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Week 8 Waiver Wire Notes
- All players must be less than 60-percent owned
- Will Be Updated After Monday Nighter & For Breaking Injuries
- Bye Weeks: Rams, Dolphins, Steelers, Giants, 49ers & Ravens
Week 8 Waiver Wire: Running Backs
- Jacquizz Rodgers
- Chris Thompson
- Mike Gillislee
- Matt Asiata
- Knile Davis
- Devontae Booker
- Bilal Powell
- Chris Ivory
- Alfred Morris
- Derrick Henry
- Tim Hightower
- Cameron Artis-Payne
- Dion Lewis
- Thomas Rawls
- DuJuan Harris
- Zach Zenner
- Andre Ellington
- Robert Kelley
- Dwayne Washington
- Fozzy Whittaker
- Kenneth Dixon
- Justin Forsett
- Damien Williams
- DeAndre Washington
- Paul Perkins
- Reggie Bush
- Shaun Draughn
- Travaris Cadet
- Josh Ferguson
- Bobby Rainey
- Lorenzo Taliaferro
- Jeremy Langford
- Jalen Richard
- James Starks
- Mike Davis
- Charcandrick West
- CJ Prosise
- Peyton Barber
- Dexter McCluster
- Kenjon Barner
- Stepfan Taylor
- Robert Turbin
- Wendell Smallwood
- CJ Spiller
- Kenyan Drake
- Lance Dunbar
- Alex Collins
- Don Jackson
- Antone Smith
- DJ Foster
- Orleans Darkwa
- Mike Tolbert
The big Fantasy conundrum in Week 7 surrounded LeSean McCoy and his wonky hamstring. Reports flip-flopped through the morning until McCoy was declared active and the Bills’ starting RB. And start he did, to disastrous results. Clearly nowhere near 100%, McCoy was eventually forced out of the game after re-aggravating his hammy. Now, his status entering Week 8 is in limbo. Shady dealt with a similar injury at the beginning of last season, and it wasn’t until Rex Ryan let him rest for a few weeks that he returned to full speed. There’s a chance Buffalo takes the same measures this time around. Making backup Mike Gillislee a must own. Ol’ Gil may not be startable if McCoy plays through the injury, but as a hedge against McCoy missing a game or two, having him on your bench could result into an instant starting running back. Something, I hear, are in short supply these days. Reggie Bush would have deep PPR value if McCoy was to miss time.
Doug Martin (Hamstring) suffered a setback, and could continue to be sidelined. That means you should own and start Jacquizz Rodgers every week until Martin returns. If you’re speculating for touches in deeper leagues, Peyton Barber has more value than Antone Smith.
Jerick McKinnon limped off the field with an ankle injury early against the Eagles. He returned after half time only to be knocked out again, this time for the rest of the game. No word yet on the seriousness of Jerick’s ankle, but he could very well sit Week 8 in a soft match up against the Bears. Clearly, Matt Asiata becomes an RB2 if Jerick sits; problem is, Minnesota doesn’t play until Monday night. If McKinnon is a game-time decision, you may not have all the required information to make the best roster decision. Still, even playing fewer snaps, Asiata has actually been a better Fantasy producer than McKinnon since Adrian Peterson’s knee gave out on him. Having him on your roster whether McKinnon is out or not makes sense; Asiata will rack up a few catches and get some goal line work regardless.
Jay Ajayi was TOOOOOOOO good again this week. So good, in fact, it resulted in a leg cramp towards the end of the Dolphins win against the Bills. No need to worry, Ajayi owners. Miami is on bye Week 8, and after a difficult matchup with the Jets Week 9, Ajayi gets the feast on the Chargers, Rams and 49ers in successive weeks. Beyond the consecutive 200+ yard rushing games, Ajayi was on the field for 47 of a possible 74 snaps Sunday, and many of Arian Foster’s 18 and Damien Williams‘ 9 came after Ajayi left and Miami was milking the clock.
Terrance West (Ankle) left on the first drive of the game, got it wrapped, and returned to action. It didn’t really matter. The Ravens offense was completely out of sync, and squaring off with a formidable run defense only added to the issues. Coming off the bye week, expect West to retain his starting job, but the backup duties may be in flux. Many people, myself included, have been stashing Kenneth Dixon for later in the year, but appearing out of thin air was Lorenzo Taliaferro. West ended up leading the Baltimore backs with 21 snaps, with Taliaferro almost tripling Dixon’s opportunity 11-4 in snaps. This could be a one-week aberration, and Taliaferro’s three targets suggests he was taking over the Buck Allen receiving back role. To be sure, this is a situation I’m monitoring for reports during the Ravens off week.
