It’s a terrible feeling when you lose a star player to a significant injury. You know your team has been substantially weakened, if not flat-out broken. How can you possibly plug the hole?
The Breece Hall injury was crushing for Hall stakeholders. The rookie from Iowa State had become a fantasy stud over the past month. Hall scored a touchdown in each of his first three October games and averaged 132 yards from scrimmage over that stretch. On Sunday, Hall had a 62-yard TD run midway through the first quarter. But a little later he went down on a sweep left, and early indications are that he tore his ACL. Hall investors are gutted.
Hall wasn’t the only high-impact players to go down on Sunday. Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf was carted off with a knee injury. Chargers WR Mike Williams went down with a high-ankle sprain. So did Browns TE David Njoku. Packers WR Allen Lazard hurt his shoulder.
It was a rough week.
There aren’t any obvious fill-ins at running back that are widely available, but we share a few options that you can target as you attempt to fill the Breece Hall-sized void his injury left you with. We’ll also present some options at wide receiver for fantasy managers with holes to patch. And of course, we have waiver recommendations at the other positions, too.
Alas, the waiver wire is not immune to supply-chain problems. Demand is high, and quality goods are in short supply. In a week when so many fantasy managers were dealt staggering blows, the waiver wire is short on high-upside replacements.
You’re looking for a tourniquet, and the supply closet has only gauze and Band-Aids.
Fantasy football can be a painful game.
- Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Players to Buy & Sell
- Fantasy Football Usage Report: Waiver Wire & Trade Advice
- Quarterback Streamers
- Tight End Streamers
- D/ST Streamers
- Early Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings
- Matt Ryan Benched for Sam Ehlinger: Fantasy Football Takeaways & Implications
- James Robinson Traded to New York Jets: Fantasy Football Takeaways & Implications
- Week 8 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
Week 8 Waiver Wire Grade: C-
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Week 8 Waiver Wire Rankings
Running Backs
Written by Bo McBrayer
Gus Edwards (RB – BAL): 43% rostered
- Next opponents: @TB, @NO, BYE
- True value: $11
- Desperate need: $36
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: The Gus Bus is back on his regular route. After what could have been a career-threatening knee injury, Edwards returned in Week 7 with 66 yards on 16 carries and found the end zone twice. Kenyan Drake‘s Week 6 explosion proved to be an aberration, as he had 11 carries for only 5 yards in the Ravens’ narrow Week 7 win over Cleveland. I’m a huge fan of Edwards going forward as the lead back in Baltimore, health permitting.
D’Onta Foreman (RB – CAR): 49% rostered
- Next opponents: @ATL, @CIN, ATL
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $22
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Every analyst I know (including myself) was dead wrong about the Panthers’ backfield in the wake of the Christian McCaffrey trade. Most assumed the more valuable back would be Foreman, but the expectations were incredibly low versus the Buccaneers. The former Texas Longhorn rushed for 118 yards on 15 carries and added two receptions for 27 more yards through the air. Carolina’s win was shocking, but the manner in which they battered the Bucs with a physical running game has put the Falcons and Bengals on notice for the next few weeks. Foreman is a bruiser and will likely continue to shoulder early-down work alongside Chuba Hubbard.
Latavius Murray (RB – DEN): 40% rostered
- Next opponents: @JAX, BYE, @TEN
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $16
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Attrition is hitting the Denver offense hard this season. Murray was acquired off the Saints’ practice squad after Javonte Williams was lost for the season and was immediately inserted into the rotation with meaningful touches. Melvin Gordon hasn’t looked anywhere close to as sharp as he was in 2021, and his fumbling issue is alarming. Mike Boone picked up an ankle injury in Week 7, so Murray has stumbled upon a growing role. You still better pray the 32-year-old plodder falls into the end zone if you choose to start him.
