gained 53 on one completion and drew five targets to Williams’ seven. I prefer Williams’ greater playing time and more frequent throws. Los Angeles has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to receivers, and Rams cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie could stiffen the matchup if their shoulder and back injuries improve. I’ll pay 18% for McLaurin’s replacement, even if the Rams make him struggle through his first week on our roster.
5. Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets
Bid: 14% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 11.4% | Week 9: at Chiefs
Mitchell tore through Las Vegas’ secondary in his second game back from a finger injury, catching seven passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. Jets quarterback Geno Smith threw his way on nine of his 26 routes, a sharp reversal after Mitchell went catchless on three targets the week before. Before landing on IR, Mitchell had caught nine passes for 123 yards across his first two games.
Garrett Wilson commanded Smith’s attention even with Mitchell running loose: the Jets’ top receiver drew 12 targets. Rookie wideout Omar Cooper ran the same 26 routes as Mitchell and drew none, leaving New York with three full-time receivers and an unpredictable weekly target split. Kansas City’s depleted corner group offers an opening, although healthy returns would make this assignment harder. I’ll pay 14% for Mitchell’s ability to turn downfield throws into a big fantasy afternoon. Antonio Williams gets my first receiver claim because Washington is replacing Terry McLaurin’s full-time role.
6. Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns
Bid: 12% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 11.6% | Week 9: at Saints
Lead back Quinshon Judkins is losing receiving work to Sampson, who has caught nine passes for 94 yards since returning to Cleveland’s lineup two weeks ago. Against Pittsburgh, Sampson caught six of eight targets for 62 yards after producing six carries for 45 yards and three catches for 32 the previous week. I’ll spend 12% for the catches Cleveland is already giving him alongside a healthy Judkins.
Cleveland could return to Judkins against New Orleans’ struggling run defense. He played 68% of the snaps over Cleveland’s first four drives Sunday, before the deficit pushed Sampson into more action. If Judkins can sustain drives on the ground Sunday, Sampson would have to make do with fewer snaps; he carried only once for seven yards last week. Quarterback Deshaun Watson also absorbed eight sacks, cutting into the offense’s chances to sustain drives. If Judkins misses time, Cleveland would also need Sampson to handle more of the carries.
7. Keenan Allen, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Bid: 10% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 41.6% | Week 9: vs. Cowboys
Indianapolis crumpled in Jacksonville, but Allen caught all seven targets for 67 yards and again led the Colts in receiving. The veteran has collected 23 receptions for 225 yards over his last four games and commanded at least a 20% target share in five of seven appearances. With quarterback Daniel Jones averaging 5.8 yards per attempt and throwing nine interceptions, Indianapolis has needed every one of those catches.
Dallas just let Arizona backup quarterback Gardner Minshew come off the bench and throw three touchdowns, surrendering 30 points after halftime. Allen gets a vulnerable next opponent, and coach Shane Steichen confirmed Monday that Jones will start again. Tight end Tyler Warren drew 10 targets in his return, while receiver Josh Downs remains involved despite trade speculation. I’ll pay 10% for Allen’s existing reception volume. We can start him at WR3 without needing Indianapolis to trade another receiver first, allowing a younger player on our bench another week to develop.
8. Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants
Bid: 8% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 3.7% | Week 9: at Eagles
New York had lead back Cam Skattebo working off to the side Monday, leaving Singletary next in line if Skattebo’s hamstring keeps him out. Coach John Harbaugh described Skattebo as a possible game-time decision after the Giants’ bye. Running back Tyrone Tracy is already on IR, and New York released Najee Harris, clearing two competitors out of Singletary’s way if he gets the start.
Singletary already gave new quarterback J.J. McCarthy three catches on three targets for 14 yards against Houston, adding five carries for 41 yards. His 30-yard touchdown supplied most of that rushing production; the other four carries gained 11, following a four-carry, one-target game the week before. He still needs Skattebo’s absence to become a comfortable start, so I’m bidding 8% while the starter’s status is unsettled. Raise it to 25% if Skattebo is ruled out before waivers. If Skattebo returns healthy, Singletary would remain a reserve back whose receiving work gives him some PPR appeal.
