Mike Washington Jr. and the Best Week 9 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Pickups

With the 2026 fantasy football season now past its midpoint, it's become increasingly difficult to pluck worthwhile contributors off waivers. It's far from impossible, however, especially after an exciting NFL weekend featured a handful of unexpected breakout performances.

While injuries are the main reason that backups tend to get elevated into a more prominent role at this point in the campaign, several coaching staffs opted to shake things up by giving a depth player more run than usual.

Mike Washington Jr. made the most of a surprise increase in playing time, helping guide the Las Vegas Raiders to a win with a steady rushing performance.

With Washington potentially supplanting Ashton Jeanty as Vegas' RB1, he becomes the most obvious player to make a run at this week. There are a handful of others—especially at the usually barren RB position—who also stand out, so with that in mind let's get into the top waiver-wire targets for Week 9.

Suggestions are available in approximately half or more of all Yahoo! Sports leagues. Fantasy points and rankings courtesy of FantasyPros ' PPR data. Suggested free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB) bids are based on a $100 starting budget.

Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins (20 Percent Rostered)

The Dolphins may be a dumpster fire this season, but Willis has at least started flashing the talent that earned him a big contract in free agency with a bit more frequency.

Over the past three games, Willis hasn't finished below the QB14 mark. He posted his first two 20-plus point outings of the season on both sides of Miami's Week 6 bye, including a 26-point QB4 performance in Week 7.

While Willis unsurprisingly regressed with a 15.6-point outing against a stingy New England Patriots defense this past weekend, things look far more promising in the coming weeks.

The 'Phins have some premium matchups on tap that fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to capitalize on, starting in Week 9 when they face a dismal Detroit Lions secondary.

The Lions allow the most passing yards in football and subsequently rank dead-last in fantasy points conceded to QBs, giving up an average of nearly 25 PPG to the position.

With the Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets (all ranking in the bottom half of the NFL in fantasy points allowed to QBs this year) representing Miami's following three opponents, Willis has the potential to be far more than a one-week rental.

If you are desperate for a QB, he's a serviceable choice to take your team into the fantasy playoffs.

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders (56 Percent Rostered)

The Raiders got back in the win column Sunday following a three-game skid thanks to a big outing from Cousins. The veteran's steady hand was instrumental in a 38-33 victory over the New York Jets, as he completed 19 of 26 passing attempts for a cool 247 yards and three touchdowns.

While Cousins' Week 8 passing volume was the lowest of his Vegas tenure, his efficiency resulted in a season-high 28.2 fantasy points and a QB2 finish—his best since Week 5 of the 2024 campaign.

While there was some speculation during the Raiders' recent losing streak that Cousins might cede his job to hyped rookie Fernando Mendoza, the outing should cement his status as Vegas' starter for a while longer.

With Cousins only posting two finishes outside the top 12 this season, managers shouldn't hesitate to put a claim in if he's available. You can deploy him with confidence in a Week 9 battle against the San Francisco 49ers.

It may not be an ideal matchup, but game scripting is likely to dictate a large volume of throws from the 38-year-old and keep him squarely on the QB1 fantasy radar.

J.J. McCarthy, New York Giants (9 Percent Rostered)

The G-Men turned their offense over to McCarthy in Week 7 and were rewarded with a shocking victory against a heavily favored Houston Texans opponent.

That win should strengthen his hold on the starting job for the remainder of the campaign, and the third-year QB could emerge as a sneaky-strong choice for fantasy teams needing to make a change of their own under center.

While McCarthy couldn't keep up the unsustainable rate of point production he displayed during a Week 6 relief appearance (he notched 17.3 points and a QB12 finish despite playing just 31 offensive snaps ), he still looked sharp against a tough Houston defense—completing 20 of 28 throws for 252 yards.

A lack of scoring plays and rushing contributions led to a pedestrian 10.2-point fantasy line, but better days are surely in store for McCarthy.

With Big Blue coming off a bye and set to face the collapsing Philadelphia Eagles, McCarthy has QB1 potential in Week 9. An extra week to glean more of New York's offensive system and build rapport with teammates he's only known for a month should pay dividends as the G-Men look to increase their lead in the NFC East.

Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders (27 Percent Rostered)

Ashton Jeanty managers should be in panic mode right now, as Washington is on the cusp of usurping Vegas' feature back for more than just one game.

Washington shockingly earned the vast majority of carries during a 38-33 victory over the New York Jets and may have cemented himself as the Raiders' new starting running back. The sixth-round rookie finished the contest with 83 yards on 25 rushing attempts, while Jeanty only turned in nine meager yards on his two totes.

Jeanty should remain Vegas' main receiving back, putting a damper on Washington's PPR value. The rookie doesn't offer much in that area of the game and failed to record a single target against the Jets, but the drastic reduction Jeanty saw in both rushing volume and offensive snaps ( 25 compared to Washington's 38 ) has a real chance to become the new norm in Sin City.

