As the 2026 NFL season hits the critical mid-point, fantasy managers are scrambling to shore up their rosters against the inevitable toll of injuries and bye weeks. With Week 9 fast approaching, ESPN’s Matt Bowen has identified a series of under-the-radar assets to help stabilize lineups, specifically targeting players currently rostered in under 50% of leagues.
At quarterback, Bowen highlights New York Giants signal-caller J.J. McCarthy (26.6% rostered) as a prime superflex option for his matchup against a leaky Philadelphia Eagles defense. Alongside him, Miami Dolphins QB Malik Willis (18.4% rostered) has emerged as a high-upside play, buoyed by a consistent rushing floor and a favorable clash with a Detroit Lions defense currently allowing a league-worst 24.8 points per game to opposing passers.
The wide receiver pool is particularly deep this week. Bowen suggests looking toward Malik Washington (39.4% rostered), who has posted double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five outings. For those needing a safer floor, Indianapolis Colts veteran Keenan Allen (44.3% rostered) remains a reliable target, especially against a struggling Dallas Cowboys secondary. Meanwhile, Cowboys receiver Ryan Flournoy (24.3% rostered) continues to see significant volume as the team’s No. 3 option, making him a must-add for those in deeper formats. Rounding out the receiver recommendations are the Commanders’ Antonio Williams and 49ers veteran Demarcus Robinson, who could see an expanded role following recent personnel shifts.
The running back landscape remains volatile, but Bowen points to three clear targets. Devin Singletary (11.9% rostered) is expected to split carries for the Giants following Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s move to injured reserve, offering flex value in a pass-catching capacity. In San Francisco, Kaelon Black (27.8% rostered) remains a viable plug-and-play, especially with uncertainty surrounding Christian McCaffrey’s health. Finally, Las Vegas Raiders back Mike Washington Jr. (30.1% rostered) enters Week 9 as the clear lead dog in his backfield after a 25-carry performance last week.
Tight end remains the most challenging position to fill, but Bowen identifies Greg Dulcich (3.7% rostered) as the “sleeper of the week.” Having put together three consecutive games of consistent production, Dulcich is set to face a Detroit Lions defense that currently ranks last in the league against the position.
Defensively, options are thin, but Bowen offers the New York Giants (33.4% rostered) as a speculative flier. The unit is set to face Joe Milton, who is stepping in as the Eagles’ starting quarterback this week. While the Giants’ defense hasn’t been a turnover machine lately, the uncertainty surrounding the Eagles’ offense makes them a serviceable, if desperate, streaming option for managers needing to fill a defensive hole.
For fantasy managers looking to navigate the treacherous waters of the 2026 season, these high-upside pickups offer a strategic pathway to maintaining momentum as the playoffs loom.
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