Tevin Coleman (Hammy) hobbled off the field and didn’t return. We’ve seen hamstring injuries result in a lot of missed time for running backs this season, so I wouldn’t count on having Coleman around next week against the Packers. Conversely, this is terrific news for Devonta Freeman owners. With a monopoly on the rushing and receiving work, Freeman should be able to overcome a stiff match up against Green Bay, merely through volume.
Jamaal Charles (Knee) only played two snaps after it was reported there was swelling in his surgically-repaired knee. Not good. Bench Charles until he proves healthy, and consider Spencer Ware an elite RB option in the meantime.
OK, the Packers running game is uber confusing. With Eddie Lacy (ankle) now on injured reserve and James Starks out for another couple weeks, Green Bay traded for Knile Davis and promoted Don Jackson to the active roster. Jackson was officially Fantasy relevant for good three hours after being named “main back” for the Thursday nighter. Unfortunately, weird labels don’t translate into Fantasy points. Jackson did nothing, then hurt his hand and barely saw the field again. Davis joined the team two days before the game, so it’s not a shocker that he wasn’t involved in the offense at all. Instead, Mike McCarthy turned to the WR combo of Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb in the backfield. Montgomery saw 48 snaps in the backfield, Cobb 9, Jackson 6, and Davis 5. You’d think Davis eventually gets a crack at the gig, even after Starks returns, as Starks has a larger enough sample to show he’s quite awful, but for now, Montgomery is a must play in all formats, In PPR league, he’s a fringe Top 15 option. Hopefully he’ll earn RB eligibility soon. So, make sure to get Monty if he’s still out there, and grab Davis if you’re in the business of RB speculation. The path for him to take this job is very clear, he just needs to seize it.
Thomas Rawls (Fibula) is still a couple weeks away. And, if Christine Michael doesn’t get injured in between now and then, Rawls is looking at a time-share at best upon his return. He’s certainly not a must stash.
One of Theo Riddick (Ankle) or Dwayne Washington (Ankle), potentially both, should return Week 8. This why Zach Zenner and Justin Forsett appear so low in the pickup rankings.
Dion Lewis (Knee) is still not practicing. There is a chance he can make it back on the field after New England’s Week 9 bye, though. It’s probably not likely, but Lewis has enough upside that I’m willing to keep stashing him in PPR leagues, even if it’s a fool’s errand. In standard leagues you can part ways.
- Le’Veon Bell 13
- David Johnson 12
- Matt Asiata 8
- Shaun Draughn 7
- Chris Thompson 7
- Melvin Gordon 7
- Todd Gurley 7
- Devonta Freeman 6
- Frank Gore 7
- DeMarco Murray 5
- Latavius Murray 5
- James White 5
- Duke Johnson 5
Week 8 Waiver Wire: Wide Receivers
- Michael Thomas
- Ty Montgomery
- Cole Beasley
- Davante Adams
- Donte Moncrief
- Jamison Crowder
- Brian Quick
- Russell Shepard
- Brandon LaFell
- Kenny Britt
- Quincy Enunwa
- Kendall Wright
- Marqise Lee
- Mohamed Sanu
- Marquise Goodwin
- Tyler Lockett
- Victor Cruz
- Pierre Garcon
- Kenny Stills
- Phillip Dorsett
- Anquan Boldin
- Chris Hogan
- Corey Coleman
- Eddie Royal
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Tyler Boyd
- Robert Woods
- Eli Rogers
- Quinton Patton
- Dontrelle Inman
- Robby Anderson
- Seth Roberts
- Rishard Matthews
- Adam Humphries
- Nelson Agholor
- Kamar Aiken
- Torrey Smith
- Jeremy Kerley
- Devin Funchess
- Adam Thielen
- Dorial Green-Beckham
- Justin Hunter
- Breshad Perriman
- Brice Butler
- Jermaine Kearse
- Andre Johnson
- Tajae Sharpe
- Chris Conley
- Terrance Williams
- Chester Rogers
- Andrew Hawkins
- Danny Amendola
- Marquise Lee
- Markus Wheaton
- Jaelen Strong
Antonio Brown (Hamstring) scared the shit out of everyone who was fortunate enough to have the first pick in drafts. Brown gimped off to the locker room after sitting out a few plays. Then immediate came back and went into the game. It was a terrifying 10 minutes.
Steve Smith (Ankle) sat again. The Ravens have a week off, so expect Smith back after the bye.
John Brown (Leg) was inactive against the Seahawks, and it was revealed the injury was a result of a sickle cell trait. This could be a multi-week absence for Brown.
Phillip Dorsett (Hamstring) missed the Colts clash with the Titans, as did Donte Moncrief (Shoulder). No need to hold Dorsett any longer. Dorsett’s bad, now he’s hurt, and Moncrief is inching closer to returning. If you need WR help, go grab Moncrief now. He could return for Week 9 or immediately after the Colts’ Week 10 bye. If both miss Week 8, Chester Rogers is the deep league add you want.