It's too soon to tell if Washington will finish the season as Vegas' RB1 (or even come out of a Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers with that status), but the upside is far too alluring to pass up. Managers in all formats should make Washington a priority free-agent target this week, as there may not be another opportunity to scoop a true lead back off waivers this season.

Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals (52 Percent Rostered)

Arizona's backfield has been cursed for the past couple seasons and this hex continued in Week 8 when prized rookie Jeremiyah Love (who has already missed several contests in 2026) and veteran backup Bam Knight went down with respective ankle and concussion ailments.

Allgeier was the lone healthy back to finish the 33-30 overtime win against the Dallas Cowboys. He seized his expanded opportunity, racking up a whopping 36.1 fantasy points and finishing as the RB1 for Week 8.

The fifth-year veteran looked explosive on Sunday, gashing a weak Dallas defense for 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 11 totes. He also chipped in 44 receiving yards and another score on his five receptions. It marked a massive improvement for a player who was averaging fewer than three yards per carry coming into the contest.

With the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs representing Arizona's next three opponents, managers shouldn't expect sustained RB1-level performances from Allgeier. He's still a fantastic waiver-wire add, however, as he'll command huge workloads while the rest of the Cardinals' platoon is banged up.

Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers (31 Percent Rostered)

Black entered San Francisco's Week 8 bye on the heels of a promising performance. He logged a career-high 31 offensive snaps in a 29-20 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons, taking over as the 49ers' top back while starter Christian McCaffrey was sidelined for a stretch with a hamstring issue. The rookie finished with 63 rushing yards and a score on 12 totes.

The last time Black saw more than 18 offensive snaps was in the opener, when he turned in 70 yards on 15 touches across his 28 offensive plays. It's clear he can produce when given the opportunity and would emerge as a solid RB2 if McCaffrey were to miss time.

While McCaffrey got some much-needed rest during the Niners' off week, hamstring issues are notoriously tricky and could continue to plague the superstar well into the back half of the season. Black was already a strong handcuff option in deeper leagues, but now needs to be rostered in most formats while McCaffrey's health looks murky.

Seth McGowan, Indianapolis Colts (31 Percent Rostered)

Whispers continue to swirl around Jonathan Taylor's future with the Colts. The superstar could be the next domino to fall as the franchise—which already shipped off veterans DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson—continues its full-blown rebuilding efforts.

With the trade deadline just a week away, McGowan is the ideal speculative stash for managers seeking a lottery ticket at the RB position. There's a chance it doesn't pay off, but Taylor's potential departure would elevate McGowan to borderline RB2 status for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.

McGowan has flashed a high ceiling during his limited usage, generating 163 rushing yards on 37 carries this year. Considering fellow depth option DJ Giddens didn't even see the field until Week 8, the seventh-round rookie figures to slot seamlessly into Taylor's vacated lead back role and would be in line for a huge amount of touches as Indy plays out the string.

Devin Singletary, New York Giants (4 Percent Rostered)

With Tyrone Tracy Jr. landing on injured reserve and Najee Harris released, Singletary should settle in behind Cam Skattebo as Big Blue's RB2 for the next several weeks.

Unlike the Seth McGowan suggestion above, managers will only want to claim Singletary if they believe a trade will not occur before the deadline. The G-Men have jumped out to a big lead in the NFC East race, however, and look like they could be buyers this week.

The backfield could clearly use an upgrade considering Singletary is set to play a large role, but there will be fantasy value here if New York stands pat and trusts the 29-year-old.

Singletary did have his best game of the 2026 campaign right before the Giants' Week 8 bye, recording 14.5 fantasy points with an efficient 5-41-1 rushing and 3-14-0 receiving line.

That RB22 finish is certainly closer to the veteran's ceiling than his floor, but it might inspire some front office confidence in Singletary. Deep-league managers seeking a flex-worthy player who should get approximately 10 touches per game could do far worse.

Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints (51 Percent Rostered)

It's a tough week for teams in need of significant receiving help on waivers, but Tyson could be the savior managers are looking for.

The rookie has seemingly been on the cusp of making his much-anticipated debut for several weeks now, but the chances of him finally seeing the field look good for Week 9.

New Orleans is coming off a Week 8 bye that followed the team's trip to Paris to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Tyson didn't play in that 16-10 loss, it was a promising sign that the No. 8 overall pick traveled across the Atlantic with the team.

On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter provided another update regarding the wideout's Week 9 status:

Considering the Saints have been taking their time and not rushing Tyson back from a preseason hamstring injury, the wideout will be ready to hit the ground running when he does suit up.

Expect a fast start from a player projected to be a big part of the team's passing attack, with Tyson benefitting heavily from the defensive attention star teammate Chris Olave will command.

This is likely the last call on Tyson, who will get snapped up quickly as soon as his return is officially announced. Make a spot on your bench if you can, as his talent level and upside in Kellen Moore's offense create a situation where the wideout could emerge as a league-winner.

