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Fantasy Football 2017: Waiver Wire Targets for Week 9

By Dan Thomas

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Alfred Morris #46 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 18, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Alfred Morris #46 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 18, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 01: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 01: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) /

Executing the waiver wire in fantasy football is what will separate the champions from the chumps. Here are some players you should target in Week 9.

The trade deadline has been crazy this season, a superstar is suspended (again) and for the second-consecutive week, we have six teams on a bye week. Who are the players owners should target for Week 9 and/or beyond?

For these purposes, we will being using ESPN Fantasy Football as a guideline. Any player that is 50 percent owned or less is eligible.

5. Dolphins Running Backs Kenyan Drake (0.4 percent owned) and Damien Williams (0.3 percent owned)

The Dolphins recently traded their former starting running back, Jay Ajayi, to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dolphins are now without a starting running back. My guess is the Dolphins use a committee to fill the void left by Ajayi. Both Drake and Williams should see close to double-digit touches a game until/if one pulls away as the superior option. If I had to choose one between the two, it’d be Drake but keep in mind the Dolphins offense has been awful all season long.

4. Jack Doyle, TE, Indianapolis Colts (39.5 percent owned)

Doyle goes into Week 9 as the fifth-best fantasy football tight end and is coming off his best game of the season (12 receptions, 121 yards and 1 touchdown). He currently leads the Colts in receptions by a wide margin and just like I said last week, he’s the favorite to lead the team in catches each and every week.

3. Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys (34.7 percent owned)

More from Fantasy Football

Ezekiel Elliott has once again been suspended for the following six games. Will this stand or will it be delayed due to an appeal? Your guess is as good as mine but McFadden needs to be added in all leagues either way. If Elliott is indeed out, McFadden along with Alfred Morris should carry the load for the Cowboys.

2. Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (29.3 percent owned)

In his first game with Martavis Bryant not activated, Juju went for 7 receptions, 193 yards and 1 touchdown. It was a helluva game but keep in mind it was more than likely his best game of the season. Antonio Brown won’t be covered by a guy like Darius Slay on a week-to-week basis and according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Bryant is expected to play in Week 10. Also, the Steelers are on a bye this week so if you need immediate help this week, Juju be a player who helps you.

1. Alfred Morris, RB, Dallas Cowboys (30.0 percent owned)

As mentioned earlier with Darren McFadden, the Cowboys will be without Ezekiel Elliott for the next six games. McFadden will have a role but according to owner Jerry Jones, Morris is the favorite to lead their backfield in carries.

SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers runs after a catch against Danny Trevathan #59 of the Denver Broncos in the first half during Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers runs after a catch against Danny Trevathan #59 of the Denver Broncos in the first half during Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Others Receiving Votes

Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots (49.0 percent owned) – Lewis is coming off a season-high 15 carries and has now seen double-digit touches in three straight games. The Patriots are on a bye this week, so if you need immediate help, Lewis won’t be available.

Alex Collins, RB, Baltimore Ravens (32.2 percent owned) – Collins is coming off a season high in both carries (18) and rushing yards (113). His fantasy numbers haven’t been great for most of the season but his 6.0 yards per carry (YPC) has been outstanding. He should earn more opportunities moving forward.

Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts (29.0 percent owned) – Last week Mack saw a season-high 11 carries and finished with a receiving touchdown. He now has double-digit PPR points in three out of the last four games.

Danny Woodhead, RB, Baltimore Ravens (22.3 percent owned) – After suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the season, Woodhead looks likely to return in Week 11. He should be owned in all PPR leagues moving forward.

Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets (26.5 percent owned) – He has a touchdown in back-to-back games and is averaging over 11 PPR fantasy points for the season.

Next: NFL Trade Deadline: Grades for every major deal

Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers (42.1 percent owned) – Olsen should return in Week 12 so if you have a bench spot to burn, he’s worth the add.

Vernon Davis, TE, Washington Redskins (13.8 percent owned) – To nobody’s surprise, Jordan Reed is injured and he is likely to miss Week 9. As a result, Davis should be the team’s starting tight end this week and possibly longer.

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