Another week is in the books for the 2020 season. Week 7 was full of fireworks and hopefully, you made it through without facing Tyler Lockett or Davante Adams. You may also want to be grateful if you weren’t going up against several quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield, and Aaron Rodgers who all had at least four touchdowns this week.
Unfortunately this week we saw several new injuries that have fantasy implications with Odell Beckham Jr out for the season, Kenyan Drake looking to miss several weeks, Chris Carson leaving the game on Sunday night, and Andy Dalton’s injury that will bring even more frustration for fantasy football players who need to start any Cowboys. Either way, the show must go on and we will look to see who may be available to fill a hole on your team.
We also now begin to enter some of the tougher stretches for bye weeks so some of these waiver targets may find their way into your starting lineup. Whether you’re looking for a starter, depth piece, or possible flyer pick I will do my best to help you out.
One thing I will continue to bring up, and still recommend, is to pay attention to who the other teams in your league have been dropping. With injuries and COVID causing some chaos so far this season many teams may have been scrambling to field a team. There may be some players not identified on this list who could help your team instantly.
As always though I am here to try to identify some of the more popular waiver wire adds, some deeper league options, and some to keep an eye on up until your waivers run. Now every league may be a little different, but I will be looking at players who are on 50% or less of teams across Yahoo and ESPN platforms. I will also include some players who might be above 50%, but are worth the look to see if they’re available in your league.
Bye Weeks: Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Washington Football Team
Week 8 Waiver Wire: Possibly taken, but worth a look
Justin Herbert (QB, LAR)
Hopefully, you’ve been following along as Herbert has been listed on this article for several weeks now, but his ownership continues to climb. On Sunday he threw for 347 yards 3 touchdowns and also rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown. He’s definitely worth a pickup and can be started most weeks as his schedule is also pretty favorable all the way to week 16.
Carson Wentz (QB, PHI)
It hasn’t been pretty, but Wentz has been quite a productive fantasy quarterback despite a lack of weapons. On Thursday night Wentz threw for 359 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for 14 yards and a touchdown. Wentz seems to be leaving everything on the field and has been a top 10 quarterback two weeks in a row. He also gets a Dallas defense that just continues to bleed points in week 8.
Boston Scott (RB, PHI)
Scott rushed for 46 yards on 12 carries, but caught 3 receptions for 46 yards and saved his fantasy day with a last minute touchdown. Should Miles Sanders miss week 8 against Dallas Scott would still be a startable asset as Dallas cannot seem to stop anyone this year.
Giovani Bernard (RB, CIN)
Mixon appears to be week to week, but should Mixon continue to miss time Bernard is a decept option to pick up. He saw 19 total touches (13 rushes and 5 receptions) for 96 total yards and a touchdown. He may be owned, but worth a look to see.
Jamaal Williams (RB, GB)
Aaron Jones may be back next week, which you might want to keep an eye on. However, if Jones is out again Williams is startable as he rushed for 77 yards (19 rush attempts) and 4 receptions for 37 yards. The Packers have been conservative with medical decisions and also may decide to share the workload a little more so Williams does have possible value even with Jones back.
Chase Edmonds (RB, ARI)
Edmonds is on bye in Week 8, but if you’ve got the bench space you should look to pick him up if he is available as Kenyan Drake was carted to the locker room and is expected to miss several weeks.
Week 8 Waiver Wire: On less than 50% of teams
Teddy Bridgewater (QB, CAR)
Bridgewater had a bit of a rebound game this last Sunday and threw for 254 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s not the flashiest, but with Atlanta coming up in week 8 Bridgewater is in the streaming category with a pretty safe floor. In week 5, Bridgewater threw for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns against Atlanta.
Jalen Reagor (WR, PHI)
Reagor is set to return from IR, but has 21 days to return to action. He most likely will not play until after their bye in week 9. Reagor may not be someone you can pick up and hold on to, but is someone to keep an eye on. I would imagine he would jump right into the starting rotation and get Wentz attention immediately.
Rashard Higgins (WR, CLE)
Higgins caught all 6 of his receptions for 110 yards this last week. With Beckham going down to injury, Higgins may become more involved in the passing game. He’s not one I would spend a large amount of FAAB or high priority on, but if you can get him for cheap he’s a decent addition to see how he is involved in the passing game.
Cole Beasley (WR, BUF)
Beasley continues to be a consistent PPR option. In Week 7 he caught 11 receptions for 112 yards. He won’t be a league winner, but with bye weeks coming up he is someone who brings a decent floor and most likely won’t give you a zero in a wide receiver spot.
Brandon Aiyuk (WR, SF)
Deebo Samuel left the game with an injury in Week 7 and Aiyuk had himself a solid outing. He caught 6 of 7 targets for 115 yards. With Samuel expected to miss a few weeks, Deebo may see an uptick in targets and get more involved in the rushing game aspect similar to Samuel’s role. He’s worth a pickup and can most likely start him.
Carlos Hyde (RB, SEA)
You will need to monitor the Carson situation and if he is available in Week 8. On Sunday night, Hyde saw 15 rushing attempts for 68 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 3 receptions for 8 yards. He looks to be the lead back should Carson sit week 8 out.
La’Mical Perine (RB, NYJ)
Perine is more of a deeper league option or if you’re completely decimated by injury, but he saw 11 rushing yards and 2 receptions with 54 total yards and a touchdown. Once again I wouldn’t recommend this if you have any other options, but some may be in trouble at the running back position and have no choice.
Harrison Bryant (TE, CLE)
With Hooper out, Bryant stepped in and caught 2 touchdowns on 4 receptions for 56 yards. You will want to monitor Austin Hooper’s status, but if he misses again Bryant is on the streaming radar.
Richard Rodgers (TE, PHI)
If you’re in desperation mode and looking for a streamer, Rodgers saw 8 targets in Week 7 and caught 6 for 85 yards. Until Goedert returns to the lineup, Rodgers is on the desperation streaming radar.
