Week 8 Waiver Wire

Bye-pocolypse is over and as we head into Week 8 we get more players we want to get on our rosters. Miles Sanders injury slingshots Gainwell to the top of the waiver add this week, as well as some other familiar faces in Khalil Herbert and Allen Lazard. With Deshaun Watson trade rumors heating up as we approach Nov. 2nd (NFL Trade deadline) he becomes a great pickup for those in 2 QB leagues.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB

We saw Gainwell play well to start the season alongside Miles Sanders, but he took a big dip in Weeks 5 & 6 and was barely on the field. We don’t like injuries in football, but with Miles Sanders likely missing some time with an ankle injury, Gainwell should be on the field a lot more. He was hovering around 30% of snaps prior to the injury. He was up to 51% this week and that will likely stay the same or even go up. I was shocked to see such a low percentage on Gainwell, but if he is available, he is a top waiver add this week.

Week 7 Stats: 12.1 points (5 carries 20 yards 8 targets 4 catches 41 yards 1 TD)

FAAB Bid: $10-$23

Khalil Herbert, RB

Herbert is a bit of a stretch as a waiver add, but his relatively low ownership at 59% prodded me into putting him on here. Yahoo! even felt it was necessary to incessantly remind me that 15k teams had dropped Khalil off their rosters last week before the CHI game… and that I should take him out of my lineup. IDIOTS! I told you last week on the podcast, even with Damien Williams clearing COVID Protocol I wanted Herbert in my starting lineup. He has run the ball well, he has looked to be the more explosive back, he has handled throws coming out of the backfield well, and his blitz pickup grade is coming up steadily. Once Montgomery returns, sure, you can drop him back to your bench or off the team entirely, but you should have one more week of the Khalil Herbert show and I would urge you to capitalize on it.

Week 7 stats: 15.8 points (18 carries 100 yards 5 targets 5 catches 33 yards)

FAAB Bid: $9 – $12

Allen Lazard, WR

The Lizard King attacked this week! We had him in our ‘Players to Pick up Now’ article and it was a nice hit. I said before how his snap percentage has gone up each week, and he was on the field in Week 7 over 91% of the time. Rodgers put a lot of trust in Lazard this past week, especially in the 2-minute drill before half that led to Lazard scoring. MVS will be back at some point, but Lazard looks to have gained a lot of trust from Rodgers. He is not a MUST ADD, but you can do a lot worse for a flex play in Week 8.

Week 7 stats: 14.5 points (6 targets 5 catches 60 yards 1 TD)

FAAB Bid: $5 – $10

DeShaun Watson, QB

As long as the trade rumors are heating up, Watson should see his ownership increase. If he lands in MIA, not only are they an instant powerhouse, Watson has top 5 QB upside (in PPG). However, the moment we get to the trade deadline and he hasn’t moved, he’s untouchable. So if you can afford the roster spot, add him now and wait and see. Mayeb even try to trade him after you pick him up, but one way or another he should be on someone’s roster.

Week 7 stats: N/A

FAAB Bid: $2 – $11

Rashod Bateman, WR

I have liked what I have seen with Bateman in his small sample size, but his role continues to grow each week. This guy can be cheaper to get because the Ravens do have a bye in Week 8, so if you can afford to stash someone and wait, he is the perfect guy for that. The Ravens are throwing much more this season and he seems to fit right in that WR2 role behind Hollywood Brown.

Week 7 stats: 9.5 points (6 targets 3 catches 80 yards)

FAAB Bid: $3 – $8

Boston Scott, RB

Although Gainwell is the hotter add this week for Philly RBs, Scott deserves to be on rosters after the Miles Sanders injury as well. He got 7 carries and we have seen his ability to catch passes out of the backfield in the past. He could even be used on the goal line and may be able to punch in a TD like he did last week. Again, pick up Gainwell first, but if you miss out on him, Scott could be a fine option to pick up and play in a flex spot next week.

Week 7 stats: 9.4 points (7 carries 24 yards 1 TD 2 targets 1 catch 5 yards)

FAAB Bid: $3 – $6

Russell Gage, WR

Gage comes back from injury and posts a nice stat line (6 targets 4 rec 67 yards and a TD) to get fantasy owners back on the Gage train. He was also a member of our “Players to Pick Up Now” article this week, and he hit big. Granted, he played Miami, but he’s still a player worth adding, giving his solid role as the #2 WR behind Ridley in the ATL offense that is beginning to heat up.

Week 7 stats: 14.7 points (6 targets 4 catches 1 TD)

FAAB Bid: $2 – $7

CJ Uzomah, TE

Uzo is currently in the TE1 category this season, but is still barely owned. Sure, he has had big games, then duds, but after his 2 TD game once again in Week 7, I am onboard. TEs are hard to come by, and Uzo can help those teams who are hurting at the position. Burrow is looking better and better each week and a big part of that is the deep shots and trust in Uzo. Grab the guy, he is fun to watch.

Week 7 stats: 22.6 points (3 targets 3 catches 91 yards 2 TDs)

FAAB Bid: $2 – $5

Michael Gallup, WR

Gallup will be back from IR, either this week or next. Coming off the bye, he should have a shot, but with Dallas still having plenty of pass catchers, I would be shocked to see them rush him back. In any case, he is someone you can pick up for cheap now, before the news breaks that he will play in the coming week. Save your FAAB and stash a guy who crushed it (and was operating at the top target) prior to his injury in Week 1.

Week 7 stats: N/A points

FAAB Bid: $2 – $5

Kendrick Bourne, WR

Bourne being owned at only 6% is flat out silly. I know there are a lot of 8-10 leagues out there where Bourne is certainly not rosterable, but if you’re playing in a 12 team league he needs to be on a team, at least as we head through tricky bye weeks. He has posted double digits in back to back weeks, and this week he managed to even throw for a TD. He is being used all over the field by the Patriot offense and is beginning to really thrive in this versatile usage role. He’s certainly worthy of a bye week fill in as the Patriots face off with the Chargers in what should be a high scoring affair.

Week 7 stats: 13.8 points (4 targets 4 catches 68 yards)

FAAB Bid: $2 – $4

Van Jefferson, WR

Jefferson is an interesting little add this week, not a super high priority but he has quietly been getting involved in the LAR offense and should continue to see his role grow. It’s hard to guess the week he is going to score a long TD, but as a flex play with boom or bust upside, you could do much worse.

Week 7 stats: 12.3 points (7 targets 4 catches 43 yards 1 TD)

FAAB Bid: $1 – $3

Brandon Bolden, WR

I hate that this is the world in which we live. And I’m a noted Patriots fan (Cory here writing this). But Brandon Bolden seems to have carved out some sort of role in this offense and I don’t really know what to say about it. Dare I say he even looked….good… at some points in Week 7? Rhamondre Stevenson went back to a healthy scratch, JJ Taylor was in vulturing goal line scores, but Brandon Bolden was used a ton and made TSF’s Craig very happy with a smashing performance. He’s worth a buck or two and a flex play at this point.

Week 7 stats: 16.9 points (2 rushing 0 yards 7 targets 6 catches 79 yards 1 TD)

FAAB Bid: $0 – $2