The NFL Week 9 waiver wire for 2026 is led by several players whose roles changed dramatically on Sunday. Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr., Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier headline the top fantasy football pickups after major Week 8 performances.
Running backs are particularly interesting this week. Washington received 25 carries for Las Vegas, Allgeier exploded for 191 total yards and two touchdowns, and Denver rookie Jonah Coleman continued to earn a larger role with 104 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
At wide receiver, Mitchell delivered one of Sunday’s biggest breakout performances with seven receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. Malik Washington and DeMario Douglas also offer useful waiver options for managers needing additional receiver depth.
Jump to Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups
NFL Week 9 Waiver Wire Priority List
| Priority | Player | Position | Team | Suggested FAAB | Why Add? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Washington Jr. | RB | Raiders | 20-30% | Received 25 carries in Week 8 and appears to have earned a major early-down role. |
| 2 | Adonai Mitchell | WR | Jets | 15-25% | Seven catches, 142 yards and a touchdown on nine targets against Las Vegas. |
| 3 | Tyler Allgeier | RB | Cardinals | 15-25% | Produced 191 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 8. |
| 4 | Jonah Coleman | RB | Broncos | 10-18% | Handled 15 touches for 104 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against Kansas City. |
| 5 | Malik Washington | WR | Dolphins | 6-10% | Continues to earn steady targets and scored against New England. |
| 6 | DeMario Douglas | WR | Patriots | 5-10% | Turned three catches into 76 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. |
| 7 | Sam Darnold | QB | Seahawks | 3-6% | Potential Week 9 streaming quarterback against Arizona. |
| 8 | Ryan Flournoy | WR | Cowboys | 3-6% | Useful depth receiver with a growing weekly role in Dallas. |
1. Mike Washington Jr. – RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Top Priority Mike Washington Jr.
Washington is one of the most important Week 9 waiver claims after the Raiders made a dramatic change to their running back usage against the Jets.
The rookie carried the ball 25 times for 83 yards in Las Vegas’ 38-33 victory. Ashton Jeanty, meanwhile, received only two rushing attempts.
Washington did not produce a touchdown or a big receiving line, but the workload is the important part. Twenty-five carries cannot be ignored on the waiver wire, especially at a position where reliable volume is difficult to find.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said after the game that the change in rushing usage was by design, although Jeanty is still expected to remain part of the offense.
Las Vegas travels to San Francisco in Week 9. Washington should immediately be rostered in competitive leagues while fantasy managers determine whether the Week 8 workload represents the Raiders’ new backfield structure.
Waiver recommendation: Priority add in most leagues. Consider approximately 20-30% FAAB if running back help is needed.
2. Adonai Mitchell – WR, New York Jets
Top Priority Adonai Mitchell
Mitchell delivered one of the biggest breakout performances of Week 8.
The Jets receiver caught seven of nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas, including a 47-yard reception.
The nine targets matter just as much as the final yardage. Garrett Wilson remained heavily involved, but Mitchell clearly established himself as another important part of the New York passing game.
Omar Cooper Jr. entered the weekend with significant fantasy momentum but finished the Raiders game without a target. That does not mean Cooper should automatically be dropped, but Mitchell’s Week 8 usage makes him difficult to leave on waivers.
The Jets travel to Kansas City in Week 9, a game where New York could again be forced into significant passing volume.
Waiver recommendation: One of the strongest receiver claims of the week. Approximately 15-25% FAAB is reasonable depending on league depth.
3. Tyler Allgeier – RB, Arizona Cardinals
Top Priority Tyler Allgeier
Allgeier produced the most explosive statistical performance among this week’s waiver running backs.
He rushed 11 times for 147 yards and a touchdown against Dallas while adding five receptions for 44 yards and another score.
That gave Allgeier 191 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in Arizona’s 33-30 victory.
The Cardinals also dealt with injuries elsewhere in their backfield during the game, making the health of their other running backs important to monitor throughout the week.
Arizona travels to Seattle in Week 9. If Allgeier enters the game with another expanded workload, he will carry immediate flex value and potentially more.
Waiver recommendation: Aggressive add where available. Consider 15-25% FAAB, with the potential to bid higher if Arizona’s other backs are expected to miss Week 9.
4. Jonah Coleman – RB, Denver Broncos
Strong Add Jonah Coleman
Coleman continues to make the case for a larger role in Denver.
The rookie handled 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown against Kansas City and added four receptions for 63 yards.
That is 104 yards from scrimmage on 15 touches, including a 51-yard reception and the late touchdown that helped Denver complete its comeback victory.
Coleman also had 69 scrimmage yards in Week 7 after returning to the lineup, so this is becoming more than a one-game waiver argument.
Denver faces Carolina in Week 9. Coleman remains part of a backfield that includes J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, which prevents him from having the same immediate volume certainty as Washington, but his upside continues to rise.
Waiver recommendation: Strong bench add with flex upside. Approximately 10-18% FAAB.
5. Malik Washington – WR, Miami Dolphins
PPR Add Malik Washington
Washington remains an interesting PPR option because of his consistent involvement in Miami’s passing game.
He caught five of six targets for 40 yards and a touchdown against New England in Week 8.
Washington has recorded at least three receptions in every game he has played this season and now has 31 catches for 329 yards through seven appearances.
Miami hosts Detroit in Week 9. The matchup could create another game where the Dolphins need meaningful passing volume, keeping Washington on the flex radar in deeper PPR leagues.
Waiver recommendation: Useful WR4/flex option, particularly in PPR formats. Approximately 6-10% FAAB.
6. DeMario Douglas – WR, New England Patriots
Strong Add DeMario Douglas
Douglas continues to create big plays in the New England offense.
