Waiver shopping might not be a lot of fun this week. The shelves are pretty bare.
We’re still waiting for the week when some running back with a clear path to a heavy-duty role has fantasy managers throwing around hefty FAAB bids and eagerly burning their No. 1 waiver priorities. It hasn’t happened yet, and this week’s crop of waiver-wire RB candidates is rather uninspiring. The WR and TE positions aren’t any better, quite frankly.
So, what are we eager waiver spenders supposed to do when there’s so little worth spending on? We’re entering Week 8, and some fantasy managers are still sitting on 80% or 90% of their FAAB budget. We’re keeping our powder so dry that it’s in danger of igniting.
Our recommendation: Hold tight. If you need to patch holes, don’t overpay for mediocre replacements. Throw out a few bucks for your first choice and then make a bunch of $1 contingency bids in case you don’t land your top target.
It’s possible we never get the rainstorm that ends this waiver drought. But chances are, the big rain is coming. You’re going to want a big barrel to collect the water.
It would be a shame if we finally got a week with some big fish at the RB position and you were down to 30% or 40% of your FAAB budget.
By all means, fill the holes in your roster and take some shots at high-upside stashes. Just make sure to be selective and avoid overspending.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 8
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver Wire Rankings
Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
Week 8 Waiver Grade: D
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Kimani Vidal (LAC): 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: NO, @CLE, TEN
- True value: $10
- Desperate Need: $17
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: Don’t let a few healthy inactives from the rookie early in the season deter you from adding a firecracker to your roster. Vidal is an explosive playmaker from Troy University who figures to have a prominent complementary role next to J.K. Dobbins. The Chargers’ offense is extremely RB-friendly, as is their Week 8 opponent, New Orleans. The Broncos’ Javonte Williams had 14 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints last week.
Roschon Johnson (CHI): 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WAS, ARI, NE
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $12
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: The Bears were really heating up on offense leading into their Week 7 bye. D’Andre Swift has been incredible lately as their lead back, but Roschon Johnson is firmly in place as the powerful change-of-pace back. Johnson is a capable receiver and has thumping power on the goal line to provide touchdown upside. Chicago’s schedule stiffens up later this season, but the next three or four weeks appear favorable for the running game.
Jaylen Warren (PIT): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, BYE, @WAS
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $9
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Early in the season, an injury robbed us of last season’s version of Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh. He looked much better on Sunday night, though he was not relied upon much in the passing game. Arthur Smith’s offense is very RB-friendly, and Najee Harris has already shown that. Warren was the better of the two in 2023, making it only a matter of time before he puts his stamp on this season. Get him while he’s cheap to acquire.
Justice Hill (BAL): 18% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CLE, DEN, CIN
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Even the quintessential bell cow running backs such as Derrick Henry don’t play every snap. In Henry’s case, the Ravens have rotated him off the field in passing situations and every few series for Justice Hill. The value with Hill is in PPR leagues, since most of his touches have been as a receiver. Hill is a speedy playmaker who showed impressive upside against Buffalo in Week 4, when he had six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Hill is a useful depth piece.
Tyler Goodson (IND): 14% rostered
- Next Opponents: @HOU, @MIN, BUF
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: It is now painfully obvious that Indianapolis will not activate Jonathan Taylor until he is 100% and has a Disney princess morning wakeup with birds singing and squirrels making his bed as he floats to the breakfast table. To the surprise of no one, Trey Sermon has been unremarkable in Taylor’s stead. Tyler Goodson paced the Colts on the ground in their Week 7 victory over Miami with 51 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He may have standalone value as the Colts’ complementary running back, even after Taylor finally suits up again.
Sean Tucker (TB): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, @KC, SF
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: This is a classic example of proceeding with caution when chasing yesterday’s fantasy points. Sean Tucker went ballistic against the Saints in Week 6 with 36.2 fantasy points. But Tucker is still going to be mired in an RB-by-committee situation where nobody wins. The Buccaneers also face a brutally difficult stretch of run defenses before their Week 11 bye. He needs to be rostered, but Tucker is not likely to replicate his eye-opening breakout performance any time soon.
Stash Candidates:
The snatching the clipboard from Nathaniel Hackett saved our Breece Hall shares. Braelon Allen‘s role has shrunk, but he is still worth stashing as a handcuff to Hall who can endure a full workload if needed.
Bijan Robinson is such a prodigious stud that we forget how solid Tyler Allgeier is. His role isn’t quite what we need from a starting flex player, but Allgeier would be valuable as a three-down back if Bijan missed any time.
