X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

FAAB Waiver Wire Bidding - Fantasy Football Pickups to Target for Week 9

Isaiah Likely - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Nick Mariano's fantasy football waiver wire FAAB bidding guide for Week 9 (2022) -- how many FAAB dollars (free agent acquisition budget) to spend on waivers.

Week 8 may not have brought a bevy of injuries but there are still actionable moves to be made. The margins are going to be tight this week with six teams going on bye. If you need a QB then be sure to poke around and see who else will be seeking a fill-in as well. Let's hop into the waiver madness!

Joining our famous waiver wire pickups list, our weekly fantasy football waiver wire columns by position, and our free new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver Wire comparison tool, this column focuses on suggested waiver wire bidding percentages for fantasy football owners in leagues using a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB).

As a caveat, these prices do not by any means indicate how much these free-agent players will go for. Each league values players differently and will continue to do so. These values are here to provide a baseline or priority order to understand roughly how much you should be looking to spend on a particular player. Specific needs are always reasonable causes for a manual override. Here are my median FAAB bid ranges and adds going into Week 9.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks

Justin Fields (QB, CHI) - FAAB Bid: 3-5%
41% rostered

I presume many readers here are in leagues where Fields has been scooped but I have to nudge a quick note in at 41% rostered. Fields has at least 45 rushing yards in six straight games and gets a trio of plus matchups on the horizon with Miami, Detroit, and Atlanta. Giddy-up.

This defense is being stripped down for parts at the moment, which is a wise move, but it means plenty of negative game scripts for Fields. It's crazy what can happen when a team with a mobile QB starts scheming to his strengths!

Andy Dalton (QB, NO) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
14% rostered

Dalton followed up his four-touchdown Week 7 with a solid Week 8. The Saints shut down the Raiders, meaning Dalton only had to throw early on. Still, he completed 22-of-30 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. 

No complaints out of me or anyone else in Streamerville. I wager a Monday night affair against Baltimore’s offense will demand more from the Red Rifle. Monitor injury reports and hope he gets Michael Thomas and/or Jarvis Landry back too.

P.J. Walker (QB, CAR) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
6% rostered

Walker hit the gas pedal in Week 8 and churned 317 yards and a big score on a 62-yard Hail Mary to DJ Moore. He’ll draw a tougher test at Cincinnati next week but then a rematch with Atlanta’s generous D awaits. 

Be prepared for Carolina to lean on its run game if possible, assuming they get Chuba Hubbard back next to hat-trick D’Onta Foreman. I realize Cincy just looked awful on MNF but I expect them to be able to push Carolina’s defense for points and force some throwing here.

Taylor Heinicke (QB, WAS) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
7% rostered

Heinicke got into a groove in Washington’s 17-16 victory over Indianapolis, throwing for 279 yards and contributing 6-29-1 on the ground. I was concerned after only two rushes for four yards in Week 7’s tilt against Green Bay but now we’re talking. A home game against Minnesota’s potent offense awaits and we could see forced action with Washington’s subpar run game.

Sam Ehlinger (QB, IND) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
12% rostered

Ehlinger wasn’t going to magically fix Indy’s poor offensive line and it showed. Still, his first start showed flashes of greatness, such as a 47-yard connection with Alec Pierce. Maybe the Colts just need to gain confidence in his attacking deep versus the status quo Matt Ryan’s short passes established.

Once again, Ehlinger went 24-of-29 for 289 yards and four TDs in the preseason, going for 71 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He only gained 15 rushing yards on six totes and travels to Foxborough next week. I’m avoiding the NE start, but then he faces the Raiders in Week 10 and I’ll be sending it.

Malik Willis (QB, TEN) - FAAB Bid: 0-2%
7% rostered

Willis wasn’t asked to do much and still disappointed, even falling a yard shy of the pylon on a scramble. Derrick Henry did it all against Houston, as is tradition, leaving Willis with only 10 pass attempts and five rushes. It burns, I know.

But if Ryan Tannehill cannot go in Week 9 against Kansas City then the Titans won’t be able to turtle up around Henry. It could be ugly at Arrowhead, but Willis would surely be forced to make plays. The rushing ceiling makes him worth a stream whenever starting, just acknowledge the low floor.

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs

Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC) - FAAB Bid: 8-10%
34% rostered

You’ll recall Pacheco drew the “start” last week prior to KC’s bye, only to play on 19-of-64 snaps with eight carries. You’ll take the 43 yards and ~5.4 YPC, but it was Jerick McKinnon who played nearly 50% of the snaps at RB instead.

The question facing us is does Pacheco’s starting gig gain momentum out of the bye or is “starter” just a meaningless title for KC’s backfield in 2022? The upside is worth a roster spot to see if we snowball into a weekly 15-18 touches. If not, it's still a portion of the Patrick Mahomes-led offense!

