Every week during the year 2024 NFL season, FanSided fantasy football Expert Lior Lampert creates a hierarchy of ideal waiver wire pickups. He will base his rankings on performance, usage, coach talk, injury news/analysis, stats, upcoming games, FAAB value and more. Every player mentioned is available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

Week 9 gave us plenty to talk about, including notable highlights from some of the NFL’s most exciting talents. Garrett Wilson may have saved the New York Jets’ season with an exceptional touchdown reception that is surely a catch of the year candidate. A few days later, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith returned the favor with a breathtaking score of his.

Not only have Wilson and Smith racked up style points, but their efforts have resulted in weekly rankings in the top 12 in positional fantasy football (excluding Monday Night Football). However, most notably, the latter lost teammate and compatriot AJ Brown to an apparent knee injury. While the problem This doesn’t seem too worryingmanagers must have a backup plan ready.

Tune in below for anyone who needs to fill Brown’s void or bolster their roster via the waiver wire. For some reason, these players are widely available in Yahoo fantasy leagues.

Xavier Legette has drawn 13 targets in the last two games without Diontae Johnson, who now plays with the Baltimore Ravens. The first-round rookie has scored a touchdown in back-to-back games and appears to be taking over his former running mate’s role as the Carolina Panthers’ top receiver. He has scored at least 13 PPR points in consecutive outings, good for WR25 during that span.

Speaking of benefiting from a veteran’s departure, Jerry Jeudy posted at least 73 receiving yards each over the past two weeks. He ranks 11th in the NFL in targets over that span (19). Not only does the Amari Cooper trade to the Buffalo Bills give him additional opportunities, but Jameis Winston under center elevates the Cleveland Browns offense.

Christian McCaffrey could make his highly anticipated season debut with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10. Welcoming their offensive focal point back will change the dynamic, but the rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall showed flashes before the bye.

The Panthers could change direction Adam Thielen at any time before the league’s trade deadline on November 5. Landing in a better situation and offensive environment could make the dual Pro Bowler fantasy viable. Otherwise, he’ll likely take on a heavily used role in Carolina. Regardless, the 34-year-old deserves a flyer.

Even after posting their worst offensive performance of the year, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Joe Flacco, 39, will stay under the center. So this is only for managers with a spot to burn on the roster, but Anthony Richardson constitutes a solid speculative addition. The 2023 No. 4 pick’s rushing prowess will still make him fantasy relevant despite his ineffectiveness as a pitcher.

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb suffered a joint sprain in Week 9 and will undergo an MRI. Meanwhile, the veteran Brandin cooks is eligible to return from injured reserve starting in the team’s upcoming clinching game against the Philadelphia Eagles. There are worse speculative additions than the 11th year pro.

Quentin Johnston had a bounce-back campaign after his disappointing performance as a rookie in 2023. He had four catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in Week 9, to the tune of a PPR WR7 finish. Additionally, the Los Angeles Chargers’ sudden transition to a a happier attack should open things up for the talented 23-year-old.

No tight end has scored more PPR points than Mike Gesicki of the Cincinnati Bengals during the last two weeks (excluding MNF). His production coincided with the absence of Tee Higgins, who was dealing with a quad problem. Since the standout receiver didn’t feel like he was about to dress this week, the seam stretcher has more TE1 juice.

A hip injury and the San Francisco 49ers’ bye week caused John Jennings be available in 50 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues. But make no mistake, he will play an important role when he returns to the lineup. The former seventh-round pick should see plenty of opportunity with Brandon Aiyuk out for the year with a torn ACL/MCL. This may be the last call to advanced metrics darling.

Hunter Henriis a top 10 tight end since rookie signal-caller Drake Maye was handed the keys to the New England Patriots’ offense in Week 6. His 28 targets ranks sixth among its positions over this period. The best part is, he did it while scoring just one touchdown, hauling in five catches and 40 yards in each game.

As discussed with Henry, Maye’s installation as the Patriots’ starting quarterback boosted the fantasy prospects of every New England player. This year’s No. 3 selection has demonstrated the ability to be a long-term franchise and fantasy gunslinger, thanks in part to his mobility. Aside from leaving early in Week 8 due to a concussion, the UNC product averaged 20 Fantasy points per game as a starter.

Bo Nix, quarterback, Denver Broncos

Bo Nix was mentioned in this part of last week’s column and has since seen its Yahoo roster increase by nine percent. Managers are finally starting to pay attention to the Denver Broncos rookie passer, although it’s still not enough.

Even on a day when Nix failed to throw/run for a touchdown and posted a measly 36 rushing yards, he scored 17.7 fantasy points. Yes, that’s because he caught his first receiving score, which is virtually impossible for any quarterback to predict. However, it still counts.

Maybe the eye test keeps people away from Nix. After all, it hasn’t always been pretty for him and the Broncos. But that doesn’t matter from a fantasy perspective, so don’t let it paralyze you.

Nix has quietly outperformed other quarterbacks who have been rostered in virtually every fantasy league for much of the season. For example, he averages more points per game than Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff and Dak Prescott.

Taysom Hill, QB/TE, New Orleans Saints

Staying healthy has been a problem for New Orleans Saints utilityman Taysom Hill this season. But he has proven to be a tight end option with high potential on the field, as Dave Kluge of Footballguys points out:

That may not mean much given the state of the position, but Hill has shown he can be a fantastic, difference-making option. Yahoo gave him dual eligibility as a quarterback or tight end, which savvy managers should use to their advantage.

Chris Olave suffered yet another scary concussion. Although his status remains uncertain at the time of this writing, tea leaves suggest he is probably planned for an absence of several weeks. Thus, Hill becomes the de facto offensive weapon No. 2 in New Orleans. In other words, we should expect several manufacturing touches in the near future.

The Saints deploy Hill in a variety of ways. He’s basically their goal-line defender. Additionally, his blend of size, speed, and strength allows him to run routes and be used as a receiving option. Additionally, as a college quarterback, New Orleans views the BYU alumnus’ arm as a valuable asset.

While Hill’s usage and production may be difficult to project on a weekly basis, his ceiling is as high as any fantasy tight end. This is worth pursuing, especially since virtually no one in the positional group has a reliable floor.