9. DeMario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots
Bid: 8% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 51.8% | Week 9: vs. Packers
Douglas raced back toward the middle of the field on a boot-action catch Sunday, leaving Miami’s defenders behind for a 48-yard touchdown. He had already caught a 26-yard crosser for New England’s depleted receiving corps. He finished with three catches for 76 yards. Quarterback Drake Maye has thrown his way 20 times across the last four games.
Douglas did all that damage on just three targets Sunday, even with receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs absent and tight end Hunter Henry leaving with a foot injury. Rookie receiver Kyle Williams also played 49 snaps to Douglas’ 38. Douglas may need Maye to look his way more often against Green Bay, which entered Week 8 allowing just 31.9 yards per game to slot receivers. I’ll spend 8% for a productive receiver attached to Maye while New England works through the injuries. If Brown and Henry both return unrestricted, cut the bid to 4%; Douglas would have to earn his throws among a fuller receiving group.
10. Caleb Douglas, WR, Miami Dolphins
Bid: 7% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 29.2% | Week 9: vs. Lions
Quarterback Malik Willis doubled his throws to Douglas on Sunday, giving Miami’s explosive rookie six targets after his two-touchdown return. Douglas caught four for 43 yards and ran 31 routes on 37 dropbacks, accounting for 38% of the Dolphins’ air yards. The previous week, he gained 63 of his 70 yards on one touchdown. Willis is now finding him more often, even as the fantasy score dipped.
Willis also targeted receiver Malik Washington and tight end Greg Dulcich six times apiece, while rookie wideout Chris Bell ran 29 routes and drew five targets. Douglas has a full-time receiving job without a monopoly on the throws. Miami’s protection also threatens those deeper chances: New England pressured Willis on 45% of dropbacks and sacked him five times in the first half. Detroit averages 3.4 sacks per game, giving Miami another difficult blocking assignment. I’ll pay 7% for Douglas’ growing involvement, accepting that the shared targets and protection problems could produce some lean weeks.
11. Ryan Flournoy, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Bid: 6% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 22.1% | Week 9: at Colts
Dallas cut back sharply on three-receiver sets Sunday, yet Flournoy still ran more routes than fellow wideout George Pickens. The Cowboys used three receivers on just 37.5% of their plays, a season low, while Flournoy participated on 68.4% of dropbacks (26 routes on 38 dropbacks) to Pickens’ 62%. He caught three of four targets for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Dak Prescott has targeted Flournoy at least four times in all eight games. Flournoy has rewarded that attention with 17 catches for 238 yards and two scores across the last four, including four receptions for 70 yards at Philadelphia before Sunday’s touchdown. Indianapolis just missed tackles repeatedly against Jacksonville; Flournoy, who aligned in the slot on 53.4% of his routes entering Week 8, gets an inviting next opponent. I’ll spend 6% for a receiver Prescott continues to find despite CeeDee Lamb commanding so many throws. Raise it to 10% if Pickens misses time.
12. Chig Okonkwo, TE, Washington Commanders
Bid: 6% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 15.5% | Week 9: vs. Rams
Okonkwo came a foot short of securing a spectacular touchdown against Philadelphia and instead left us with two catches, 32 yards and a lost fumble. That is a miserable fantasy return from a tight end Washington sent into routes on 82% of dropbacks. He has now cleared 80% in consecutive games, playing enough alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels to threaten a much better afternoon.
Before Washington’s bye, Okonkwo caught seven passes for 69 yards, his second straight 60-yard game with Daniels back. Injured receiver Terry McLaurin’s absence leaves Daniels sorting through Okonkwo and wideouts Antonio Williams, Stefon Diggs and Treylon Burks. Okonkwo has the playing time to compete for those throws, although he entered Week 8 drawing targets on only 16% of his routes. I’m bidding 6% for his expanded receiving role and the ability he has flashed with Daniels. Our Rams could make his first week on the roster frustrating; I’d rather leave him on the bench for that matchup than abandon a tight end Washington is sending out this often.
