Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 8: Marlon Mack, Danny Amendola, Vance McDonald and Dak Prescott can helpBy Jim Saranteas @thefantasygreekWeek six was dominated by many players thriving in the passing game. Last week’s top lineup would have included Mitch Trubisky, Marlon Mack, Danny Amendola, and Chris Herndon. If you had these four in your starting lineup, you likely won your Week 7 match-up. For Week 8, Dalvin Cook and Geronimo Allison, among others, may not be available this week for fantasy football team owners. Your waiver wire should still be filled with some quality players if you need the help.Last week,we advised to be cautious to add Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott whose fantasy football performance was buoyed by two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in Week 6. This is the first time he ran for a touchdown and the second time he threw two touchdowns in a game. He threw the football just 27 times and failed to eclipse two hundred yards passing for the fourth time this season. This game looked like the exception and not the norm. Yet, Prescott followed that up with another good game, and we recommend adding him this week.This week, be cautious to add Cowboys wide receiver Allen Hurns who hauled in five of six passes for 74 yards, his best game of the season. Not only is it the exception rather than the norm for Hurns in 2018, but the Cowboys added Amari Cooper to the mix.Don’t add a player to your fantasy football team if you don’t need one.QUARTERBACKS1 Mitch Trubisky, Bears2 Joe Flacco, Ravens3 Dak Prescott, Cowboys4 Brock Osweiler, Dolphins5 Baker Mayfield, BrownsThere are plenty of options at quarterback for fantasy football team owners as we head into the next month of bye weeks where four to six teams are off each week.The Bears Mitch Trubisky continued to roll in Week 7, going 26 for 50 for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns (one rushing) against the Patriots. In all leagues, Trubisky is ranked higher than Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger but is still available in nearly half. It’s time to view Trubisky as a potential weekly starter even in twelve team fantasy football leagues.A steady option, Joe Flacco continues to post solid stats while keeping the turnovers down, just four pass interceptions on the season. He’s a solid option in fantasy football leagues for team managers, especially in sixteen team leagues. After the Panthers this week, Flacco has six straight games against teams that have been fantasy football heaven for quarterbacks. Flacco is available in six of ten leagues.While last week it was easy to view the Cowboys Dak Prescott’s Week 6 performance as a fluke and not the norm, Prescott followed this up with 273 yards and 2 touchdowns (one rushing) in Week 7. In addition, the Cowboys added Amari Cooper to the receiving mix which will only help Prescott and raises his floor. On a bye this week, Prescott is definitely bye week help for fantasy football team managers in Weeks 9, 10, and 11. Prescott is available in two-thirds of leagues.The Dolphins Brock Osweiler gets another start after another solid outing in Week 7 where he passed for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns. Through two games, Osweiler is averaging 37 pass attempts, 310 yards, and two touchdowns per game. His schedule for the bye weeks isn’t the easiest but the numbers and trend can’t be denied. Osweiler is available in almost every league.Rookie Baker Mayfield finally had his breakout game in a plus match-up against the Buccaneers where he passed for 215 yards and two touchdowns, plus forty-three rushing yards. For the next three weeks, his opponents are the Steelers, Chiefs, and Falcons. Mayfield remains an excellent streaming and QB2 option in two quarterback leagues. He’s available in six of ten leagues.RUNNING BACKS1 Nick Chubb, Browns2 Marlon Mack, Colts3 Dion Lewis, Titans4 Latavius Murray, Vikings5 Chris Ivory, Bills6 Frank Gore, Dolphins7 Raheem Mostert, 49ers8 Doug Martin, Raiders9 Alfred Morris, 49ers10 Derrick Henry, Titans11 Kapri Bibbs, Redskins12 Jalen Richard, RaidersWith injuries and roster changes, there’s something on waiver wires for almost every fantasy football team owner. Give these running backs a look if you need help. The running backs with a longer view are ranked higher.In TFG’s Week 7 deep sleeperswhich came outbefore the trade between the Browns and the Jaguars for Carlos Hyde was announced, Nick Chubb was a recommended play. Entering Week 7, Chubb averaged 10.8 yards per carry and scored twice on just 16 rushing attempts. He’s now the Browns lead running back taking 18 carries for 80 yards and a score. He’s still available in about twenty percent of leagues.Marlon Mackfollowed up a solid Week 6 return (12 rushes, 89 yards) with an outstanding performance in Week 7 finishing with 21 touches for 159 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns. Mack is firmly established as the team’s number one running back and is an RB2 consideration going forward. He is available in almost half the fantasy football leagues.Dion LewisandDerrick Henry were dropped in many leagues as the Titans offense struggled. However, Dion Lewis has consistently been the productive of the two taking 19 touches for 155 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Henry had a good game too finishing with 14 touches for 65 all-purpose yards and one touchdown. But if you have an option, target Lewis. Lewis is still