The Wire - Week 8

By Levi Ellis

Two months ago many would have thought the NFL season would be cancelled or cut short but here we are at the midway point in the season. For most leagues the fantasy playoffs start in week 14 which means you are 7 games in and 7 games to go before the playoffs begin. The waiver wire is more important than ever if you want to compete for a championship. In fact the waiver wire is what separates the contenders from the pretenders during the season. It’s up to you on which category you fall into. We here at DynastyProsFootball.com want to make sure you fall into the “contender” category. Check out our weekly article and podcast titled “The Wire” for all the info you need to manage your weekly waivers.

Running Backs

Chase Edmonds - 5 carries, 58 yards, 7 targets, 7 catches, 87 yards - As if Edmonds wasn’t already a must own he especially is now with the Drake injury. He has played well all season and now will have the volume to make him an every week must start (as long as Drake is out). It’s time to unload your FAAB for this guy but beware, the Cardinals are on bye in week 8 however they do have a very enticing matchup against the Dolphins in week 9. 75% of your remaining FAAB.

Jamycal Hasty - 9 carries, 57 yards, 1 target, 1 catch, 16 yards - If Wilson does miss time then Hasty is most likely the leading ball carrier and that means something in the 49er offense. Keep an eye on Wilson’s status this week as he is likely to miss some time with a high ankle sprain. 15% of your remaining FAAB.

Carlos Hyde - 15 carries, 68 yards, 1 td, 4 targets, 3 catches 8 yards - Depending on Carson’s injury Hyde could be a very valuable piece moving forward. He played well Sunday night and it’s clear he is the back to own in this offense if Carson is out. 50% of your remaining FAAB if Carson is scheduled to miss multiple weeks.

Giovani Bernard - 13 carries, 37 yards, 5 targets, 5 catches, 59 yards, 1 td - Mixon is week to week meaning Bernard could get another start next week against the Titans. 10% of your remaining FAAB.

Jamal Williams - 19 carries, 77 yards, 1 td, 5 targets, 4 catches, 37 yards - Aaron Jones was out for this game and Williams took full advantage of the opportunity and he didn’t disappoint. If Jones misses any other games coming up Williams is a great spot starter and at times has shown stand alone value with his work in the passing game. RB is always a thin position during the season due to injuries and bye weeks so keep an eye on Williams. 15% of your remaining FAAB.

Zack Moss - 7 carries, 47 yards, 3 targets, 3 catches, 25 yards - Moss is a guy that I still have a lot of faith in. I fully expect him to impress the rest of the season as long as he can stay healthy. 10% of your remaining FAAB.

La’Mical Perine - 11 carries, 39 yards, 1 td, 3 targets, 2 catches, 16 yards - Someone has to touch the ball in New York and he’s a much better option than Frank Gore. 5% of your remaining FAAB.

Wayne Gallman - 10 carries, 34 yards, 1 td, 5 targets, 5 catches, 20 yards - If Devonta Freeman misses time it will be Gallman’s show however the Giants play the Bucs in week 8 and you will not want any part of that matchup. If Freeman misses multiple weeks then Gallman could be a decent spot starter. Minimum bid only.

Wide Receivers

Scotty Miller - 9 targets, 6 catches, 109 yards, 1 td - This guy just won’t go away. When he’s healthy he’s productive, the only issue has been staying healthy. Just keep in mind that the Bucs just signed Antonio Brown and he’s eligible to play in week 9 and will likely be ready to go immediately so Miller’s looks will go down barring any new injuries to the other receivers. 10% of your remaining FAAB.

Christian Kirk - 8 targets, 5 catches, 37 yards, 2 tds - If you are lucky enough to find Kirk is still available in your league you must go get him. He has established himself as a playmaker in this offense with back to back weeks with 2 tds. Only problem is the Cardinals are on bye in week 8. 25% of your remaining FAAB.

Sterling Shepard - 8 targets, 6 catches, 59 yards, 1 td - Shepard was dropped weeks ago in many leagues due to an injury but he was back this week and looked like the #1 WR in this offense. 25% of your remaining FAAB.

Marvin Jones - 6 targets, 5 catches, 80 yards - Breaking News: Marvin Jones still plays in the NFL. He finally showed up on the stat sheet this week but your guess is as good as mine on when to start him. We are still waiting for his annual 3 td game though so maybe it can happen on a week you start him. 5% of your remaining FAAB.

Rashard Higgins - 6 targets, 6 catches, 110 yards - Higgins was very involved after OBJ left with a knee injury. Expect more of this to come. 10% of your remaining FAAB.

Randall Cobb - 10 targets, 8 catches, 95 yards - The Texans will be playing from behind a lot so there will always be opportunities for Cobb to produce. Also see further down below for more reasons on why Cobb could be a great addition. 5% of your remaining FAAB.

