Fantasy Football: Week 8 Waiver Wire
Another week of NFL action is in the books as we enter Week 8. Hear about all of the players discussed on today’s Week 8 Waiver Wire podcast. Ownership percentages are taken from Yahoo.
Wide Receivers
LAR Cooper Kupp (42% owned)
Week 7: 4/51/1 on 10 targets
Remaining Schedule: Bye, @NYG, Hou, @Min, NO, @Ari, Phi, @Sea, @Ten, SF
Cooper Kupp has bee the most productive wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. He is just 2 targets behind the target leader, Robert Woods through Week 7. Kupp leads the Rams receivers with 3 touchdowns on the season. A big reason for that is because Cooper Kupp has been targeted a team-high 13 times in the red zone. That’s 10 more targets than the next wide receiver on the team. It’s clear, Jared Goff trusts Kupp most on this team and you should as well.
NO Ted Ginn (51% owned)
Week 7: 7/141/0 on 7 targets
Remaining Schedule: Chi, TB, @Buf, Was, @LAR, Car, @Atl, NYJ, Atl, @TB
Ted Ginn has exactly half of the targets as Saints star wideout, Michael Thomas but you won’t find Thomas on waivers. Ginn is the clear number two receiver on the team. With Willie Snead sidelined, Drew Brees has had to lean on Ginn when Thomas is covered. Ginn has made the most of his opportunities, catching 22 of his 27 targets (81%) for 353 yards (just 50 yards fewer than Michael Thomas), and 2 touchdowns on the season. Anytime you have a receiver heavily target by a quarterback like Drew Brees, you have to roster them.
JAX Marqise Lee (40% owned)
Week 7: 4/72/0 on 6 targets
Remaining Schedule: Bye, Cin, LAC, @Cle, @Ari, Ind, Sea, Hou, @SF, @Ten
My views have not changed on the Jaguars wide receivers. Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns are just 18 receiving yards apart but Hurns has 2 touchdowns to Lee’s zero. Hurns is the leading red zone target on the Jaguars with 8 targets to Lee’s 3. They are both around 40% owned in leagues. I’d rather own Hurns based off of the red zone targets and touchdown potential.
JAX Allen Hurns (38% owned)
Week 7: 5/101/0 on 8 targets
Remaining Schedule: Bye, Cin, LAC, @Cle, @Ari, Ind, Sea, Hou, @SF, @Ten
See Marqise Lee above.
NYJ Jermaine Kearse (53% owned)
Week 7: 1/29/1 on 4 targets
Remaining Schedule: Atl, Buf, @TB, Bye, Car, KC, @Den, @NO, LAC, @NE
Not surprisingly, Jermaine Kearse is 34% more owned than the team leader in targets, Robby Anderson. Kearse has been more productive with 10 fewer targets, catching 27 passes for 328 yards and 4 touchdowns on the season. Robby Anderson has 21 receptions on the season for 331 yards and 2 touchdowns. Anderson has 1 more red zone target than Kearse but that could change next week.
These two receivers are as even as you can get with the exception of the touchdown count but that could go back and forth given the fact that McCown doesn’t appear to favor one receiver more than the other in any given situation. Jermaine Kearse has been the most consistent of the two but Robby Anderson has shown more upside potential. If you’re looking for a safe player go with Kearse but Anderson is more likely to sprinkle some big points games in rest of season.
NYJ Robby Anderson (19% owned)
Week 7: 3/35/1 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Atl, Buf, @TB, Bye, Car, KC, @Den, @NO, LAC, @NE
See Jermaine Kearse above.
MIA Kenny Stills (21% owned)
Week 7: 6/85/2 on 9 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Bal, Oak, @Car, TB, @NE, Den, NE, @Buf, @KC, Buf
Stills had his most targets in a game with 9 since Week 3 (10). Jarvis Landry is the constant target monster in the Dolphins offense but quarterback, Matt Moore did not shy away from targeting what appeared to be his favorite wide receiver, Kenny Stills. Only owned in 21% of leagues, Stills is a must own after his statement game, especially if Matt Moore sees extended time in replacement of injured Jay Cutler. It wouldn’t surprise me if Stills out-targets DeVante Parker when he returns as Stills may very well be Moore‘s safety blanket.
WAS Josh Doctson (14% owned)
Week 7: 3/39/0 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Dal, @Sea, Min, @NO, NYG, @Dal, @LAC, Ari, Den, @NYG
Josh Doctson could be on the rise. He hasn’t done much this season but you could see his potential after Monday Night Football. Kirk Cousins is a top 10 QB without a top 50 WR! The point is, Kirk Cousins is too good to not have a successful wide receiver to lean on. Clearly, Terrelle Pryor has been completely ineffective and Jamison Crowder has been worse. Pryor also played just 30 snaps in Week 7 compared to 54 for Doctson and 58 for Crowder. I would pick him up and stash him as I expect his volume to increase as the season moves forward.
