Skip to main content

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Mac Jones, Bryce Young, Dalton Kincaid, Michael Mayer (Week 8)

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Mac Jones, Bryce Young, Dalton Kincaid, Michael Mayer (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.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Michael Mayer (LV): 28% rostered

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

Analysis: Don’t let the box score fool you. Mayer was a full-time player again this week. He played 92% of the snaps before the Raiders dropped in backups, as they were getting blown out. Hoyer locked on Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers this week, and Mayer was left out in the cold with a 12.5% target share. While that is a concern moving forward, the upcoming matchups for the Raiders could push the target share back in Mayer’s favor. The Lions and Jets are sixth and third, respectively, in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Mayer’s usage still gives him TE1 upside over the rest of the season.

Dalton Kincaid (BUF): 42% rostered

  • Next Opponents: TB, @CIN, DEN
  • True value: $8
  • Desperate need: $10
  • Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: I know it has been frustrating if you drafted Dalton Kincaid this season in the later rounds instead of similarly priced rookie TE flier Sam LaPorta. That isn’t Kincaid’s fault, though. He is an incredibly talented rookie who has been splitting time with Dawson Knox, and while that didn’t change this week from a snap and route perspective, Kincaid did finally get a featured role in the passing game when on the field. He finished second on the team with eight targets (19.5% target share), as he led the team in receiving yards. I’m not rushing to plug Kincaid into lineups this week against Tampa Bay, but Cincinnati and Denver are smash spots in Weeks 9-10. The Bengals and Broncos are eighth and first in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends. Kincaid could be a stretch-run difference-maker if the Bills commit to making him the No. 2 in this offense behind Stefon Diggs.

Bryce Young (CAR): 10% rostered

  • Next Opponents: HOU, IND, @CHI
  • True value: $2
  • Desperate need: $5
  • Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Bryce Young is on the precipice of a gigantic back half of his rookie season. His next three games are up against bottom-10 defenses. Young has shown growth in every game this season despite his naysayers overemphasizing his shortcomings. I doubt many managers will bid on the top pick as part of Week 8 waivers, so you might get a real steal of a deal.

Mac Jones (NE): 8% rostered

  • Next Opponents: @MIA, WAS, IND
  • True value: $1
  • Desperate need: $4
  • Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: I haven’t the foggiest idea where Mac Jones‘ Week 7 performance came from. Not only did Jones nearly crack 20 fantasy points against a very tough defense, but he looked razor sharp in doing so. Mac drove his otherwise paltry offensive attack down the field for a game-winning touchdown to Mike Gesicki with only 12 seconds on the clock. Better yet, the Patriots face a trio of shaky pass defenses over their next three games, making Jones an intriguing streamer who’s flying under the radar.

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.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

More Articles

Video: Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5 (2024)

Video: Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5 (2024)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 2 min read
GameBlazers – A Whole New Way to Play Daily Fantasy

GameBlazers – A Whole New Way to Play Daily Fantasy

fp-headshot by Raju Byfield | 2 min read
Fantasy Football Forecast: Waiver Wire & Trade Advice (Week 5)

Fantasy Football Forecast: Waiver Wire & Trade Advice (Week 5)

fp-headshot by Andrew Erickson | 15+ min read
Let’s Stream Defenses: Week 5 (2024 Fantasy Football)

Let’s Stream Defenses: Week 5 (2024 Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by Jacob Herlin | 5 min read

About Author

Hide

Current Article

3 min read

Video: Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5 (2024)

Next Up - Video: Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5 (2024)

Next Article