Drink Free Agent Potion #9 on the NFL Waiver Wire

Have you looked back at your team and been a flop with picks?

Have you been this way since 1996?

While we may not be at 34th and Vine, it’s certainly time for a drink of FA Potion Number 9.

 Note: For those of you out east being impacted by Hurricane Sandy, we hope that all of you are safe and secure as this monster of a storm works over the eastern third of the country this week. Remember that fantasy football is a game and it may need to take a backseat for a few days. 

Week 9 has St. Louis, New England, the NY Jets and San Francisco on bye so you’ll need replacements for players like Steven Jackson, Tom Brady, Stevan Ridley, Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, Greg Zuerlein, Steven Gostkowski, Shonn Greene and Frank Gore amongst others.

Here’s this week’s list of who to pick up for Week 9. As always, percentages listed are percent owned in ESPN.com leagues and FAAB values are based off a $100 budget.

Note: The NFL has pushed back its trade deadline from Tuesday to Thursday due to the impacts of Hurricane Sandy. This may have an impact on who to pick up and who might need to be replaced this week. In particular, Steven Jackson has seen his name blow in the trade winds so keep an eye on the trade deadline as well. 

San Diego DST (25.4%; $2) would be a good pick up again this week. They limited Cleveland to seven points last week and could do the same this week on a short week against Kansas City. According to the Kansas City Star, QB Brady Quinn missed Monday practice yet is expected to start on Thursday over Matt Cassel. Add to that the idea of WR Dwayne Bowe possibly being moved before Thursday’s trade deadline and you don’t know what the Chiefs will have on the field offensively. The Chargers have lost three straight to slump to 3-4 but should be able to right the ship against this truly weak KC team.

On top of all that, the coaching braintrust in KC gave Jamaal Charles all of five carries last week so I have no clue what Romeo Crennel and company are thinking.

Philadelphia QB Nick Foles (0.4%, $1) is likely to get the call when the Eagles finally decide to pull the plug on Michael Vick.  We all know how awful Vick has been this season and the fan base in Philadelphia seems like its had enough. With a need for a change coming, Foles would be a wish player to pick up and stash away if you have the room on the bench to do so.

Miami QB Matt Moore (0.2% $1) is a viable add-on this week to perhaps cover Brady’s bye. The Miami Herald reports that starting QB Ryan Tannehill’s injuries are not extremely serious but enough to put his status up in the air against Indianapolis. Tannehill wound up with a bone bruise and a quadricep bruise in his left leg. The injuries were serious enough to get him out of the game at the Jets. Tannehill got hurt less than five minutes into the game so Moore came in and finished with 11-of-19 passing for 131 yards and a touchdown in a 30-9 rout.

Jacksonville WR Cecil Shorts (3.4% $2) has come from out of nowhere to be a decent receiving threat on the Jaguars. Justin Blackmon has barely been a blip on the radar this season and Laurent Robinson has missed time with multiple concussions. Shorts has 12 catches for 195 yards and a touchdown combined in his last two games. With MJD sidelined and a matchup with Detroit this week, Shorts has the situation to be adding points to your team.

Denver RB Ronnie Hillman (0.6% $4) looked impressive against the Saints Sunday night with 14 carries for 86 yards in Denver’s 31-14 win. Some of you will scoff at the fact it was against New Orleans. Look for Hillman to get on the field more to save wear and tear on Willis McGahee. With the schedule Denver has coming up he could see more games like this one in the near future. Denver’s next six games are: @CIN, @CAR, SD, @KC, TB, @OAK so the chances are there.

Carolina WR Brandon LaFell (12.9% $2) will be an under-the-radar add this week. Carolina visits Washington and the worst pass defense in the league. LaFell has 10-185-1 in his last three games but could break out against the Redskins.

Miami RB Daniel Thomas (43.7%; $5) is worth an add this week as well. In their last outing, Thomas rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. He missed the St. Louis game with an injury but in his previous game at Cincinnati he found the end zone as well. Thomas would be especially beneficial to own as we’re starting to see Reggie Bush not be a true lead back and slip into a timeshare with Thomas. Also like with Hillman, this may also be a move to save wear and tear on Bush. With Indy, Tennessee and Buffalo on deck, he will have plenty of opportunities to run opposing defenses ragged and pile up the fantasy points.

St. Louis RB Daryl Richardson (12% $4) would stand to benefit the most if Steven Jackson was traded to another team. He’s already in a timeshare with SJax, so this looks like a logical fit for your roster. Rams QB Sam Bradford won’t be putting up good numbers every week like he did against New England. Look for St. Louis to try and keep pounding the rock. With the Rams being on a bye this week, he’ll go under the radar. Next matchups: @SF, NYJ, @ARI, SF.

Tampa K Connor Barth(11.8%; $1) has been a quiet kicker this season but has a lot of promise. Barth has connected on 13-of-15 field goals this season for the Bucs. Look for him to be busy this week at Oakland and two weeks from now against Carolina. Those two teams have allowed the most points to kickers so far this season.

As always, leave comments and questions below and good luck in Week 9.