Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 9: DeAngelo Williams and Jeremy Langford are Next Men Up

Two big injuries to running backs this week have altered the landscape. Le’Veon Bell tore his MCL and will miss the rest of the season. Matt Forte also left the game Sunday with a knee injury; early word is a little more optimistic that he won’t need surgery but he will still be out multiple weeks.

That means those in need of help have multiple options, both young and old. DeAngelo Williams (41%) did well when Bell was out at the start of the season, and should garner a high bid if you are either a Bell owner or need a top-tier starting option.

Meanwhile, rookie Jeremy Langford (13%) is the next man up in Chicago and should get at least two starts where he should be considered a RB2 option.

As always, recommendations come in all sizes; I list the percentage owned in CBS Sports leagues and you can find options that fit your league. I list Shallow (owned 50-69% of time), Average (30-49%) and Deep (less than 30% owned) League Options.

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow Leagues: Jay Cutler (61%) has a pretty good matchup while Derek Carr (58%) comes off a big performance against the Jets and faces the Steelers. Both are starting QB options this week.

Average: Marcus Mariota (38%) should return against a Saints defense that just gave up 6 touchdown passes to Eli Manning.

Deep Leagues: Geno Smith (2%) should get the start with Fitzpatrick out, and since it is against Jacksonville he is an option in deep leagues.

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow Leagues: The other costly injury to a running back Sunday was Khiry Robinson in New Orleans. While C.J. Spiller (59%) will still be behind Ingram, he should get more touches and has a matchup against Tennessee that makes him a flex option in PPR.

We’ve been touting Antonio Andrews (57%) as an option for weeks, and he had 16 carries and 3 catches on Sunday. The matchup against the Saints makes him a flex option this week.

Average Leagues: Christine Michael (49%) moves up the pecking order behind Darren McFadden with the release of Joseph Randle.

Deep Leagues: Dexter McCluster (11%) is a deep flex option in PPR and has been the receiving back in Tennessee, totaling 13 catches the last 3 weeks.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow Leagues: Plenty of good options if you are in a shallower league, to pick up and start right away. I have a feeling this will be the last week I’ll have to list Michael Crabtree (61%), who I said was a value based on his targets before the bye week, and has totaled 13 catches and 2 touchdowns the last two games.

Rishard Matthews (66%) and Willie Snead (66%) are both WR3 options this week. Tavon Austin (60%) has scored 4 touchdowns in his last 4 games and is a big-play option in St. Louis.

Average Leagues: Keenan Allen went on IR with a lacerated kidney, so Steve Johnson (45%) and Malcom Floyd (36%) both become WR3 types with upside catching passes from Philip Rivers.

Deep Leagues: Kamar Aiken (17%) is on a bye this week, but if you can add him for after, Steve Smith is also out for the year in Baltimore.

If you need someone deep down the list, Robert Woods (24%) is an option against Miami with Tyrod Taylor expected to return. Corey Brown (1%) is never going to catch a ton of passes in the Carolina offense but looks to have solidified himself as one of the top two options (and didn’t have the drops of Ted Ginn).

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow: Charles Clay (63%) and Ben Watson (50%) are both startable options still available in some leagues.

Average Leagues: Heath Miller (46%) is a good short-term option against the Raiders based on matchup. Will this be the week Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (44%) returns?

Deep Leagues: Jacob Tamme (10%) had 10 catches and a touchdown last week, his second high-target game in a month in the Atlanta offense.

OVERALL

DeAngelo Williams, RB PIT
Jeremy Langford, RB CHI
Derek Carr, QB OAK
Michael Crabtree, WR OAK
C.J. Spiller, RB NO
Jay Cutler, QB CHI
Tavon Austin, WR STL
Rishard Matthews, WR MIA
Willie Snead, WR NO
Kamar Aiken, WR BAL (on bye week)
Steve Johnson, WR SD
Benjamin Watson, TE NO
Charles Clay, TE BUF
Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE TB
Antonio Andrews, RB TEN
Malcom Floyd, WR SD