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC): 51% rostered
- Next opponents: BYE, TEN, JAX
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $16
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: We’re cheating a bit with the inclusion of Pacheco, who’s rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues, but hey, it was a rough week for injuries. There was hope that we’d see a Pacheco liftoff in Week 8 with the announcement that Pacheco would start for the Chiefs in San Francisco, but the starting role turned out to be mostly ceremonial. Pacheco played 19 snaps (a 30% snap share) and had 8-43-0 rushing and no targets. Most of his touches came in garbage time with Kansas City trying to run out a decisive 44-23 victory. Clearly, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon are still going to play big roles in the Chiefs’ RB-by-committee. Pacheco has big-time speed, but there’s not a lot of subtlety to his game. Vision and patience are not two of his greater assets at this stage of his career. Kansas City has a Week 8 bye, so even if you win Pacheco’s services, you’re going to have to let him cool his heels on your bench for a week.
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL): 40% rostered
- Next opponents: CAR, LAC, @CAR
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $14
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: One beneficiary of Arthur Smith’s Rambling Wreck lunacy toward running the ball has been the rookie from BYU, Tyler Allgeier. Are the Falcons particularly good at running the ball? No. Allgeier only rang up 50 yards on his 16 carries on Sunday. He did tote the rock nearly three times more than Caleb Huntley in Week 7. Allgeier also found the end zone from approximately two millimeters out after Kyle Pitts caught the ball at the goal line but the side judge was tragically stricken with macular degeneration by the fantasy gods. If you’re looking for a guy who will get a lot of low-quality, bumbling touches from a coach hell-bent on auditioning to be the next head coach of Navy, look no further than Allgeier.
Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR): 36% rostered
- Next opponents: @ATL, @CIN, ATL
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: How could we have been so blind to this potent “thunder and lightning” duo in Carolina? D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard teamed up to shred the Buccaneers on the ground in Week 7, further underscoring just how unimportant the RB position has become in the NFL. Hubbard was the “starter” but ceded the bulk of the work to Foreman. Hubbard’s game still complemented Foreman’s well, as he busted a couple big runs with his track speed and found the end zone. He did hurt his ankle at the end of the game, but all reports are that it is minor and he could have returned if needed. Hubbard’s skill set is limited, but his speed provides a home run element if he’s given the space.
Stash Candidates: James Cook, Kyren Williams, Rachaad White, Jaylen Warren
“The Rookie Bump” is a nice little increase in reps for rookie RBs directly after their team’s bye week. James Cook is squarely in line for this bump, with Buffalo getting a week off to re-evaluate player performance and scheme for the rest of the season. Cook has been electric this season, albeit with very limited opportunities. The Bills could be even scarier if they start to weave Cook’s talents into the offense more going forward.
Kyren Williams is due to return from the IR, and not a moment too soon for the reeling Rams. Los Angeles is returning from their bye week, licking their wounds after losing out to their division rivals in acquiring Christian McCaffrey. Williams is like ordering CMC on Wish.com, as he is a skilled receiver and intelligent ball carrier. Cam Akers is done in L.A., while Darrell Henderson has never been able to shoulder a full workload and stay healthy. The Rams might throw Williams right into the fray once he is ready.
Rachaad White is bordering on becoming an outright waiver add at this point. The Tampa Bay offense has been anemic the last two games, with Leonard Fournette suddenly showing his age. White tied his season high with six carries in Week 7 and only compiled 24 yards. His gifts as a pass catcher are not lost on the coaching staff or on Tom Brady, giving hope that his snap share will continue to blossom.
Jaylen Warren is still a stash as Najee Harris‘ direct handcuff. Harris has remained healthy, but his snaps on third down and long yardage have all been siphoned by Warren. Anyone with Harris rostered would be a fool to not have Warren at the end of their bench ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Wide Receivers
Written by Derek Brown
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG): 29% rostered
- Next opponents: @SEA, BYE, HOU
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $10
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Robinson saw a big jump in his playing time this week. He played 69% of the Giants’ offensive snaps, running a route on 96.6% of Daniel Jones‘ pass attempts. Robinson drew a sexy 26.6% target share, leading the team with six grabs. He could be a PPR dynamo down the stretch. His next three matchups are quite good. He’ll match up with Coby Bryant (60.9% catch rate, 115.9 passer rating, per PFF), Desmond King (61.1% catch rate, 60.2 passer rating), and Mike Hughes (78.3% catch rate, 125.7 passer rating). Robinson could be a weekly WR3 staple moving forward.