Those of us who drafted James Conner were very happy early this season. Last week, our concern level spiked when talented rookie Trey Benson saw a jump in touches and looked sharp. Conner is still the main dude, but Benson has now shown there won’t be much of a dropoff if the oft-injured veteran goes down again.
Ray Davis won me so much money in showdown DFS when James Cook missed a game with a toe injury. Davis is a quality player with no glaring weaknesses. Cook provides more dynamism, but the rookie from Kentucky is more than a shot in the arm as the next man up.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Jauan Jennings (SF): 29% rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, BYE, @TB
- True value: $14
- Desperate Need: $25
- Budget-minded: $8
Analysis: Jennings is dealing with a hip injury and didn’t practice at all last week, but he should walk into a big role once he returns to the lineup now that Brandon Aiyuk is most likely out for the season with what is believed to be a torn ACL. Jennings has three games this season with more than 60 receiving yards and two top-36 weekly WR finishes. Jennings has drawn an 18.9% target share and a 23.1% first-read share, with 2.91 yards per route run and five end-zone targets (per Fantasy Points Data). Jennings could be a weekly WR3/flex play moving forward.
Keon Coleman (BUF): 32% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SEA, MIA, @IND
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Coleman tied for the team lead in target share in Week 7 (21.2%) while leading the way with four receptions and 125 receiving yards. We’ll see if Amari Cooper‘s arrival continues to help or eventually hurts Coleman’s numbers for the rest of the season, but this was an encouraging first step. Coleman has wonderful matchups in two of his next three games against Seattle and Indy. Seattle has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data). Indy has given up the seventh-most receiving yards per game to outside wide receivers.
Ricky Pearsall (SF): 13% rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, BYE, @TB
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: In his first NFL regular-season action, Pearsall was pressed into action. Deebo Samuel was dealing with an unannounced illness and left the game after the first quarter. Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season with a horrific knee injury. Pearsall led the San Francisco wide receivers in snaps while drawing a 16.1% target share and finishing with 21 receiving yards. Brighter days are ahead for Pearsall. The team will need him and Jauan Jennings to step up for the rest of the season without Aiyuk. Investing in a first-round NFL Draft pick tied to one of the league’s best playcallers, who now has a need for pass game weapons? OK, sign me up.
Cedric Tillman (CLE): 0% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, LAC, BYE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Tillman exploded onto the fantasy scene this past week with a 23% target share, eight receptions and a team-leading 81 receiving yards. Someone has to step up consistently opposite David Njoku in this passing attack moving forward, right? That’s the hope with adding Tillman. The Cleveland passing game has been putrid for most of the season, with Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper leading the way. With a changing of the guard under center with Deshaun Watson out with an Achilles injury, Tillman could lead the charge if Cleveland also decides to flip the hierarchy of targets behind TE David Njoku. Tillman could build upon his Week 7 success with a Week 8 matchup against a Baltimore secondary that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jerry Jeudy (CLE): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, LAC, BYE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Entering Week 7, Jeudy was the WR59 in fantasy points per game, with three weeks as a WR3 (WR33, WR27, WR31) in weekly fantasy scoring. Last week’s 9.,6% target share, one reception and 18 receiving yards won’t help his season-long stats. Jeudy is a player to consider adding in deeper leagues. Will it make you fist pump once waivers are finalized for Week 8? Probably not, but there’s possible upside here if Jameis Winston or Dorian Thompson-Robinson can inject life into this passing game and offense. Jeudy and David Njoku should be the main cogs of the passing game most weeks.
Troy Franklin (DEN): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @BAL, @KC
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Last week might have been a stepping-stone game for Franklin. He had a 63.6% route share, a 23.1% target share and 2.38 yards per route run as a starter for Denver. The talented rookie fell in the NFL Draft, and it has been a slow burn this season for him to rise up the depth chart. Franklin’s next two matchups are quite wonderful. If he can take advantage of them, don’t be surprised if he is pushing Courtland Sutton for the team lead in targets down the stretch. Carolina has allowed the most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Baltimore has given up the third-most receiving yards per game to outside receivers.
Romeo Doubs (GB): 44% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, DET, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Well, it seems as if the squeaky wheel has been getting the grease. Since Doubs’ return from his one-game hiatus, he’s had 49 receiving yards and two scores in one outing and eight grabs for 94 yards in the Packers’ win over the Texans on Sunday. Some of this is simply related to coverage matchups. Doubs has been one of the team’s go-to players against single high. His next two matchups aren’t as kind. Across their last four games, Jacksonville and Detroit have utilized two high on 53.3% and 54.1%, respectively, of their defensive snaps (per Fantasy Points Data). Against two high, Doubs ranks fifth on the team in target per route run rate (19%) and has only 1.35 yards per route run. Don’t chase the last two weeks with heavy bids for Doubs. You’ll probably be disappointed if you do.