13. Greg Dulcich, TE, Miami Dolphins
Bid: 4% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 1.4% | Week 9: vs. Lions
Dulcich has caught 13 passes for 166 yards across Miami’s last three games without scoring a touchdown. Quarterback Malik Willis is finding him often enough that we can pursue the catches themselves: Dulcich has reached four receptions in four of his last five games. He followed five catches for 86 yards against the Jets with four for 43 on six targets against New England.
Miami had been getting excellent production from Dulcich without sending him out nearly as often as other starting tight ends (1.92 YPRR, 10th among 42 qualifiers; 29th in routes per game entering Week 8). Detroit offers a favorable next matchup, although Minnesota’s T.J. Hockenson managed four catches for 40 yards on seven targets there last week. The Lions are also waiting on safety Brian Branch after a concussion evaluation and linebacker Jack Campbell’s neck injury. I’ll spend 4% for Dulcich’s established catches; if he finally adds a touchdown, all the better.
14. Kirk Cousins, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Bid: 4% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 60.2% | Week 9: at 49ers
Cousins shredded the Jets through tight end Brock Bowers, then added a rushing touchdown of his own. Bowers caught seven passes for 92 yards and two scores, while running back Ashton Jeanty contributed three receptions for 64 yards. Cousins completed 19 of 26 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns, bringing him to 19 passing scores against five interceptions through eight games. Las Vegas can still score when its backs struggle to run.
The Raiders also converted seven of 11 third downs and scored touchdowns on all four red-zone trips Sunday. Cousins will have trouble repeating that finishing against every opponent, beginning with a rested San Francisco defense that has added defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Seattle and Denver follow, so I’m limiting the one-quarterback bid to 4% despite Cousins’ excellent passing production. Managers replacing Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson during his thumb injury have a viable starter here. In superflex, I’d go to 50%: Cousins has already played well enough to spare us several weeks of scraping for a second quarterback.
15. Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins
Bid: 3% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 10.6% | Week 9: vs. Lions
Willis led two touchdown drives of at least 70 yards against New England on an afternoon when he ran just once. Miami’s quarterback completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, helping the offense move even without his usual scrambling. He entered Week 8 second in the NFL in scrambles per game, then finished Sunday without one. Across the previous two games, he had carried eight times apiece for a combined 111 yards and two scores.
Miami still allowed New England to pressure Willis on 45% of dropbacks and sack him five times before halftime. Detroit averages 3.4 sacks per game, so Willis faces another punishing afternoon if his blockers cannot improve. The Lions nevertheless offer a promising fantasy matchup, with Indianapolis, Buffalo and the Jets following. At 3%, I’m taking a chance on his improving passing and far greater rushing potential than Sunday showed. Denver’s Bo Nix gets my first 4% bid if available against Carolina’s depleted secondary.
16. Eli Raridon, TE, New England Patriots
Bid: 3% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 1.9% | Week 9: vs. Packers
Hunter Henry’s foot injury pushed Raridon into New England’s primary receiving role at tight end, although quarterback Drake Maye rarely threw his way after Henry departed. Raridon participated on 82% of those dropbacks and drew just one target. Across the full game, the rookie played 55 snaps, ran 19 routes and caught one of four targets for five yards. Henry had caught three passes for 30 yards in his first eight snaps before getting hurt.
Maye attempted only 20 passes in the rain at Miami, so Raridon could get more chances without needing anything close to Henry’s early target frequency. Through seven games, he has caught 13 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 1.92 YPRR. I’ll risk 3% for an efficient young tight end who could inherit Henry’s playing time alongside Maye. Raise it to 5% if Henry is ruled out and New England’s receivers remain depleted. If Henry returns unrestricted, Raridon would fall outside ordinary one-tight-end lineups again.
17. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bid: 3% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 50.2% | Week 9: at Bears
Gainwell followed an 88-yard rushing game at Carolina by grinding 140 yards out of Atlanta, joining lead back Bucky Irving behind a line that has overwhelmed consecutive opponents. Tampa Bay rushed for 258 yards in Week 7 and another 324 Sunday. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson barely bothered with the pass in the downpour against Atlanta: the Buccaneers attempted three, completed none and let Irving run 27 times for 170 yards.
Tampa Bay rested Irving late and gave Gainwell 18 of his 25 carries in the fourth quarter. We cannot count on Chicago allowing that luxury, especially if quarterback Caleb Williams puts the Bears ahead and makes the Buccaneers throw. Gainwell would then need catches or a touchdown to turn fewer carries into a startable fantasy score. I’m spending 3% for insurance behind Irving, who has carried 51 times across the last two games. Gainwell has handled 39 carries himself in that span, showing Tampa Bay can lean on him heavily if Irving needs more than a fourth-quarter breather.
18. Emmett Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Bid: 3% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 11.8% | Week 9: vs. Jets
Chiefs coach Andy Reid found a devastating answer to Denver’s pressure: release Johnson from the backfield and let quarterback Patrick Mahomes float the ball into his hands. Kansas City’s rookie raced 73 yards for a touchdown, added another 38-yard reception and finished with five catches for 128 yards. He gained 15 yards on his only carry, too. Johnson made Reid’s designs look spectacular.
Reid still gave Johnson just 13 offensive snaps and trusted lead back Kenneth Walker with 25 touches. Johnson gained 111 of his 128 receiving yards on two catches; start him on that workload and we would be asking him to produce another extraordinary play. I’ll pay 3% to stash him instead. The Jets entered Week 8 blitzing on 44.4% of dropbacks, so Johnson gets another opponent willing to send extra rushers after Mahomes. He has already punished that approach as a receiver. A Walker absence would give Johnson a chance to add substantially more carries to the receiving work Reid and Mahomes have made so dangerous.
19. Seth McGowan, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Bid: 3% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 21.3% | Week 9: vs. Cowboys
Indianapolis has already traded guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. If lead back Jonathan Taylor follows, McGowan would compete for a starting job. I’m adding him cheaply before any Taylor deal sends fantasy managers scrambling. The rookie carried 11 times on roughly a third of the snaps in Week 7, then gained 29 yards on five carries at Jacksonville.
Taylor still played 79% of the snaps while quarterback Daniel Jones directed the offense Sunday, carrying eight times to McGowan’s four in that stretch. Fellow reserve DJ Giddens finished with six carries for 43 yards as Indianapolis emptied its bench during a 42–7 loss. McGowan would have to beat out Giddens in an offense that just traded its best guard, even with Dallas’ dreadful tackling offering a tempting next matchup. I’m bidding 3% before a trade. Raise it to 20% if Taylor moves and Indianapolis acquires no established replacement; Giddens would still compete for the available work.
20. New Orleans Saints D/ST
Bid: 1% of remaining FAAB | ESPN rostered: 2.1% | Week 9: vs. Browns
Pittsburgh battered Deshaun Watson for eight sacks Sunday, and now New Orleans gets Cleveland’s crumbling protection. The Browns have allowed a league-worst 4.1 sacks per game. Watson threw for 324 yards against the Steelers, but Cleveland managed one rushing first down and failed to score a touchdown on three red-zone trips. New Orleans returns from its bye having collected 10 sacks and six takeaways across its previous three games. I’ll bid 1% to put that defense against this offensive line.
Cleveland could spare Watson some of those hits by feeding lead back Quinshon Judkins against New Orleans’ porous run defense. Tight end Harold Fannin and receiving back Dylan Sampson also give Watson outlets when rushers reach him. They are still my preferred cheap replacement for managers holding Pittsburgh through its bye. Detroit at Miami and the Giants at Philadelphia are fallback streams; spend the larger bids on backs and receivers we can use beyond one Sunday.