DET Marvin Jones (62% owned)
Week 7: Bye
Remaining Schedule: Pit, @GB, Cle, @Chi, Min, @Bal, @TB, Chi, @Cin, GB
Marvin Jones was already getting similar target volume to Golden Tate before Tate’s injury. Jones should see an increase in opportunities while Tate misses some time. Marvin Jones is already heavily owned so if he isn’t available to you in your league, you may want to look toward the WR3 in the Lions offense, TJ Jones. TJ Jones is a slot receiver and could end up playing the Golden Tate role until Tate returns. Kenny Golladay is another option here but he just hasn’t seen the volume since Week 1 to make him fantasy relevant.
DET Kenny Golladay (15% owned)
Week 7: Bye
Remaining Schedule: Pit, @GB, Cle, @Chi, Min, @Bal, @TB, Chi, @Cin, GB
See Marvin Jones above.
DET T.J. Jones (0% owned)
Week 7: Bye
Remaining Schedule: Pit, @GB, Cle, @Chi, Min, @Bal, @TB, Chi, @Cin, GB
See Marvin Jones above.
BUF Jordan Matthews (30% owned)
Week 7: 2/10/0 on 3 targets
Remaining Schedule: Oak, @NYJ, NO, @LAC, @KC, NE, Ind, Mia, @NE, @Mia
This wide receiver corp is a mess. Zay Jones has twice as many targets as Matthews and Deonte Thompson now has more targets and catches on the season than Matthews. They do have some favorable matchups moving forward but something you want to keep in mind, Tyrod Taylor does not target the wide receivers often. He relies heavily on whatever tight end is out there and running back, LeSean McCoy. People are going to target Deonte Thompson in waivers this week because he had a game with over 100 receiving yards last week but temper your expectations as he did this on just 4 targets. I would stay away from Buffalo wide receivers.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
BUF Deonte Thompson (2% owned)
Week 7: 4/107/0 on 4 targets
Remaining Schedule: Oak, @NYJ, NO, @LAC, @KC, NE, Ind, Mia, @NE, @Mia
See Jordan Matthews above.
PIT JuJu Smith-Schuster (14% owned)
Week 7: 2/39/1 on 3 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Det, Bye, @Ind, Ten, GB, @Cin, Bal, NE, @Hou, Cle
The new number two receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, JuJu Smith-Schuster is a must own. With all the Martavis Bryant drama going on, don’t be surprised if you see Bryant’s role significantly decreased. Bryant being cut or traded isn’t outside the realm of possibilities as well. Either way, this opens things up for the rookie wideout on an office that should score a bunch in Week 8 against Detroit. JuJu is only owned in 14% of leagues. Get him now and don’t be afraid to spend a little FAAB on him.
SEA Paul Richardson (17% owned)
Week 7: 2/61/1 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: Hou, Was, @Ari, Atl, @SF, Phi, @Jax, LAR, @Dal, Ari
Paul Richardson is actually 3rd in targets for the Seattle wide receivers but he leads the team in touchdowns with 3 including 1 last week. The majority of his production came on one play as he ended the game with 2 receptions. You can’t bank on that on any given week from Richardson and there are better options on waivers that could provide a safer floor for you.
Running Backs
NE Dion Lewis (29% owned)
Week 7: 13/76/0 — 1/6/0 on 1 target
Remaining Schedule: LAC, Bye, @Den, @Oak, Mia, @Buf, @Mia, @Pit, Buf, NYJ
Dion Lewis has received more snaps and carries every week and has likely solidified the lead back role in New England. Mike Gillislee‘s carries have been trending in the opposite direction which gives additional value to Lewis if trends continue moving forward. Owning a running back from the Patriots is always tricky since we don’t know who will see the big game week to week in this crowded backfield. James White is still involved, Rex Burkhead is healthy and saw a good amount of work last week, Mike Gillislee although trending down, is still the team leader in carries, and finally, Dion Lewis is staking his claim in this offense. If there is a back to own out of New England right now, I’d have to say it’s Dion Lewis but I don’t see him more than as a flex option or fill in for bye weeks at the moment.