available in about twenty-five percent of the fantasy football leagues while Henry is available in near half of the fantasy football leagues.With Dalvin Cook continuing to miss time, Latavius Murray got another start and turned 17 touches into an impressive 83 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns. Cook’s hamstring injury has been nagging him all season long. With Murray doing a good job, the Vikings should take their time getting Cook back to full health. Expect Murray to make at least one if not two more starts. Murry is available in over one-quarter of fantasy football leagues.Chris Ivorytook on a full load after starter LeSean McCoy left early with head and foot injuries. Ivory touched the football 19 times for 106 all-purpose yards. It would behoove the Bills not to give Ivory more looks as he’s been more productive when McCoy has been injured.Frank Gorecontinues to churn out carries and yardage having established himself as the team’s primary rushing running back. Despite being a recommended add for two weeks, Frank Gore is available in seventy percent of leagues.Raheem Mosterthad increased carries with Matt Breida re-injuring his ankle. He turned 11 touches in 78 all-purpose yards and has been more productive than teammate Alfred Morris. The 49ers would be wise to rest Breida. Mostert is available in most leagues.With Marshawn Lynch placed on injured reserve, Doug Martin should be the Raiders running back for the remainder of the season. Jalen Richard should continue to be the Raiders change of pace running back. Both Martin and Richard are available in seventy-five percent of leagues.Kapri Bibbs filled in for the injured Chris Thompson taking hos six touches for 56 all-purpose yards and a score. He’s a solid add in deeper sixteen team leagues and available in almost all leagues.WIDE RECEIVERS1 John Brown, Ravens2 Tyrell Williams, Chargers 3 Danny Amendola, Dolphins4 Tre’Quan Smith, Saints5 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers6 Michael Gallup, Cowboys This is a good week to add a wide receiver who will serve as a WR3, flex-play or bye week replacement depending on the size of your league. The Ravens John Brown should have been drafted in all leagues as he’s the Ravens number one receiving threat and posted a solid 134 yards and one touchdown on seven-for-seven receiving. Yet, Brown is available in two out of ten fantasy football leagues.With teams focusing on limiting Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams continues to be the Chargers deep receiving posting back-to-back one hundred yard receiving games and three touchdowns the past two games. Tyrell Williams is available in many fantasy football leagues.Danny Amendolais Brock Osweiler’s favorite receiver on the Dolphins, hauling in 14 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown in the past two games. As long as Osweiler remains quarterback, Amendola should continue to thrive. He’s available in most leagues.Saints rookie Tre’Quan Smith has taken over the receiving duties of Ted Ginn. Smith was on the field for three-quarters of the Saints offensive snaps. In two games, he’s tallied 6 receptions for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns.Rookie Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been a reliable fantasy football producer (10 receptions, 171 yards, 1 touchdown) with both Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison out of the lineup the last two games. You can either stash Valdes-Scantling or monitor the progress of Cobb and Allison. He’s also available in most leagues.Rookie Michael Gallup has come alive with the Cowboys passing offense. Besides being on the field for near all of the offensive snaps, he hauled in three passes for 81 yards and his first touchdown. Trading for Amari Cooper should only help the entire Cowboys offense. He’s worth an add in deeper leagues. Gallup is available in most leagues.TIGHT ENDS1 Vance McDonald, Steelers2 Chris Herndon, Jets3 Benjamin Watson, Saints4 CJ Uzomah, BengalsWith the Steelers emerging from their bye week, Vance McDonald is the top tight end add if available. He’s 20 for 24 for 274 yards and a touchdown. The chemistry he has with Ben Roethlisberger showed in Week 6. McDonald is available in most fantasy football leagues.The Jets Chris Herndon made an impact in last week’s passing game hauling in four of seven passes for 42 yards and one touchdown. This makes two games in a row where Herndon scored a touchdown.DEFENSES1 Chiefs (v. Broncos)2 Patriots (at Bills)3 Colts (at Raiders)4 Cardinals (v. 49ers)5 Seahawks (at Lions)Most of this week’s waiver wire adds highlight good defenses with favorable fantasy football match-ups.The Patriots defense, Cardinals defense, Colts defense, and Redskins defense play offenses allowing the most fantasy football points through the sixth most fantasy football points to opposing defenses.The Chiefs defense and Seahawks defense are playing good football right now and neither opponent they face are all too formidable.Week 8 Injury Report Week six was dominated by many players thriving in the passing game. Last week’s top lineup would have included Mitch Trubisky, Marlon Mack, Danny Amendola, and Chris Herndon. If you had these four in your starting lineup, you likely won your Week 7 match-up. For Week 8, Dalvin Cook and Geronimo Allison, among others, may not be available this week for fantasy football team owners. Your waiver wire should still be filled with some quality players if you need the help.
