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FFL: Week 9 | NFL: Week 9

Patriots trade S Kyle Dugger to Steelers, DE Keion White to 49ers

Tue Oct 28 9:36pm ET
Field Level Media

The New England Patriots moved on from a pair of former defensive starters on Tuesday by trading safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple media reports.

Both swaps are framed the same: The Patriots are sending a seventh-round draft pick along with their former player while collecting a sixth-round choice in return.

Dugger and White had been starters under previous Pats head coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, but their roles diminished for first-year coach Mike Vrabel this season. White, 26, was a healthy scratch for the Patriots' 32-13 victory against the visiting Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Dugger signed a four-year, $58-million contract with New England last year after receiving the transition tag. He started just four of seven games for the Patriots this season after starting every game he appeared in during the past three campaigns.

The 2020 second-round pick has contributed just 17 tackles in 2025. He has recorded 441 tackles, 3.5 sacks and nine interceptions across six seasons.

Dugger joins a Steelers defense that just lost veteran safety DeShon Elliott to a hyperextended knee in Sunday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Elliott is week-to-week, according to ESPN.

White, meanwhile, played in the Patriots' first five games with one start this season and totaled six tackles. The 2023 second-round pick started 13 of 17 games last year and totaled 56 tackles, five sacks, seven tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

In parts of three seasons, White has 88 tackles, six sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 21 QB hits in 38 games (18 starts).

White's new club, the 49ers, has amassed just nine sacks in eight games -- only the Jacksonville Jaguars (eight in seven) have fewer. San Francisco has been trying to compete without five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa, who sustained a season-ending torn right ACL in Week 3.

The 49ers' depth is thin with ends Bryce Huff (hamstring), Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) and Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) also dealing with injuries.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9

Player Notes
Jalen Tolbert Oct 28 9:10pm CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert has been a modest producer so far this season, recording 14 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets across eight games played. Tolbert's playing time and target share have been trending downwards in recent weeks. After earning 18 targets over his first four games of 2025, Tolbert has been targeted just six times over his four most recent contests. Tolbert was always projected to be behind star wideouts CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on the Dallas depth chart. However, Tolbert was also out-snapped by both Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin in the Cowboys' Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos. When Lamb was sidelined by an ankle injury from Weeks 4-6, Tolbert was largely outplayed by Flournoy. Even if Lamb or Pickens were to get injured, Tolbert may now still find it difficult to get on the field. He should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Allen Lazard Oct 28 9:00pm CT
Allen Lazard

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard has seen minimal usage so far this season, recording seven catches for 45 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets across six games played. However, Lazard got a chance to play 78% of New York's offensive snaps in Week 8 due to injuries to top Jets wideouts Garrett Wilson (knee) and Josh Reynolds (hip). Wilson is expected to return in Week 10 following the team's Week 9 bye, but Reynolds must miss at least three more games on Injured Reserve. Still, Lazard's lack of production to this point makes him difficult for fantasy managers to rely upon. Even with Wilson and Reynolds sidelined in Week 8, Lazard recorded one catch for five yards in a game where the Jets scored 39 points. Lazard should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Oct 28 8:40pm CT
Adonai Mitchell

Ever since he dropped the football just before crossing the goal line for a costly fumble in Week 4, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has struggled to see the field. Across his last three games played, the 23-year-old has recorded one catch for eight yards on three targets. Mitchell played 89% of the Colts' offensive snaps in Week 4, but he's failed to crack 17% of the snaps since. Indianapolis has a trio of talented wideouts in Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, so there's not a huge need for Mitchell's services as long as the team's top three wide receivers are healthy. Mitchell has flashed upside at points in his career, but he appears to be facing an uphill battle for playing time in Indianapolis. Barring an injury to a player ahead of him on the depth chart or a trade, Mitchell can likely remain off the radar of redraft fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Jalin Hyatt Oct 28 8:30pm CT
Jalin Hyatt

With star wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4, there have been plenty of opportunities for wide receivers to step up for the New York Giants. Unfortunately for both himself and the team, third-year wideout Jalin Hyatt has failed to cash in on that opportunity. Across five games played in 2025, Hyatt has recorded three catches for 17 yards on nine targets. He's clearly behind both Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton on the Giants' wide receiver depth chart, and Hyatt was out-snapped by wideouts Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Beaux Collins in New York's Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos. Across his last 19 games played, Hyatt has just 11 total receptions. He should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Savion Williams Oct 28 8:30pm CT
Savion Williams

Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Savion Williams has primarily been limited to a special teams and gadget role through the early portion of his first NFL season. Across seven games, Williams has more rush attempts (seven) than receptions (five). The 23-year-old has not been particularly efficient as either a rusher or receiver, recording 59 yards and a touchdown on his 12 touches. The Packers have one of the deepest wide receiver corps in the NFL, which may make it difficult for Williams to be a consistent contributor this year. Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden are all definitely ahead of Williams on the depth chart, as are Jayden Reed (collarbone, foot) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) when healthy. Williams should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kaleb Johnson Oct 28 8:20pm CT
Kaleb Johnson

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson recorded his second straight game without a carry in Week 8. The 22-year-old appears to be completely buried on the Steelers' depth chart at running back behind veterans Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Johnson has logged just 36 rushing yards on 14 attempts so far in his rookie season. Beyond his lack of touches, Johnson has not played an offensive snap in either of Pittsburgh's last two games. Unless there's an injury to one or both of Warren and Gainwell, Johnson should remain off the radar of redraft fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Shough Oct 28 8:00pm CT
Tyler Shough

Dynasty | The Saints will start Tyler Shough at quarterback against the Rams this week. Dynasty Analysis: This comes as little surprise with the Saints sitting at 1-7 and Shough having replaced an ineffective Spencer Rattler midway through last week's blowout loss to the Bucs. This will be no easy task against the Rams but Shough could provide a higher ceiling than Rattler. The danger is clearly the fact his floor could be lower but again, at 1-7, it's worth a shot. It's likely the Saints use the rest of the season to evaluate Shough and determine if they should spend what looks to be a top-5 pick on a quarterback in next year's NFL Draft. Shough is worth a roster spot but the fact he couldn't beat out Rattler this Summer could be telling.

Calvin Austin III Oct 28 7:50pm CT
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III returned to action in Week 8 after missing two games with a shoulder injury, finishing with four receptions for 28 yards in a loss to the Green Bay Packers. While his six targets were second-most on the team, Austin was outshined by second-year wideout Roman Wilson, who led the Steelers with 74 yards and a late touchdown. Wilson's growing involvement will be worth monitoring, but for the time being, Austin remains the team's WR2 behind DK Metcalf. Encouragingly, he played on 78% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, well ahead of Wilson's 46% snap share. Nonetheless, Austin cannot be trusted in most fantasy lineups. He profiles as a boom-or-bust WR4 in an enticing Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Oct 28 7:40pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf hauled in five of his seven targets for 55 yards and a touchdown in a 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Metcalf's score, his fifth of the season, came late in the first half on a two-yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He's been a reliable red-zone weapon all year, converting six targets into six catches and three touchdowns inside the 20. While this has boosted his fantasy value, Metcalf's reception totals have been a bit underwhelming for a WR1. He hasn't caught more than five passes in any contest and is averaging fewer than four receptions per game. Still, Metcalf's 17.1 yards per catch rank fifth in the NFL. He should remain efficient and have a good chance of finding the end zone again in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.

From RotoBaller

Omarion Hampton Oct 28 7:40pm CT
Omarion Hampton

Although it's unclear if Los Angeles Chargers rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) will be ready to come off Injured Reserve and play in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he's eligible, head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Tuesday that the rookie RB is improving. "To me, it looks like he's getting better every day. We know he won't be there this week," Harbaugh said. The head coach added that he's "rather not speculate" on anything further. The 22-year-old North Carolina product was still in a walking boot after last Thursday's win over the Minnesota Vikings and has been on IR since injuring his ankle back in Week 5. The one thing we do know is that Kimani Vidal will get at least one more game as the Bolts' lead back, and he should be considered a must-start in Week 9 against the one-win Titans. Hampton needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats, and he is fully expected to take over lead-back duties in L.A. once he returns from IR.

From RotoBaller

Ed Oliver Oct 28 7:30pm CT
Ed Oliver

The Buffalo Bills announced on Tuesday that they placed defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps) on Injured Reserve. In corresponding moves, the Bills signed defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and safety Jordan Poyer from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. Oliver will require surgery for a torn biceps that he suffered in Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers, although head coach Sean McDermott said there's a chance that the 27-year-old interior defensive lineman will be able to return to the team if the Bills make the postseason. The Bills' defense has already been susceptible to the run, and the loss of Oliver isn't going to make things any easier moving forward. With Oliver on IR, the Bills will look for more contributions from Phillips, Larry Ogunjobi, and DaQuan Jones, among others. Oliver will end his 2025 regular season with 12 tackles (10 solo) and three sacks in just three games played.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Oct 28 7:20pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren turned 13 carries into 62 yards and caught two of three targets for 11 yards in a Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Warren ran efficiently in the first half but became an afterthought late as Pittsburgh fell behind early in the fourth quarter. His utilization will be worth monitoring in Week 9 against the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts, who shouldn't struggle to score on the Steelers' faltering defense. The Colts have been strong against the run this season, so Warren's best path to production likely comes as a receiving weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Fantasy managers can continue to roll with the 27-year-old as a solid RB2 heading into Sunday's matchup.

