Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 9 free-agent forecast

Here is the Week 9 waiver-wire free-agent forecast for fantasy football.

The fantasy football season has essentially passed that halfway mark, and managers will find themselves in another rough week of byes and injuries to work through in Week 9.

Teams on a bye in Week 9 include the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in ESPN leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on Twitter (@KevinHickey11). Your questions, comments, and roasts are always welcome!

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 9

Second chances loom for some IDP choices on the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 9.

The moving and shaking continues in Week 9 of the fantasy football season.  Some changes to the starting lineup has created chances for some unheralded names and some former high-draft picks. We’re here to break it down for you to make that crucial roster decisions.

Defensive linemen

DE Tyquan Lewis, Indianapolis Colts

Lewis came out of the bye week ready to eat in Week 8. He had three tackles, two sacks and a pass defensed. It was an impressive showing after he was promoted over DE Denico Autry in the starting lineup. He’ll have a good matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Pounce on Lewis if you need a DL2-type of pickup.

DT Danny Shelton, Detroit Lions

Shelton has been versatile in the ways he has contributed the last few weeks. He has been in on a lot of assisted tackles for an interior lineman. He has 27 total tackles on the year and picked up his first sack last week. The Lions’ defensive line has been improving, and they face a good matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. He’s a speculative play if you need to cover a bye.

Linebackers

ILB Robert Spillane, Pittsburgh Steelers

Spillane busted out with a huge line last week thanks to a pick-six, but you can’t deny the 10 solo tackles. He had a forced fumble and two passes defensed as well. So while the touchdown was fluky, the tackle potential is there — especially this week against the Dallas Cowboys.

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OLB Haason Reddick, Arizona Cardinals

The former first-round pick is making up for lost action with increased playing time. A few weeks ago, the Cardinals moved him back to his natural, outside linebacker spot, and he has thrived in his pass-rushing role. He had 16 total tackles and three sacks in two games before the bye. He’s in position to continue the onslaught against the Miami Dolphins this week.

OLB Bud Dupree, Pittsburgh Steelers

The pass-rushing extraordinaire has been wreaking havoc in opposing backfields with a sack in five of seven games this season. The team acquired LB Avery Williamson, which should help Dupree along the way. More importantly, the Steelers have a salivating schedule against the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Football Team coming up. He won’t be in the tackle conversation consistently, but he could have double-digit sacks the rest of the way.

Defensive backs

FS Devin McCourty, New England Patriots

McCourty was pretty meh through the first four weeks, but he has started getting in on the action of late. He has 19 total tackles and an interception the last three games. He has another tantalizing matchup against the New York Jets this week.

SS Adrian Amos, Green Bay Packers

Another player that has emerged the last couple of weeks is Amos. He has 14 total tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack the last two weeks. That could continue against the banged-up San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars the next two weeks.