He caught three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 24-19 win over Miami.
Douglas has now scored four touchdowns over his last four games, although his weekly target volume can still fluctuate.
That makes him more volatile than Mitchell, but his ability to create yards after the catch and score from distance gives him useful fantasy upside.
New England hosts Green Bay in Week 9.
Waiver recommendation: Worth adding as receiver depth with weekly flex upside. Approximately 5-10% FAAB.
7. Sam Darnold – QB, Seattle Seahawks
QB Streamer Sam Darnold
Darnold is a useful quarterback target for managers looking ahead to Week 9.
The Seahawks host Arizona in Week 9, giving Darnold an attractive streaming opportunity for managers dealing with quarterback injuries or bye weeks.
The matchup gives Darnold potential value as a short-term starting option in one-quarterback formats and a stronger option in Superflex leagues.
Waiver recommendation: Streaming QB rather than a must-add. Approximately 3-6% FAAB in one-quarterback leagues.
8. Ryan Flournoy – WR, Dallas Cowboys
Deeper Add Ryan Flournoy
Flournoy continues to build a useful role in the Dallas offense and should be rostered in deeper leagues.
He has reached double-digit fantasy production in four consecutive games and found the end zone again in Week 8.
His weekly target volume is not yet strong enough to put him alongside Mitchell or Washington as a priority claim, but his role gives him standalone value while also providing additional upside if one of Dallas’ top receivers misses time.
Dallas travels to Indianapolis in Week 9.
Waiver recommendation: Deeper-league receiver or bench stash. Approximately 3-6% FAAB.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Strategy
Running Back Should Be the Priority
Week 9 offers an unusual number of interesting running back claims. Washington, Allgeier and Coleman all have legitimate paths to useful fantasy workloads rather than simply functioning as speculative handcuffs.
If a roster is weak at running back, this is a week where being aggressive with waiver priority or FAAB makes sense.
Mike Washington Jr. Has the Best Volume Signal
Washington’s 83 rushing yards were not spectacular, but 25 carries are extremely difficult to find on the waiver wire.
Fantasy managers should prioritize role over raw Week 8 fantasy points. If Washington continues to receive even 15-18 carries per game, he can become a useful weekly option.
Adonai Mitchell Is the Best Wide Receiver Claim
Mitchell’s combination of nine targets, 142 yards and a touchdown makes him the clear receiver priority.
There will still be competition for targets in New York, but the ceiling he displayed against Las Vegas is worth chasing.
Do Not Ignore Tyler Allgeier
It is easy to dismiss a player after one explosive game, but Allgeier’s Week 8 performance came with both rushing and receiving production.
Monitor Arizona’s injury reports closely. His Week 9 ranking could rise significantly if other Cardinals running backs remain unavailable.
Jonah Coleman Is a Strong Longer-Term Add
Coleman’s value is not based only on his Week 8 touchdown. His workload has increased in consecutive games since returning, and he has shown value both as a runner and receiver.
Even if he is not an immediate every-week starter, he is the type of running back worth holding before his role expands further.
Keep Some FAAB Available for the NFL Trade Deadline
The NFL trade deadline arrives during the Week 9 waiver cycle. A trade involving a starting running back, receiver or quarterback could immediately create another valuable fantasy pickup.
Managers with large FAAB balances do not necessarily need to spend everything on the first round of Week 9 claims.
Week 9 Waiver Wire: Players to Monitor
Omar Cooper Jr. – WR, Jets
Cooper was one of the hottest waiver receivers entering Week 8 but did not receive a target against Las Vegas while Mitchell drew nine.
That is concerning, but managers should not automatically drop Cooper after one quiet game. The Jets may continue rotating their young receivers, and his previous production still warrants patience in deeper formats.
Ashton Jeanty – RB, Raiders
Jeanty’s two Week 8 rushing attempts are a major concern, but he remained involved as a receiver and produced 64 receiving yards.
Washington’s emergence changes the backfield, but Jeanty still has enough talent and passing-game involvement to remain rostered.
Arizona’s Running Backs
Allgeier is the priority, but fantasy managers should monitor the health of the entire Cardinals backfield before finalizing bids. Injury news could materially change how aggressively he should be pursued.
NFL Week 9 Waiver Wire FAQs
Who is the best Week 9 fantasy football waiver wire pickup?
Mike Washington Jr. and Adonai Mitchell are two of the strongest Week 9 waiver claims. Washington has the stronger positional scarcity and workload argument after receiving 25 carries, while Mitchell offers significant receiver upside after a 142-yard performance.
How much FAAB should I spend on Mike Washington Jr.?
Approximately 20-30% is a reasonable starting range in competitive leagues. Managers desperate for a running back can consider bidding more because Washington’s 25-carry Week 8 workload gives him immediate fantasy relevance.
Is Adonai Mitchell worth a waiver claim?
Yes. Mitchell caught seven of nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas. The target volume makes him one of the strongest receiver additions heading into Week 9.
Should I add Tyler Allgeier?
Yes. Allgeier produced 191 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in Week 8. His value could rise further depending on the health of Arizona’s other running backs.
Is Jonah Coleman worth adding?
Yes. Coleman handled 15 touches for 104 total yards and a touchdown against Kansas City and has now produced encouraging performances in consecutive games.
Is Malik Washington a good PPR pickup?
Washington is particularly useful in PPR formats because he continues to receive steady receiving work. He caught five passes for 40 yards and a touchdown in Week 8.
Is Sam Darnold a Week 9 quarterback streamer?
Yes. Seattle hosts Arizona in Week 9, making Darnold a potential streaming option for managers needing help at quarterback.
Which NFL teams are on bye in Week 9?
Pittsburgh and Tennessee are scheduled for Week 9 byes.
