F•BALLER / WEEK 9UPDATED NOVEMBER 3 · 2026

Week 9 waiver wire: follow the carries.

Las Vegas changed its early-down back overnight, Arizona lost two runners in one game and last week's best claim already paid off. Here is the order after every Week 8 result.

By Fballer Editorial · Updated November 3, 2026 · 9-minute read

THE FAST READ

Mike Washington Jr. is the top new claim after taking 25 carries to Ashton Jeanty's two. Tyler Allgeier offers a higher Week 9 ceiling if Arizona's injured backs remain out. Keenan Allen is the safest PPR receiver, Malik Willis is the preferred quarterback stream, and Detroit is the defense to target. Pittsburgh and Tennessee are on bye.

WEEK 9 CLAIM BOARD

Volume changed hands

FAAB ranges assume a competitive 12-team league. Use the high end only when the player fills a starting need.

PlayerPriorityFAAB guideM. Washington Jr.Top new claim18–30%T. AllgeierInjury upside15–25%Keenan AllenPPR floor8–14%

What happened in Week 8

Chicago closed the week with a 34–17 win in Seattle. D'Andre Swift scored three second-half touchdowns, Caleb Williams threw for 247 yards without a turnover, and both Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III caught seven passes. Sunday brought another major reset: Denver erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Kansas City 28–24, Arizona outlasted Dallas 33–30 in overtime, Las Vegas scored 38 on the Jets and Detroit handed Minnesota its first loss.

Mike Washington Jr. · RB, Raiders

25 CARRIES

Washington rushed 25 times for 83 yards while Jeanty received only two carries in Las Vegas' 38–33 win.

The efficiency was ordinary, but the first six touches and almost every early-down carry went to Washington. One game does not erase Jeanty, yet a 25-to-2 split cannot be treated as noise.

Fantasy move: Spend 18–30% of remaining FAAB. The upcoming schedule is difficult, but starting-runner volume is worth buying.

Tyler Allgeier · RB, Cardinals

191 YARDS · 2 TD

Allgeier turned 16 touches into 191 yards and two touchdowns after Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight exited.

Love has a new right-ankle injury, Knight is in the concussion protocol and James Conner is not ready to return. Allgeier's Week 9 role could be enormous, but it depends on the midweek injury reports.

Fantasy move: Bid 15–25% if you need an immediate starter. Lower the offer if Love practices fully or Arizona adds another back.

Jonah Coleman · RB, Broncos

104 YARDS · WINNING TD

Last week's top claim produced 41 rushing yards, four catches for 63 yards and the game-winning touchdown against Kansas City.

Coleman is now Denver's clearest backfield bet and gets Carolina next. He should be rostered everywhere, even if acquiring him requires the largest remaining bid.

Fantasy move: If he somehow remains available, move him ahead of Washington and spend 35–50%.

The Week 9 waiver priorities

1. Mike Washington Jr. · RB, Raiders

18–30% FAAB

Washington appears to have replaced Jeanty on early downs. He brings size and speed, but limited receiving work and three difficult matchups keep the bid below Coleman territory.

The move: Make him the top new claim. Hold Jeanty if you already roster him; this backfield can still move again.

2. Tyler Allgeier · RB, Cardinals

15–25% FAAB

Allgeier is the healthy back standing after Love's ankle injury and Knight's concussion. His 191-yard eruption showed what the role can produce.

The move: Prioritize immediate Week 9 points. Washington has the cleaner rest-of-season case; Allgeier has the better one-week ceiling.

3. Keenan Allen · WR, Colts

8–14% FAAB

Allen caught all seven targets for a team-high 67 yards. That is the least exciting line on this board—and the most repeatable receiver volume.

The move: Add as a PPR flex, especially with Dallas next. Any Colts trade activity could further concentrate his targets.

4. Adonai Mitchell · WR, Jets

6–11% FAAB

Mitchell caught seven of nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown. Garrett Wilson remains the No. 1, while Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. could trade spike weeks.

The move: Buy the talent and routes, but treat him as a volatile flex rather than chasing another automatic 100 yards.

5. Dylan Sampson · RB, Browns

4–8% FAAB

Sampson caught six of eight targets for 62 yards and has produced double-digit fantasy points in two straight games since returning.

The move: Prioritize in PPR. His receiving role supplies a usable floor even if Cleveland does not hand him the backfield.

6. Chig Okonkwo · TE, Commanders

3–6% FAAB

Okonkwo remains the best widely available tight-end bet on routes and opportunity while Washington's receiver room is thin.

The move: Stream against the Rams if your starter is hurt or on bye. Brenton Strange is the alternative if available.

Quarterbacks, defense and stashes

QB STREAM

Malik Willis

Detroit has allowed every opposing quarterback to reach at least 16.96 fantasy points. Willis adds rushing upside and has thrown four touchdowns over his past two games.

QB ALTERNATE

J.J. McCarthy

McCarthy enters the Eagles matchup after consecutive 240-yard passing games. Use him when Willis is unavailable.

DEFENSE

Detroit Lions

Detroit averages 3.4 sacks per game and faces a Miami offense allowing a 9.2% sack rate. This is the week's best widely available matchup stream.

BYE WEEK

PIT · TEN

Only two teams are off. Hold established Steelers and Titans starters; cover the absence from the final bench spot.

Injury and transaction watch

Four trends that matter beyond waivers

  1. Coleman passed the confirmation test. His 104-yard game and winning touchdown turned last week's role bet into every-week RB2 potential.
  2. Swift owns Chicago's scoring chances. Twenty-seven carries and three touchdowns matter more than the modest 69 rushing yards. Do not sell him because of the per-carry average.
  3. Chicago's rookie receivers are arriving. Burden and Loveland each caught seven passes Monday. Burden scored; Loveland handled volume despite a late fumble.
  4. Las Vegas is willing to change. Washington's 25 carries show that draft capital will not protect Jeanty's early-down role. Track usage, not preseason expectations.

The winning order of operations

  1. Check for Coleman before submitting any other claim.
  2. Choose Washington for rest-of-season volume or Allgeier for immediate Week 9 upside.
  3. Add Allen when a reliable PPR flex matters more than a ceiling swing.
  4. Replace Jackson now; do not wait for the Ravens' short-week depth chart.
  5. Use the final bench spot on McGowan or Emmett Johnson ahead of the trade deadline.

Bottom line

Washington is the best new claim because 25 carries create a path to weekly volume that most waiver backs never receive. Allgeier is the injury-driven swing, Allen is the safe receiver, and Mitchell is the upside play. Spend for opportunities that can survive next Sunday's box score.

Sources and update policy

This article reflects free public information available early Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Injury designations, transactions and depth charts can change. Confirm official practice reports before waivers process or lineups lock.

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