Vincent Jackson (Knee) is finished for the season. His void gave Russell Shepard a starting opportunity, and he ran with it, at least for one game. Shepard hauled in five of six targets for 77 yards and score. I have no idea whether he’ll come close to this performance again, but I’m willing to gamble on the opportunity. Depending on the size of your league, most of the guys at the top of the waiver wire rankings are likely already owned; I assure you, Shepard is not. Outside of a bad matchup against the Seahawks in Week 12, the Bucs have one of the easiest schedules the rest of the way, including the Saints twice in the Fantasy playoffs. If Shepard has actually won Tampa’s WR2 gig, there’s built-in upside that comes with it.
Josh Doctson (Achilles) was placed on injured reserve this week. Drop him in every league unless it’s a keeper/dynasty format.
Corey Coleman “could be cleared to practice this week.” If Josh McCown can return soon too, Coleman is worth rostering.
- Davante Adams 16
- Julio Jones 15
- Randall Cobb 15
- Tavon Austin 15
- Mike Wallace 13
- Mike Evans 13
- Ty Montgomery 13
- Michael Thomas 13
- Golden Tate 12
- TY Hilton 12
- Larry Fitzgerald 11
- Michael Crabtree 11
- Antonio Brown 11
- Alshon Jeffery 11
- Willie Snead 11
- Julian Edelman 10
- Tyrell Williams 10
Week 8 Waiver Wire: Streaming Defenses
- Jets at CLE
- Titans vs JAX
- Lions at HOU
- Chargers at DEN
- Falcons vs GB
- Bears vs MIN
Week 8 Waiver Wire: Tight Ends
- Jack Doyle
- Vernon Davis
- Antonio Gates
- Cameron Brate
- Charles Clay
- Lance Kendricks
- Jacob Tamme
- Ladarius Green
- Eric Ebron
- Jesse James
- CJ Fiedorowicz
- Vance McDonald
- Richard Rodgers
- Larry Donnell
- Virgil Green
- Clive Walford
- Will Tye
- Trey Burton
News came out Sunday morning that Jordan Reed (Dizzies) will be likely be held out until after Washington’s Week 10 bye. Please, don’t drop Reed. Unless you’re in my league, that is. You don’t just cut elite TEs just because they’re out for a few weeks. In the interim, his replacement Vernon Davis works fine as a substitute.
If Dwayne Allen (Ankle) remains unable to play, Jack Doyle is a better replacement however. Without Allen, Dorsett, and Moncrief in uniform, Doyle was Andrew Luck’s second option behind TY Hilton, and first look in the red zone.
- Kyle Rudolph 11
- Antonio Gates 10
- Dennis Pitta 10
- Jack Doyle 10
- Lance Kendricks 9
- Delanie Walker 8
- Gary Barnidge 7
- Julius Thomas 7
- Vernon Davis 6
- Vance McDonald 6
Week 8 Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks
- Jameis Winston vs OAK
- Ryan Fitzpatrick at CLE
- Marcus Mariota vs JAX
- Tyrod Taylor vs NE
- Alex Smith at IND
- Sam Bradford at CHI
The latest Geno Smith reign quickly came to an end after he injured his knee early against the Ravens. Previously benched for Geno (ouch), Ryan Fitzpatrick went back in and played very respectable. PERFECT, TIMING!!! The Fitzmagic draws the Browns next week. Cleveland hasn’t ceded fewer than two passing scores in any game this season, and are giving up over 10 Fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Speaking of the Browns, Cody Kessler (Very Dizzy) could be out if he doesn’t pass concussion protocol. That means undrafted Kevin Hogan would get thrust into the starting role, killing what little value Cleveland’s skill guys had left. The Browns’ QB situation this season is penance for the basketball and baseball success. I’m sure of it. Now, Josh McCown (Collarbone) could be back sooner than you think. That would be best case scenario if you own Terrelle Pryor, Gary Barnidge, Isaiah Crowell, or THE DUKE Johnson. Think about how sad that is.
Brian Hoyer broke his arm, and if Jay Cutler (Finger) can’t suit up Monday night, the Bears may be just as sad at QB. Matt Barkley was shitty at USC, I doubt a move to the NFL is a remedy for his awfulness.
The Pat Mayo Hour covers the entire scope of the Fantasy sports landscape from Football to Reality TV, daily and yearly leagues and everything in between. You can watch the Pat Mayo Hour every weekday at 3:00pm EST, 8:00pm EST and Midnight on the FNTSY Sports Network Television channel or on your Apple TV, Xbox, Roku or Amazon Fire Stick. If you have a Fantasy question, general inquiry or snarky comment, ship it to Mayo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and the best will be addressed on the show.