Kenyan Drake (RB, BAL) - FAAB Bid: 8-10%
31% rostered

The Ravens were swarmed by injuries on Thursday night as Gus Edwards suffered a minor hamstring tweak that could affect his Week 9 availability. He’d tallied 65 yards on 11 carries before going down.

Meanwhile, Drake had 67 total yards and a TD on seven carries and four catches. Baltimore’s willingness to lean on Drake for both rushing and receiving would help boost his projections ahead of Week 9’s date with a tough Saints front.

Deon Jackson (RB, IND) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
8% rostered

Jackson's strong performance in Weeks 5 and 6 appears to have made Indianapolis comfortable with trading Nyheim Hines. The rumor mill is buzzing about a Hines deal ahead of Tuesday's deadline so I have to include Jackson here. **Update: Hines was dealt, making Jackson a solid add!**

Things will hinge on whether or not a deal does occur but Jackson has proven himself a strong runner and capable receiver. He's caught all 14 targets seen thus far. Oh, and Jonathan Taylor did twist his ankle on Sunday and the Colts are evaluating. Stay tuned!

Ronnie Rivers (RB, LAR) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
1% rostered

Rivers had an uninspiring 36 total yards on eight carries and four catches, outworking Darrell Henderson Jr. (30 yards on six touches). Kyren Williams is 45% rostered already and remains a strong stash for a presumed activation in Week 9. 

If he can’t go then the Rams may turn back to Rivers, needing more receiving prowess if Cooper Kupp’s minor ankle injury limits the superstar.

D'Ernest Johnson (RB, CLE) - FAAB Bid: 1-3%
3% rostered

Johnson is a name of interest in case Cleveland trades Kareem Hunt by the trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Nick Chubb is the man but Johnson has proven effective when given a chance. He had 100 rushes for 534 yards last season! If no trade materializes then forget about it.

**Update: Sigh, no dealt was struck so Johnson can stay on the waiver wire pending any injuries to Chubb/Hunt.

**No other trade deadline fallout yielded a strong waiver add at RB. Jeff Wilson Jr. likely garners close to a 50/50 split with Raheem Mostert in Miami. Chase Edmonds becomes Denver's third-down back. Nyheim Hines absorbs some passing work from Devin Singletary and pushes James Cook a bit further down.

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers

Rondale Moore (WR, ARI) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
35% rostered

Moore only came off of the field for one snap as a clear starter across from DeAndre Hopkins. He only ran one fewer route than Hopkins while A.J. Green and Greg Dortch split No. 3 duties. This should continue until Marquise Brown returns. Regardless, Moore should still be a primary player in the slot.

Joshua Palmer (WR, LAC) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
DeAndre Carter (WR, LAC) - FAAB Bid: 2-4%
26% & 5% rostered, respectively

Palmer missed Week 7 with a concussion and was back doing individual drills at practice on Monday. He will be asked to step up with Mike Williams (ankle) out and Keenan Allen potentially still not 100%.

We’ve yet to see a true spike week from Palmer but the opportunity may come knocking against Atlanta’s beleaguered secondary in Week 9. Carter is an option in three-wide sets that is worth stashing in case Palmer isn’t ready by Sunday, or if you don’t believe in Allen’s health.

Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR, CAR) - FAAB Bid: 4-6%
1% rostered

Marshall was a clear starter and earned nine targets on 36 routes run (DJ Moore had 11 targets on 37 routes) to the tune of 87 yards. We’re not expecting massive TD equity from Carolina’s passing game but the snaps demand PPR attention.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR, CLE) - FAAB Bid: 3-5%
24% rostered

Cleveland and DPJ enter their bye week hot with a 32-13 victory over Cincinnati where Peoples-Jones had a season-high 81 yards. That’s his fifth straight game with 50 or more yards, with four of those housing 70-plus. He has yet to score a touchdown because of Nick Chubb but DPJ could be dynamite down the stretch when Deshaun Watson steps onto the field.

Treylon Burks (WR, TEN) - FAAB Bid: 2-3%
17% rostered

Just another reminder that if Burks’ injury has him languishing on your wire then see if you can find some room. He was just starting to generate momentum and it's clear that no one else on the Titans is putting their foot down as a true No. 1, or even No. 2, receiving option.

N'Keal Harry (WR, CHI) - FAAB Bid: 2-3%
0% rostered

Harry ascended to the No. 2 WR role, playing in 49-of-79 snaps and turning his only two targets into two catches for 24 yards and a TD. His routes run were right next to Dante Pettis, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Cole Kmet but it’s increasing momentum we’re noting. 