Jalen Tolbert (DAL): 20% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SF, @ATL, PHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Tolbert is the WR40 in fantasy points per game this season, with three WR3 or higher finishes (WR24, WR34, WR12). He has a 14.7% target share while ranking 22nd among wide receivers in deep targets. In the Cowboys’ pass-first offense, Tolbert is in the weekly mix for flex consideration until the injured Brandin Cooks returns to the lineup.
Stash Candidates:
Stash Mike Williams while you can. Yes, this is in hopes that he gets traded. I won’t go crazy with bids for him in any league, but if you can get access to this cheap lottery ticket with a $1 bid and have the bench space, I’d do it.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Tua Tagovailoa (MIA): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, @BUF, @LAR
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $13
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Like a desert oasis, a parched offense can finally quench its thirst with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa. Miami has been dead to rights without its concussed quarterback, dropping every skill player from top tier to unusable. Tua’s return to play is under close supervision by a team of doctors and neuroscientists. Mike McDaniel hopes his quarterback can provide a boost as substantial as the fall in his absence was precipitous.
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ): 50% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NE, HOU, @ARI
- True value: $6
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: I absolutely love Aaron Rodgers. He is a surefire Hall of Famer and now has the best array of weapons he has ever had. If Rodgers is available, this is a streaming quarterback for fantasy you might be able to carry through the rest of the season (except for the Week 12 bye). The Davante Adams trade changed the outlook dramatically, but it might have been Nathaniel Hackett’s ouster from playcalling that provided the most meaningful jolt.
Bo Nix (DEN): 13% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @BAL, @KC
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Believe it or not, my favorite quarterback to stream in Week 8 is Bo Nix. The Broncos have been a surprising success at 4-3, with Nix scoring an average of 19.3 fantasy points over his last three games. Denver’s home date with a rebuilding Carolina squad is a sparkling mismatch on both sides of the ball. Nix is more of a dual threat than given credit for and has grown leaps and bounds since his rocky start.
Jameis Winston (CLE): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, LAC, BYE
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Jameis Winston was mysteriously relegated to emergency duty behind Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday but was thrust into action after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles and DTR went down too. Cleveland’s offensive woes transcended Watson, but Winston provides a volatility we crave for fantasy football. Unfortunately, the Browns face an absolute gauntlet on the schedule through the fantasy playoffs. Adding Jameis would likely be a ceremonial transaction at best.
Justin Herbert (LAC): 46% rostered
- Next Opponents: NO, @CLE, TEN
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: When it comes to streaming quarterbacks in fantasy, situation matters more than talent. This flies in the face of conventional wisdom. There is no greater example than with Justin Herbert, who has been asked to do less than ever before under Jim Harbaugh. Herbert had a season-high 237 passing yards in Week 6, topping out at 13.68 fantasy points. The next three games offer a bleak picture for fantasy production, so have realistic expectations upon adding him.
Drake Maye (NE): 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, @TEN, @CHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Drake Maye‘s first two career games have been a boon for fantasy production. I’m afraid this will dupe fantasy managers into shelling out precious FAAB to acquire him. His next three games are all against elite pass defenses. This, combined with atrocious offensive line play, worries me if I have Maye on my roster. He has a bit of cowboy bravado to his game, but Maye will be sternly tested.
Russell Wilson (PIT): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, BYE, @WAS
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Let’s not get too excited about Wilson’ 24.9-point fantasy performance Sunday night against the Jets. It wasn’t quite as pretty as the stat sheet suggests. Wilson finished with 264 passing yards, two touchdown passes and no interceptions, but he completed only 55.2% of his passes and was boosted by a 1-yard TD run. Wilson was QB16 in fantasy points per game last year with the Broncos, and it’s probably best if we view him as no more than a midrange QB2 for fantasy purposes. Wilson no longer offers significant rushing upside (Sunday night’s TD plunge notwithstanding). The Steelers aren’t going to be pass-heavy with Arthur Smith calling the plays, and Pittsburgh’s pass catchers are below average. But Wilson does have a favorable stretch of schedule coming up. He gets the Giants in Week 8. Then, after a Week 9 bye, the Steelers face the Commanders and Ravens. Consider Wilson more of a patch at the QB position than a long-term solution.