Rondale Moore (ARI): 50% rostered
- Next opponents: @MIN, SEA, @LAR
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: After averaging nine targets per game in Weeks 5-6, Moore laid a stink bomb in Week 7 with only two targets, one grab, and 31 receiving yards. There’s an easy explanation for this, though. With A.J. Green finally finding the pine, Moore ran 79% of his routes on the perimeter. This won’t be his short-term or long-term role, though. As soon as Week 8, the recently acquired Robbie Anderson should be a full-time player who sends Moore back to the slot, where he’s thrived since returning from injury. His next two matchups are against lesser slot corners in Chandon Sullivan (82.8% catch rate, 128.0 passer rating) and Coby Bryant (60.9% catch rate, 115.9 passer rating). Pick up Moore on the cheap if he’s available, as most people will shy away after his target share dropped to nothing with DeAndre Hopkins back in the huddle.
Parris Campbell (IND): 4% rostered
- Next opponents: WAS, @NE, @LV
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Don’t look now, but Campbell is flashing the talent that truthers like myself have always believed was there. Injuries have dogged Campbell throughout his career, but he’s finally healthy and showing why the Colts have held onto hope for so long. Over the last two games, Campbell has commanded a 22.5% target share averaging 8.5 targets and 63.5 receiving yards with scores in each game. The next few matchups for him don’t jump off the page, but if the Colts continue their pass-happy, paced-up ways, Campbell could be another weekly WR3/4 in PPR.
Tyquan Thornton (NE): 11% rostered
- Next opponents: @NYJ, IND, BYE
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Thornton is a talented rookie with speed to burn. And he could continue to ascend in this Patriots’ passing attack, which has been pushing the ball downfield. In Week 6, Thornton saw a 16.1% target share while running a route on 79.3% of dropbacks. The next three matchups aren’t great for a receiver running about 79% of his routes on the perimeter, but Thornton’s schedule does open up after that. After Week 10, the Patriots face the Vikings, Bills, Cardinals and Raiders. Thornton has average to plus matchups with three of those four secondaries.
Garrett Wilson (NYJ): 50% rostered
- Next opponents: NE, BUF, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: If the Jets weren’t so hell-bent on covering up Zach Wilson with rushing attempts, Garrett Wilson would be higher on this list. Corey Davis‘ injury will lead to increased opportunities for Wilson (and Elijah Moore), but with Zach Wilson‘s pass attempts being nerfed, it’s fair to wonder how much. Garrett Wilson hasn’t drawn more than five targets or finished with more than 50 receiving yards since Week 3. The next three matchups for this passing attack aren’t exactly kind either, so don’t break the bank for this rookie receiver unless we get word the Jets are scrapping the Zach Wilson endeavor for the return of Joe Flacco to the starting lineup. Only in the year 2022 would I be wishing for Flacco to start so that a passing offense can come back to life again.
Marquise Goodwin (SEA): 0% rostered
- Next opponents: NYG, @ARI, @TB
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Goodwin makes this list after D.K. Metcalf‘s injury rocked the fantasy world in Week 7. We’re still awaiting word on the severity of Metcalf’s ailment. In the meantime, Goodwin is worth a roster spot. In Week 7, he drew an 18.5% target share while running a route on 81.5% of Geno Smith‘s pass attempts.
Elijah Moore (NYJ): 42% rostered
- Next opponents: NE, BUF, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: With Corey Davis now sidelined with an injury, we may see Moore reintegrating into this offense. The Jets have been steadfast in their refusal to trade him. The same issues that plague Garrett Wilson‘s target volume and upside are also present for Moore. I won’t rule out Moore flashing the talent that made him an off-season darling or getting the squeaky wheel treatment with Davis out of the lineup.
Isaiah McKenzie (BUF): 40% rostered
- Next opponents: GB, @NYJ, MIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Despite McKenzie flashing talent and upside when he’s seen opportunities, the Bills are content to keep him in a part-time role. His 56.7% route participation is saddening, but it hasn’t stopped McKenzie from posting two top-30 wide receiver scoring weeks. Over the next three weeks, McKenzie gets two nice matchups in the slot against Michael Carter (73.1% catch rate and Chandon Sullivan (82.8% catch rate, 128.0 passer rating). Consider picking him up and flexing him in those weeks.
