Week 9 Waiver Wire: Stat Projections for Top Fantasy Pickups and Sleepers

We're approaching the midway point of the NFL season, and like every year, there are a few surprises (rookies Deshaun Watson and Kareem Hunt dominating the NFL) and a couple disappointments (the supertalented Hunter Henry not receiving nearly as many targets as he should be).

As far as surprises go, fantasy players can still find a few solid ones on the waiver wire.

Here's a look at the most popular fantasy pickups at the four main offensive positions, per Yahoo, as of the completion of the Monday Night Football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos.

In addition, we'll take a look at some sleepers to target.

           

Quarterback

Top Fantasy Pickup: San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo (on teams in 3 percent of Yahoo leagues)

Were you expecting anyone else after Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news that New England Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was traded to San Francisco?

It remains to be seen whether Garoppolo starts this week for the 49ers (the guess is that's not the case in order to give him time to transition and learn the playbook), but the soon-to-be 26-year-old (on Thursday) should be given the keys to the offense soon. This is speculation, but look for his first 49er appearance to be at home against the New York Giants in Week 10.

That being said, don't expect a fantasy superstar. The offensive line has struggled all year, as evidenced by the four sacks and 12 quarterback hits that signal-caller C.J. Beathard took against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday. Therefore, Garoppolo may have some initial growing pains.

Week 10 Stat Projection vs. New York Giants: 225 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

         

Top Fantasy Sleeper: New York Jets QB Josh McCown (25 Percent)

The New York Jets quarterback has completed over 70 percent of his passes en route to tossing 12 touchdowns through half the season.

McCown and the Jets have defied expectations throughout the year, although they had a low bar to hurdle considering that many thought Gang Green would be the worst team in football.

Still, McCown is a viable option to start in two-quarterback leagues and can be a bye-week replacement in those with just one.

Week 9 Stat Projection vs. Buffalo Bills: 250 passing yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

      

Running Back

Top Fantasy Pickup: Dallas Cowboys RB Darren McFadden (35 Percent)

In the ongoing Ezekiel Elliott legal saga, the Dallas Cowboys running back lost his appeal of a six-game suspension handed down by the NFL. Per ESPN, Elliott has 24 hours to pursue other appellate procedures.

If Elliott's suspension sticks, the Cowboys will turn to Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris at running back.

McFadden is the most popular pickup right now, but he hasn't touched the ball this year. Morris has served as the team's primary backup, but he's only carried the ball 13 times.

Morris might get the bulk of the carries for the duration of Elliott's suspension, but it's hard to say how things shake out until the Cowboys take the field.

Week 9 Stat Projection vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 10 carries, 35 rushing yards; 2 receptions, 20 receiving yards

             

Top Fantasy Sleeper: Indianapolis Colts RB Marlon Mack (45 Percent)

Colts rookie Marlon Mack is slowly earning a near-even time-share at running back with starter Frank Gore, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him handling the bulk of the touches by the end of the season.

Mack carried the ball 11 times Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals and caught three passes, one of which went for a touchdown.

The former South Florida Bull has averaged 4.3 yards per carry this year and has shown great potential. With the Colts' season a lost cause, Indianapolis might as well give Mack more chances to showcase his talents and earn more experience.

Week 9 Stat Projection vs. Houston Texans: 12 carries, 50 rushing yards; 3 receptions, 35 receiving yards, 1 TD

                   

Wide Receiver

Top Fantasy Pickup: Jacksonville Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook (11 Percent)

Like Pablo Sanchez in Backyard Baseball, there's a secret weapon in the league, and he goes by the name of Dede Westbrook.

The rookie out of Oklahoma was brilliant in the preseason, catching 13 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Westbrook has been on injured reserve since suffering a core muscle injury prior to the season, but he's about to return to the field.

Westbrook caught 80 passes for 1,524 yards and 17 touchdowns in his senior year at Oklahoma. While college production doesn't always translate to the pro level, it's hard to ignore the fact that he simply makes plays. Look for him to add another dimension to the Jaguar offense.

Week 9 Stat Projection vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 4 receptions, 50 receiving yards 

             

Top Fantasy Sleeper: New York Jets WR Robby Anderson (28 Percent)

Naturally, if Jets quarterback Josh McCown is a recommended sleeper, then his favorite target (wideout Robby Anderson) should fall in the same category.

Anderson has seen an average of 6.5 targets per game this season, and he's accrued 435 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Notably, he did very well against the Atlanta Falcons in a torrential downpour Sunday, catching six passes for 104 yards and a score.

The downside is that the Jets' schedule is about to get challenging, with games against some good pass defenses (Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers). Still, if Anderson continues to see his current target volume, then he should fare well.

Week 9 Stat Projection vs. Buffalo Bills: 4 receptions, 65 receiving yards

          

Tight End

Top Fantasy Pickup: Indianapolis Colts TE Jack Doyle (51 Percent)

Who could have predicted that tight end Jack Doyle would have just one fewer target than wideout T.Y. Hilton at the season's midway point?

That's the case right now as Doyle (55 targets, or nearly eight per game) is seeing a lot of action. Against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Doyle caught 12 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown. His target share might be a byproduct of the team's short-handed offensive line, which isn't giving quarterback Jacoby Brissett enough time in the pocket to operate.

Therefore, Brissett needs to complete quick passes following shorter routes, which is in Doyle's wheelhouse.

Week 9 Stat Projection vs. Houston Texans: 6 receptions, 60 receiving yards

       

Top Fantasy Sleeper: Washington Redskins TE Vernon Davis (12 Percent)

It doesn't look like Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed will be playing Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, so Vernon Davis is going to step up and handle the lion's share of the work at tight end.

Still, when Reed gets back, Davis is a good option as a backup. The 34-year-old has averaged four targets per game in his last five weeks, but more notably, he's been the beneficiary of some big plays, as he's averaged an eye-popping 18.4 yards per reception.

That number isn't sustainable long-term, but Davis' playmaking ability should still put him on the fantasy radar.

Week 9 Stat Projection vs. Seattle Seahawks: 4 receptions, 55 receiving yards

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