Week eight of the 2022 NFL season is over and nothing makes sense anymore. Ja’Marr Chase broke his hip like an old lady, and then Joe Burrow started throwing like one. Mark Andrews hurt his shoulder and Lamar Jackson got the most unlikely of heroes in Isaiah Likely. Sean McVay says he’s kicking himself for keeping Cooper Kupp in the game when it was already over, making the rest of us wonder why he was in the first 58 minutes. With more players dropping like flies, we still have the waiver wire to keep us alive. I’m going to provide you with the best options available. If I don’t mention someone whom you think I should be talking about, just know there are many reasons why I overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Maybe they are so bad I don’t even consider them. Or, maybe it’s because your opinions cannot be trusted. After all, you are here. So let us examine our best week five waiver wire players for your championship run…
Week Nine Waiver Wire Quarterback
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (35% rostered)
I’ve been avoiding talking about Justin Fields for a few weeks now because the hurt was just too much. I predicted at the beginning of the season that he would be a fantasy league winner like Jalen Hurts was last year and it wasn’t happening. But, Justin Fields started to run, and it started to make my words look prophetic instead of pathetic. With 330 passing yards, 142 rushing yards, 4 total touchdowns, and 1 interception in those games, Fields has been fantastic. This past week, Fields finished as the QB5 against a Cowboys defense that might be the best in football. His 60 rushing yards in week eight were the fewest in the last three games for Fields. So, if you need a quarterback, Fields’ rushing floor makes him a priority add.
Week Nine Waiver Wire Running Backs
Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos (29% rostered)
This week’s waiver wire running backs are just bodies who might get touches and Latavius Murray is their king. In no way did he get me excited with his 59 all-purpose yards and 1 touchdown. But he is the only guy on this list with a clear path to getting significant touches. He is in a time-share with Melvin Gordon and is the clear number two in an even split, but at least I know what to expect from him. Not much. Something… just not a lot.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens (22% rostered)
The rollercoaster of the Ravens’ running back rotation resumes. Just when you think we can finally forget about Kenyan Drake and ride the Gus Bus, Edwards hurts his hamstring and we are back on this horrible ride. After Edwards left the game, Drake had 67 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. The Ravens can run the ball as well as anyone in football, but figuring out who will do the actual running is what is proving to be a problem. If Edwards isn’t able to go in week nine, Drake is a priority addition.
Tyler Allgeier/Caleb Huntley, Atlanta Falcons (44%/2% rostered)
Once again, we have the choices of Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley on our waiver wire at running back, and once again we are very uninspired. In week eight, Allgeier had 85 all-purpose yards and 1 touchdown. Caleb Huntley had 91 yards on 16 carries. These guys are in an even split and none of them are particularly good, but, that does not mean they do not have value. The Falcons run as much as anyone in football and these players do provide a guaranteed floor in what should be a good matchup in the byenado of week nine. The big issue is they are only relevant until Cordarrelle Patterson comes back. I would not use a waiver on these guys, but if I need some points out of the running back spot, I would grab one of them to plug in after waivers clear and hope they get e a touchdown.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (30% rostered)
Isiah Pacheco is coming off a bye week and a pretty uninspired week seven performance. Pacheco was named the starter in Kansas City, but the backfield is still in a timeshare. Hell, Pacheco was only on the field for 15% of the team’s snaps as a starter. I think the main takeaway here is that you cannot trust Andy Reid running backs.
Ronnie Rivers, Los Angeles Rams (1% rostered)
Someone tried to tell me that Ronnie Rivers is the new lead back in Los Angeles. Rivers had 12 carries for 36 yards in week eight. This just reaffirms my belief that I want no shares of the Los Angeles Rams’ offense not named Cooper Kupp.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (22% rostered)
While I said I want no shares of the Rams’ offense, I do not have a problem stashing Kyren Williams in an IR slot. Williams has been designated to return and he is a running back that had some buzz in the preseason. Running back depth is important enough that I will take the chance that Williams could actually do something when he returns if I had a spot to stash him.
Week Nine Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (34% rostered)
With Matt Ryan being benched for Sam Ehlinger, I was a bit nervous about whether I want to still hold onto Alec Pierce. With 5 targets, 3 catches, and 65 yards, I am willing to ride with Pierce. While he didn’t have great numbers, he did produce and is clearly the number two receiver on that offense. He is a talented player with a defined role and I like having guys like that on my roster.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals (28% rostered)
Two weeks ago, I mentioned that you wanted Rondale Moore shares with Marquise Brown expected to miss time. In week eight, Moore had 7 catches for 92 yards and 1 touchdown. Since Hopkins has been back, the Arizona offense looks stronger (which isn’t saying much) and Rondale Moore is the clear number two in that offense. If you need a receiver, he is worth taking a flier on.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (40% rostered)
Romeo Doubs had a horrible week seven but came back strong in week eight. He led the team in yards and targets, with 4 catches, 62 yards, and a touchdown. With Allen Lazard and Christian Watson hurt, Romeo Doubs has a clear window for opportunities. The question is whether he will go through the window or bonk against it like a child running into a sliding glass door… Or a bird killing itself against a high-rise.
Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens (35% rostered)
Rashod Bateman? Dead. Mark Andrews? Dead. Baltimore running backs. Mostly dead. The skill positions in Baltimore have been getting decimated, but they still got Lamar Jackson and they are still gonna sling it. That means you probably want Devin Duvernay shares. In week eight, Duvernay had 64 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Duvernay is the clear number-one receiving option in Baltimore until everyone else on that roster proves they are still alive.
Week Nine Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (40% rostered)
I feel like we need to start talking about Evan Engram. In week eight, he had 4 catches, 55 yards, and 1 touchdown. Right now, Engram is the TE11 on the season and is seventh in targets among tight ends. If you want to just not worry about the tight end position, you can definitely settle for Engram. Just don’t burn your waivers on him.
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (1% rostered)
Greg Dulcich continues to get my attention. In week eight, Dulcich had 4 catches for 87 yards and was second on the Broncos in targets. My biggest problem with Dulcich is that I want no part of the Denver Broncos. If you are desperate for a tight end, which you most assuredly are, Dulcich is fine to grab on waivers. Maybe when they get back from bye, Russell Wilson won’t be a weirdo who is bad at football.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (3% rostered)
This is for the Mark Andrews owners. After Mark Andrews went down with a shoulder injury, Likely had 6 catches for 77 yards and 1 touchdown. Per John Harbaugh, Andrews avoid a serious injury, but that doesn’t mean he will be ready for week nine. If Andrews doesn’t go, Likely has to be one of the top streaming options for week nine. If you have Andrews on your roster, you need to strongly consider grabbing Likely for insurance.
