Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 9: Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Troy Franklin Headline the Must-Add Pickups

We’ve made it through the bye-week gauntlet, but roster holes remain. Injuries to Cam Skattebo, Quinshon Judkins, and Saquon Barkley have opened doors across the league — and smart managers will pounce. Whether you’re playing for a playoff push or looking for long-term depth, Week 9’s waiver wire features legitimate impact players with season-long and dynasty relevance.

Top Waiver Priorities (Overall)

• RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Giants)

• QB Joe Flacco (Bengals)

• WR Troy Franklin (Broncos)

• TE Oronde Gadsden (Chargers)

• RB Dylan Sampson (Browns)

Quarterbacks

Joe Flacco — Cincinnati Bengals (51% rostered, FAAB 8-10%)

Flacco has been shockingly steady since joining Cincinnati, posting 18.8, 26.0, and 24.3 fantasy points in his first three starts. He’s thrown 7 touchdowns across 126 attempts — the most in the league during that span — while leaning on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bengals face Chicago next, and Flacco’s upcoming schedule ranks top-3 in QB matchups. His volume alone gives him weekly QB1 potential, especially for Hurts or Mayfield managers seeking stability.

J.J. McCarthy — Minnesota Vikings (25% rostered, FAAB 3-5%)

Set to return from injury, McCarthy gets Detroit’s secondary — a defense that’s given up top-10 fantasy numbers to quarterbacks. His mobility and aggressive downfield accuracy make him a strong stash with favorable playoff matchups (DAL, NYG, DET).

Running Backs

Tyrone Tracy Jr. — New York Giants (42% rostered, FAAB 15-20%)

Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury vaults Tracy into an every-down role. He played 28 of the team’s final 36 snaps in Week 8, commanding 10 carries and 2 receptions. Don’t let the modest 53 yards fool you — Tracy’s pass-catching skillset gives him immediate RB2 value. He’s averaged 2.9 yards after contact and owns a 12% target share when on the field. Add him everywhere; this is a potential rest-of-season starter.

Dylan Sampson — Cleveland Browns (10% rostered, FAAB 6-8%)

With Quinshon Judkins sidelined, Sampson handled 19 of 27 snaps down the stretch, showing burst as both a runner and receiver. He caught 5 of 6 targets for 29 yards, out-snapping Jerome Ford 2:1 in passing situations. If Judkins misses additional time after the bye, Sampson projects as a high-end Flex.

Tank Bigsby — Philadelphia Eagles (33% rostered, FAAB 4-6%)

Bigsby capitalized when Saquon Barkley left with a groin issue, ripping 104 yards on 9 carries. Even if Barkley returns after the bye, Bigsby’s performance cemented him as the primary handcuff — and an elite stash in one of the NFL’s most efficient rushing offenses.

Ollie Gordon II — RB, Miami Dolphins (10% rostered, FAAB 3–5%)

Ollie Gordon quietly continues to carve out a role in Miami’s high-octane offense — and in deeper leagues, that makes him an intriguing Week 9 pickup. The rookie logged 10 carries for 46 yards and added a 20-yard receiving touchdown in Week 8, flashing the same downhill burst and contact balance that made him a collegiate star. His 2.9 yards after contact per attempt ranks second among Miami backs over the past three games, showing he’s making the most of limited touches.

Kyle Monangai — Chicago Bears (38% rostered, FAAB 3-5%)

Monangai is quietly earning more touches — 20 carries for 105 yards and a TD over the last two weeks — and now draws the Bengals’ defense, which just gave up 200+ yards to the Jets’ RBs. A strong streaming play for managers in need.

Wide Receivers

Troy Franklin — Denver Broncos (42% rostered, FAAB 10-12%)

Franklin broke out in Week 8 with 6 catches for 89 yards and 2 TDs, finally overtaking Marvin Mims in snaps and targets. His 25% target share over the past two games signals a role expansion that could stick. Franklin’s speed and route nuance make him a legitimate WR3 with upside in both redraft and dynasty.

Alec Pierce — WR, Indianapolis Colts (10% rostered, FAAB 3–5%)

Alec Pierce has quietly emerged as a steady Flex option and one of the best under-the-radar deep threats still available in fantasy. He’s averaged 9.4 PPR points per game this season — ranking inside the top 50 among wide receivers and first among players available in most leagues. In Week 8, Pierce hauled in 2 catches for 69 yards, continuing to show his vertical efficiency as the Colts’ primary X receiver. His 14.7-yard average depth of target (aDOT) keeps him in big-play territory every week.

Chimere Dike — Tennessee Titans (4% rostered, FAAB 3-5%)

The rookie followed up his 70-yard TD outing with 7 catches for 93 yards. With Calvin Ridley still battling injury and Tyler Lockett released, Dike has carved out a steady 70%+ snap share. He’s worth adding before the breakout becomes mainstream.

Jayden Higgins — Houston Texans (21% rostered, FAAB 3-4%)

With Nico Collins sidelined, Higgins led the Texans in targets (8) and routes (34). His 11.4 half-PPR points highlight a growing chemistry with C.J. Stroud, and his role could stick even once Collins returns.

Tight Ends

Oronde Gadsden II — Los Angeles Chargers (69% rostered, FAAB 8-10%)

Gadsden has exploded with 12 catches for 241 yards and 2 TDs in the last two weeks, ranking as the TE1 in half-PPR scoring. The Chargers are featuring him as a hybrid slot weapon, and his 21% target share over that stretch rivals elite TEs. If he’s somehow available, he’s a must-add in every format.

Isaiah Likely — Baltimore Ravens (4% rostered, FAAB 3-5%)

Likely continues to split time with Andrews but could see a major bump if Baltimore deals Andrews at the deadline. Over the past three games, Likely has earned a 17% target share when lined up as the primary tight end. A speculative stash with top-10 upside if the depth chart shifts.

Colston Loveland — Chicago Bears (24% rostered, FAAB 2-4%)

With Cole Kmet nursing a back injury, Loveland’s 81% snap share and 78% route rate put him squarely on the streaming radar. The Bears face the Bengals, who’ve allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends this year.

Deep League Adds

• Isaiah Davis (Jets) – Stash if Breece Hall trade rumors persist.

• Bam Knight (Cardinals) – Short-term volume until Trey Benson returns.

• Parker Washington (Jaguars) – Sneaky slot role in Jacksonville’s offense.