Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Early pickups for Week 9

It’s never too early to look toward your next matchup and a chance to bolster your fantasy football lineups. Here are some options to consider for Week 9, when the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers will be on bye.

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns (18% rostered)

With Amari Cooper shipped off to Buffalo and Jameis Winston taking the reins of the Browns’ offense, folks were wondering which wide receiver would step up for Cleveland alongside supposed No. 1 target, David Njoku.

Congratulations to everyone who took a flier on Cedric Tillman off the waiver wire.

The 2023 draft pick had his absolute best game of the season, scoring twice and leading the Browns in receiving yards as Cleveland stunned Baltimore. Tillman was second on the team in targets behind Elijah Moore (12), but he showed a ceiling that thus far this season hasn’t been seen among the Browns’ wideout corps outside of a two-touchdown game from Cooper back in Week 3.

With Winston’s aggressive nature and the Browns’ offensive line getting healthier, expect some higher-volume passing outputs from Cleveland moving forward. Tillman looks like a huge beneficiary — go get him.

Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals (16%)

The Cardinals spoiled Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the field, and Michael Wilson was an integral part of the winning offense.

Wilson scored a touchdown and checked in at third in targets behind Trey McBride (11) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (7). The Cardinals offense was clicking well all day, and more importantly, the offensive tree looked fully concentrated to the Kyler Murray-James Conner-MHJ-McBride-Wilson quintet. Wilson is fully on the flex-play radar.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (8%)

Mike Gesicki has flashed at times this season (as he has throughout his career), and he did it again Sunday.

With Tee Higgins (quad) out for this game, Gesicki actually led the Bengals in receiving yards while coming second behind Ja’Marr Chase in targets and catches. No other receiver came close to that duo’s output in a 20-point loss to the Eagles.

Higgins’ quadriceps injury was suffered during Friday’s practice, so don’t rule out him missing more time, or being limited when he does return to the field. If that’s the case, Gesicki becomes a prime streaming option at a TE position that had a resurgence on National Tight End’s day, but can’t exactly be counted on for a repeat.