Welcome to the Week 8 waiver wire, where I will be highlighting players that are available in less than 50-percent of leagues. These are the players you want to get on your team. There are mentions of radar guys as well. You shouldn’t pull the trigger now, but keep an eye on them. Percentages are based on ESPN leagues.
Week 8 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz, IND (22.1-percent)
Carson Wentz has been steadily improving each week and looking more comfortable in the Colts offense. In the rainstorm against the 49ers, Wentz threw for two touchdowns and 223-yards with zero interceptions. Overall, Wentz is the QB17 on the season. Also, the Colts play the Titans next week, who is the 27th worst against the pass.
Trevor Lawrence, JAX (35.2-percent)
Following the Week 7 Bye, Trevor Lawrence will be available for the remainder of the season. The Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9, who rank 18th against the pass. Although Lawrence is the QB23 on the season, he’s shown flashes with two QB1 performances.
Others:
Jameis Winston (NO), Daniel Jones (NYG), Teddy Bridgewater (DEN), Deshaun Watson (HOU), Trey Lance (SF)
Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs
Kenny Gainwell, PHI (26.3-percent)
Kenneth Gainwell saw his highest snap percentage of the season when Miles Sanders went down with an injury during Week 7. Gainwell caught a 13-yard TD on Philadelphia’s first drive and finished with 71 total yards, including a score on ten touches. Fellow running back Boston Scott also shared time with Gainwell registering eight touches for 29-yards and a touchdown. Gainwell is the RB29 on the season and faces the Lions, who are 20th worst in fantasy points allowed (23.9) and have allowed a 12.45 (No. 28) DOCE Score to opposing pass-catching backs.
Brandon Bolden, NE (5.5-percent)
Brandon Bolden has been the receiving back for the Patriots since James White went out with injury. Bolden caught six passes for 79-yards and a touchdown on seven targets. Although Bolden doesn’t see the same volume as White, his role is secure each week. The Patriots will play the Chargers next week. Los Angeles rank tied for tenth toughest in allowing pass receptions to running backs.
Peyton Barber, IND (2.5-percent)
Peyton Barber is useful when Josh Jacobs goes down. Jacobs left Week 7 with a chest injury. Barber’s role will ride on the significance of how long Jacobs will be out, if at all. Raiders have a Week 8 bye, and Kenyan Drake could also be used more, but stashing Barber could pay off.
Others:
Boston Scott (PHI), Marlon Mack (IND), JaMycal Hasty (SF), Devonta Freeman (BAL), Le’Veon Bell (BAL), Rashaad Penny (SEA)
Week 8 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Rashod Bateman, BAL (19-percent)
Rashod Bateman had a solid Week 6 performance and continued to ramp up in Week 7 by catching three balls for 80-yards on six targets. Bateman is getting the targets with Sammy Watkins out with injury. Also, he will continue to be the third option in getting looks behind Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews. Keep in mind Bateman is a stash as the Ravens have a bye next week.
Tim Patrick, DEN (41.5-percent)
Tim Patrick has been stellar since the injury to Jerry Jeudy outside of the Week 7 disappearance. Jeudy may return to Week 8, but Patrick has shown he deserves a role in this offense. However, Patrick could see a dramatic decrease in targets. Regardless, he deserves a stash until further notice. The Broncos play the Football Team next week, who are 31st against stopping wide receivers, and Patrick is the WR35 on the season.
Others:
TY Hilton (IND), Tre’Quan Smith (NO), Marquez Callaway (NO), Kalif Raymond (DET), Darius Slayton (NYG), Allen Lazard (GB), Russell Gage (ATL)
Week 8 Waiver Wire Tight Ends
CJ Uzomah, CIN (10.1-percent)
CJ Uzomah continued to be a massive weapon for the Bengals passing game. Uzomah caught all three of his targets for 91-yards and two touchdowns. He is primarily a blob-guy but on the upper scale of that mess. Next week, the Bengals face the Jets 25th ranked defense in fantasy points allowed (16.4) against tight ends. Uzomah is the TE11.
Ricky Seals-Jones, WTF (43.1-percent)
Ricky Seals-Jones continued to see plenty of targets (seven) and caught six of them for 51-yards. The numbers are not overly impressive but good enough to hit double-digits in fantasy points in PPR leagues. Next week, Seals-Jones and the Football Team will face the Broncos—the fourth most formidable against tight ends in fantasy points allowed.
Others:
Evan Engram (NYG), Gerald Everett (SEA), Jonnu Smith (NE)
Make sure to check out Mike on Twitter @RFLRedZone!
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