Cole Beasley - 12 targets, 11 catches, 112 yards - Beasley is one of those quiet WRs that consistently produce and every once in a while they have a big game. I don’t know if Beasley will have another game like this the rest of the season but it’s important to keep in mind that he is capable of having games like this. 10% of your remaining FAAB.

Nelson Agholor - 9 targets, 5 catches, 107 yards, 1 td - Agholor’s reemergence has been surprising to see but the Raiders keep involving this guy and he keeps producing. 5% of your remaining FAAB.

Denzel Mims - 7 targets, 4 catches, 42 yards - Mims is finally healthy and we can see that the Jets plan to use him. I’m not advocating for owning any Jets this year but numerous rookie WRs have produced this year so it is possible that Mims could join that group. 5% of your remaining FAAB.

Donovan Peoples-Jones - 3 targets, 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 td - I don’t expect Peoples-Jones to have a consistent role in the offense but crazier things have happened and in a year with so many injuries he’s worth a consideration especially if your league awards points for return yardage. Minimum bid only.

Marquez Callaway - 10 targets, 8 catches, 75 yards & Deonte Harris - 5 targets, 4 catches, 46 yards, 1 td - Callaway and Harris were both very involved in the offense this week but both Thomas and Sanders were out. If either or both miss another game then take a look at Callaway or Harris as a spot starter. Minimum bids only.

Larry Fitzgerald - 8 targets, 8 catches, 62 yards - Fitz still has it. At this point he’s a player you want to target on weeks that have shootout potential. I would stay away from him in all other weeks because there’s only one ball to go around and a lot of playmakers in this offense and keep in mind the Cardinals are on bye in week 8. Minimum bid only.

Jalen Guyton - 3 targets, 2 catches, 84 yards, 1 td - Guyton isn’t anything more than a vertical stretch the field receiver but he’s pretty darn good at it. Minimum bid only.

Allen Lazard - He should be back from injury soon and when he is he will step back into the #2 role in the passing game.

All Texans WRs - Keep an eye on any trades that may be made this week as there are numerous rumors that the Texans will be sellers at the deadline (November 3rd) and their WRs keep coming up in the rumors. If any of their WRs are moved it will open up opportunities for the other guys. Players to watch for increased opportunities are Cobb, Stills and Coulter (rookie on IR). Minimum bids only.

Tight Ends

Harrison Bryant - 5 targets, 4 catches, 56 yards, 2 tds - We don’t know how long Austin Hooper will be out but we do know that while he is Harrison Bryant will be involved in the offense. The Browns love to use the play action and the TEs appear to be the major benefactors when doing so. Factor in that OBJ may be out for an extended period of time and Bryant may have a role in the offense moving forward. 10% of your remaining FAAB if Hooper misses more time.

Rob Gronkowski - 8 targets, 5 catches, 62 yards, 1 td - Gronk may not be available in your league but if he is it’s time to go get this guy after back to back week’s with high target volume and a td. 15% of your remaining FAAB.

Richard Rodgers - 8 targets, 6 catches, 85 yards - With both Ertz and Goedert out as well as numerous WRs Rodgers had himself a game. You could definitely do worse at TE this year so he is worth a gamble. 5% of your remaining FAAB.

David Njoku - 3 targets, 2 catches, 20 yards, 1 td - Njoku has performed well on limited opportunities and there still is a possibility that he gets traded to a better situation with more playing time. 5% of your remaining FAAB.

Drew Sample - 6 targets, 5 catches, 52 yards - I know, I know, we’ve been down this road before with Sample but tight end has been such a crap shoot this year he could be worth the gamble in an offense that mostly plays from behind. Minimum bid only.

Albert Okwuegbunam - 7 targets, 7 catches, 60 yards - The Broncos are searching for playmakers right now and last week’s game was a shootout. Albert O is a huge gamble if you place him in your starting lineup but remember he was a college teammate with Drew Lock so the chemistry is already there and that could prove to be very impactful moving forward. Minimum bid only.

Eric Ebron - 8 targets, 6 catches, 50 yards - Am I the only one that feels like Ebron is on a rotation of one productive week and one disappointing week? His season has seemed like a roller coaster to this point and if the trend continues you may want to wait until week 9 to start him (Ravens in week 8 and Cowboys in week9). Minimum bid only.

Players to Drop

All Patriots not named Cam Newton, Gardner Minshew, Andy Dalton, Kenyan Drake (injury dependent), Jerry Jeudy (pains me to say this but if you need a roster spot you can do it), Henry Ruggs (boom or bust player), Jeff Wilson (injury dependent), OBJ (injury dependent), James Washington (the forgotten man with all other WRs healthy), John Brown (injury dependent), Devonta Freeman (injury dependent), Boston Scott (if Miles Sanders is healthy), Desean Jackson (injured), Zach Ertz (injured), TY Hilton, Golden Tate (unless he gets traded), Daniel Jones (in one QB leagues) and Sam Darnold (in one QB leagues)

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