With Week 9 officially in the books, there are more names you need to know on this week’s waiver wire. You may be dealing with injuries, bye weeks, or just need to cycle players out on your bench. Whatever it is, the waiver wire is there to help. Let’s take a look at some of the best players that should be added this week on waivers.
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Quentin Johnston WR (LAC)
Johnston has missed some time with an ankle injury but returned to the field in Week 9 in a big way. In his return, he had 4 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown on 5 targets with an 18% target share. That marked his third game this season with at least 44 receiving yards and a touchdown. In the next four weeks, the Chargers have the Titans, Bengals, Ravens, and Falcons in one of the friendliest stretches for receivers. Johnston should be considered a strong flex play going forward.
DeMario Douglas WR (NE)
Douglas was a hot name on the waiver wire two weeks ago after a big performance but quiet performances during that stretch led many people to dump him back onto waivers. When Drake Maye is at quarterback, Douglas is averaging a 24.3% target share, 6.5 receptions, and 63.5 receiving yards. The volume is there for him to produce in PPR formats at the FLEX spot. Do not shy away from him because of tough matchups ahead, his floor is too high to pass up with Maye at quarterback.
Mike Gesicki TE (CIN)
When Tee Higgins is out, Gesicki turns into prime Gronk becoming a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Without Higgins this week, Gesicki finished with 5 catches for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 targets. I mentioned earlier this week the splits Gesicki has with/without Higgins this season and he is averaging north of 12 points per game without him. With the uncertainty behind Higgins return to play, Gesicki is worth taking a look at on the waiver wire and could find his way into your starting lineup this week.
Justin Herbert QB (LAC)
Herbert and the Chargers’ passing game is starting to heat up after a slow start to the season. Teams have started to stack the box against the Chargers to stop the run ultimately opening up more in the passing game despite a lack of elite weapons. Herbert’s volume in the last four weeks is at 33 attempts per game and his 8th-ranked yards per attempt has allowed him to throw for over 278 yards in three straight weeks. With consistent production and an easier stretch of games upcoming, Herbert will fill in nicely as a streamer quarterback as the playoff race heats up.
Sterling Shepard WR (TB)
Without Jalen McMillian in the lineup, Shepard stepped up as the top playmaker at receiver for the Buccaneers. Against one of the top defenses in the NFL, he finished with 4 catches for 48 yards while having 2 carries for 21 yards. He also was able to lead all receivers in snaps played and routes run making him an appealing option on the waiver wire. The Buccaneers’ offense will continue to support multiple pass catchers in PPR and after their Week 11 bye have a favorable rest of the season schedule. Shepard is worth the add ahead of Week 10.
Xavier Legette WR (CAR)
The stat lines have not been overly impressive for Legette this season, but he continues to find his way into the end zone. With Bryce Young at quarterback, he holds a 20.6% target share and has three red zone targets in the last two weeks. The Panthers could potentially move off of Adam Thielen as well after trading Diontae Johnson earlier this week providing Legette with more opportunities. This week he is a good plug-and-play option against the Giants who are allowing the 8th most points per game to opposing perimeter receivers.
Top Priority (If Available)
Jaylen Warren RB (PIT)
55% Rostered
Warren followed his season-best performance with a disappointing 9 carries for 46 yards and only 2 receptions. There will always be a true split in Pittsburgh between Warren and Najee Harris, but Warren’s playmaking ability is intriguing. The Steelers have a tough schedule ahead which could lead to more passing situations for the offense resulting in Warren seeing the field more often.
Jerry Jeudy WR (CLE)
48% Rostered
While Cedric Tillman has been the star in Cleveland, Jeudy has been impressive with Jameis Winston under center. He is averaging a 21.8% target share, 6 receptions, and 76 yards per game with the veteran at quarterback. After the bye, the Browns face the Saints who are allowing the 6th most points to perimeter receiving making Jeudy an intriguing flex in Week 11.
Honorable Mentions
QB: Bo Nix (DEN): Rostered: 45%
QB: Drake Maye (NE): Rostered: 14%
RB: Khalil Herbert (CIN): Rostered: 4%
RB: Isaac Guerendo (TB): Rostered: 14%
RB: Roschon Johnson (CHI): Rostered: 16%
RB: Ray Davis (BUF): Rostered: 20%
WR: Adam Thielen (CAR): Rostered: 36%
WR: Jalen McMillian (TB): Rostered: 39%
WR: Ricky Pearsall (SF): Rostered: 31%
WR: Ray-Ray McCloud III (ATL): Rostered: 17%
WR: Jalen Coker (CAR): Rostered: 12%
TE: Taysom Hill (NO): Rostered: 31%
TE: Jonnu Smith (MIA): Rostered: 11%
K: Chris Boswell (PIT): Rostered: 40%
DEF: Detroit Lions: Rostered: 50%
DEF: New York Giants: Rostered: 4%
DEF: Arizona Cardinals: Rostered: 2%