IDP Waiver Wire for Week 9
We survived the toughest week in fantasy football this season. Six teams did not play in Week 8, and it was truly bye-week hell for us IDP managers. We held our lineups together with duct tape. Thankfully, we can move on to starting most of our studs again. There are still four teams missing from action in Week 9, but I have some solid waiver pickups to help soften the blow. Let’s take a look at the best options to target in this run.
As always, we’re covering every position: linebackers, edge rushers, defensive tackles, safeties, and cornerbacks, with options suited for any league format. Ownership rates (in parentheses) are pulled from Sleeper, production is based on IDP123 scoring, and only players rostered in fewer than 30% of leagues are included.
Linebackers (LB)
Injuries this week opened up some short to medium-term roles at the linebacker position. Tatum Bethune (21%) is excelling in place of Fred Warner and racked up 14 tackles (four solo) against the Texans. He is the priority addition in Week 9 and will likely not be available going forward. His running mate, Dee Winters, suffered a knee injury and is listed as day-to-day, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Curtis Robinson (2%) stepped in during his absence and would likely start if Winters missed time.
Atlanta’s JD Bertrand (7%) received a near full-time snap share while replacing Divine Deablo (now on IR), and delivered nine tackles (three solo) and a pass deflection in Week 8. I recommend claiming him in deeper leagues. Some other backups that could see a jump in their playtime are Carolina’s Claudin Cherelus (2%) and Cleveland’s Mohamoud Diabate (7%). Trevin Wallace left the game with a concussion, while Carson Schwesinger injured his ankle. I’d prioritize Diabate, despite the Browns going on bye this week, between those two as he likely earns more starts and produced last season in limited opportunities.
Jordan Magee played 84% of the snaps on Monday Night for the Commanders while Frankie Luvu spent additional time lined up on the Edge.
Other options: Akeem Davis-Gaither (23%), Cardinals; Eric Wilson (21%), Vikings; Drake Thomas (16%), Seahawks; and Shaq Thompson (11%), Bills.
Defensive Linemen (DL)
Chase Young (18%) is back to his best as he racked up four tackles (one solo), 1.5 sacks, and a recovered forced fumble against the Buccaneers. The New Orleans edge rusher is now three games back from injury and is performing at a high level. Carl Granderson is likely rostered in your league, but Young is also deserving of a spot on rosters in most formats. Another option for deeper leagues is Washington’s Jacob Martin (4%). With Dorance Armstrong on IR, the journeyman grabbed two sacks thanks to a healthy 68% snap share.
Other options: Jaelan Phillips (26%), Dolphins; Jermaine Johnson (23%), Jets; Odafe Oweh (23%), Chargers; Demarcus Lawrence (18%), Seahawks; Uchenna Nwosu (15%), Seahawks; Jalyx Hunt (9%), Eagles; Dre’Mont Jones (9%), Titans; Alex Wright (5%), Browns
DT options: Byron Murphy II (28%), Seahawks; Daron Payne (25%), Commanders; Jonathan Allen (21%), Vikings; Gervon Dexter (15%), Bears; Jonah Laulu (11%), Raiders; Jalen Redmond (8%), Vikings; Deone Walker (7%), Bills; Moro Ojomo (6%), Eagles; Justin Eboigbe (4%), Chargers
Defensive Backs (DB)
One of the problematic aspects of writing a weekly waiver column is that it’s sometimes challenging to find new players to recommend. We have a lot of the same defensive backs continuing to produce, but have yet to eclipse 30% ownership due to the depth of the position. One new name is San Francisco’s Malik Mustapha (10%). He started 2025 on injured reserve and played his first complete game in Week 8. The safety saw 45% of his snaps either in the box or slot, while tallying 12 tackles (six solo). If you need depth at DB, I recommend adding him in most non-shallow formats.
For cornerback-required leagues, the Texans’ Kamari Lassiter (15%) is worth a waiver target. I don’t like to recommend boundary corners due to their fantasy instability, but Lassiter sits 5th in IDP123 scoring for CBs, and hasn’t had a game with less than four tackles this season. Sometimes it’s best to ride the wave despite having trepidation with a player’s utilization.
Other options: Jalen Thompson (29%), Cardinals; Jaylinn Hawkins (24%), Patriots; Harrison Smith (23%), Vikings; Geno Stone (17%), Bengals; Amani Hooker (14%), Titans; Quan Martin (13%), Commanders; Andrew Wingard (11%), Jaguars; Ronnie Hickman (9%), Browns; Jeremy Reaves (6%), Commanders; and Chuck Clark (5%), Steelers.
CB options: Dax Hill (23%), Bengals; Kool-Aid McKinstry (22%), Saints; Jourdan Lewis (20%), Jaguars; Jamel Dean (12%), Buccaneers; Mekhi Blackmon (10%), Colts; Jarvis Brownlee (10%), Jets; Mike Jackson (10%), Panthers; Nahshon Wright (10%), Bears; Josh Jobe (9%), Seahawks; Roger McCreary (8%), Rams; Carrington Valentine (5%), Packers; and Trikweze Bridges (2%), Cowboys.
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