Welcome to the Fantrax Week 8 FAAB Guide! With another thrilling week officially in the books, we’re eager for an exciting new slate of games in the National Football League. But from the aftermath of last week’s games, there is a new batch of readily available players that could provide a much-needed boost to your roster. But which one(s) should you grab? Are they starters that you can rely on for the rest of season (ROS), or just another batch of one-hit wonders? This weekly Fantrax FAAB Guide will help you with these decisions and serves as a resource on how to manage your FAAB, i.e. Free Agent Acquisition Budget.
Each week, I’ll outline available players (with <70% Fantrax availability) that should be picked up and my recommendations on how much of your FAAB should be used on your bids for them. If you don’t see a popular name mentioned below, then they are likely already rostered on over 70% of Fantrax leagues (e.g. Chase Edmonds, Giovani Bernard, Brandon Aiyuk, etc.). If your league utilizes standard waiver claims instead of the FAAB system, then you can still use these recommendations to prioritize your waiver claims. Also, make sure to catch our weekly Waiver Wire report as well.
Since each Fantasy Football league’s format is different, I will suggest bid amounts by percentage rather than dollar amount. Also, since each league is different, use this guide as general advice but apply it with your knowledge of your own league mates. For example, if you want to bid on Carlos Hyde but your league is full of Seahawks fans, then you should probably bid higher than suggested below.
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Week 8 FAAB Guide
QUARTERBACKS
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (68% rostered in Fantrax Leagues)
Hope you read last week’s FAAB Guide where I suggested snatching first-round draft pick Tua Tagovailoa for peanuts, especially in 2QB or SuperFlex leagues. The Dolphins were on bye last week, but they kept their names in the news with the announcement that the bearded (and successful) QB Ryan Fitzpatrick would be benched for Tagovailoa. It’s officially Tua time. While we can’t expect immediate results, Tagovailoa is an intriguing stash that may pay off thanks to his accuracy, mobility, and Miami’s offensive resurgence.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 3% in regular leagues, 15-20% in 2QB or SF leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (46% rostered)
Backup RBs are demonstrably valuable in Fantasy Football, especially in 2020 where we had a truncated offseason, no preseason games, and an ongoing pandemic. Journeyman rusher Carlos Hyde proved this yet again when he came in relief for lead back Chris Carson in a rollercoaster SNF loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He carried the rock 15 times for 68 yards and a TD and caught three passes for eight yards. Carson is week-to-week with a sprained foot, and will likely miss next week’s battle against the 49ers. If he’s confirmed out, then Hyde is poised for a lead role in a red-hot offense under Masterchef Russell Wilson. The only concern is that he also suffered a hamstring injury. Though he’s expected to play, there is always a chance he’s limited or downright inactive. But IF Carson is out AND Hyde is in, then he’ll be an RB2 this week with TD upside. It’s worth spending some FAAB bucks for a part of this lucrative offense.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 17-20%
Carlos Hyde with the footwork to stay in bounds for the #Seahawks TD! @elguapo
📺: #SEAvsAZ on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/FSTZl0ocgC pic.twitter.com/IgnR9wWP8V— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2020
JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers (42% rostered)
Opportunity is king, and no one presents opportunity like a backup RB that is thrust in a starring role for a prolific offense. Such is the case for undrafted rookie JaMycal Hasty, who rushed nine times for 57 yards plus a 16-yard catch in a blowout win against the Patriots. His usage shot up after Jeff Wilson hurt his ankle. Wilson, by the way, led ALL other RBs in fantasy points this week despite not finishing the game. Meanwhile, Jerick McKinnon continues to be ignored and forgotten. With Wilson now in IR, Hasty will have an amazing opportunity in front of him as the lead back in a Kyle Shanahan offense. There are legitimate concerns that McKinnon may siphon touches and that Tevin Coleman may return. But unless we hear otherwise, Hasty remains one of this week’s top waiver candidates.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 10%
WIDE RECEIVERS
Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles (62% rostered)
How much longer is he going to be disrespected? We need to accept the fact that Travis Fulgham is a reliable fantasy option. Leading into last week, Fulgham was the overall No. 2 fantasy WR in the weeks he’s started. If you didn’t grab him last week, this may officially be your last chance. Though his usage will be worrisome once the first-string receivers reenter the field, Fulgham deserves a full-time role as Carson Wentz’s trustworthy target and should continue to provide a decent floor for fantasy managers until proven otherwise.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 12%
Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns (6% rostered)