Stash Candidates: Jameson Williams, Robbie Anderson, Treylon Burks
I keep preaching weekly to pick up and stash Jameson Williams, but somehow he’s still only rostered in 31% of leagues. If you’re looking for a possible stretch-run league winner, Williams is it. He is in the perfect scenario for weekly shootouts with a team that has both a high-scoring offense and bottom-five defense.
Robbie Anderson‘s numbers over the last two years don’t inspire confidence, but the Panthers’ offense during that stretch has been a heaping pile of garbage. Arizona finally showed signs of life last game with DeAndre Hopkins back. At the very least, Anderson should stretch the field. Over his next five matchups, he gets three teams (MIN, SEA, LAC) that are 22nd or lower in explosive pass rate. This could lead to Anderson being a perfect bye-week plug-in in the right matchups.
Treylon Burks could make a return from the IR in Week 9. The Titans’ passing game has been floundering. Burks has flashed enough efficiency and talent at various points this season to convince us that he could provide Tennessee and your roster with some upside over the back half of the season.
Quarterbacks
Written by Bo McBrayer
Daniel Jones (QB – NYG): 40% rostered
- Next opponents: @SEA, BYE, HOU
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: All jokes aside, Daniel Jones was dealing in Week 7. The former early Round One pick by the Giants rushed for over 100 yards vs. the Jaguars and scored the game-winning touchdown on a QB sneak. Jones’ rushing upside keeps him as a worthy streamer with an argument as a weekly starter in 1QB leagues. The Giants have banked six wins, and their upcoming schedule is quite favorable.
Justin Fields (QB – CHI): 34% rostered
- Next opponents: @DAL, MIA, DET
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Fields continues to improve each week, simultaneously gaining a bit more leash when it comes to the number of pass plays called by OC Luke Getsy. The Bears are currently allowing the highest percentage of pass plays with a QB pressure, but they also rank highly in yards per attempt. Fields is always a big-play threat, whether with his arm or his mobility. The upcoming schedule is somewhat favorable, with the Dolphins and Lions coming after a clash with the mighty Cowboys defense in Week 8.
Jameis Winston (QB – NO): 20% rostered
- Next opponents: LV, BAL, @PIT
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Unbelievably, Andy Dalton has been kind of … exciting? The Red Rifle has filled in for the injured Winston the past three games and has been a dead ringer for Tampa Bay Jameis, scoring touchdowns nearly as frequently as committing costly turnovers. Most of us believe that Winston will assume his starting position very soon, as the Saints have dropped two games in a row under Dalton. Amazingly, the 2-5 Saints are only one game back in the train-wreck NFC South, and Winston’s return could help them stay in the race.
Marcus Mariota (QB – ATL): 29% rostered
- Next opponents: CAR, LAC, @CAR
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Mariota has been viewed as a liability in the nearly nonexistent Falcons passing attack. He is still a fringe candidate as a streaming fantasy QB, but the refusal of Arthur Smith to embrace the legality of the forward pass is concerning. Many are calling for Desmond Ridder to replace Mariota, but that will likely only happen if the Falcons tumble in the standings. They are currently still tied for first place at 3-4 despite getting downright exposed in Cincinnati on Sunday. Atlanta has two dates with the Panthers sandwiched around the Chargers game over the next three weeks. Mariota is a reluctant waiver add in my book.
Stash Candidates: Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder, Deshaun Watson, Sam Ehlinger
Willis briefly saw the field again in Week 7, when Ryan Tannehill appeared to tweak his ankle. Since Tannehill returned to the game and helped the Titans prevail over the Colts, it might still be a while before Willis is given some run in Tennessee. If Tannehill’s ankle needs a week off, Willis would be an interesting superflex streaming option.
Marcus Mariota‘s performance in Week 7 was uninspiring, but it was also in the midst of an abysmal, embarrassing coaching performance by Arthur Smith. The Falcons only attempted 13 passes versus the Bengals despite trailing by multiple touchdowns most of the game. Ridder is ready and waiting for the call once this fraudulent Falcons team falls out of a divisional race they had no business being involved in.
