Waiver Wire Week 8

Waiver Wire Week 8: Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold have stream-worthy schedules for the foreseeable future and are worth a look on the waiver wire.

Week 7 was a tough one for many. We had several players who were big letdowns in what appeared to be quality matchups. We also had several players leave the game with injuries like Matt Ryan, Patrick Mahomes, Adam Thielen, Kerryon Johnson, and Will Fuller. Adding insult to injury we also had David Johnson play in an “emergency role” and Alvin Kamara out. After this week many might be scrambling to the waiver wires. 

As usual, I did my best to identify several targets at each position this week that may help the fantasy hangover from Week 7. It is shaping up to be a pretty busy waiver wire week in many leagues as we also continue to work through the dreadful bye weeks. In Week 8 we also are without any of our Cowboys or Ravens, which has us losing several notable fantasy starters. 

As always, we want to continue to pay attention to injuries as more news comes out for some players. Most of the players listed below are the ones who are most likely available on your waiver wire in your league. Every player listed is owned in less than 50 percent of leagues (Yahoo and ESPN formats) with a few who might have a little more ownership, but possibly available. 

Week 8 Waiver Wire: Possibly owned, but worth a look

Josh Allen (QB, BUF) 

Josh Allen’s ownership has jumped up to 70%, but he’s one to check the waiver for if you’re struggling at the quarterback position. He provided you with a decent outing in Week 7 with 202 passing yards for two touchdowns and four rushing attempts for 32 yards. His schedule coming up is also very attractive, with Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland, and Miami coming up. He’s probably the first quarterback I’d check to see if he is available. 

Matthew Stafford (QB, DET) 

Matthew Stafford had quite the day against what has been a tough Vikings defense. He threw for 364 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’s just over 50% owned in Yahoo and around 48% in ESPN. He also gets to face the Giants and Oakland in the next two weeks, so he’s a possible streaming option for those matchups if you’ve been stricken by the injury bug at quarterback. 

Latavius Murray (RB, NO) 

Latavius Murray filled in well for Alvin Kamara as he rushed 27 times for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding in 5 receptions for 31 yards against the Bears’ defense. Murray could continue to see action as the starter should Kamara continue to miss time. He also showed the Saints that they probably don’t need to rush Kamara back to quickly.

Waiver Wire Week 8: Less than 50% ownership 

Sam Darnold (QB, NYJ) 

Sam Darnold was absolutely dreadful against the Patriots in Week 7, but he has the schedule to bounce back. Jacksonville may be the toughest matchup in Week 8, but the Jags recently lost Jalen Ramsey. After that, he will face Miami, New York Giants, Washington, Oakland, Cincinnati, and Miami again. He’s another one who can help fill a hole at quarterback if needed. 

Ryan Tannehill (QB, TEN)

Ryan Tannehill showed up in his first start for the Titans and threw for 312 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns against the Chargers. He is one to pay close attention to and could be a decent pickup for Week 8 as he faces the Buccaneers. He’s also got another decent matchup against the Chiefs in Week 10. As difficult as it is to write, Tannehill may provide some relief if your hurting at the quarterback position. 

Chase Edmonds (RB, ARI) 

David Johnson apparently was only going to play if they needed him this week, which opened the door for Chase Edmonds to have a monster day. He rushed 27 times for 126 yards, 3 touchdowns and added 2 receptions for 24 yards. Reports are also saying that the Cardinals are working out Jay Ajayi and Spencer Ware on Monday, which might create some concerns about the Johnson injury. Edmonds is a strong waiver wire pickup should Johnson remain sidelined. 

Mark Walton (RB, MIA) 

Mark Walton continued to get a decent workload in his Week 7 matchup as he rushed 14 times for 66 yards. However, Drake managed 9 touches and Ballage had 3 touches with a rushing touchdown. The Dolphins are a rough team to start anyone from in for fantasy. It’s not pretty, but he appears to be getting enough work to be considered if you’re desperate. 

Darrell Henderson (RB, LAR) 

Darrell Henderson continued to see some work with Malcolm Brown being active. Henderson rushed 11 times for 31 yards in backup duties to Todd Gurley. He’s a guy who is a good handcuff if you have the ability to stash him, should Gurley end up missing a game again. 

Ty Johnson (RB, DET) 

With the Kerryon Johnson injury, Ty Johnson appeared to be the next man up. He managed 10 rushing attempts for 29 yards and 4 receptions for 28 yards once Kerryon left the game. Should Johnson miss some time, it might turn into a running back by committee approach with Mckissic, but Johnson is worth a look if you’re really hurting for a fresh body.

Kenny Stills (WR, HOU) 

Will Fuller left the game with a hamstring injury and Kenny Stills managed 4 receptions for 105 yards in Week 7. Fuller has a history of missing time, which would open up the door for Stills to become more fantasy relevant. It will be difficult to tell who might be the biggest beneficiary between Stills and Keke Coutee, as they both had 5 targets in Week 7. However, Houston continues to be able to put up points and it doesn’t hurt having a piece of that offense. 

Keke Coutee (WR, HOU) 

Coutee only had 3 receptions on 25 yards and 1 rushing attempt for 4 yards and a touchdown, but he’s worth an add if Fuller continues to miss time. I’d probably prefer Stills over Coutee as Stills may take on the field stretching role vacated by Fuller, but Coutee is worth a look as well. 

Corey Davis (WR, TEN) 

Here we are again. Corey Davis managed a solid Week 7 outing with 6 receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown on 7 targets with Ryan Tannehill manning the ship. Fantasy enthusiasts may be rolling their eyes seeing Davis on this list, but with the change at quarterback, it’s possible Davis becomes somewhat fantasy relevant. It might be best to see how the second week with Tannehill goes if you can, but Davis once again should be on our radar. 

Alex Erickson (WR, CIN) 

Alex Erickson has managed 20 targets over the last two weeks and blew up in Week 7 with 8 receptions for 137 yards off of 14 targets. Now, the Bengals are a tough team to rely on each week, as even Tyler Boyd has disappeared at times and A.J. Green may be returning in the near future, but Erickson is worth a look in deeper formats. 

Jonnu Smith (TE, TEN) 

Jonnu Smith stepped in for Walker after he left with an ankle injury and managed 3 receptions for 64 yards. Should Walker continue to miss time, Smith will become the starter and has flashed at times. Tight end is a rough position, so Smith might provide some upside to a team that is tight end-needy.