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The pickings are slim at this time of the year on the waiver wire, and with six teams on a bye for Week 9, owners are finding themselves stretched thin on flexibility.
So, for those few commodities that are readily available on the waiver wire, it's important to pounce quickly and ensure that you get your hands on whichever of the few serviceable pieces are still available.
Perhaps no players -- among those who are widely available in ESPN.com leagues -- at their respective positions turned heads in Week 8 more than Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (154 yards and an 80-yard score) and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones, who matched Calvin Johnson's fantasy output on the strength of four touchdown catches.
Even after their big games, Jones is owned in 38.2 percent of leagues, while Ellington is owned in 28.3 percent of leagues. So they're each available, if you want them.
For those looking for a Week 9 plug-and-play back, Ellington isn't the answer, as he's on his bye. But, despite the fact he's averaging 7.74 yards per carry this season, he's only 43rd in numberFire's TPS rankings for running backs. That's behind the likes of Willis McGahee, Donald Brown and even Andre Brown, whose return to the field is coming, but the date isn't yet known.
What gives for Ellington?