Fantasy Football Today: FFT Express – EARLY Week 9 Waiver Wire Targets

Episode Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Adam Aizer
Analyst: Jamey Eisenberg
Main Theme:
A rapid-fire overview of fantasy football waiver wire targets for Week 9, focusing on players set to benefit from injuries, bye weeks, and potential NFL trades. The crew highlights which players to prioritize, their upside, and possible landmines as fantasy managers look for roster boosts.

Episode Overview

This FFT Express is all about giving listeners an early edge on the Week 9 waiver wire. Host Adam Aizer and analyst Jamey Eisenberg break down the top available options at each fantasy position, discuss key injuries and trades impacting values, and offer actionable advice for maximizing roster adds. The analysis leans into injury replacements, trade speculation, under-rostered breakout candidates, and schedule analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Week 9 Context & Strategy

• Teams on Bye: Cleveland, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, New York Jets ([01:43])
• Trade Deadline Looming: Uncertainty around current NFL trades and injuries makes this waiver week "weird," with some high-upside stash options. ([01:58])
• Strategic Note: “There’s a path to success. It’s just, you know, how good can [Tyrone Tracy] be…” – Jamie ([03:49])

Top Waiver Wire Running Backs

1. Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Top Target)

• Situation: “Going to be a starting running back” with Cam Scatterboo out for the season.
• Assessment: Not a slam-dunk, but worth significant (not all) FAAB. Compared to other backs like Woody Marks and gets a bump due to opportunity despite past inefficiency.
• Quote: “He’s in that low-end number two/high-end flex range.” – Jamie ([03:10])

2. Tank Bigsby

• Potential upside if injuries develop, especially if he lands as lead back in Philadelphia. ([03:49])

3. Other Notables

• Isaiah Davis: Jets’ backup, speculative add if Breece Hall is traded.
• Dylan Sampson: Monitor Judkins’ injury (new info suggests just day-to-day).
• Tyjae Spears: Valuable with increased role possible if Tony Pollard is dealt.
• Samaje Perine, Devin Neal, Emmanuel Wilson: Useful in deeper leagues or as stashes due to workload/injury upside.
• Jamie’s List Order: Tracy, Knight, Spears, Sampson, Bigsby, Isaiah Davis, Samaje Perine, Devin Neal, Emmanuel Wilson ([05:55])

Quarterbacks to Target

• Sam Darnold: Low-end starter this week vs. Washington.
• Trevor Lawrence: Great matchup vs. Raiders.
• Justin Fields: High-upside stash for future weeks if you don’t need a bye-week fill-in.
  • Risk: Rest-of-season schedule is tough (Cleveland, New England, Baltimore, Atlanta).
  • Quote: “He’s got enticing upside.” – Adam ([05:49])
• Brock Purdy: “Hopefully he’s back soon and he’s got great weapons. There’s a lot to like…” – Adam ([08:36])
  • Under-rostered on Yahoo/ESPN; consider adding as a solid starter.

Wide Receiver Priorities

1. Troy Franklin

• “We’ve seen some positive production at times this year… I like Troy Franklin the best.” – Jamey ([08:55])
• Recent breakout game, could be a second-half surge candidate.

2. Tamise Dike

• Situation is fluid with Calvin Ridley’s potential trade/injury.

3. Other Notables

• Darius Slayton: Greater role with Malik Nabers out; nearly had two TDs last game ([09:30]).
• Christian Watson: High ceiling; recent strong game.
• Josh Downs: Building momentum, scored after returning from concussion.
• Trey Tucker & Jack Bech: Raiders’ receivers could gain value pending Jacoby Myers trade news.
• Jauan Jennings: “With Purdy back… someone to keep an eye on.” – Jamie ([10:55])
• Texans Receivers: Jalen Noll, Jaden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson – deep league flyers with recent production.
• Steelers’ Receivers: Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson – monitor usage and red zone presence.
• Others: Malik Washington, Tyler Johnson, Matt Collins – gained opportunity through injuries/trades.
• Chris Godwin & Calvin Ridley: Godwin (73% roster); Ridley is “someone to take a look at,” but monitor health and schedule. ([11:38])
  • Quote: “If your quarterback’s averaging 250 yards a game, that’s a lot. That is good for wide receivers.” – Adam ([12:07])

Tight Ends: Deep & Shallow League Adds

• Top Options:
  • Aranda Gadsden: “If he’s still available, clearly go pick him up. He’s a must-start guy.” ([12:40])
  • Theo Johnson: Two bad games were both versus the Eagles—should bounce back as a low-end starter.
• Week-Only Streamers: Colston Loveland vs. Bengals; Mason Taylor (if available).
• Undervalued: Juwan Johnson, “has the third-most targets at tight end” and delivers in volume weeks. ([15:59])
  • Quote: “Every game this season where he’s had seven or more targets, he’s been 10+ PPR points.” – Jamey ([13:42])
• Stashes/Watchlist: Monitor pending trades for Mark Andrews (could boost Isaiah Likely’s stock), Chig Okonkwo (Gunner Helm as potential next up), and Mason Taylor.
• Injury Watch: Cole Kmet, Daniel Bellinger—could be enticements if starters miss time. ([15:36])

DST Streamers for Week 9

• Rams: vs. Saints.
• Lions: vs. Vikings (J.J. McCarthy starting), offensive line concerns.
• Seahawks: “Just been a really good defense… Could be a good spot vs. Commanders if Marcus Mariota starts.” – Jamey ([15:00])
• Jaguars: “Desperation play” vs. Geno Smith and the Seahawks. ([15:00])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Jamie on Tyrone Tracy: “He’s in that low-end no. 2, high-end flex range… it’s just, how good can he be?” ([03:10])
• Adam on Brock Purdy: “There’s a lot to like about Brock Purdy. I can’t imagine I’d want him to be available for my opponents to pick up.” ([08:36])
• Jamey on Opportunity: “If you told me Tank Bigsby was starting for the Eagles rest of season, I probably would be more interested in him.” ([03:49])
• Adam on passing yards: “If your quarterback is averaging 250 passing yards a game, that’s good for wide receivers.” ([12:07])
• Jamie on Juwan Johnson: “Every game he’s had seven or more targets, he’s been 10 or more PPR points.” ([13:42])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:43] – Intro to Week 9 byes and impact
• [01:58 - 03:49] – Tyrone Tracy/RB analysis and FAAB spend conversation
• [04:51] – Waiver QBs: Darnold, Lawrence, Fields, Purdy
• [05:55 - 07:02] – RB stash/run-down: Spears, Bigsby, Isaiah Davis; trade implications
• [08:55 - 12:07] – Wide receiver priorities and deep dives on less obvious adds
• [12:39] – Tight end streaming and trade watch
• [14:58] – DST options for Week 9
• [15:36 - End] – Final reminders and next steps preview

Takeaways for Listeners

• Prioritize Tyrone Tracy Jr. at RB, but temper expectations; tank up on high-upside stashes given trade deadline uncertainty.
• Don’t forget under-rostered QBs like Purdy and upside stashes like Justin Fields, especially in 2QB/Superflex.
• Wide receiver adds should start with Franklin and Dike; deep-league managers can benefit from monitoring trade rumors.
• Tight end production is especially volatile—grab Gadsden or Johnson if stream-eligible, and watch potential trade impacts.
• DST streaming is critical in bye weeks—Lions, Seahawks, Rams, and Jaguars all offer interesting floor/ceiling combos depending on your league size.

The hosts will dive even deeper in the next show—be sure to check back for more in-depth breakdowns.