Suspended and disgraced QB Deshaun Watson can’t return until at least Week 13, but it might be time to stash him in leagues with deeper benches. Watson is a massive talent when on the field, and a QB-needy fantasy team that finds itself on a playoff trajectory would likely benefit from the timing of Watson’s return to the playing field.
The Colts have benched Matt Ryan in favor of Sam Ehlinger, though the benching might be at least partly related to the shoulder injury Ryan is dealing with. Ehlinger, a sixth-round pick out of the University of Texas in 2021, appeared in three games last season but did not attempt a pass. He threw 83 TD passes and 20 interceptions in his final three seasons in Austin. Ehlinger has value in superflex leagues, but it’s probably best to monitor him from afar in single-QB leagues before putting in a claim.
Tight Ends
Written by Derek Brown
Greg Dulcich (DEN): 11% rostered
- Next opponents: @JAC, BYE, @TEN
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: The Broncos have made it a point to get their talented rookie tight end involved. In Week 7, he played 59.4% of the snaps, running a route on 73.9% of Brett Rypien‘s pass attempts. Dulcich drew a 19.5% target share in Week 7. Since he has been in the starting lineup, he’s seen a 16.2% target share and surpassed 44 receiving yards in both games. His upcoming schedule is amazing. His next three opponents are 20th, 31st and 24th in DVOA against tight ends (per Football Outsiders).
Irv Smith Jr. (MIN): 41% rostered
- Next opponents: ARI, @WAS, @BUF
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: You can toss out Irv Smith’s stats. Smith is worth a pickup and play this week, as he gets the best matchup in the league outside of Seattle for fantasy tight ends – the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has allowed the most receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns to tight ends. Smith should find himself inside my top-12 tight ends for Week 8 and on your roster.
Mike Gesicki (MIA): 41% rostered
- Next opponents: @DET, @CHI, CLE
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: In Weeks 5-6, Gesicki saw a 12.8% target share with a 71.7% route run rate and 1.5 yards per route run. Those numbers put Gesicki in the weekly streamer category based on volume and efficiency. His next three opponents all rank 15th or lower in DVOA against tight ends. The Lions are especially vulnerable, surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points per game to tight ends (28th in DVOA).
Juwan Johnson (NO): 3% rostered
- Next opponents: LV, BAL, @PIT
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Johnson enters Monday night as the TE2 in fantasy scoring for Week 7. While his star won’t burn this bright weekly, he made the most of his 10.2% target share with 32 receiving yards and two scores. The upcoming schedule for Johnson should offer more streamable weeks. The Raiders (24th) and Ravens (21st) each rank outside the top 20 in DVOA against tight ends (per Football Outsiders).
Evan Engram (JAC): 41% rostered
- Next opponents: DEN, LV, @KC
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Engram is the volume poster boy. Entering Week 7, he ranked 13th in route participation and 11th in routes. With the Jaguars lacking upper-echelon receiving options, Engram has worked his way into a higher-volume role over the last three weeks, with at least seven targets and 60 receiving yards in two of his last three games. If Engram can ever punch one into the end zone, with yardage numbers like that, he’ll finish as a top-five option at the tight end position.
Stash Candidates: Harrison Bryant, Foster Moreau
Harrison Bryant is worth stashing until we know the severity of David Njoku‘s injury. Bryant hasn’t flashed encouraging numbers this season, but he will play an integral role in the passing attack if Njoku misses time. Cleveland is third in TE targets and TE target share.
Moreau is worth stashing. Darren Waller has been plagued by injuries all season, so it’s fair to wonder if we’ll see a healthy version of him in 2022. In Week 7, Moreau played 98% of the snaps, running a route on 77.7% of Carr’s pass attempts with an 18.5% target share. Moreau is only a stash because he gets NO this week, which is a no-fly zone for tight ends. After that, he has favorable matchups against Jacksonville and Indianapolis.
