Week 9 of the National Football League is in the books. And with that, football fans are looking towards the fantasy football waiver wire to see if their team can be improved in any way. And at this point, it’s probably time to cut bait with some of the names near and dear to your heart because the fantasy football playoffs are quickly approaching.

Before we get to this week’s potential waiver wire pickups, it’s important to note that I do not have a problem spending my first waiver priority on a few players from the list below, especially if you’re scrambling during the bye week. Also, players listed below are in no particular order, so be sure to read them all.

Week 9 Byes: Indianapolis, Minnesota, New England, San Diego, Washington, Houston

Mark Sanchez | Philadelphia

Depending on the report you read, Nick Foles is out for 6-to-8 weeks with a broken left collarbone. While you should hang on to Foles in deeper keeper and dynasty formats, he should be sent packing to the waiver wire in redraft leagues. In his place, Captain Buttfumble himself, Mark Sanchez, will be under center for Chip Kelly’s high-flying offense in Philadelphia. I hate to admit it, but I don’t exactly hate Sanchez over the course of the next three weeks. Sanchez has the opportunity to rack up fake points against Carolina, Green Bay and Tennessee, all of whom are among the top 20 most generous teams to opposing fantasy signal-callers. If you’re a Luck, Brady or Rivers owner and don’t have a backup, you could skate by with Sanchez as your quarterback this week.

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 1 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 30% or more
Players I’d drop for him: Nick Foles, Robert Griffin III, Brian Hoyer

Martavis Bryant | Steelers

We discussed Bryant last week, but with another fine week of production and an ownership under 50% in Y! leagues, I felt it would be useful to toss his name into the ring again. In weeks 7-9, Bryant has hauled in 10 passes on 17 targets for 167 yards and five touchdowns. Yes, 50% of his receptions have resulted in scores. There’s no reason to believe that this pace is sustainable, but that doesn’t mean the rookie pass catcher should remain on your waiver wire.

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 2 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 25% or more
Players I’d drop for him: Wes Welker, Brian Quick, Hakeem Nicks

Mychal Rivera | Oakland

I also wrote about Rivera in the WW last week, but I need to include him again. A fine week nine with eight receptions on 11 targets and two scores make a perfect fit for your void at tight end with six teams resting in week 10. Derek Carr throws a lot of passess — he’s tossed 30 or more in 6-of-9 contests — and Rivera has earned targets on 20% of Carr’s attempts in the last two weeks. The Raiders face a Broncos team coming off a pretty tough loss to the Patriots in Week 9, so I think the Raiders will be playing from behind for most of the game and airing out the ball quite a bit.

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 5 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5-10% or more
Players I’d drop for him: Jordan Reed, Tim Wright, Clay Harbor

Charles Sims | Tampa Bay, Terrance West | Cleveland and Alfred Blue | Houston

Here’s a group of backs in murky situations, whether it’s due to a running back by committee or injury type deal. Sims will likely see his first regular season action in Week 10 against the Falcons and could make an immediate impact of Doug Martin is shelved. Well, he could make that same impact even if Martin is active because Martin just isn’t all that good. Look for Sims to carry more value in a points-per-reception format.

Terrance West out touched Ben Tate in Week 9, and well, looked better than the former Texan. Apparently the coaching staff recognized the balance between production with the ball in his hands as well as protecting his quarterback on passing downs, then rewarding the rookie with more snaps. West carried the rock 15 times for 48 yards against the Bucs.

Arian Foster suffered a non-contact groin injury on Sunday. In his stead, Alfred Blue carried the ball seven times for just 13 yards against the Eagles — not that exciting, I know. If the Foster injury lingers, Blue could pay off for owners during the bye weeks if he can play like he did against the Giants in week three.

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10-15%
Players I’d drop for him: Travaris Cadet, Isaiah Crowell, Lorenzo Taliaferro

Dallas, Pittsburgh or Baltimore’s D/ST

Insert team name against the Jaguars in this space. In week ten, the Cowboys are the lucky team to draw the Jags in London. Jacksonville surrenders the most fantasy points to opposing defenses in the fake game, so that makes Dallas the best plug-and-play if they’re available. The Steelers face the Jets in what feels like could be the biggest blowout of Week 10. The Jets are the fourth most generous team to opposing defenses in the league at over 10 points per game, but the potential blowout makes me think there could be some garbage time points for the Jets. Haha, just kidding. The Ravens will see the Titans in Week 10, who are also among the top ten most generous teams to opposing fantasy defenses.

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 8 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 0-5%
Players I’d drop for them: your defense on a bye