Antonio Williams, Washington Commanders (26 Percent Rostered)

Williams is the next man up in a Washington offense that needs a playmaker to emerge in the wake of Terry McLaurin's season-ending injury. He got off to a decent start with a solid 5-54-0 showing on seven targets during a Week 8 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

While Williams' 10.4 fantasy points weren't a career-high, the rookie hasn't reached double-digits since his promising four-catch, 64-yard, one-touchdown debut in the opener.

With Washington's quarterback situation seemingly stabilized with a healthy Jayden Daniels again running the show, Williams has a chance to be one of the most improved players in the back half of the season.

Williams may not look like a strong waiver target at first glance, but his combination of upside and opportunity makes him one of the better wideouts you can stash right now.

Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys (34 Percent Rostered)

The Cowboys may be collapsing with three losses in their last four games, but Flournoy has been surging up the team's pecking order and has clearly gained the trust of quarterback Dak Prescott.

Flournoy is well on his way to a career season, having tallied 30 catches for 342 yards and two touchdowns on the year. The third-year man out of Southeast Missouri State has been especially hot as of late, scoring nine or more fantasy points and finishing as the WR30 or better in four consecutive weeks.

Although a good chunk of Flournoy's production has been tied to scores—he's found pay dirt in two of the last three games—he's proving to be a reliable fantasy option. His ceiling may be limited if CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are both on the field, but he's generated four-plus targets in all eight games and has a stable floor. Consider Flournoy a perfectly viable WR3/flex option going into a plus-matchup against a weak Indianapolis Colts defense in Week 9.

Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (11 Percent Rostered)

The trend of a different Jets receiver producing big fantasy numbers every week continued Sunday when Mitchell became the latest Gang Green pass-catcher to pop off.

The wideout racked up 142 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, tallying a hefty 27.2 fantasy points and securing the first top-five finish of his career.

While Mitchell has dealt with injury (missing a month with a finger injury) and inconsistency (catching none of his three targets during his Week 7 return), he's an extremely talented receiver at his best.

Prior to landing on IR, the 24-year-old was Week 2's WR26, in addition to posting two top-15 finishes in a three-week span shortly after he landed with the Jets at last year's trade deadline.

Mitchell is a high-risk, high-reward waiver option heading into a Week 9 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. He could put up week-winning numbers in the WR4/flex spot if he stays locked in, but he's also an obvious candidate to regress against one of the league's top pass defenses.

Mitchell could also take a backseat to teammates Garrett Wilson and Omar Cooper Jr. again, so proceed with caution if you put a claim in.

Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams (16 Percent Rostered)

It's a pretty bleak week for tight end waiver targets when a player on the IR stands out as the best pickup. While managers can't feel too confident in any of the widely-available tight ends, Ferguson has far more rest-of-season upside than the rest.

Although Ferguson has been sidelined since Week 3 with a high-ankle sprain, he became eligible to return last week. As soon as he does get back on the field, Ferguson projects to assume a heavy workload in a Los Angeles offense that is hungry for playmakers.

With L.A.'s pass-catching corps dealing with several injuries, quarterback Matt Stafford was limited to a pedestrian 157 passing yards and one passing touchdown during the team's Week 8 win over the Chargers. Superstar wideout Puka Nacua (11-80-1 receiving) still managed to show out, but no other Rams wideout or tight end had more than two catches in the contest.

Prior to picking up his ankle injury, Ferguson flashed his immense upside during a nine-target, six-catch, 54-yard, one-touchdown outing in Week 2. Those types of performances could become standard when he's healthy again, making Ferguson a must-stash on any TE-needy roster.

Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders (30 Percent Rostered)

Okonkwo didn't have the best performance during Washington's big win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, but he'll have ample opportunity to get back to playing TE1-level football in the weeks ahead.

Despite the potential for an increase in usage with star wideout Terry McLaurin out for the season, Okonkwo only recorded two catches for 32 yards on four targets in Week 8. It was a disappointing showing from a player who went into the Commanders' Week 7 bye having tallied 13.9 fantasy points against a stingy San Francisco 49ers defense.

Don't give up on Okonkwo just yet, though, as Jayden Daniels only completed 16 throws in total on Sunday night. There should be plenty more targets heading the tight end's way as the team continues to sort out its post-McLaurin pass-catching hierarchy.

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (18 Percent Rostered)

The Bengals gritted out a thrilling overtime victory against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, a win that likely doesn't happen without a big game from Gesicki. The veteran finished with a modest four catches on six targets, but converted those grabs into 76 yards and a touchdown.

Gesicki's 17.6-point performance was a return to the quality form he displayed earlier this season. He notched three top-12 finishes over the first month of the 2026 campaign before sandwiching a pair of TE22 finishes around Cincinnati's Week 6 bye. The arrow is pointing upwards again for Gesicki, however, especially after Erick All Jr. was lost for the year with a torn ACL last week.

While seventh-round rookie Jack Endries saw some playing time and even vultured a one-yard touchdown on his lone reception of the year, Gesicki is firmly entrenched as the Bengals' top pass-catching TE. That role in Cincy's surging aerial attack makes him a good waiver choice for Week 9 and beyond.