Fantasy Football: Stafford, Tracy and Tillman are among the top additions/drops for Week 9

MIAMI, Oct. 29 (UPI) — Matthew Stafford, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cedric Tillman are at the top of my fantasy football waiver priority list for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season.

Jameis Winston, Jakobi Meyers and the Tennessee Titans defense/special teams are among my other targets.

Check out my list of waiver wire targets below if you need replacement options for injured starters. Players from the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers, who are byed, must be benched or released.

Injuries, breakout performances and other factors have paved the way for several players to secure a spot on the benches of fantasy football teams or perhaps even in the starting lineups.

My exemption priorities each have an ownership percentage of 60% or less.

Here are my top players to add and my top players to remove for week 9:

ALL-ADD TEAM

QB | Matthew Stafford; RB | Tyrone Tracy Jr.; WR | Cedric Tillman, Jakobi Meyers, Jerry Jeudy; TE | Zach Ertz; D/ST | Tennessee Titans; K | Austin Seibert

HONORABLE MENTIONS

QB | James Winston; RB | Jaleel McLaughlin, Ray Davis; WR | Keon Coleman, Josh Downs; TE | Tyler Conklin; D/ST | New Orleans Saints; K | Blake Grupe

TOP FALLS

QB | Drake Maye; RB | Devin Singletair; WR | Christian Kirk; TE | Taysom Hill; D/ST | Denver Broncos; K | Jason Myers

QUARTER

Matthew Stafford is my top quarterback to target off the waiver wire. The Los Angeles Rams veteran struggled through his first six games, but got some of his top weapons back last week in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Their return coincided with his first multiple touchdown toss performance of the season.

This week the Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks, who have allowed multiple touchdown passes to quarterbacks in four of their last five games. Stafford is in the Top 10 in Week 9 and is a fantastic streaming option.

RUN BACK

Tyrone Tracy Jr. burst onto the scene with a 129-yard performance in Week 5, as he earned his first career start in place of fellow New York Giants running back Devin Singletary. He also eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage and scored a week later, but the Giants resumed their timeshare approach in Week 7.

This week, the Giants leaned on the rookie in a tough game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, beating Tracy Singletary 41-28. He rewarded the Giants with a career-high 145 yards and a score on 20 carries.

Singletary can be dropped into standard leagues. Look for the Giants to continue to find ways to get the ball to their rising rookie. Tracy could struggle as a runner against the Washington Commanders in Week 9, but he should excel as a pass catcher and gain nearly 100 yards from scrimmage.

He then gets a fantastic game in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, who allowed the most rushing yards (133.3) and touchdowns (1.9) per game to the position through eight weeks.

Tracy could be an asset if he takes this job head on.

WIDE RECEIVER

Several pass catchers can be targeted from the waiver wire if you need help at the wide receiver position. Cleveland Browns wide receivers Cedric Tillman and Jerry Jeudy are among my favorite options.

Tillman posted the third-most fantasy points among wide receivers in Week 8, when he hauled in six catches for 111 yards and two scores. Jeudy also racked up a season-high 79 yards on five catches in the Browns’ Week 8 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

With Jameis Winston at quarterback, the Browns offense should continue to provide more consistent fantasy football value than when Deshaun Watson was their struggling starter.

Tillman and Jeudy will be WR3 options for the rest of the season, but it can be difficult to know when to start them as their production will likely be inconsistent. They’re touchdown-or-bust plays in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers, who allowed the fewest catches (8.2) and third-fewest receiving yards (113.5) per game to wide receivers through eight weeks.

TIGHT END

Zach Ertz failed to find the end zone through his first six games this season, but has been targeted more and more lately. The veteran tight end has had 29 looks over the past four weeks. He earned 11 targets, which he converted into a season-high seven catches for 77 yards, in the Commanders’ Week 8 victory over the Chicago Bears. He found the end zone in Week 7 and totaled 68 yards in Week 6.

Ertz’s continued involvement in the Commanders offense and recent production puts him firmly on the TE1 radar going forward. I expect Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will look at the veteran again in Week 9 in an NFC East divisional matchup against the Giants.