Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver Advice

The waiver period of Week 8 may be over but that does not mean you still can’t make moves to improve your roster before Thursday night’s game.  While many big names were likely claimed on Wednesday let’s take a look at some players who might still be floating around the waiver wire that you should grab.

Quarterback

Josh McCown, CLE- The quarterback position for the Browns has been a revolving door this season due to injury but it appears that Josh McCown’s shoulder is finally healthy enough for him to suit up in Week 8 against a bad Jets secondary.  McCown is the best quarterback on the Browns roster and should boost the value of pass catchers Terrell Pryor and Gary Barnidge.  Given all the teams that are on byes this week McCown could have the most upside of any quarterback sitting on the waiver wire.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ- The waiver wire is never really the place you want to go for a bye week replacement as a player like Ryan Fitzpatrick might be the best available option.  Fitzy has been awful this season and was even just benched for Geno Smith of all people but Smith was injured in Week 7 and Fitzpatrick is getting the call in Week 8 against a Browns defense that has been very susceptible to the pass this season.  Fitzpatrick played in Week 7 after Smith got hurt and actually played fairly well so maybe he is now motivated to prove the doubters wrong.  Either way given the matchup and the likelihood that he is sitting in free agency he may be your best bet for a bye week replacement in Week 8.

Running Back

Chris Thompson, WSH- With news that Matt Jones is questionable to play in Week 8 with a knee injury fantasy owners should be looking to grab Thompson off the waiver wire.  Thompson is the Redskins receiving back but also carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards against the Lions in Week 7.  In Week 8 the Redskins will face a Bengals defense that is allowing the 11th most fantasy points to opposing running backs and with Thompson being owned in just 15 percent of standard leagues it seems likely he is sitting on the wire.

Knile Davis, GB- Davis was a popular add heading into Week 7 after he was acquired by the Packers but he saw just two carries against the Bears as he just did not know the playbook enough to see more action than that.  Heading into Week 8 head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that Davis would be more involved in the game plan after getting more acclimated to the playbook which bodes well for his value as the Packers face a Falcons defense that is allowing the sixth most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.  Davis is owned in just 45 percent of standard leagues so check the waiver wire if you need help at running back and see if Davis is still sitting there.

Wide Receiver

Donte Moncrief, IND– Moncrief is expected to play in Week 8 against the Chiefs after missing five weeks due to a shoulder injury.  He is currently available in over 50 percent of standard leagues but is a must own now that he is 100 percent healthy as the Colts passing attack is rolling right now with TY Hilton and Jack Doyle as Andrew Luck’s primary targets.  The Chiefs are allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season which makes Moncrief worthy of starting right away.  

Cole Beasley, DAL– Dez Bryant is expected to return in Week 8 which should shift the defensive focus on stopping him but Beasley is still going to be Dak Prescott’s safety valve and thus stabilize his overall fantasy value, especially in PPR formats where he is averaging nearly six targets a game.  The Eagles defense has been solid this year but the Cowboys are coming out of the bye and Prescott should be able to throw on this defense.

Adam Thielen, MIN- Thielen has been flying under the radar for the most part this season but he is averaging nearly five targets a game while acting as the Vikings deep threat and secondary option to Stefon Diggs.  Thielen is a high risk play but the Vikings could be without Jerick McKinnon and are up against a Bears defense that is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season so the possibility for a big game is there.

Tight End

Cameron Brate, TB–The Buccaneers are starved for a secondary receiving option and Brate looks like a relatively safe play in Week 8 against a Raiders defense that is allowing the seventh most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.  On the year Brate has caught 20-of-31 targets for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

Antonio Gates, SD– The emergence of Hunter Henry saw some owners cut bait on Gates but with Henry getting injured in Week 7 against the Falcons Rivers targeted Gates 10 times which he turned into five catches for 38 yards.  Rivers loves his tight ends and if Henry is unable to play then Gates figures to see a decent number of targets against the Broncos in Week 8.