Defenses
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Cincinnati Bengals: 43% rostered
- Next opponents: @CLE, CAR, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Cincinnati defense is averaging a modest 5.6 fantasy points per game, but the fundamentals suggest that this is a strong unit. The Bengals rank eighth in defensive DVOA, per Football Outsiders. They’re 15th in pressure rate, yet they’ve only recorded 12 sacks in seven games. Their matchup against the Browns this week isn’t great, because the Browns are run-heavy, and it’s hard to score defensive fantasy points against run-heavy teams. But the Browns aren’t a bad matchup either, and then the Bengals get a terrific Week 9 matchup against the Panthers. Go an extra buck if you want to spare yourself the trouble of bidding on another defense next week.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 28% rostered
- Next opponents: DEN, LV, @KC
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Jaguars get a tasty Week 8 matchup against a Broncos offense that might still be without QB Russell Wilson, who missed Week 7 with a hamstring injury. The Denver offense hasn’t been good with Wilson either. The Broncos are averaging 14.3 points and have taken 21 sacks in seven games. The Jags rank 10th in defensive DVOA and have recorded seven interceptions.
Indianapolis Colts: 34% rostered
- Next opponents: WAS, @NE, @LV
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Colts have a Week 8 date with the Washington Commanders and backup QB Taylor Heinicke. Sunday, in Heinicke’s first start of the season, he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. There was also a play on which the Packers strip-sacked him and returned his fumble for a touchdown, but the defensive TD was nullified by an illegal contact penalty against the Packers. The Colts didn’t allow an offensive touchdown last week in their 19-10 loss to the Titans (whose lone touchdown was a pick-six). The Colts will also be playable against the Patriots in Week 9.
Minnesota Vikings: 18% rostered
- Next opponents: ARI, @WAS, @BUF
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Vikings entered Week 7 ranked 21st in defensive DVOA, but they’ve been better as a fantasy defense, averaging 7.1 fantasy points per game. The Vikings have notched 17 sacks in six games and have forced 10 turnovers. Minnesota gets a home matchup against the Cardinals and Kliff Kingsbury’s wayward offense in Week 8, followed by a juicy Week 9 matchup against Washington.
Seattle Seahawks: 3% rostered
- Next opponents: NYG, @ARI, @TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Seattle defense hasn’t been “good” this season, but it’s been effective from a fantasy standpoint, forcing 12 turnovers and recording 17 sacks. The Giants haven’t been as appealing a matchup for fantasy defense as they had been in the past. New Giants head coach Brian Daboll seems to have addressed QB Daniel Jones‘ self-destructive tendencies, as Jones hasn’t been his usual turnover-happy self. Still, this is a playable matchup for fantasy purposes, and the Seahawks shouldn’t cost you more than a buck.
Stash Candidates: None.
Kickers
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Greg Joseph (MIN): 20% rostered
- Next opponents: ARI, @WAS, @BUF
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Joseph has a nice setup for Week 8. He’ll kick inside the domed environs of Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium, and he’ll face the Cardinals, who have been one of the most generous teams to opposing kickers. Arizona was giving up an average of 11.7 fantasy points to kickers going into Week 7, and then the Saints’ Will Lutz kicked two field goals and three extra points against them last Thursday. Joseph has been somewhat erratic this season, missing four FGs and two PATs, but he’s been awash in scoring opportunities. He’s averaged 2.2 FG attempts and 2.3 PAT tried a game.
Jason Myers (SEA): 30% rostered
- Next opponents: NYG, @ARI, @TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Myers has been money in the bank this season, going 15-of-16 on field goals and 18-of-19 on extra points. He’s a perfect 3-of-3 on FG tries of 50 or more yards. The Seahawks’ next two opponents – the Giants and Cardinals – have been generous to kickers this season.
Jake Elliott (PHI): 8% rostered
- Next opponents: PIT, @HOU, WAS
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Eagles’ offense has actually drained some of Elliott’s value simply because he’s kicking too many PATs and too few FGs. Elliott has made 6-of-7 field goals in five games. He’s 15-of-16 on extra points, averaging 3.0 PATs a game. It’s generally good for a kicker to be tied to a prolific offense, and that’s the case here. The Eagles should be heavy favorites in each of their next three games.
Riley Patterson (JAC): 14% rostered
- Next opponents: DEN, LV, @KC
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Patterson is 10-of-11 on field goals and 13-of-14 on extra points. He has a Week 8 home game against the Broncos, who had given up 11.2 fantasy points per game to kickers entering Week 7 and then gave up three field goals to the Jets’ Greg Zuerlein on Sunday.
