NFL Waiver Wire: Week 9 Pickups

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Sam Bradford, MIN - If you own Tom Brady, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer or Kirk Cousins you might want to consider grabbing Bradford as a bye-week filler. Outside of the Philadelphia game Bradford has actually been good, scoring at least 10 fantasy points in the other four starts while averaging 15.5 fantasy points per game. The home matchup is extremely favorable for Bradford this week as he faces the Lions, who allow a league-high 23.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. FAAB: $4-$8

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Tim Hightower, NO - A case of fumblitis has landed Mark Ingram in the doghouse and opened an opportunity for Hightower to take over as lead running back. Hightower made the most of his chance Sunday, finishing with 26 carries for 102 yards against a good Seattle defense. Reports Monday from unnamed sources said Hightower has earned more carries coming off this performance. It's unlikely he totally supplants Ingram, who probably will get another shot this week. That said, it seems like a good bet that Hightower gets at least double-digit touches and has the best possible matchup this week against the 49ers. Over its last four games, San Francisco has allowed 232 rushing yards per game and 33.7 points. FAAB: $10-$15

Charcandrick West, KC - Spencer Ware had a juicy matchup lined up with the Colts Sunday, but his day was cut short after he sustained a concussion. He'll enter the league's concussion protocol and probably miss at least this week's game against Jacksonville. Now healthy, West was already getting a few touches spelling Ware with Jamaal Charles out. West finished Sunday with 16 touches and had some productive games as the lead back last season. The matchup is good this week as the Chiefs take on the Jaguars, a team the Titans ran over last Thursday. FAAB: $10-$15

Antone Smith, TB - It's been a terrible season to be a Tampa running back as Doug Martin, Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers have been bitten by the injury bug. Rodgers' injury is listed as a foot sprain, but it seems like he's going to miss some time considering the team quickly signed running back Mike James on Monday. Smith got four carries to one for Peyton Barber, who was mentioned here last week. Smith is also the better receiver between the two and showed his big-play potential two seasons ago in Atlanta. That season, despite only 36 touches, he scored five touchdowns, a pretty good touches/touchdown ratio. Look for the coaching staff to clarify the running back situation in the next couple days with the Bucs playing the Thursday night, but Smith appears to be the guy to own. FAAB: $10-$15

Rob Kelley, WAS - Kelley was anointed the starter before kickoff Sunday morning yet wasn't even picked up in the majority of leagues leading to only a 35 percent ownership on Yahoo. He responded to getting his first start with 87 rushing yards and a short touchdown, leading to a respectable game. It's unknown how long Matt Jones will be out with a knee sprain, but the fact is Kelley didn't put the ball on the ground. Kelley is at the bottom of this running back list for a couple reasons. He'll be on bye this week, no help to teams in a "win-now" mode. Also, it'll give Jones another week to heal making his return to the field for Week 10 more likely. Still, it's hard not to see Kelley getting touches once the Redskins return from the bye. FAAB: $8-$12

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Corey Coleman, CLE - Coleman was back on the field Monday practicing without any restrictions or specialized equipment. He was discussed in this column a couple weeks ago when the price was next to nothing. Now that price will be much steeper with his return looking like this weekend. Remember that this was a hand injury, so his conditioning shouldn't be an issue, putting him in line for a full complement of snaps. FAAB: $15-$20

Kendall Wright, TEN - Wright might have finally established himself as Marcus Mariota's top receiving option after getting 18 targets over his last three games. He's scored twice in that span while catching 14 passes for 229 yards. In a half-point PPR format that averaged to 14 fantasy points the last three weeks, good enough to warrant a spot as a flex play in almost all formats. The one-two punch of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry will help keep opposing defenses honest and open things for Wright downfield. FAAB: $5-$10

J.J. Nelson, ARI - Nelson has come on strong these last two games, surpassing Michael Floyd as the team's No. 2 wide receiver. He's scored three times in the last two games but the notable stats are the jump in snap count (65 and 80) with the 19 targets. With the Cardinals on bye this week he should come cheaper, though he may be tough to roster depending on the size of your bench. However, after that bye he gets the 49ers at home, one of the best matchups he'll have all season. FAAB: $5-$10

Secondary Targets

Dontrelle Inman, SD - Inman led the Chargers in receiving in a tough road matchup in Denver, finishing with four catches for 72 yards. He now has seven and six targets in his last two games as Philip Rivers looks his way more. That target volume should continue to be there, especially if Travis Benjamin misses time with his knee injury. Claiming Jeremy Butler off waivers seems to be an indication that Benjamin will indeed be sidelined, pushing Inman, along with Tyrell Williams, into a more prominent role in the passing game. FAAB: $3-$6

Tyreek Hill, KC - It's hard to like Hill given his off-field history, but this is fantasy football and it's all about assembling the best team. Hill has played a key role in the offense the last two weeks, finishing with three rushes for 30 yards, six catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns in those games combined. The Chiefs are making a concerted effort to get the ball in his hands, and he has the speed to make the big play every time he touches the ball. It looks as if Alex Smith will be back under center, helping his prospects as well. Just realize there is a low floor here given what he did the first five weeks. FAAB: $2-$4

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Austin Hooper, ATL - Jacob Tamme has already been ruled out for Thursday night football, putting Hooper in line to start. He was a third-round pick out of Stanford and has nice upside considering his athleticism. Hooper finished the game against the Packers with five catches for 41 yards playing 46 snaps, more than double his season high. Tamme was also leaned on heavily in the red zone, catching three touchdowns in his first seven games, the role Hooper will have Thursday. FAAB: $3-$6