The bulk of Week 8 action is in the books and already we have some solid waiver wire pickups for fantasy owners to check out to get a jump on the competition for Week 9. Injuries and big games have made some players far more valuable after this week. The waiver wire options are a little better than last week and there are some great adds you can make. Let’s take a look at some early suggestions for your waiver wire, including the player’s Yahoo! ownership and upcoming schedule. Players listed here typically have under 30% ownership.
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Quarterbacks
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB -TB): 5% owned
Here we go again. Apparently, lightning can strike twice as “Fitzmagic” did his thing this week. After Jameis Winston threw four picks and dug the Bucs into a 34-16 hole against Cincinnati, Fitzpatrick got the call and led Tampa Bay down the field to score with just over a minute to go. He also looked impressive with a shimmy and shake on the 2-point conversion needed to tie the game up. Although TB ultimately lost the game, Fitzpatrick got the ball moving with far more ease than Winston. It’s hard to say who Dirk Koetter will start at QB next week, but Fitzpatrick is worth an add just in case he gets the nod. The upside is tremendous.
Next three weeks: @CAR, WAS, @NYG
Other QBs to consider: Joe Flacco (QB – BAL) 37%, Case Keenum (QB – DEN) 24%, C.J. Beathard (QB – SF) 9%
Wide Receivers
David Moore (WR – SEA): 3% owned
Moore, Moore, Moore. How do you like him, how do you like him? I like him just fine as a waiver wire add this week. In fact, he’s my top WR add after another great performance. Over his last three games, he’s posted a ridiculous 9-182-4 line. That’s right, you can still grab a WR catching TDs from Russell Wilson with regularity and it shouldn’t cost you much. Despite his strong play as of late, Moore has fallen under the radar. At only 3% owned, he’s available and a very valuable add.
Next three weeks: LAC, @LAR, GB
D.J. Moore (WR – CAR): 15% owned
Sure, let’s talk about one more Moore. D.J. has been a solid real-life football player for the Panthers this season but he has only recently become fantasy relevant. Over the last four weeks, he’s received 20 targets, reeling in 16 0f them for 227 yards and adding 4-77 on the ground. This week, he racked up 129 yards on just seven touches against a solid Baltimore defense. He’s widely available and makes for a fine pickup at WR, playing on a high-powered Carolina offense with a great schedule down the stretch.
Next three weeks: TB, @PIT, @DET
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN): 10% owned
He’s been a smart bench stash with trade rumors swirling around Demaryius Thomas. Now, with Emmanuel Sanders getting hurt in Week 8, Sutton is a big pickup who will likely be thrust into a large workload moving forward. Over the last four games, counting Week 8, Sutton has gone 9-182-2 even as the third option in the passing game. Sanders did come back into the game, but Sutton should continue to see his snap count rise in the coming weeks regardless. DT won’t be back next season and the coaching staff would be wise to let the rookie talent out of SMU develop.
Next three weeks: HOU, BYE, @LAC
Josh Reynolds (WR – LAR): 1% owned
His previous best game of the season came in Week 5 when both Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods missed extended game time. Since then, with Kupp either out or limited, Reynolds has posted a 2-17 line in two games – yuck. This week, Kupp was out and Reynolds went off for 3-42-2. He’s still the fourth banana behind Todd Gurley, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks, but if Kupp misses more time, Reynolds has some value especially in deeper leagues. A tasty matchup with the Saints’ pass defense is up next week.
Next three weeks: @NO, SEA, KC
Adam Humphries (WR – TB): 0% owned
This one is better suited for deeper leagues, but it’s hard to ignore a guy who has been targeted 23 times over the last three weeks, catching 14 balls for 192 yards in the process. Humphries should see his share of opportunities on a pass-happy Bucs team. He’s worth an add, especially with his solid floor in PPR formats.
Next three weeks: @CAR, WAS, @NYG
Other WRs to consider: Willie Snead (WR – BAL) 33% owned, DeVante Parker (WR – MIA) 13% owned, Jordan Matthews (WR – PHI) 1% owned
Running Backs
Peyton Barber (RB – TB): 45% owned
Ronald Jones II tweaked his hammy in Week 8’s loss to Cincy, making Barber the clear lead-back. After Barber struggled in the opening weeks and RoJo got a look from the coaching staff, it’s back to a one-man show for the foreseeable future. Barber has gotten almost 15 carries a game over his last three, rushing for 66 yards per game and a score. After RoJo went down this week, Barber toted the ball 19 times for 85 yards and crossed the end zone. He’s 45% owned, but there’s a better than 50/50 chance you can grab him off the waiver wire. If he’s there, it’s a good time to get him. Last call, folks.
Next three weeks: @CAR, WAS, @NYG
Devontae Booker (RB – DEN): 5% owned
Royce Freeman missed Week 8 with an ankle injury and Booker stepped in to the backup role behind Phillip Lindsay. He notched 13 carries for 101 yards this week including four receptions. If Freeman misses any more time with his injury, Booker will continue to see increased snap counts. He’s worth adding to your roster, especially in PPR formats.
Next three weeks: HOU, BYE, @LAC
Other RBs to consider: Chase Edmonds (RB – ARI) 1%, Jacquizz Rodgers (RB – TB) 0% owned
Tight Ends
Jack Doyle (TE – IND): 25% owned
In his first game since Week 2, he led the Colts in targets, receptions and receiving yards. He caught six balls for 70 yards and ran over a defender en route to a TD. Eric Ebron, the overall TE3 in all scoring formats through seven games, took a backseat to Doyle, showing that Doyle may be a very valuable TE addition for the back half of the season. It’s time to scoop him up now. He’s the top priority add at his position this week.
Next three weeks: BYE, JAX, TEN
Chris Herndon (TE – NYJ): 6% owned
He was highlighted in this article last week, so if you didn’t grab him then, pay attention now. Herndon is the only reliable receiving option on a Jets team ravaged by injuries and inconsistent play. After a 1-16-1 line in Week 8, he’s now scored in three straight games. One catch and a score isn’t an inspired performance, but it’s hard to expect much from TEs in 2018. Herndon is a must-add for anyone needing help at TE, and if not for the return of Jack Doyle, he would be my top add for the position. I warned you once already, now go get him.
Next three weeks: @MIA, BUF, BYE
Ed Dickson (TE – SEA): 1% owned
Week 8 was his first game of the season, returning from injury. Dickson wasted little time making an impact, catching two balls for 54 yards and a score. Fellow TE Nick Vannett also caught a TD this week but Dickson should be the starter moving forward. With early-season darling Will Dissly on the shelf for the rest of the season, Dickson makes a good add in a TE-poor year.
Next three weeks: LAC, @LAR, GB
Other TEs to consider: Hayden Hurst (TE – BAL) 3% owned, Mark Andrews (TE – BAL) 1% owned, Jeff Heuerman (TE – DEN) 1% owned, Jordan Thomas (TE – HOU) 0% owned
D/STs
San Francisco 49ers D/ST: 28% owned
Next three weeks: OAK, NYG, BYE
New York Jets D/ST: 23% owned
Next three weeks: @MIA, BUF, BYE
Buffalo Bills D/ST: 3% owned
Next three weeks: CHI, @NYJ, BYE
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Zachary Hanshew is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
