Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Wire Watch 

Start/Sit columns attempt to help you pick between several options, highlighting guys that are on every team, or suggesting to sit guys that would normally be “studs”. While those columns definitely have their place in fantasy football, sometimes you need to dig a little bit deeper.

When you don’t have the Tom Brady’s and Andre Johnson’s of the fantasy world, sometimes you need a little extra help to locate the next “gem” that’s lurking on your waiver wire in your league.

The following players are available in at at least 50% of Yahoo! leagues this week, and would make excellent additions to your depleted or bye week-starving roster:

Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

He’s probably in your free agency pool because he was on bye last week, so if you’re looking for some serious help at your starting QB spot, Cassel could save you for a week.

With a nice match-up against a very beatable Jacksonville secondary, don’t be surprised if Cassel has one of his better games of the year, en route to a KC victory.

Available in 52% of leagues.

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Smith came out on fire against the Houston Texans two weeks ago, throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. He ran into a bit of a road block against a stellar pass defense in Indianapolis last week, but kept optimism alive with 198 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Vernon Davis.

Going up against a spotty Tennessee Titans pass defense, Smith should shoulder much of the load, as Frank Gore and the rushing attack should struggle to find room against the Titans’ solid rush defense.

Available in 80% of leagues.

Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans

Much like Alex Smith, Young is getting his last chance at proving himself, and so far, so good. Young passed for just 125 yards and a touchdown last week, but also found 35 yards on the ground in a convincing 30-13 win over Jacksonville, the Titan’s first of the season.

The 49ers are a proud defense, and will look to shut down the ground game of Chris Johnson and Lendale White, which could make Young take the game into his own hands, both in the air, and on the ground.

Available in 90% of leagues.

Mike Bell, RB, New Orleans Saints

After a hot start to the season, Bell succumbed to injuries and the rise of Pierre Thomas. However, now healthy, Bell has been snagging his fair share of carries, recording at least 12 rushed in three straight games.

His yardage total hasn’t been at the level we would like, but if the touches continue to be there, Bell could be very useful as a quality Flex play, and even can fill-in as a RB2 if you’re in a bind.

Available in 58% of leagues.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

With the one-game suspension of starter Larry Johnson, Charles officially gets his chance to claim the starting job as his. Charles has a nice match-up with a Jacksonville run defense that gave up 200+ yards and two scores to Chris Johnson, so he has a good chance at solid numbers.

Charles could prove to be a solid player to hold onto after this week, as well, as LJ’s future is very much in doubt.

Available in 61% of leagues.

Laurence Maroney, RB, New England Patriots

One huge game, and everyone was “all about” Maroney. Then one mediocre game, and they’re all ready for Sammy Morris to get healthy and come back, already. No so fast.

Maroney is steal the top dog in New England at the running back position until Morris returns, and if he continues to help the Patriots win, it very well could stay that way.

He’s rushed at least 13 times in his last two games, and faces a Miami defense that hasn’t been great at stopping the run.

Available in 53% of leagues.

Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Forsett climbs into Edgerrin James’ old shoes, as he takes over for the recently released veteran as Julius Jones’ top back-up. James wasn’t even averaging 3.0 yards per carry, and with Jones continued struggles, there could be plenty of touches there for the taking.

Forsett is a very athletic and dynamic player that should excel immediately on third downs, and could see his role expand quickly if Jones continues to hold the offense back.

Available in 97% of leagues.

Laveranues Coles, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

It’s hard to be a fan of Coles, as he’s slowed down considerably in the past few years, and always seems to drops huge passes.

However, he’s coming off of a week of rest, and faces a very beatable Baltimore Ravens secondary. That, and the fact that he’s coming off of two straight games with a touchdown, and you have yourself a decent WR3, if only as a Week Nine bye week stop-gap.

Available in 64% of leagues.

Kevin Walter, WR, Houston Texans

Walter just misses the cut at 49%, but we can’t leave him off this list. He’s suffered immensely this year as Matt Schaub as enjoyed great success by passing mainly to Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels.

However, with the season-ending injury to Daniels, someone will have to take those targets, and there’s no doubt that at least half of those targets will trickle down to Walter. He has soft hands and excellent play-making ability, so 4-5 grabs should make him a solid WR3 in most leagues.

Available in 49% of leagues.

Chris Chambers, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Chambers may have proven to be just an average weapon in San Diego, but in KC, he could turn out to be a fantasy God. He doesn’t have a Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, or even Darren Sproles to compete with for targets, and outside of Dwayne Bowe, none of the other receivers truly challenge to start ahead of him.

He may not be a lock to rack up numbers in his first game, but 1-2 weeks down the road, you could be very happy you took a chance on the guy that San Diego felt was “finished”.

Available in 83% of leagues.

About the author: Taylor Smith

Taylor Smith has been with NFL Soup since its inception, and is a jack of all trades, helping with breaking news, fantasy football advice and NFL Draft coverage. Smith also heads NFL Soup's live chats and radio shows. Taylor also contributes content to our sister sites, MLB Soup, NBA Soup and NBA Water Cooler. He lives in San Diego, where he also is a writer for the L.A. Clippers. Follow him on Twitter @NFLSoupTaylor.