Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Jake Ferguson, Jonnu Smith, Taysom Hill, Logan Thomas (Week 8)

The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And here’s all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 8.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Jake Ferguson (DAL): 46% rostered

• Next Opponents: LAR, @PHI, NYG
• True value: $8
• Desperate need: $10
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: Ferguson’s usage has been trending up. Before heading into the bye, he handled an 84.2% route run rate in Week 6 (per Fantasy Points Data), which is amazing. Among 38 qualifying tight ends, he ranks 15th in target share and yards per route run while sitting 11th in target per route run rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Ferguson will battle weekly for the No. 2 spot in the Cowboys’ passing attack, but don’t be surprised if he gives CeeDee Lamb a run for his money over the next two weeks. The Rams and Eagles have been bleeding out production to tight ends, ranking fourth and 13th in fantasy points per game allowed to the position.

Logan Thomas (WAS): 44% rostered

• Next Opponents: PHI, @NE, @SEA
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Thomas has an interesting floor and ceiling combination at the TE position. In six games, he’s had three contests in which he has seen at least six targets while also logging four weeks with at least 40 receiving yards. That might not sound like much, but if you add a touchdown to any 40-yard outing, you’re probably looking at a TE1 for the week. Entering Week 7, Thomas had seen four red zone targets over his last four games, so the touchdown equity exists for Thomas. With a plus matchup against the Eagles in Week 8, Thomas could post top-12 TE numbers.

Jonnu Smith (ATL): 42% rostered

• Next Opponents: @TEN, MIN, @ARI
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Smith entered Week 7 as the TE10 in fantasy, ranking 13th in target share and fifth in target per route run rate. The issue is that he is 27th in route participation. His route share will lead to volatile weeks, especially when we consider that Arthur Smith is the overseer of his playing time. Jonnu’s matchups over the next three weeks are not kind. Tennessee and Arizona, specifically, have held tight ends to the 10th-fewest and second-fewest fantasy points per game.

Taysom Hill (NO): 9% rostered

• Next Opponents: @IND, CHI, @MIN
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: As long as Juwan Johnson remains sidelined, Hill will flirt with TE1 production. Over the last two weeks with Johnson on the shelf, Hill has averaged 59% of the snaps, 5.5 targets, and 49.5 receiving yards. Add any Hill rushing production, and we have a tight end who could easily finish as a top-five option in any week without Johnson. The Colts and Bears have given up the 10th-most and ninth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management

Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:

Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.

Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.

Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.

Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.

Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.

Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.