Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Update Week 9

Joseph McLaughlin
Oct 28, 2025
4 min read

Photo Caption: Titans running back Tyjae Spears leaps past a defender against Indianapolis on October 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

How is your fantasy team looking this year? It’s a question that, heading into the halfway mark of the NFL season, is either a topic of pride or misery. No matter what boat you are sailing in, do not worry, for here is a list that can help either rebuild your roster or fill in for your superstar who is on a bye week.

Quarterbacks:

Joe Flacco (Cincinnati Bengals) - Despite the Bengals’ loss to the Jets, Flacco had another solid performance, throwing 21 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Flacco has been the cure for the Bengals at quarterback while Joe Burrow has remained sidelined with his toe injury since Week 2. Flacco is a solid option at quarterback no matter what your needs are, he has been consistent in his performances, and he can consistently put up points.

J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) - McCarthy is another quarterback who has been sidelined since Week 2, but aims to make his return this week against the Lions. The Vikings are excited to have him back as Carson Wentz has struggled at the position. It will be a tough test for McCarthy against Detroit’s strong defense, but he could be an option to put in at quarterback if a starter is out.

Running Backs:

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (New York Giants) - To all the managers who were rolling with Cam Skattebo all season, I offer my deepest sympathies (I lost him too). Skattebo’s gruesome ankle injury saw him carted off the field in New York’s game against Philadelphia on Sunday, likely sidelining him for the rest of the season. With him gone, the workload will be placed on the legs of Tyrone Tracy. If he is still available, you should pick him up as a replacement for Skattebo as he is likely to rack up more yards and points for the remainder of the season.

Tyjae Spears (Tennessee Titans) - Spears had a phenomenal game against the Colts. He rushed nine times for 59 yards and a touchdown, a season high for him. He splits carries evenly with Tony Pollard and shows that even a bad team like the Titans has some valuable pieces that can work. The Titans do face a good Chargers defense that stuffed the Vikings’ running game last week, but luckily, Spears has been getting more reps in the receiving game as well.

Wide Receivers:

Alec Pierce (Indianapolis Colts) - Pierce will be a valuable flex option these next two weeks for the Colts due to his ability to beat a single-high safety. Indianapolis faces off against Pittsburgh and Atlanta over the next two weeks, with both teams heavily using a single-high safety setup. Pierce, who had two catches for 69 yards against the Titans, could be explosive in these upcoming games.

Chimere Dike (Tennessee Titans) - Just like Spears, Dike is a valuable piece on a young NFL team that is experiencing a lot of growing pains. Dike had a great game against the Colts on Sunday, making seven catches for 93 yards. He is becoming a solid option for rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who continues to prove he is built for the league. Grabbing Dike is a great idea for any manager who needs another receiver.

Tight Ends:

Colston Loveland (Chicago Bears) - With Cole Kmet down with a back injury, Loveland took over as the starting tight end for the Bears in Week 8. Loveland made three catches for 38 yards in that matchup and has a favorable matchup this upcoming weekend against the Bengals' defense. I expect him to put up even bigger numbers this coming weekend.

AJ Barner (Seattle Seahawks) - Barner is currently rostered on 7% of fantasy rosters this season, but he has been solid all year. He has had four weeks with 10 or more points, highlighted by a 24-point game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5. He has some favorable matchups against the Commanders and the Cardinals so I expect him to be a good option for managers this week.

Defense/Special Teams:

Los Angeles Rams D/ST - The Rams defense gets a good matchup against a struggling Saints offense this weekend. They have been a top 10 defense all season, racking up four interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and 26 sacks. They will likely add to those stats against the Saints, who are ranked 28th overall in team offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST - The Jaguars get a similar matchup as they face the struggling Raiders, who are ranked 31st overall in team offense. Jacksonville’s defense has not been the best defense, but they have been solid, especially with its 10 interceptions. They face a Raiders offense on the road that has been missing Brock Bowers for most of the season, with a quarterback, Geno Smith, who is prone to throwing the ball to the defense.