2024 NFL Fantasy Football waiver wire: Can Jameis Winston inspire the Cleveland Browns offense?

nfl Tuesday 29 October 2024 09:50, UK

From the return of Jameis Winston to the impressive form of Bo Nix in Denver, we look at some of the top NFL Fantasy Football waiver wire targets ahead of Week Nine...

Week Nine and we are talking about Jameis Winston, who would have thought it? Jameis Winston, that's who. The Cleveland Browns made his first start since September 2022 on Sunday as he stepped in for Deshaun Watson following his season-ending Achilles injury. Winston delivered a much-needed spark to Cleveland's offense as he completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-24 upset win over the Baltimore Ravens, the first time the Browns had posted more than 200 passing yards all season.

The former No 1 overall Draft pick remains the only quarterback to throw at least 30 touchdowns and at least 30 interceptions in a single season, so approach with caution. But in one game he showcased more willing to push the ball downfield than Watson had since joining the Browns, capped by a game-winning touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman.

Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars just lost veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, rookie star Brian Thomas Jr suffered a ribs injury to leaves his status for Week Nine uncertain and Gabe Davis is nursing a shoulder problem. Tight end Evan Engram has reasserted himself as one of Lawrence's favoured targets since his return from injury, but personnel losses could also mean more opportunities for Parker Washington.

Washington was a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and had just 16 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season. He was responsible for the longest touchdown in NFL international games history in October with a 96-yard punt return to the house against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium. He had three catches for 46 yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

A void has been created on the outside in Cleveland following Amari Cooper's trade to the Buffalo Bills, with Cedric Tillman rising up the depth chart as second in support to Jerry Jeudy. Tillman starred in Sunday's victory over the Ravens with a team-high seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns, including his game-winning 38-yard house call after tearing away to buy separation downfield. It marked his second big performance in as many weeks after making eight catches from 12 targets for 81 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals to earn 18.10 Fantasy points.

Elijah Moore could also benefit from both the departure of Cooper and the introduction of Winston at quarterback, having caught eight of 12 targets for 85 yards against the Ravens for his second straight double-digit Fantasy outing. While the return of Nick Chubb casts doubt over the role of the passing game, there is never any doubt over Winston's aggression through the air.

Cade Otton is staying put here for a second straight week after starring on National Tight Ends Day for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He led the Bucs with nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-26 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons, remaining Baker Mayfield's primary target since losing Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to injury against the Ravens in Week Seven. Otton now has 17 catches for 181 yards and two scores over his last two games as part of the second-ranked passing attack in the league, led by Mayfield and his league-high 21 touchdown passes.

Jalen McMillan is another candidate to see increased reps in light of injury to Godwin and Evans, making four catches for 35 yards and reeling off a 17-yard burst on the ground against Atlanta. The floor is open for new receiving threats in Tampa while Bucky Irving and a multi-purpose Rachaad White lead the way out of the backfield.

The Cooper Kupp trade rumours appear to be fizzling out, Puka Nacua hit the ground running on his return action and the Los Angeles Rams offense is back in business. So too, Matthew Stafford. The Rams quarterback completed 25 of 34 passes for 279 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the best performance of his season so far to lead his team to a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week Eight. Nacua showed few signs of rust following his injury as he made seven catches for 106 yards alongside Kupp's five receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. He now heads into favourable matchups with Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots defenses, with the Rams by no means out of the playoff race while sitting just a game back in a tight NFC West.

Disclaimer: Praise of any performance against the Carolina Panthers comes with an asterisk. Because, well, they are the Carolina Panthers. But take nothing away from Bo Nix, who was dominant at the weekend as he completed 28 of 37 for 284 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Denver Broncos to a 28-14 victory that lifts Sean Payton's side to 5-3. The rookie quarterback has now thrown just one interception since Week Two having tossed seven touchdown passes and 870 passing yards in October as he continues to look more comfortable piloting the Denver offense. With that said, he is about to run into the defenses of the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.

Week Nine in the NFL begins Thursday night when the Houston Texans face the New York Jets live on Sky Sports NFL from 12.15am in the early hours of Friday; Also stream with NOW.

Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app - giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Stream The new EFL season, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.