Last week,we advised to be cautious to add Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott whose fantasy football performance was buoyed by two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in Week 6. This is the first time he ran for a touchdown and the second time he threw two touchdowns in a game. He threw the football just 27 times and failed to eclipse two hundred yards passing for the fourth time this season. This game looked like the exception and not the norm. Yet, Prescott followed that up with another good game, and we recommend adding him this week.
This week, be cautious to add Cowboys wide receiver Allen Hurns who hauled in five of six passes for 74 yards, his best game of the season. Not only is it the exception rather than the norm for Hurns in 2018, but the Cowboys added Amari Cooper to the mix.
Don’t add a player to your fantasy football team if you don’t need one.
QUARTERBACKS
1 Mitch Trubisky, Bears
2 Joe Flacco, Ravens
3 Dak Prescott, Cowboys
4 Brock Osweiler, Dolphins
5 Baker Mayfield, Browns
There are plenty of options at quarterback for fantasy football team owners as we head into the next month of bye weeks where four to six teams are off each week.
The Bears Mitch Trubisky continued to roll in Week 7, going 26 for 50 for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns (one rushing) against the Patriots. In all leagues, Trubisky is ranked higher than Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger but is still available in nearly half. It’s time to view Trubisky as a potential weekly starter even in twelve team fantasy football leagues.
A steady option, Joe Flacco continues to post solid stats while keeping the turnovers down, just four pass interceptions on the season. He’s a solid option in fantasy football leagues for team managers, especially in sixteen team leagues. After the Panthers this week, Flacco has six straight games against teams that have been fantasy football heaven for quarterbacks. Flacco is available in six of ten leagues.
While last week it was easy to view the Cowboys Dak Prescott’s Week 6 performance as a fluke and not the norm, Prescott followed this up with 273 yards and 2 touchdowns (one rushing) in Week 7. In addition, the Cowboys added Amari Cooper to the receiving mix which will only help Prescott and raises his floor. On a bye this week, Prescott is definitely bye week help for fantasy football team managers in Weeks 9, 10, and 11. Prescott is available in two-thirds of leagues.
The Dolphins Brock Osweiler gets another start after another solid outing in Week 7 where he passed for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns. Through two games, Osweiler is averaging 37 pass attempts, 310 yards, and two touchdowns per game. His schedule for the bye weeks isn’t the easiest but the numbers and trend can’t be denied. Osweiler is available in almost every league.
Rookie Baker Mayfield finally had his breakout game in a plus match-up against the Buccaneers where he passed for 215 yards and two touchdowns, plus forty-three rushing yards. For the next three weeks, his opponents are the Steelers, Chiefs, and Falcons. Mayfield remains an excellent streaming and QB2 option in two quarterback leagues. He’s available in six of ten leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
1 Nick Chubb, Browns
2 Marlon Mack, Colts
3 Dion Lewis, Titans
4 Latavius Murray, Vikings
5 Chris Ivory, Bills
6 Frank Gore, Dolphins
7 Raheem Mostert, 49ers
8 Doug Martin, Raiders
9 Alfred Morris, 49ers
10 Derrick Henry, Titans
11 Kapri Bibbs, Redskins
12 Jalen Richard, Raiders
With injuries and roster changes, there’s something on waiver wires for almost every fantasy football team owner. Give these running backs a look if you need help. The running backs with a longer view are ranked higher.
In TFG’s Week 7 deep sleepers which came outbefore the trade between the Browns and the Jaguars for Carlos Hyde was announced, Nick Chubb was a recommended play. Entering Week 7, Chubb averaged 10.8 yards per carry and scored twice on just 16 rushing attempts. He’s now the Browns lead running back taking 18 carries for 80 yards and a score. He’s still available in about twenty percent of leagues.
Marlon Mack followed up a solid Week 6 return (12 rushes, 89 yards) with an outstanding performance in Week 7 finishing with 21 touches for 159 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns. Mack is firmly established as the team’s number one running back and is an RB2 consideration going forward. He is available in almost half the fantasy football leagues.
Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry were dropped in many leagues as the Titans offense struggled. However, Dion Lewis has consistently been the productive of the two taking 19 touches for 155 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Henry had a good game too finishing with 14 touches for 65 all-purpose yards and one touchdown. But if you have an option, target Lewis. Lewis is still available in about twenty-five percent of the fantasy football leagues while Henry is available in near half of the fantasy football leagues.
With Dalvin Cook continuing to miss time, Latavius Murray got another start and turned 17 touches into an impressive 83 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns. Cook’s hamstring injury has been nagging him all season long. With Murray doing a good job, the Vikings should take their time getting Cook back to full health. Expect Murray to make at least one if not two more starts. Murray is available in over one-quarter of fantasy football leagues.
Chris Ivory took on a full load after starter LeSean McCoy left early with head and foot injuries. Ivory touched the football 19 times for 106 all-purpose yards. It would behoove the Bills not to give Ivory more looks as he’s been more productive when McCoy has been injured.
Frank Gore continues to churn out carries and yardage having established himself as the team’s primary rushing running back. Despite being a recommended add for two weeks, Frank Gore is available in seventy percent of leagues.
Raheem Mostert had increased carries with Matt Breida re-injuring his ankle. He turned 11 touches in 78 all-purpose yards and has been more productive than teammate Alfred Morris. The 49ers would be wise to rest Breida. Mostert is available in most leagues.
With Marshawn Lynch placed on injured reserve, Doug Martin should be the Raiders running back for the remainder of the season. Jalen Richard should continue to be the Raiders change of pace running back. Both Martin and Richard are available in seventy-five percent of leagues.
Kapri Bibbs filled in for the injured Chris Thompson taking hos six touches for 56 all-purpose yards and a score. He’s a solid add in deeper sixteen team leagues and available in almost all leagues.
WIDE RECEIVERS
1 John Brown, Ravens
2 Tyrell Williams, Chargers
3 Danny Amendola, Dolphins
4 Tre’Quan Smith, Saints
5 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers
6 Michael Gallup, Cowboys
This is a good week to add a wide receiver who will serve as a WR3, flex-play or bye week replacement depending on the size of your league.
The Ravens John Brown should have been drafted in all leagues as he’s the Ravens number one receiving threat and posted a solid 134 yards and one touchdown on seven-for-seven receiving. Yet, Brown is available in two out of ten fantasy football leagues.
With teams focusing on limiting Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams continues to be the Chargers deep receiver posting back-to-back one hundred yard receiving games and three touchdowns the past two games. Tyrell Williams is available in many fantasy football leagues.
Danny Amendola is Brock Osweiler’s favorite receiver on the Dolphins, hauling in 14 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown in the past two games. As long as Osweiler remains quarterback, Amendola should continue to thrive. He’s available in most leagues.
Saints rookie Tre’Quan Smith has taken over the receiving duties of Ted Ginn. Smith was on the field for three-quarters of the Saints offensive snaps. In two games, he’s tallied 6 receptions for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Rookie Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been a reliable fantasy football producer (10 receptions, 171 yards, 1 touchdown) with both Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison out of the lineup the last two games. You can either stash Valdes-Scantling or monitor the progress of Cobb and Allison. He’s also available in most leagues.
Rookie Michael Gallup has come alive with the Cowboys passing offense. Besides being on the field for near all of the offensive snaps, he hauled in three passes for 81 yards and his first touchdown. Trading for Amari Cooper should only help the entire Cowboys offense. He’s worth an add in deeper leagues. Gallup is available in most leagues.
TIGHT ENDS
1 Vance McDonald, Steelers
2 Chris Herndon, Jets
3 Benjamin Watson, Saints
4 CJ Uzomah, Bengals
With the Steelers emerging from their bye week, Vance McDonald is the top tight end add if available. He’s 20 for 24 for 274 yards and a touchdown. The chemistry he has with Ben Roethlisberger showed in Week 6. McDonald is available in most fantasy football leagues.
The Jets Chris Herndon made an impact in last week’s passing game hauling in four of seven passes for 42 yards and one touchdown. This makes two games in a row where Herndon scored a touchdown.
DEFENSES
1 Chiefs (v. Broncos)
2 Patriots (at Bills)
3 Colts (at Raiders)
4 Cardinals (v. 49ers)
5 Seahawks (at Lions)
Most of this week’s waiver wire adds highlight good defenses with favorable fantasy football match-ups.
The Patriots defense, Cardinals defense, Colts defense, and Redskins defense play offenses allowing the most fantasy football points through the sixth most fantasy football points to opposing defenses.
The Chiefs defense and Seahawks defense are playing good football right now and neither opponent they face are all too formidable.
Week 8 Injury Report