Stash Candidates: none
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Hunter Henry (NE): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, @TEN, @CHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Over the last two games, with Drake Maye as the Patriots’ starter, Henry has had a 20% target share, averaging 5.5 receptions and 66.5 receiving yards. Those are TE1-worthy numbers no matter how you slice it. Whether he will continue that type of production for the rest of the season is up for debate, but New England has to get someone to step up in the passing attack as a dependable weapon for Maye, and Henry looks like the only player (so far) capable of doing so weekly.
Cade Otton (TB): 38% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, @KC, SF
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: From Week 3 to Week 6, Otton was TE12 in fantasy scoring with a 17.9% target share, 1.41 yards per route run and a 15.5% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). He is third on the team in red zone targets. Otton should build upon that production against Baltimore. He should remain on the fringe of the TE1 conversation for Week 8, but Week 9 is the real big thing to discuss here. If you have Pat Freiermuth or George Kittle on your team, Otton should be at the top of your streaming radar, and you should stash him this week. Otton faces Kansas City in Week 9, which has allowed the second-most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Colby Parkinson (LAR): 23% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIN, @SEA, MIA
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Parkinson is the ultimate matchup-based streamer. He’s had three games this season where he’s finished with at least four receptions and 33 receiving yards. Add a touchdown to that type of box score and you will have a TE1 for the week. That’s what we could be looking at in each of the next two weeks for Parkinson. Minnesota has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Seattle has been even worse, giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Noah Fant (SEA): 30% rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, LAR, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Fant is building some momentum, with three games of at least 60 receiving yards in his last five starts. He could be leaned on more in the coming weeks, depending on D.K. Metcalf‘s injury news. I wouldn’t look to stream Fant this week, but in Week 9, he has a glorious matchup. Los Angeles has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards and the most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Zach Ertz (WAS): 30% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @NYG, PIT
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Ertz has been in the streaming conversation all season long. He’s had four games this season with at least four grabs and 38 receiving yards. With Marcus Mariota under center in Week 7, Ertz converted five targets into four receptions, 40 receiving yards and his first score of the season. His next three matchups aren’t amazing, so Ertz is best left on the wire unless you’re desperate for a streaming option. Ertz is still a viable streamer, though, as essentially the WR2 this season for Washington.
Jonnu Smith (MIA): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, @BUF, @LAR
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: You might be wondering why Smith is so low on the priority list for tight ends this week. That’s because his production feels like a trap. Yes, he led the team with a 26.9% target share last week with seven grabs and 96 receiving yards. Do we think that’s sustainable weekly with Tua Tagovailoa returning? With Tagovailoa back, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will reclaim their top spots in the target pecking order. The tandem combined for four targets in Week 7. That won’t happen moving forward. Outside of Smith’s 27% target per route run rate last week, his role essentially didn’t change. He only played 49% of the snaps, and he’s hovered in the 40% area code in previous weeks. If you’re desperate for TE help, I understand adding Smith but don’t break the budget to do so. Also, keep your expectations in check moving forward.
Stash Candidates: none
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Los Angeles Chargers: 40% rostered
- Next Opponents: NO, @CLE, TEN
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The Chargers have delicious matchups coming up in each of the next three weeks, so spend a couple of extra bucks and spare yourself the trouble of having to find a new defense to stream in Weeks 8-9. First up: the Saints, who have struggled the last two weeks with starting QB Derek Carr out with an oblique injury. It’s possible Carr returns this week, in which case the Saints would be only an average matchup for an opposing defense. But if Carr is out again and either Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener gets the start, the Chargers will rank as one of the top fantasy defenses for Week 8. Then, the Chargers get a Week 9 date with the Browns, who in the wake of Deshaun Watson‘s season-ending injury will be quarterbacked by either the interception-prone Jameis Winston or the inexperienced Dorian Thompson-Robinson. And in Week 10, the Chargers draw a matchup with the Titans, who have committed 12 turnovers in their first six games and have been offensively inept. And by the way, the Chargers’ defense has been terrific, ranking third in DVOA and seventh in fantasy points per game going into Week 7.