Jason Sanders (MIA): 13% rostered
- Next opponents: @DET, @CHI, CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Sanders gets to kick inside this weekend, and he’ll face the Lions, who are yielding an average of 31.7 points per game..
Greg Zuerlein (NYJ): 12% rostered
- Next opponents: NE, BUF, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Zuerlein drilled all three of his FG tries in Denver on Sunday and is now 13-of-15 on field goals for the season. His Week 8 matchup against the Patriots isn’t especially good, but it’s not a skull-and-crossbones matchup either.
Stash Candidates: None
Fool’s Gold
It’s the Golden Rule of fantasy football: Don’t chase last week’s points. Mecole Hardman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling both turned in big games for the Chiefs in their impressive 44-23 road win over the 49ers on Sunday. Hardman had 2-28-2 rushing and 4-32-1 receiving, scoring touchdowns on half of his six touches. MVS had 3-111-0 on only four targets. Valdes-Scantling still hasn’t scored a touchdown this season. He’s averaging 5.4 targets, 3.1 catches and 52.7 yards per game. Even though they’re fast, potentially explosive players operating in a high-powered offense, Hardman and Valdes-Scantling simply don’t click often enough to warrant our interest.
Drop recommendations
Droppable
Brian Robinson‘s return from gunshot wounds has made McKissic a third wheel in the Washington backfield. When Robinson made his season debut in Week 6, McKissic played a season-low 17 snaps. In Week 17, Robinson played 35 snaps, Antonio Gibson played 29 snaps, and McKissic played 12. Gibson seems to be usurping McKissic’s pass-catching role, as McKissic has three carries and zero receptions over his last two games.
In four starts, Zach Wilson is averaging 173.3 passing yards and has thrown only one TD pass. The Jets are winning in spite of him, not because of him. There’s no reason to hold him in fantasy.
Droppable with a chance of regret
It appears the Ravens’ backfield belongs to Gus Edwards now – at least until J.K. Dobbins comes back from a knee injury in a month or so. Dobbins made his 2022 debut in Week 7 and muscled Drake aside a week after Drake’s 10-119-1 rushing day against the Giants. Drake actually had 11 carries against the Browns in Week 7 but produced only 5 rushing yards. And mind you, the Browns’ run defense has been terrible this season. Time to cut bait on Drake.
Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have any real playmakers at wide receiver, and his offensive line has deteriorated. Rodgers still gets a decent number of TD passes, but his floor and ceiling for yardage have been lowered. Rodgers hasn’t exceeded 255 passing yards in any of his seven starts this season. Just dump Rodgers and stream the QB position.
Robert Woods is the Titans’ No. 1 receiver by default, but apparently that doesn’t mean much. Woods has produced fewer than 40 receiving yards in 5-of-6 games this season. He’s scored just one touchdown. We won’t consider you rude if you show him the door.
Over his last three games, A.J. Dillon has had 20 carries and six targets. He’s averaging 3.9 yards per carry and 4.0 yards per target this season. The Green Bay offense is massively underachieving, so the TD opportunities have dried up. Dillon hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1 and has had only three rushing attempts within 10 yards of the opponent’s end zone this season. There are more productive ways to use a roster spot.
Sure, Cam Akers could get traded to a team that needs RB help and would use him right away. But Akers hasn’t given us enough evidence that he can be productive in an expanded role, and we have no idea if or when a trade will go down. It’s probably not worth the wait.
Don’t drop yet
Michael Gallup was held without a catch in Dak Prescott‘s Week 7 return to action, and he was only targeted twice. Prescott attempted only 25 passes in the win over Detroit, so consider it a small-sample fluke. Gallup will have much busier days.
Romeo Doubs was shut out in Week 7, and over his last three games he’s had 7-50-0 on 18 targets. But Doubs is still playing a ton of snaps and running a lot of routes. That usage will pay off eventually. It’s worth sticking with him.
The Christian McCaffrey trade is going to marginalize Jeff Wilson in the coming weeks, and the eventual return of Elijah Mitchell from IR could shrink Wilson’s role in the San Francisco offense to virtually nothing. For now, it’s still worth keeping him around as a handcuff to CMC.
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