He played roughly 75% of second-half snaps per PFF and Chicago’s selling off a defense that should yield plenty of garbage time if nothing else. Deep-leaguers stand up.

**Update: Chicago trading for Chase Claypool, while great for Fields and fun for Claypool, renders Harry as a desperation add only. He's probably still ahead of Pettis and ESB but Chicago is run-heavy as it is, leaving the volume without intrigue until further notice.

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
5% rostered

Likely justified the preseason hype by catching 6-of-7 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. Mark Andrews left early with a shoulder injury that is speculated to be an AC joint sprain, which may yield a 2-3 week absence. 

The Ravens face the Saints next Monday night and then have a bye, so keep that in mind. Rashod Bateman will also miss time so Likely could easily earn a WR2-type role in this offense and graduate from being a secondary read even when Andrews is back.

Greg Dulcich (TE, DEN) - FAAB Bid: 3-6%
42% rostered

Dulcich may get dropped on the bye but is Denver’s clear starter, playing 50-of-61 snaps and running 32 routes in Week 8. That’s right there with Courtland Sutton’s 35 routes and Jerry Jeudy’s 34. He’s a weekly top-12 TE in any format and needs to be rostered in all 12-teamers.

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense/Special Teams

Kansas City Chiefs Defense (vs TEN) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
30% rostered

I’m not sure how much of the early betting line hangs on Tennessee’s QB situation but KC has already moved from 10.5-point favorites to 12.5. The O/U is steady at 46.5 thus far, which yields a 30-17 implication. 

Derrick Henry isn’t as much of a factor when a multiple-score gap is in play, and the Titans don’t have the receivers to threaten through the air. If either Ryan Tannehill or Malik Willis is forced to take risks then KC could hawk a TD or two.

Minnesota Vikings Defense (at WAS) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
20% rostered

Vegas is currently pegging this game as a 23-20 affair, with Minny favored by three around a 43.5 O/U. The total opened at 44.5 and has come down a full point at most books. I prefer snagging a home team but pickings are slim with six squads on bye.

Las Vegas Raiders Defense (at JAX) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
17% rostered

There simply are not many options for us this week so if desperate I’m throwing myself against Jacksonville with their recent slide. Everyone blamed Urban Meyer for 2021 and they started hot, but Trevor Lawrence has failed to surpass 175 pass yards in three of his last five games.

You’ll have to stomach Travis Etienne Jr. being great but Jacksonville has lost five straight games. The Raiders should be able to jump ahead through Josh Jacobs and clock control. Until Lawrence shows he can lead the charge and protect the ball then I won’t be (too) afraid. Vegas didn’t generate much in Week 8 but had seven sacks in their previous three games.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Waiver Wire Adds and Pickups




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Luis García Jr.17 mins ago

Luis Garcia Jr. Sitting Against Left-Hander
Keibert Ruiz22 mins ago

Jacob Young Resting On Saturday
José Ramírez1 hour ago

Jose Ramirez Leads Guards To Win With Three Homers
Aroldis Chapman2 hours ago

Secures Win, Earns Second Save Of The Season
Mike Trout3 hours ago

Homers, Scores Twice In Loss
Logan O'Hoppe3 hours ago

Hits Home Run No. 3 In Loss
Tyler Mahle3 hours ago

Throws Five Shutout Innings In Win
Justin Verlander4 hours ago

Ineffective In No-Decision On Friday
Yoán Moncada4 hours ago

Yoan Moncada Exits Friday's Game With Thumb Injury
Chase Burns4 hours ago

Shines In Professional Debut
Thomas White4 hours ago

Strikes Out Seven In Season Debut
Lazaro Montes4 hours ago

Goes Deep, Swipes A Bag In Season Opener
Tyson Guerrero4 hours ago

Strikes Out Seven Across Five No-Hit Frames
Kyle Karros5 hours ago

Goes Deep Twice In Double-A Debut
Samuel Basallo5 hours ago

Suffers Hamstring Injury
Willy Adames5 hours ago

Tallies Three Hits, Three RBI On Friday
Pete Alonso5 hours ago

Goes Deep In Second Straight Contest
Aaron Judge5 hours ago

Launches Long Ball No. 6 On Friday
Seth Lugo5 hours ago

Logs Quality Start In Victory Over Baltimore
Jesús Luzardo6 hours ago

Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out Eight In Seven Scoreless Frames
Jacob Wilson6 hours ago

Launches Second Long Ball, Extends Hitting Streak To Eight Games
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP
10
10
11
11
12
19
13
22
14
24
15
25
16
29
17
39
18
40
19
41

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
1
1
2
3
3
7
4
11
6
14
7
15
8
18
9
19
10
20

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 

Top 10 Fantasy Football Busts Of All Time - Le'Veon Bell, Peyton Hillis, LeSean McCoy, and more