Green Bay Packers: 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, DET, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Packers weren’t able to force a turnover against the Texans on Sunday, but Green Bay had forced a league-high 17 turnovers over its first six games. Green Bay did harass Texans QB C.J. Stroud relentlessly, sacking him four times and holding him to just 86 passing yards. The Packers get a favorable Week 8 matchup with the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
Houston Texans: 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: IND, @NYJ, DET
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: After intercepting Packers QB Jordan Love twice and sacking him thrice on Sunday, the Texans get a Week 8 matchup against struggling QB Anthony Richardson and the Colts. Richardson is completing only 48.5% of his passes and has thrown six interceptions in five games. The Houston defense has scored 21 fantasy points in its last two games.
Detroit Lions: 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @GB, @HOU
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: There’s no denying that the Detroit defense is less formidable now that it has lost DE Aidan Hutchinson to a leg injury. But the Lions still have some defensive playmakers, and they draw a Week 8 matchup with the hapless Tennessee offense. Entering Week 7, the Titans were giving up a league-high 14.4 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. The Titans have committed 12 turnovers in six games.
Stash Candidates: none
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Will Reichard (MIN): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, IND, @JAX
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Reichard remains perfect on kicks this season, nailing 12-of-12 field goals and 18-of-18 extra points. Four of those FGs have been 50 yards or longer, including a 57-yarder against the Lions on Sunday. Reichard has a friendly Week 8 matchup against the Rams and their leaky defense in kicker-friendly SoFi Stadium. Reichard also has playable matchups against the Colts and Jaguars in Weeks 8-9.
Will Lutz (DEN): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @BAL, @KC
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Lutz has a smash matchup this week against the Panthers, who have been hemorrhaging points to opponents. Carolina has given up 34, 36, 38 and 40 points over its last four games. Lutz is averaging 10.6 fantasy points per game this season despite being attached to a relatively limited Denver offense. Broncos head coach Sean Payton seems to appreciate the value of three points, so Lutz has already attempted 18 field goals, making 17 of them.
Austin Seibert (WSH): 46% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @NYG, PIT
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Seibert has been a scoring machine, making 19-of-20 field goals and 19-of-19 extra points in six games with the Commanders. He’s averaging 14 fantasy points per game, tops among kickers. The Commanders have a tough matchup against the Bears this week, but the bigger concern for potential Seibert buyers is the status of Washington QB Jayden Daniels, who left Sunday’s game against the Panthers after injuring his ribs. Check Daniels status before bidding on Seibert, because the kicker would become far less appealing if Marcus Mariota is quarterbacking the Commanders in Week 8.
Cairo Santos (CHI): 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WSH, @ARI, NE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: With their offense showing steady improvement, the Bears have rolled up 95 points over their last three games — albeit against the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars. Chicago gets a Week 8 matchup against the Commanders, who don’t exactly have an airtight defense. Santos is averaging 8.0 fantasy points per game, tying him for 21st in that category, but he was third in kicker scoring last season.
Jake Bates (DET): 34% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @GB, @HOU
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Bates has a good Week 8 matchup against the Titans, who were giving up 11.8 fantasy points per game to kicker going into Week 7. Bates is a perfect 10-of-10 on field goals this season and 20-of-21 on extra points. The biggest concern with using Bates as your kicker is that ultra-aggressive Lions head coach Dan Campbell often bypasses FG opportunities to go for it on fourth down.
Brandon McManus (GB): 8% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, DET, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Packers’ new kicker did a Lambeau Leap after his first field goal in Green Bay — a 45-yard game-winner against the Texans on the final play of the game. McManus is tied to a good offense and has an appealing Week 8 matchup against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
Stash Candidates: none
FOOL’S GOLD
Cedrick Wilson had six catches for 57 yards and a touchdown for the Saints last Thursday in their ugly 33-10 loss to the Broncos, but don’t spend your FAAB money on him. Wilson played fewer snaps and ran fewer routes than teammates Bub Means and Mason Tipton. The Saints are also likely to get Chris Olave back from a concussion this week, and Olave is destined to be a target hog for New Orleans the rest of the way.
JaMycal Hasty scored the first touchdown of the game for the Patriots on Sunday in their 32-16 loss to the Jaguars in London. But Hasty played only 33% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps, and that percentage probably would have been lower if not for Antonio Gibson sustaining a knee injury early in the game. Gibson’s injury was minor enough that he was able to return to the game. Hasty isn’t worth adding.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Ty Chandler
- Jerome Ford
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Calvin Ridley
- Trey Sermon
- Rashid Shaheed
- Deshaun Watson
- Zamir White
Brandon Aiyuk is believed to have torn his ACL Sunday against the Chiefs and is almost certainly out for the rest of the season.
