Week 9 Waiver Wire: Matthew Stafford, Cedric Tillman, Allgeier Lead Pickups to Know
Between the NFL's ever-climbing injury count and some busy bye weeks ahead, most fantasy football managers find themselves in need of roster reinforcements.
Thankfully, the football gods have offered more than a few options.
We're here to spotlight three potential sleepers for Week 9 (and hopefully, all the weeks after) who are rostered in 50 percent or fewer of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons (37 Percent Rostered)
Normally, it's tricky to recommend Allgeier as anything more than a Bijan Robinson handcuff, but the upcoming schedule may allow both of Atlanta's running backs to deliver fantasy-relevant numbers.
The Falcons' next two opponents, the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, respectively rank fourth and fifth in terms of the most fantasy points allowed to running backs, per Yahoo.
So, while Allgeier's role might be limited—he's only had double-digit carries twice this season—he has a real chance to produce even in a supporting role. He has already shown as much twice during this campaign, posting 108 scrimmage yards and a score against the Carolina Panthers and turning 10 touches (eight rushes and two receptions) into 80 scrimmage yards against these same Saints.
If you need a season-long substitute, he probably isn't worth the dart throw. However, if you just need someone who can hold down the fort for the next two weeks, he is certainly capable.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams (39 Percent Rostered)
A quarterback is typically only as good as the players around him. That, more than anything, explains why Stafford endured such a rocky start to this season.
His top two pass-catchers, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, were both forced off the field by injuries early in the campaign, and Stafford had nowhere else to turn. That's why his first six starts yielded just three touchdown passes against four interceptions.
He finally had both back on Thursday, though, and his fortune immediately changed. He set season-highs of four touchdown passes and a 73.5 completion percentage, and his 279 yards were his second-most.
As long as those receivers stay healthy, Stafford has a real chance to re-enter the streaming conversation and potentially serve as a viable weekly starter. You can certainly do worse in Week 9 than rolling out Stafford against a Seattle defense that has allowed multiple touchdown passes to four of the last five quarterbacks it has faced.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns (19 Percent Rostered)
When the Browns traded away Amari Cooper a couple weeks back, it wasn't immediately clear who would emerge as their new go-to receiver.
It was even less certain if fantasy managers needed to pay attention to that process given the state of Cleveland's quarterback situation. Everything came into focus on Sunday, though, and yes, fantasy managers absolutely need to note what's happening in Northeast Ohio.
That's where the Browns turned to Jameis Winston on Sunday and immediately revived their passing attack. The veteran signal-caller connected on 27-of-41 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns in their 29-24 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens. Tillman, a third-round pick in 2023, played a huge part in that performance, pacing the team in receiving yards (99) and touchdown catches (two) while corralling seven of the nine balls sent his way.
Tillman has now been targeted 21 times in the two games Cleveland has played since the Cooper trade, and that volume has a chance to really matter with Winston under center. Even with some less than stellar quarterback play in Week 7, Tillman turned his 12 targets into eight receptions for 81 yards. His roster rate needs to—and almost certainly will—rocket up.