Fantasy football managers have the fear of picking busts fresh in their minds every season because every year, players who are thought to be headed for productive seasons, whether due to injury, not reaching overly high expectations, or other reasons, bust hard. Those who drafted San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are well aware […]


Mark Andrews - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Every AFC Team's Most Overvalued Dynasty Fantasy Football Player

The 16 teams that comprise the AFC all have players that I don't think are worth, on their own, what you could get for them in trades as compensation. Not all of them are bad players, though. In fact, some of them are quite good. "Most overvalued" is a relative thing. And since there's not […]


Jayden Daniels - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Free Agency Check - Fantasy Football Quarterback ADP Risers and Fallers

This NFL offseason has been incredible. With big-name free agents shuffling around the league, 2025 looks like an exciting season, and we haven’t even had the draft yet! Over the last few offseasons, we have seen a massive increase in quarterbacks switching teams. This season, the list includes Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, Justin […]


Kenneth Walker III - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Running Back Next Gen Stats Review - Fantasy Football Outlooks For 2025

After the 2023 season, we covered Next Gen Stats for the running back position. We highlighted rush yards over expected per attempt and the percentage of carries with eight defenders in the box. Now, it's time to examine the Next Gen Stats for running backs again, but we'll mix in other advanced metrics. Unsurprisingly, rush […]


Cooper Kupp - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Dynasty Fantasy Football Buy or Sell: DK Metcalf, Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams all landed in new teams ahead of the 2025 season. Formerly of the Seahawks, Rams, and New York Jets, all three of these wideouts' fantasy football values have undergone marked shifts after landing at their […]


UFL DFS PICKS, FANTASY FOOTBALL, DRAFTKINGS, FANDUEL

UFL DFS Lineup Picks: DraftKings Daily Fantasy Fantasy Advice for Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the inaugural UFL season, RotoBallers! We already have one week in the books, with the XFL teams off to a hot start at 3-1 while the USFL conference went 1-3. We have Houston squaring off against Arlington in the early game and San Antonio versus St. Louis in the later […]


Michael Florio's Football Show - Podcast RotoBaller Network

Florio's Football Show: NFL Draft QB Scouting Report!

Michael F. Florio gives his scouting report for the 2025 NFL Draft QB class. Do Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders live up the hype? Should you be excited about Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe? Plus, he goes over the deeper options in this class! Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (SiriusXM channel […]


UFL RANKINGS, FANTASY FOOTBALL,

UFL Best Bets: Week 2 Picks

Well, the opening week is always full of curveballs, and 2025 was no exception. We actually saw the Birmingham Stallions lose a game, looking bad in the process. Overall, I went 3-3-1 on spreads and over/unders last week, so a bit inconvenient that neither parlay worked out. It is a short season, so the pressure […]


Isaiah Bond - College Football Rankings, NCAA CFB DFS Lineup Picks - NFL Draft

Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Sleepers: 5 Undervalued Draft Targets

We all know at this point who the top names are heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Ashton Jeanty will be the dynasty rookie RB1. Tetairoa McMillan will be the rookie WR1. But fantasy leagues aren't won just by getting a top-2 or three rookie pick and grabbing the best guys. Rookie drafts are also […]


Ja'Marr Chase fantasy football rankings NFL DFS lineup picks

Two-Round Start-Up Dynasty Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-Team, Single Quarterback

The players you select in the early rounds of dynasty fantasy football start-up drafts have a massive impact on the chances of your team winning for many seasons after the first one. So it's crucial to nail these picks, and there are a few ways you can do that. Obviously, no one's being selected in […]


Tetairoa McMillan - College Football DFS Lineup Picks, NCAA CFB, NFL Draft Prospect

2025 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Single-QB

Thankfully, fans and fantasy football players only have to wait a few more weeks for the 2025 NFL Draft. That means dynasty fantasy rookie mock drafts are right around the corner. While dynasty fantasy outlooks for the NFL Draft prospects will change between today and the end of April, it’s time for another dynasty rookie […]


Davante Adams - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Fantasy Football Outlooks For Wide Receivers On New Teams: Davante Adams, DK Metcalf, Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, Christian Kirk, and more

The 2025 NFL offseason has been full of breaking news alerts. Last year, all the action was at the running back position, with Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs changing teams. However, all the action has been at the wide receiver position this offseason. Some big-name wide receivers remained with their current teams. Tee […]


Bijan Robinson - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Fantasy Football Running Back Preview: Targets & Sleepers For 2025 Drafts

While the NFL is in the middle of its offseason, the fantasy football world never takes a break. Much in the fantasy world will change between now and the start of the regular season. Yet, let’s take an early look at the running back position for 2025 fantasy football drafts. Below are three early-round studs, […]