I find that this is the time of year when a late-week waiver addition can help you win your league. You make the addition before Sunday’s games are played and beat your league to the player everyone else may want or need the next week.
Adding the right players to your roster off the waiver wire is like getting infinity stones for your own little gauntlet of power. Each brings different powers to the table; the right mix can help you cancel out half your league and bring balance to your fantasy football universe. This week we will work on adding the right stones BEFORE the games are played. Then you will snap your fingers like Thanos on Monday and watch half your league mates disappear as competition before your eyes.
Now let’s get to it. This column refers to players rostered in under 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and Sleeper Leagues.
Week 8 Weekend Waiver Wire Watch
Quarterbacks
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
He had his best game of the season in Week 6. Carr threw for 353 yards and a TD against the Texans. Carr followed that up with 301 yards and a TD against the Jaguars in Week 7. He has a great complement of pass catchers, Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara to name a few. The next 5 games are against teams that do not defend the pass well at all. The rest of the season schedule is easy. If you need a QB this guy will get you some not-so-sexy floor play for these next 5 games. Any floor play is good floor play.
35% rostered on Yahoo
19% rostered on ESPN
36% rostered on Sleeper
Other quarterbacks to consider if you are desperate:
- Kyler Murray of the Cardinals is 53% rostered on Yahoo. When he pops back into the lineup, he will be the starter and has a nice schedule for the rest of the season. If he is out there and you have an open bench slot he is worth the addition.
Running Backs
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
Henderson went from out of the league to 61 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 7 in a matter of days. He is splitting time with Royce Freeman but who cares? Henderson is the RB to add from the Rams backfield while Kyren Williams is on IR.
38% rostered on Yahoo
51% on ESPN
55% on Sleeper
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
The Titans were on a bye in Week 7. In Week 5 Spears had 7 carries 34 yards TD. He also had 4 receptions for 35 yards. Spears followed this up in Week 6 with 4 carries for 15 yards and 1 reception for 48 yards. Spears has been splitting time evenly with Derrick Henry all year. From Week 12 through Week 17 this is the easiest run schedule out there.
48% rostered on Yahoo
34% on ESPN
56% on Sleeper
Other running backs to consider if you are desperate:
- Emari Demercado of the Arizona Cardinals went from a primary waiver add to a guy on the bench to once again being someone you may need to play. This is an “if you are really desperate” case. Demercado will probably get most of the touches at running back for the Cardinals. I miss James Conner so much.
Wide Receivers
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
11 targets, 10 receptions and 89 yards in Week 6 will most certainly get a player noticed. Bourne then followed this up with 7 targets which he turned into 6 catches 63 yards and a touchdown in week 7. Kendrick is born again in New England. I Would add him if I was WR needy. The Bourne identity is that of the Patriots WR1.
42% rostered on Yahoo
32% on ESPN
53% on Sleeper
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
Samuel is tied for second on the team in targets. He is also tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. Curtis Samuel is super reliable, catching 80% of his targets. If you need some help at wide receiver Samuel is someone you can plug into your lineup at a flex spot and feel good about it.
49% rostered on Yahoo
46% on ESPN
60% on Sleeper
Other wide receivers to consider:
- Demario Douglas of the New England Patriots is only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues. Douglas had 74 total yards from scrimmage in Week 7. That was produced on 1 carry for 20 yards. 6 targets, 4 receptions, and 54 yards. Bring some “Pop” to your lineup with Douglas the way the Patriots have.
- Jake Bobo from the Seahawks is a player you may want to pay attention to as well. Bobo is available everywhere at 1% rostered on Yahoo. He only saw 5 targets in Week 7 but he makes the most out of his touches with 4 receptions for 61 yards and a TD. Plus, if you don’t want to have a guy named Bobo on your roster we can’t be friends.
Tight Ends
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
In Week 7 Hill rushed 5 times for 18 yards and a touchdown. He also had 5 targets for 4 receptions and 50 yards. The Saints offense looked better with him on the field, especially in the red zone. Tight End is a messy position, and this guy can give you an advantage there. I absolutely love how much so many people hate this guy.
39% rostered on Yahoo
14% on ESPN
44% on Sleeper
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
McBride is the new starting tight end for the Arizona Cardinals as Zach Ertz is now on Injured Reserve. Ertz was third on the Cardinals in target share and second in receptions. Ertz was seeing a 19% target share while McBride had a 9% target share prior to the Ertz injury. We can easily see McBride going over 20% target share in this offense. McBride is out here singing a classic to you and not many people seem to care. “Honey, I’m free, take a chance on me”
15% rostered on Yahoo
5% on ESPN
23% on Sleeper
Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty