NFL Waiver Wire: Week 8 Deep Dive

The waiver wire becomes a different proposition at this point in the season. Most roles within teams have become well defined, but injuries have also started to pile up. So much of effectively working the wire comes down to following injury reports, particularly when looking for one-week options. We'll run down some of the deeper options, and as usual skip any names covered in the traditional waiver wire article (look there for more quarterback selections).

Quarterback

Trevor Lawrence at Seahawks (35 percent ESPN)

Lawrence hasn't delivered as an expected generational talent so far, which appears to have soured those in the fantasy community who play in shallower leagues. However, across the last three weeks – excluding the team's Week 8 bye –  he's averaged 8.1 yards per attempt and completed 12 passes of 20 yards or more. The primary thing holding Lawrence back has been touchdown volume, which should even out as he plays more games.

Tua Tagovailoa at Bills (40 percent ESPN)

Tagovailoa has managed to set aside trade rumors to perform well from a fantasy perspective since returning in Week 6. In two outings, he's totaled 620 passing yards, six touchdowns and even chipped in with 51 yards on the ground. This isn't the week to turn to Tagovailoa with the Bills the stingiest defense on a per-game basis to opposing quarterbacks.  

Tyrod Taylor vs. Rams (four percent ESPN, 30 percent FFPC)

Taylor may not factor in this week, though he's been designated to come back from injured reserve and has begun practicing again. Of particular interest is what he can do with his legs having combined 55 yards and one touchdown as a rusher over two contests earlier in the season.

Running Back

Rashaad Penny vs. Jaguars (nine percent ESPN)

Penny has been abysmal when healthy, as he's needed eight carries to gain 17 yards. But he returned last week against the Saints to be on the field for 36 percent of the team's offensive snaps. While Chris Carson is out, Penny could eventually step in front of Alex Collins as the top back in Seattle. For now, this backfield has turned into a mess. But for managers with a roster spot to stash, Penny is worth considering.

Ty Johnson vs. Bengals (four percent ESPN, 46 percent FFPC)

Tevin Coleman was sidelined for Week 7 with a hamstring issue and didn't return to practice Wednesday with the same issue. Prior to suffering an injury of his own on Sunday, Johnson accumulated a pair of receptions and four carries. He's clearly behind Michael Carter for the top role, but should provide a nice floor as a pass catcher out of the backfield so long as Coleman is out.

David Johnson vs. Rams (29 percent ESPN)

Phillip Lindsay vs. Rams (14 percent ESPN)

The trade of Mark Ingram may not have gone over well in the Texans' locker room, but it should help clarify the backfield for fantasy purposes. Johnson figures to step into the top role in the backfield as both a rusher and receiver, though Lindsay's role should also grow. Of course, were Johnson to go down – which is not a farfetched hypothetical – Lindsay's role would see a sharp increase.

Salvon Ahmed at Bills (two percent ESPN, 45 percent FFPC)

Malcolm Brown is out of the picture after landing on injured reserve with a quad injury. As in Houston, that helps simplify what's been a cluttered backfield. In Brown's absence Week 7, Ahmed saw a 27 percent rush share and five percent target share. Those aren't spectacular numbers, but he's the clear of change-of-pace back and would also be next man up in Miami.

JaMycal Hasty at Bears (two percent ESPN, 30 percent FFPC)

Hasty returned from IR and made very little impact as a rusher against Indianapolis. But he was on the field for 19 offensive snaps, second at the position behind Elijah Mitchell. In three games this year, Hasty has recorded eight receptions and commanded 12 targets.

Samaje Perine at Jets (12 percent ESPN, 60 percent FFPC)

Perine did nearly of his damage in the fourth quarter, so don't get too excited over his line or workload split in Week 7. However, with a matchup against the Jets, there's a decent chance for more garbage time and more work. Perine also represents the clear backup for Joe Mixon, who has dealt with an ankle injury at various points this season.

Rhamondre Stevenson at Chargers (11 percent ESPN)

Stevenson was rumored to have been in Bill Belichick's doghouse for missed blocking assignments for several weeks. That resulted in him being inactive last weekend, though he's found a role as a rusher and receiver. Damien Harris is the king of the backfield for now, but anyone who's played fantasy football knows how quickly the landscape of the New England depth chart can change.

Wide Receiver

Rashod Bateman – BYE (20 percent ESPN)

Bateman has filled two different roles over his two pro appearances. In his debut, he operated as a higher-volume receiver while working close to the line of scrimmage. He saw fewer targets Week 7, but posted a much longer average aDOT and more air yards. Regardless of his exact role, Baltimore has made it a priority to get Bateman involved.  

