Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 8
It’s the bye-pocalypse, the bye is falling, the end is bye! In case you haven’t noticed the NFL schedulers decided that Week 8 seemed like a good time to give 6 teams the week off. If you need to replace any of your Steelers, Ravens, Rams, Giants, Dolphins or 49ers, here are some options that you can find on waivers. For a full discussion, you can listen to the podcast. If you are looking for a streaming QB, those can be found in the QB streamers article.
Wide Receivers
Ty Montgomery @ ATL (ESPN 20%, Yahoo 63%)
The big news here is that Montgomery now has dual eligibility for ESPN leagues. He is now useable at your RB spot in addition to his usual WR usage. If you are in the 80% of ESPN leagues where he is available, be aggressive.
Cole Beasley vs PHI (ESPN 52%, Yahoo 53%)
Just because he’s coming off of a bye, people are forgetting about the Beasles. But you know who won’t forget about him? Dak Prescott.
Tyrell Williams @ DEN (ESPN 67%, Yahoo 64%)
If you want a ticket in the lottery that is the San Diego WR corps, Tyrell can be your guy. However, I would not expect big things this week as the Bolts travel to Denver.
Brandon LaFell vs WAS (London) (ESPN 12%, Yahoo 13%)
Many fantasy owners will dismiss LaFell based on past seasons but he has a good matchup this week and has 4 TDs in his last 3 games.
Donte Moncrief vs KC (ESPN 46%, Yahoo 60%)
Moncrief is still recovering from a broken shoulder blade, but he is expected to return to practice on Wednesday. If you have the roster space, stash him.
Michael Thomas vs SEA (ESPN 63%, Yahoo 73%)
The big rookie has been the best first-year WR so far. Temper expectations this week, though he does feel like the safest WR in the Saints offense.
Davante Adams @ ATL (ESPN 17%, Yahoo 20%)
Coming off a monster performance, Adams has a good matchup this week against… nope. I can’t in good conscience recommend starting Adams.
Jamison Crowder @ CIN (ESPN 40%, Yahoo 37%)
In Jordan Reed’s absence, Crowder is Kirk Cousins most trusted target. The small WR is tough to get a hand on in the open field and they go to him in the red zone.
Running Backs
Jay Ajayi BYE (ESPN 76%, Yahoo 72%)
As if Ajayi’s stock wasn’t high enough on the heels of back to back 200-yard performances, Ajayi’s only real competition for carries, Arian Foster announced his retirement. This is Ajayi’s show.
Jacquizz Rodgers vs OAK (ESPN 34%, Yahoo 74%)
What is going on in ESPN leagues that Rodgers is only owned a third of leagues?! Get it to together ESPN owners.
James White @ BUF (ESPN 67%, Yahoo 68%)
Something tells me that these percentages are very closely correlated to the percent of leagues that use some form of PPR scoring. He should be owned in all such formats.
Chris Thompson @ CIN (London) (ESPN 14%, Yahoo 15%)
Another popular PPR RB, Thompson got to show his skills as a true runner on Sunday after Matt Jones’ fumble-it is flared up again. Thompson finished with 7 catches to go with his 70 yards rushing. He should get more work going forward.
Matt Asiata @ CHI (ESPN 26%, Yahoo 22%)
If you’re looking for a sexy add, you’ve come to the wrong place. Asiata is a plodder who has limited upside, however, his running mate, Jerick McKinnon is dealing with various injuries so the touches should be there this week for Asiata.
Mike Gillislee vs NE (ESPN 6.1%, Yahoo 50%)
This is another crazy split in ownership between the two sites. McCoy owners should roster Gillislee in case the Bills come to their senses and give McCoy a week or two to get right.
Devontae Booker vs SD (ESPN 33%, Yahoo 36%)
Booker is slowly becoming more than just a handcuff. In fact, he was on the field for 55% of Denver’s snaps last week. In a plus matchup like this one, Booker has standalone value.
Derrick Henry vs JAX (ESPN 51%, Yahoo 46%)
Alfred Morris vs PHI (ESPN 17%, Yahoo 11%)
If you own DeMarco Murray or Ezekiel Elliott… well… what are you waiting for?
Tight Ends
Jack Doyle vs KC (ESPN 15%, Yahoo 32%)
Doyle has a tough matchup this week but is going to continue to be heavily used in the Colts offense. They simply have no other options.
Ladarius Green BYE (ESPN 5%, Yahoo 8%)
You don’t need to rush out to add Green because he is on a bye. He’s just here because it is being reported that he is expected to return to practice this week.
Vernon Davis @ CIN (London) (ESPN 29%, Yahoo 23%)
Rule 85: if Jordan Reed does not play, start Vernon Davis.
Tyler Eifert vs WAS (London) (ESPN 72%, Yahoo 69%)
He’s still dealing with injuries, but Eifert’s value has always come from his TD production.
Defense/Special Teams
New York Jets @ CLE (ESPN 22%, Yahoo 22%)
They play the Browns and whoever they roll out at QB.
Tennessee Titans vs JAX (ESPN 37%, Yahoo 40%)
Bortles gonna Bortles.
Chicago Bears vs MIN (ESPN 18%, Yahoo 2%)
A deep league add, the Bears have been doing just enough on defense to be relevant. Vikings look unsteady on offense.