IND Marlon Mack (40% owned)
Week 7: 5/26/0 — 4/40/0 on 6 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Cin, @Hou, Pit, Bye, Ten, @Jax, @Buf, Den, @Bal, Hou
Marlon Mack’s role increased a bit with Robert Turbin out last week. Going forward we will likely see the scale leveling out between Gore and Mack. Your waiver wire probably doesn’t have a ton of opportunity at running back so Mack is worth a pickup and stash until he gets more than 5 carries as he did last week. The Colts backfield doesn’t excite me but Marlon Mack has shown his upside already this season and owning him down the stretch could benefit your team and set you up for the playoffs. His schedule is not playoff friendly, however (@Buf, vs Den, @Bal).
OAK Jalen Richard (11% owned)
Week 7: 4/45/0 on 4 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Buf, @Mia, Bye, NE, Den, NYG, @KC, Dal, @Phi, @LAC
Marshawn Lynch will be out this week due to his one-game suspension for running out onto the field to defend a player on the opposite team that hit his quarterback. So bizarre. Jalen Richard has received more work than DeAndre Washington up to this point of the season. That said, it is possible the reason Richard has seen the field more than Washington is that he is more of a complementary piece to Marshawn Lynch. I do expect Washington to play the early down role and serve as the goal line back for the Raiders this week which gives him a slight edge. Regardless of who gets the start in Lynch’s absence, I’d expect an even split in work between the two backs and it’s something I would want to stay away from for now and monitor.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
OAK DeAndre Washington (3% owned)
Week 7: 9/33/0 — 3/7/0 on 4 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Buf, @Mia, Bye, NE, Den, NYG, @KC, Dal, @Phi, @LAC
See Jalen Richard above.
PHI Wendell Smallwood (40% owned)
Week 7: 8/25/0 — 2/14/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: SF, Den, Bye, @Dal, Chi, @Sea, @LAR, @NYG, Oak, Dal
Wendell Smallwood is healthy and showed some flash last night but the Eagles are not shying away from LeGarrette Blount‘s usage. Smallwood may be worth a stash in deeper leagues but right now, he’s nothing more than that.
NYJ Matt Forte (30% owned)
Week 7: 7/41/0 — 5/41/0 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Atl, Buf, @TB, Bye, Car, KC, @Den, @NO, LAC, @NE
Matt Forte was heavily owned before his injury and has since been dropped by a lot of owners. Well, Forte showed some tough running and continued to be valuable in the passing game as well last week vs the Buffalo Bills. Going forward, Matt Forte is the back to own from this Jets offense. He isn’t going to give you many “boom” weeks but he does provide you with a nice, safe floor, especially in PPR formats.
ARI Andre Ellington (31% owned)
Week 7: Did not play Week 7
Remaining Schedule: Bye, @SF, Sea, @Hou, Jax, LAR, Ten, @Was, NYG, @Sea
Ellington is another player that has been dropped recently since the acquisition of Adrian Peterson. Well, Caron Palmer just went down and I’d expect this team to be in negative game scripts for the majority of the rest of the season. A negative game script will benefit Ellington more than it will Peterson. I would suggest picking him up and watching the next game to see if he is utilized a lot more since Peterson joined the team as the Cardinals find themselves falling behind in games. My guess is that is what we will see here.
MIN Latavius Murray (41% owned)
Week 7: 18/113/1 — no targets
Remaining Schedule: @Cle, Bye, @Was, LAR, @Det, @Atl, @Car, Cin, @GB, Chi
Latavius Murray finally had himself a game. Although most will chalk it up as an outlier, I’d disagree. In the games where McKinnon flashed, Murray was productive and running hard. He just happened to not be on the field when McKinnon scored. Well, Murray’s hard work paid off for him last week and I think he can be a solid option at the running back position on your team moving forward. He has some favorable matchups on the back end of the fantasy season as well.
Handcuff Watch
DAL Darren McFadden (44% owned) – Zeke playing in Week 8
DAL Alfred Morris (47% owned) – Zeke playing in Week 8
HOU D’Onta Foreman (13% owned)
TEN Derrick Henry (81% owned)
JAX Chris Ivory (55% owned)
JAX T.J. Yeldon (1% owned)
PIT James Conner (4% owned)
TB Jacquizz Rodgers (17% owned)
DEN Jamaal Charles (30% owned)
LAC Austin Ekeler (1% owned)
SF Matt Breida (15% owned)
Tight Ends
SF George Kittle (22% owned)
Week 7: 1/16/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Phi, Ari, NYG, Bye, Sea, @Chi, @Hou, Ten, Jax, @LAR
George Kittle is the number one tight end on a team that will have to throw a ton as they will be in negative game scripts likely the rest of the season. Last week, the Cowboys dominated the 49ers on both sides of the ball leaving very little for Kittle. Given the options at tight end, Kittle isn’t a bad option to have moving forward. Beathard does target him and that should lead to production. His ceiling may be capped as I expect the 49ers to see limited red zone opportunities.
Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
IND Jack Doyle (44% owned)
Week 7: 6/44/0 on 7 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Cin, @Hou, Pit, Bye, Ten, @Jax, @Buf, Den, @Bal, Hou
Everyone has been talking about Doyle’s value and how it will increase when Andrew Luck comes back. Well, It’s not looking like that will be the case. Regardless, Jack Doyle and Jacoby Brissett are establishing a connection as Doyle now has 13 receptions on 18 targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in the past two weeks. With that kind of volume, Doyle is a must own at the tight end position.
BAL Ben Watson (13% owned)
Week 7: 5/38/0 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Mia, @Ten, Bye, @GB, Hou, Det, @Pit, @Cle, Ind, Cin
Watson is a frustrating tight end. He gets the target volume but has a hard time converting it into production. He hasn’t had more than 43 yards in a game since Week 2 and has just 1 touchdown on the season that came at the very end of the blowout game against the Jaguars and Flacco wasn’t even the guy that threw it to him. Watson is not worth owning at the moment.
DET Darren Fells (1% owned)
Week 7: Bye
Remaining Schedule: Pit, @GB, Cle, @Chi, Min, @Bal, @TB, Chi, @Cin, GB
Darren Fells is catching touchdowns. 3 in his last 2 games but let’s dive into this unsustainable pace for a second. Yes, it is true that Fells has 3 touchdowns in 2 games but he has accomplished this on just 4 receptions. Don’t let his fantasy numbers fool you. Until he gets more volume (which could happen as Matthew Stafford gains more trust in Fells), leave him off your roster as this is a case of fool’s gold.
ATL Austin Hooper (59% owned)
Week 7: 1/6/0 on 1 target
Remaining Schedule:@NYJ, @Car, Dal, @Sea, TB, Min, NO, @TB, @NO, Car
Hooper is heavily owned for a guy with just 18 receptions on the season. Besides his Week 1 game (128 yards and a touchdown on just 2 receptions), Hooper has not been the tight end that most expected coming into this season. Yes, the Falcons offense as a whole has struggled but 1 target last week against a beatable Patriots defense, should throw up a red flag for Hooper owners. If you do own Hooper, it may be worth your while to stream the position the rest of the season.
CIN Tyler Kroft (16% owned)
Week 7: 4/23/1 on 4 targets
Remaining Schedule: Ind, @Jax, @Ten, @Den, Cle, Pit, Chi, @Min, Det, @Bal
Tyler Kroft could be a solid option at the tight end position for you rest of season. Kroft has at least 4 targets in each game in the past 4 weeks and 3 touchdowns. As bad as Dalton has looked, the Bengals will see a good share of opportunities in the red zone where Tyler Kroft has caught all three of his targets for 3 TDs. Definitely worth an add and spot on your roster.
OAK Jared Cook (40% owned)
Week 7: 6/107/0 on 7 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Buf, @Mia, Bye, NE, Den, NYG, @KC, Dal, @Phi, @LAC
Jared Cook may be the most appealing option out of this tight end bunch. Derek Carr looked great against the Chiefs last Thursday. Cook caught 6 of his 7 targets for 107 yards. Cook could continue to see this type of target volume moving forward as the run game is a bit of a mess and Derek Carr is healthy.
HOU Ryan Griffin (5% owned)
Week 7: Bye
Remaining Schedule: @Sea, Ind, @LAR, Ari, @Bal, @Ten, SF, @Jax, Pit, @Ind
Griffin is similar to Ben Watson as he gets the volume but does very little with it. Griffin does pose better upside here as he is in a high powered offense but Deshaun Watson favors his wide receivers on the big plays. For a team that is in the red zone often, Griffin has just 3 red zone target on the season. Again, I’d stream the position if you own Griffin or are looking to pick him up. I don’t think you’d want to start him this week in Seattle.
TB O.J. Howard (13% owned)
Week 7: 6/98/2 on 6 targets
Remaining Schedule: Car, @NO, NYJ, @Mia, @Atl, @GB, Det, Atl, @Car, NO
Jared Cook may be the most appealing but O.J. Howard will likely be the most popular tight end off waivers this week after his 6/98/2 performance last week. Howard has some great matchups coming up but there are some things to consider before spending some FAAB on Howard this week. Howard has less than half of the targets than Cameron Brate has on the season. When it comes to red zone targets, Brate has 9 to Howard’s 3. Howard could see an increase in volume after last week but I’d expect that to be his best game for the rest of the season. The other veteran tight end is still heavily used and there are other viable options at wide receiver as well in this offense. He is worth an add given the matchups but you need to know the facts of his situation in the Bucs offense before you roster him.