A lot of fantasy managers picked up Ty Chandler last week after Aaron Jones sustained a hamstring injury in Week 5. The Vikings’ Week 6 bye apparently gave Jones ample recovery time, and he dominated snaps and touches in the Vikings’ backfield Sunday. There’s no need to hold Chandler.
Jerome Ford missed the Browns’ Week 7 game with a hamstring injury and probably won’t have a significant role whenever he comes back. Nick Chubb returned to action for the Browns on Sunday after being out more than a year with a leg injury that seemed career-threatening at the time. Chubb played fewer snaps than Browns RB Pierre Strong in Week 7 but had a team-high 11 carries and had a short touchdown run. Chubb is going to be Cleveland’s primary early-down back going forward, leaving Ford as a complementary role player at best.
The Titans’ passing game has been abysmal this season whether it’s been Will Levis or Mason Rudolph at quarterback. Go ahead and cut DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley. You won’t miss either of them. Ridley drew a team-high nine targets on Sunday and finished with three catches for 42 yards on Sunday. It was actually his most productive game since Week 2. Hopkins had one target on Sunday and caught it for a 2-yard loss. He entered Week 6 as WR73 in half-point PPR scoring. So long, my Tennessee friends.
Trey Sermon began the season at Jonathan Taylor‘s primary backup in Indianapolis and got the chance to fill in as the starter when Taylor went down with an ankle injury. But Sermon has been outplayed by Tyler Goodson and may have just lost his status as the No. 2 man in the Colts’ backfield. Taylor has a chance to come back in Week 8, so there’s no sense holding Sermon.
Rashid Shaheed was looking like a steal for anyone who drafted him this summer, but alas, Shaheed tore his meniscus and will miss the rest of the season.
Deshaun Watson‘s nightmare season culminated in a torn Achilles. His season is done, and you’d have to think his career is in jeopardy based on how poorly he played this season before the injury.
Zamir White has lost his starting job to Alexander Mattison. White was returning from a groin injury on Sunday, which may have had something to do with his minimal usage. He played only 11 of the Raiders’ 79 offensive snaps, according to PFF’s Nate Jahnke. Mattison, on the other hand, played 55 snaps and had 23 carries for 92 yards. Perhaps White will play more snaps in the weeks to come, but it’s clear he’s lost his starting job to Mattison.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin benched Justin Fields in Week 7 and gave Russell Wilson his first start of the season. Fields wasn’t bad in his six starts for Pittsburgh, but he didn’t do enough to claim the job permanently. Wilson is in the decline phase of his career, so it’s possible Fields gets another shot at some point, but it’s not worth waiting for that to happen.
Christian Kirk has had nine targets, four catches and 63 yards In the two games since Jaguars TE Evan Engram returned from a hamstring injury. Rookie Brian Thomas is a blossoming star who has become the clear No. 1 receiver in Jacksonville, and Gabe Davis is in the mix, too. Kirk is a quality receiver, but his diminished role has sent his fantasy stock tumbling. There are probably better ways to fill a roster spot.
Chase Brown only out-snapped Zack Moss 31-27 on Sunday, but Brown out-touched Moss 17-9. Over his last three games, Moss has 21 carries for 44 yards. Brown has clearly been the better back for the Bengals this season. Don’t feel compelled to hold Moss.
Don’t drop yet:
Some people will be furious to see Richardson on this list, and a lot of his investors can’t wait to replace him this week. Ideally, you can keep Richardson on your bench for the next three weeks and use someone else at quarterback while Richardson deals with tough matchups against the Vikings, Bills and Jets. There’s no getting around how bad Richardson has been as a passer so far this season. The immense rushing upside remains, however, and Colts head coach Shane Steichen did a terrific job of developing Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts in past coaching stops. No doubt many of you will ignore the recommendation to hold Richardson. We get it. But don’t be surprised if he has some big games before the season is over.
We’re this close to recommending that you drop Devin Singletary. Tyrone Tracy was superb for the Giants in Weeks 5-6 while Singletary was out with a groin injury, and Tracy out-snapped Singletary 39-12 Sunday in the Giants’ 28-3 loss to the Eagles. Tracy has most likely stolen Singletary’s lead RB role, but it’s possible the Giants wanted to manage Singletary’s snaps in his first game back from a soft-tissue injury. Give it one more week before you ditch Singletary.
Curiously, Cortland Sutton didn’t draw a single target in the Broncos’ 33-10 win over the Saints last Thursday. But Sutton entered Week 7 ranked WR36 in half-point PPR scoring. The limitations of the Denver passing game cap Sutton’s upside, but he’s still a useful asset.