Backups aren’t just valuable for running backs. They can also be relevant for wide receivers. During their barnburner win against the Bengals, Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. suffered an ACL tear and is officially out for the season. When he left the game early, fifth-year wideout Rashard Higgins subbed in and certainly made his case as OBJ’s replacement. He caught all six targets for an impressive 110 yards. His receiving yards actually led the team, which is notable considering it was a shootout in Ohio where Baker Mayfield threw for nearly 300 yards and FIVE TDs. Though he also benefitted from TE Austin Hooper’s absence, Higgins does have an established rapport with Mayfield and could continue to see valuable usage. Cleveland won’t always find themselves in these high-scoring firefights, but Higgins may have earned himself a stable role under Mayfield and could be a viable WR3 for ROS.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 10-12%
📽 Baker Mayfield trouve Rashard Higgins pour 30 Yards ! #Browns pic.twitter.com/bJJ69KaBRn
— NFL France (@NFLFrance) October 25, 2020
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles (64% rostered)
As much as I love what Fulgham has done with his opportunity, it also serves as a reminder of how valuable it is to be the top receiving option for a team like the Eagles. In a world where perennial practice-squad receiver Travis Fulgham is a fantasy WR1, someone like first-rounder Jalen Reagor should be a hot lottery ticket that will more than likely pay off when he returns from IR. He’s already designated to return from IR and could play as soon as this week in an opportune spot against the Cowboys charitable defense. Reagor’s big-play potential is off the charts, making him a worthy stash candidate who could explode at any moment.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 10%
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills (7% rostered)
This is admittedly a reach, but for those in deep leagues with barren waiver wires should look into Bills WR Gabriel Davis. He entered last week’s contest against the Jets in replacement of injured WR John Brown. Though his stat sheet was abysmal with just one reception from three targets for 11 yards, this was the second week where he had a clear TD taken away. If Brown is inactive again, then Davis is a great dart-throw option for those debilitated by injuries and bye weeks.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 1-2%
TIGHT ENDS
Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts (25% rostered)
Colts TE Trey Burton has been a consistently reliable player who is widely available after returning from his bye week. Since becoming active in Week 4, Burton is the overall TE6. To repeat what I wrote last week, “It’s clear he’s the lead pass-catching TE for the offense. It’s also clear that Rivers still loves his TEs. Burton has earned a serious bid for those frustrated with streaming the position.” Nothing has changed with him since the bye. I’m not worried about fellow TE Jack Doyle, nor am I concerned about Mo Alie-Cox’s impending return, though I’m sure they could have bigger impacts than I anticipate. In any case, I am personally targeting Burton in all leagues where I don’t have a standout stud like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Darren Waller, etc. I’d advise you to do the same.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 5-7%
Richard Rodgers, Philadelphia Eagles (10% rostered)
It’s no secret that the Eagles’ offense has been absolutely decimated with injuries. The TEs have been hit especially hard after “1A” TE Zach Ertz was placed on IR, joining “1B” TE Dallas Goedert. That left third-string Richard Rodgers to soak up all the remaining juicy targets, which he did when he caught six of eight targets for 85 yards against the Giants on TNF. With both leading TEs expected out for the next coming weeks, Rodgers will see enough targets for fantasy prominence in a desolate TE landscape. For those in need of immediate TE assistance, Rodgers is a great option that may not necessarily win you your matchup, but shouldn’t lose it for you either.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 5%
A play that helped set up that TD to Scott was this 30-yard completion to TE Richard Rodgers.
The concept? Dagger. Perfect call against Cover 2, which the #Giants are running
BUT – great blitz call by NYG; the pressure beats the protection. Wentz creates and makes the play pic.twitter.com/YW0dEhyTiw
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) October 23, 2020
Harrison Bryant, Cleveland Browns (15% rostered)
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Week 7’s top fantasy TE, fourth-round rookie Harrison Bryant. He secured four of five targets for 56 yards and two TDs against the Bengals. To be fair, he benefitted from a surprise shootout in Ohio, along with injuries to lead TE Austin Hooper and superstar WR Odell Beckham Jr. But IF Hooper remains inactive, then Bryant could continue to see fantasy prominence as Baker Mayfield’s red zone target, especially with goal-line back Nick Chubb inactive. Though once Hooper is back, Bryant will be relegated to fantasy obsolescence with the likes of Anthony Firkser. It doesn’t help that flameout TE David Njoku is still around. There aren’t many options for TEs, so Bryant is just a temporary yet promising addition to your lineups.
Recommended Week 8 FAAB Bids: 3-5%
If you enjoyed Peter’s Week 8 FAAB Guide, make sure to check Corbin Young’s Week 8 Waiver Wire for more help in optimizing your lineups.
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