Corey Davis (WR, TEN) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: The fifth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft is finally ready to step back on the field after missing nearly eight weeks with a nagging hamstring. The dynamic 2016 Tennessee Titans offense has seemingly gone to the wayside in the first half of the season, but a returning Corey Davis should be the sparkplug that they so badly need (5 passing TD's in first 8 weeks, yeesh!). The Titans love their first round pick, so much so that he lined up as the number one receiver on opening day against the Oakland Raiders, and he should return to his role this week at home against the Baltimore Ravens.

The decision to throw Davis into the fire as the go to guy benefited the Titans early as he out-bodied a corner with good coverage for a circus catch on his very first target. He finished with 6 catches for 69 yards in the week 1 loss. While those numbers don't necessarily shine on the box score, its worth noting that he was QB Marcus Mariota's favorite receiver on the day, seeing 10 targets, which is more than stud TE Delanie Walker, and any other pass catcher on the team.

The Titans have a bit of a rough patch ahead on the receiving end, as their next three opponents all rank in the top 6 in opponents passing YPG, but they then go on to play  Indianapolis, Houston, Arizona, and San Francisco, which all place in the bottom ten ( the latter games are down the stretch of the fantasy season and into the first week(s) of the fantasy playoffs). He may not be the immediate impact player who wins you your fantasy game this week, but he should come alive as the season goes on and he begins to build chemistry with his QB.

10 targets a game isn't unrealistic for Davis, especially with Eric Decker and Rishard Matthews struggling thus far, and Walker seeing usual double teams (and the occasional triple team) per Titans Head Coach Mike Mularkey. Going forward, expect Davis to ease back into his role as he returns as the go to guy in Tennessee, and a contributor on your fantasy team as a solid flex option and a mid-tier WR2.