Each week, I'll help you fill gaping holes in the fantasy football roster with a list of players likely to be available in free agency once waivers expire. As the weekend approaches and approaches, there are still options to consider and add if you're still looking for a replacement to the lineup.

The players featured here are all inherently risky roster options, but they have the potential to contribute quality fantasy production in NFL Week 9. Due to the spate of injuries at the position, I'm focusing on wide receiver this week, and the available running back picks are slim as well. This analysis will be carried out before training on Friday. Therefore, check the injury status of players before plugging them in and playing.

Players are ranked based on recommendation (PPR rating) and percentages listed are from CBS Sports.

Mike Gesicki, TE, CIN (20% in the squad): Gesicki has been a fantasy teaser for seven seasons. His size and athletic ability should translate into quality fantasy production, yet he still ends up on waivers every year. However, week 9 is a good week to stream it.

I don't often recommend players based on the previous week's performance alone. But WR Tee Higgins could miss another game, and in his absence last week, Gesicki caught seven of eight targets for 73 yards. Gesicki faces the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9 and has the seventh-best tight end matchup prospect at Pro Football Focus.

Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC (48%): Johnston is back in full training after missing two games with an ankle injury. He showed some promise earlier in the season with a two-touchdown game. The second-year man has the fifth-best WR/CB matchup grade of any WR at Pro Football Focus in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns cornerbacks. Justin Herbert has also passed more in the last three games.

Dontayvion Wicks, WR, GB (28%): Wicks' viability this week depends on the availability of Jordan Love. If the Packers' QB plays, Wicks will be a touchdown threat in a matchup with the Lions that should be higher scoring. Love spreads the ball around enough to include Wicks, who is something of a TD specialist with four of eight games played.

Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (46%): The Panthers sent out Diontae Johnson and now the kids can play. Legette can quickly emerge as Carolina's No. 1 WR and will be worth considering if Bryce Young shows signs of progress. Keep an eye on his toe injury before Week 9. The Saints rank 25th in fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers.

Elijah Moore, WR, CLE (16%): Experienced fantasy players know that the Chargers are a formidable matchup. Los Angeles' defense stifles opposing wide receivers in fantasy points per game more than any other. However, Moore has shot 14 balls on 18 targets in the last two games, and Jameis Winston is an aggressive shooter. I could see both Winston and Herbert throwing a lot in this matchup between the Browns and Chargers.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, ATL (77%): Allgeier's roster share is higher than most players I typically include on this list, but he is available in some leagues. Running back options are scarce this week and Dallas ranks 29th in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs, so both Bijan Robinson and Allgeier could be crucial to an Atlanta win.

Parker Washington, WR, JAX (6%): With Christian Kirk out for the season, Washington should play a larger role in Jacksonville's passing game. He caught touchdown passes in consecutive games last December. The Eagles have been the stingiest team in fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers over the last four weeks, but no player in this article is an ideal fantasy starter. When digging deeper into lineup options, don't ignore a player based solely on the matchup list.

Roschon Johnson, RB, CHI (46%): D'Andre Swift is the clear leader for the Bears, but Johnson is getting scoring opportunities from close range, as evidenced by four rushing touchdowns in the last four games. The Cardinals are allowing 25.6 points per game, which is 24th in the NFL, so Johnson should have opportunities to put the ball in the end zone.

Jalen Coker, WR, CAR (8%): As an undrafted rookie, Coker showed last week that he can be valuable to Carolina's passing game. He caught four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown on six targets against a strong Denver pass defense. The TD reception came when the game was out of reach, and the potential return of Adam Thielen should factor into your decision whether to include Coker or another player in this roundup. But maybe Dave Canales will let the young man stick around.

Taysom Hill, TE, NO (48%): If Derek Carr plays this week, the Saints' offense will get a boost against the league's worst defense. We know that Hill's statistical lower bound does not exist, but this type of voting creates the possibility of an increase in production.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, TEN (8%): Westbrook-Ikhine is a pure goal-line player who has three touchdown catches on just five receptions in the last three games. In two of those games, he didn't total yards greater than 10. The Patriots have allowed four touchdown receptions to wide receivers in the last four weeks, which isn't a huge number, but enough for speculation that NWI could find the end zone again .

Andrei Iosivas, WR, CIN (11%): Iosivas was suspended by the Eagles last week while Higgins was sidelined while Gesicki stepped in to fill the receiving void. However, they can attack Iosivas again this week as the Bengals should be able to impose their offensive will on the Raiders. If Higgins doesn't play again, Iosivas could be the version of himself that caught two touchdown passes in Week 2.

Alec Pierce, WR, IND (36%): Minnesota's defense has proven to be overrated in the last two games. No other team allows wide receivers more fantasy points per game than the Vikings. Pierce is a total boom-or-bust fantasy option, but the boom is more likely with Joe Flacco at quarterback.

Gabe Davis, WR, JAX (18%): Davis was incredibly unreliable with the Bills, and I wouldn't blame anyone who thought Davis was a risky play among riskier plays. The Jaguars need him to step up more with the loss of Kirk.

Darius Slayton, WR, NYG (41%): While Slayton doesn't have a solid statistical base, he has two 100-yard outings in his last four games. The presence of Malik Nabers has opened up more playing opportunities for other Giants receivers. The Commanders rank 19th in fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers, and their secondary has often looked vulnerable this season.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, DEN (39%): In his last four games, McLaughlin has caught two touchdown passes. The Broncos incorporate him into the offense near the goal line, and their offense has improved with Bo Nix under center. The Ravens have not lived up to their defensive reputation this season, ranking 26th in points allowed per game (26.1). McLaughlin may see some opportunities to find the end zone again this week.

Demarcus Robinson, WR, LAR (18%): Robinson is another occasional touchdown specialist, with all three visits to the end zone coming in the last three games. Seattle's defense has been subpar this season and Matthew Stafford should be able to move the ball well at Lumen Field. In a deeper league, Robinson is worth a risk for a potential touchdown catch or two.

(Photo by Mike Gesicki: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)