Week 9 Waiver Wire Is Tricky

Adonai Mitchell just posted a breakout week as WR3 in fantasy with 140 receiving yards and a touchdown, but Tyler Algier cautions against spending heavily on waivers because Mitchell is competing with Omar Cooper for the Jets WR2 role and will likely rotate with Cooper; Garrett Wilson remains the clear WR1 by target volume, so Mitchell's role is uncertain and depth-league dependent. Algier advises not to "rush to blow a bunch of fab" on Mitchell given the rotation risk.

Tyler Algier names Antonio Williams the #1 WR waiver wire pickup of the week. Despite scoring only 10.5 fantasy points against Philadelphia, Williams generated consistent separation and commanded 26% of the Commanders' target share—profiling him close to a WR1. He posted 7 targets, 5 receptions, and 54 receiving yards. Algier notes Williams may have been overlooked in week 7 when Terry McLaurin went down because Washington was on bye, and projects Williams as "great for like a second flex spot" in better matchups ahead (week 11–12 vs. Cincinnati, Arizona).

Got 'absolutely crunched' in Week 9, creating uncertainty for his availability going forward. His injury status is critical to Tyler Algier's volume ceiling; if Knight misses time alongside Jeremiah Love's ankle injury, Algier becomes a workhorse with top-24 RB upside.

Garrett Wilson remains the clear WR1 for the Jets based on underlying target volume, despite Adonai Mitchell's recent breakout week; Tyler Algier expects Wilson to maintain his role as the primary receiver long-term.

Priority IR pickup if dropped in shallow leagues. Showed superior usage to Zack Charbanet in Week 9 vs. Chicago: out-snapped and out-touched Charbanet, plus goal-line and two-minute drill usage. While Charbanet may ramp up from serious injury recovery and rookie first-rounder will expand role over time, Price has immediate league-winner upside if Charbanet suffers injury.

Cardinals third-round pick suffered ankle injury in Week 9 with initial reports of 2-3 week absence; Tyler Algier conservatively projects 3-4 weeks out based on previous ankle injury history. Injury removes him from backfield and opens volume for Tyler Algier and Bam Knight in committee situation.

Tyler Algier ranks Kenny Gainwell third among three must-roster handcuff RBs (behind Kalin Black and Emit Johnson), noting he personally has a bid in for Gainwell. Algier cites Gainwell's receiving upside and recent strong performance, while acknowledging Bucky Irving's injury history as context for the handcuff value. Gainwell "looked really good this past week and we know he can be used as a receiver," making him a worthwhile waiver wire target despite being a backup. Algier believes all three handcuffs "need to be rostered in every single league."

Explosive Week 9 usage: 25 carries and 60% snap share vs. Ashton Genty's career-low 40% snaps and 2 carries. Received significant goal-line work. Tyler Algier highlights Washington as a very efficient running back averaging 4.3 yards per attempt, significantly outperforming Genty (3.1 YPA). Algier believes the coaching staff may have shifted to using Washington as the first and second-down back after four straight losses. At worst case, Washington is a premium handcuff where if Genty were to get injured, he could turn into an every-week starter. Best-case scenario is Washington remains the first and second-down back for the rest of the season.

Omar Cooper is competing with Adonai Mitchell for the Jets WR2 role and the two are expected to rotate back and forth; Tyler Algier does not expect either to lock down the position long-term.