Marquez Valdes-Scantling at Cardinals (eight percent ESPN, 60 percent FFPC)

Randall Cobb at Cardinals (20 percent ESPN, 52 percent FFPC)

With Davante Adams and Allen Lazard expected to be sidelined Thursday, there will be opportunity in Green Bay. Valdes-Scantling will be a game-time decision, which could leave Cobb, Equanimeous St. Brown and Amari Rodgers (also worth picking up, depending on the news) as the top three wideouts.

Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Eagles (17 percent ESPN)

St. Brown was shut out in Week 7, but entered the game having seen at least seven targets in each of his last three games. Betting on the Lions' offense is a risk, but he should carry a role the rest of the season.

A.J. Green vs. Packers (38 percent ESPN)

Green has also seen a consistent role in Arizona with six targets in all but two contests – one of which came in Week 7. He isn't likely to post many blowup games, but should provide more consistent production moving forward.

Tyler Johnson at Saints (two percent ESPN, 10 percent FFPC)

Antonio Brown is listed as doubtful after missing Week 7, and his continued absence – at least in theory – would create a bigger role for Johnson. The Buccaneers' targets tend to be narrow and Rob Gronkowski could potentially return. That likely combines to leave Johnson out of a big role, but he's worth a stash and potentially a desperation FLEX play.

Dante Pettis at Chiefs (two percent ESPN, two percent FFPC)

Pettis and Darius Slayton took advantage of a banged up Giants' receiving corps in Week 7. At the time of writing this article, no practice report was available for the status of Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney as the team take the field Monday. If the top options at wide receiver remain out, both Slayton and Pettis should be in a favorable position to produce in what could be a high-scoring matchup against the Chiefs.

Rashard Higgins vs. Steelers (zero percent ESPN, eight percent FFPC)

Anthony Schwartz vs. Steelers (zero percent ESPN, four percent FFPC)

Similar to the Giants, the Browns' receiving corps is currently banged up. Jarvis Landry is dealing with a new knee injury, while Donovan Peoples-Jones missed Wednesday's practice with a groin issue. If Jones and/or Landry miss, it should give at least one receiver the chance to step up - the more likely of which appears to be Higgins.  

Nico Collins vs. Rams (two percent ESPN, 50 percent FFPC)

Collins has quietly seen 15 and 17 percent of the targets over the last two weeks, respectively. Unfortunately, that's only translated into six receptions for 72 yards. However, the aforementioned potential return of Tyrod Taylor could lift the entire offense. If Brandin Cooks is traded, Collins could also see an increased role. That combination of factors could lead to a nice second half of the rookie season for Collins.

Tight End

Cole Kmet vs. 49ers (16 percent ESPN)

Kmet has carried a consistent role in the Bears' offense, including a high route-participation rate as well as a consistent 20 percent target share. That hasn't turned into an exciting amount of production yet, but there has to be some hope the team starts to show more explosiveness as Justin Fields gets more experience. If that happens, Kmet would be in a strong position to capitalize.

Pat Freiermuth at Browns (three percent ESPN, 74 percent FFPC)

Freiermuth entered the bye week with a seven-target performance against Seattle. With JuJu Smith-Schuster gone for the season and Chase Claypool nursing a hamstring injury, Freiermuth could close his rookie season with a strong second half.

Mo Alie-Cox vs. Titans (14 percent ESPN, 73 percent FFPC)

Alie-Cox's role remains small, but at this point it's impossible to ignore his production. Despite very limited volume, he's recorded four touchdowns and three receptions of 20 yards or more combined across his last three games. It's difficult to envision that type of production continuing moving forward, but the hope is that the Colts change Alie-Cox's role based on the types of performances he's already displayed.

Dan Arnold at Seahawks (three percent ESPN)

Arnold has earned five and eight targets in his last two outings with the Jaguars. It remains to be seen how the team schemes its offense coming off a bye week, but he came out of Week 7 with a significant role.

Kyle Rudolph at Chiefs (zero percent ESPN, 12 percent FFPC)

Rudolph enters as an intriguing play if Evan Engram and other Giants' receivers are held out Monday. Rudolph narrowly missed a touchdown last week, so the team appears willing to use him if needed.

Ross Dwelley at Bears (one percent ESPN, nine percent FFPC)

Dwelley has done little in the absence of George Kittle, but should get one more opportunity against Chicago before Kittle returns in Week 9. He's nothing more than a desperation play based on past production.