From RotoBaller

Keion White Oct 28 7:20pm CT
Keion White

The San Francisco 49ers are acquiring defensive end Keion White and a seventh-round draft pick in 2026 from the New England Patriots on Tuesday in exchange for a sixth-rounder next year, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. White, a former second-round pick by the Pats in 2023 out of Georgia Tech, fell out of favor with the new coaching staff in New England this year and will now head to the NFC West. The 26-year-old pass-rusher will help a banged-up 49ers defensive line that has already lost star pass-rusher Nick Bosa (knee) for the rest of the season. White missed time earlier this year with an elbow injury, but he's believed to be healthy now and should be available to make his Niners debut this weekend against the New York Giants. White had a career-high five sacks in 17 games last year but has just six tackles (two solo) and no sacks in five games in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Julian Hill Oct 28 7:10pm CT
Julian Hill

Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill (ankle) remained out of practice again on Tuesday and looks unlikely to suit up for Thursday night's game in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Hill also missed all of last week's practices and was inactive for the Week 8 upset win on Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons. The 25-year-old is missing out on a chance at an expanded role with Darren Waller (pectoral) on Injured Reserve, but perhaps he'll be ready to go in Week 10 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Hill will most likely be officially ruled out for Thursday night's game on Wednesday. With Waller and Hill out this past weekend, Tanner Conner caught both of his targets for six yards, while Greg Dulcich didn't have a target. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore Miami's TE situation.

From RotoBaller

Noah Gray Oct 28 7:00pm CT
Noah Gray

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray continues having minimal success in the first half of the season. On Monday, Gray hauled in two of his four targets for 23 yards in the win over the Washington Commanders. The four targets was actually the highest volume Gray has seen since Week 3. The 26-year-old is playing over 50 percent of the offensive snaps, but the Chiefs just aren't targeting him in the passing game. He remains the backup to Travis Kelce and that isn't going to change. Gray isn't going to be relevant in fantasy formats while Kelce is healthy.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Oct 28 7:00pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of his 36 pass attempts for 219 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Since returning from a Week 5 bye, Rodgers has topped 15 fantasy points in three straight contests. While that doesn't make him an elite fantasy asset, he seems settled in as a steady, high-floor QB2. In Week 9, Rodgers and the Steelers will face the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts, who allow the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks as teams try to keep pace with their high-powered offense. Given Pittsburgh's recent defensive struggles, Rodgers should remain busy on Sunday and profiles as a viable streaming option.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Oct 28 6:50pm CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce continued to flash his big-play ability in a 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. Pierce caught two of his five targets for 69 yards in the blowout win, finishing second on the Colts in receiving yards behind only Michael Pittman Jr. The veteran wideout has been an explosive pass-catcher this season, catching 18 passes for 386 scoreless yards in six games, good for an impressive 21.4 yards-per-catch average, which leads the league. The only thing missing from a fantasy perspective is Pierce's lack of touchdowns, an issue that he will hope to remedy on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9. Pierce will be a high-end WR4 for that matchup.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Oct 28 6:50pm CT
Brian Robinson Jr.

San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. posted his worst performance of the season this past weekend. Robinson has barely seen the field lately, but only played two offensive snaps during Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old saw nine rushing attempts in Week 7, so it's a bit odd to see Robinson basically not even touch the field. Surprisingly, Christian McCaffrey has stayed healthy this season, so Robinson's role has been limited in this offense. The expectation is that Robinson is only going to see a handful of touches at most going forward. Robinson isn't going to offer viable fantasy value while McCaffrey is healthy and thriving.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Warren Oct 28 6:50pm CT
Tyler Warren

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren had a quiet afternoon by his standards in a 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. Warren caught four of his five targets for 53 scoreless yards in the blowout win. The rookie tight end continues to put together an impressive debut season as he now has caught 37 passes for 492 yards while notching four all-purpose touchdowns, as well. Warren has firmly established himself as a rock-solid TE1 in fantasy leagues going forward, a status he will maintain in a Week 9 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

JuJu Smith-Schuster Oct 28 6:50pm CT
JuJu Smith-Schuster

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has seen his role in the offense decrease over the last few weeks. Smith-Schuster was playing over 60 percent of the offensive snaps through the first six games of the season. However, Smith-Schuster has taken a backseat with the return of Rashee Rice. The 28-year-old has fallen to fourth on the depth chart where there isn't as much action for him. Smith-Schuster has been held to five receptions for 64 yards and zero touchdowns over the last two games. His role in the offense figures to be minimal going forward with the Chiefs offense healthy again.

From RotoBaller