Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
If available: C.J. Stroud (66%)
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
*Roster Percentage: 8%
THE STACH finished as the QB3 in Week 7 only behind Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. He did so only throwing the ball 23 times completing 15 of those for 305 yards and two touchdowns. What gave him a huge boost to this day was his rushing three times for 29 yards while racking up two more touchdowns. The Colts are taking a run heavy approach and while I don’t expect his rushing TDs to a regular thing, never count out the power of the SHEW.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 35%
I brought up my concerns about Carr and his health/accuracy on last week’s Winning the Wire. While Carr was serviceable for fantasy in Week 7 completing 33-of-55 passes for 301 yards and a score it certainly wasn’t pretty. He left a lot on the field in what could have been a comeback win. It’s possible the team could rotate someone else under center if he continues to misfire, but for now he has a nice match-up in Week 8 against a vulnerable Colts defense.
Daniel Jones/Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
Roster Percentage: 39/3%
If Jones returns in Week 8 he is someone to consider but fans certainly wouldn’t mind if we got a little more Tyrod in our lives. Taylor completed 18 of his 29 attempts for 279 yards and two touchdowns. His scrambling ability helps this offense out, he rushed 8 times for 25 yards. The Giants take on the Jets next week so its not an ideal streaming defense but one to consider if you are in a bind.
Others to Consider: Kyler Murray (42% PUP-R), Baker Mayfield (33% @ BUF), Kenny Pickett (20% vs JAX)
RUNNING BACK
If available:
D’Onta Foreman (65%), Kareem Hunt (64%), Tyler Allgeier (59%), Chuba Hubbard (58%), Jeff Wilson (54%)
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Roster Percentage: 49%
Johnson (concussion) was ruled out for the second week in a row. In his absence we saw teammate D’Onta Foreman go berserk scoring three times. If Johnson is healthy he could regain his role and lead this backfield in touches until Khalil Herbert returns from IR.
Darrell Henderson Jr./Royce Freeman, Los Angeles Rams
Roster Percentage: 25/28%
Well the Zach Evans hype was short lived as the team signed Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman to the squad and the veterans took-over the backfield leaving Evans without a touch. Henderson seems to be the teams preferred back in this committee, he was in on 39-of-68 snaps, carrying the rock 18 times for 61 yards and a TD. Freeman also saw a nice workload carrying the ball 12 times for 66 yards. Both are worthy of an add with Henderson getting the edge.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 47%
The Titans are coming off a Bye in Week 7 and some fantasy managers may have dropped Spears after a lackluster Week 6 performance where he only rushed four times for 15 yards and caught one ball for 48 yards. The Titans are looking at a lost season where they could consider trading their veterans, with Derek Henry topping that list. If Henry gets moved Spears becomes an every-down back.
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
Roster Percentage: 2%
In Week 7 Josh Jacobs left the game in the 3rd quarter and Zamir White took over as the lead back. That opportunity only amounted to two rushes for two yards and three catches for an additional 26 yards. There has been little news on the availability of Jacobs but if he is out White could be looking at a full-time roll.
Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
Roster Percentage: 46%
Rhamondre Stevenson is still the lead back for the Patriots but Elliott continues to see a solid roll in this backfield. In Week 7 he carried the ball 11 times for 31 yards and touchdown. If you need some depth Elliott is a Flex option moving forward.
Devin Singletary, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 15%
Singletary continues to see his opportunities rise, prior to their Week 7 Bye he ran the ball 12 times for 58 yards and added an additional 4 yards via the air. The Texans have a great match-up against Carolina who have been smashed against the run this season. If you need a low-end plug and play Singletary could be your guy.
Others to Consider:
Justice Hill (42%), Zach Charbonnet (40%), Jamaal Williams (33%), Joshua Kelley (21%), Latavius Murray (22%), Emari Demercado (15%), Cordarrelle Patterson (3%), Pierre Strong Jr. (1%)
WIDE RECEIVER
If available: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (59%), Rashee Rice (58%)
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: 36%
So I wasn’t as high on Downs as others in the industry but its time to admit I may have been wrong. Downs continues to play bigger than his stature and in Week 7 he caught five balls for 125 yards and one touchdown against a tough Browns defense. That output lead all Colts pass-catchers on the day. It’s time to pick him up in all leagues.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 48%
Out since Week 5, Dell (concussion) is back practicing this week. As we saw from his Week 2 & 3 performances Tank has considerable upside. He should settle in behind Nico Collins as the Texans WR2.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
Roster Percentage: 26%
Bourne once again led the Patriots with seven targets, he reeled in six on those for 63 yards and a touchdown. Its been hard to trust anyone on the Patriots for fantasy purposes but they seem to be finding a bit of a rhythm and Bourne is the guy seeing the passing volume. The Pats travel to Miami and they will need to air it out in order to keep up with the Dolphins explosive offense.
Others to Consider:
Jameson Williams (48%), Brandin Cooks (38%), Odell Beckham Jr. (27%) Zay Jones (24% questionable), Marvin Mims Jr. (25% deep league stash), Jalin Hyatt (5%), Demario Douglas (0%)
TIGHT END
If available: David Njoku (62%), Dalton Schultz (56%)
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Roster Percentage: 42%
Dawson Knox will undergo surgery on his wrist opening the door for talented rookie Dalton Kincaid. In Week 7 Kincaid lead the team in receiving yards with 75 while catching all eight of his targets. Many of us have been struggling to find an answer at tight end and this week that answer is Kincaid.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 19%
Taysom Hill continues to be unpredictable but lately the Saints have continued to look his way. In Week 7 he caught four balls for 50 yards and gained an additional 18 yards on five attempts and a touchdown. With Carr continuing to struggle we could see more packages with Hill moving forward. While he’s a bit of a roller coaster ride I do think he needs to be rostered in more leagues.
Jonnu Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: 19%
A bit of a down week for Jonnu only catching three passes for 27 yards but his production prior to this gives this lackluster performance a pass. Kyle Pitts has been rising up the ranks with his performance but I wouldn’t count out Smith as a solid option as well.
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 36%
Luke Musgrave was off to a nice start catching 4 balls for 30 yards before injuring his ankle. The injury is one to monitor as he was seen wearing a boot after the game. If Musgrave can shed the injury bug he has the upside we want out of our fantasy TEs.
Others to Consider: Logan Thomas (44%), Trey McBride (2%)
DEFENSE
Atlanta @ TEN
Miami vs NE
Los Angeles Chargers vs CHI
New York Giants vs NYJ
Tennessee vs ATL
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
