NFL Waiver Wire: Week 8 Pickups

I'm trying to remember a time (and correct me if I'm wrong) that we've seen such disparity in the NFL. The Lions, Bears, Jaguars, Texans, Dolphins and Jets should lose their draft picks if any of them finish in the bottom three of the league (go to point differential for any ties). Anyway, it's time to hit the waiver wire again to see if we can find any gems for at least this week, if not more. Remember your FAAB money doesn't carry into next season, so use it now if you're outside of the playoffs looking in.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

QUARTERBACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Daniel Jones, NYG - Jones has been very good this season and given all of the injuries to wide receivers (and ineffective Evan Engram play) he's made the most of his situation. He's rostered in 28 percent of Yahoo leagues, so there's a good chance he's out there. In case you haven't been watching football at all, the Kansas City Chiefs are absolutely horrible on defense, making this matchup deal for Danny Dimes. FAAB: $5-$10

Carson Wentz, IND - He has a tough divisional matchup this week but this game also has an over/under of 49 suggesting it should be a high-scoring affair. Wentz has scored at least 19.3 fantasy points in six of his seven games this season and has two touchdown passes in each of his last four games. He should get back T.Y. Hilton this week as well, adding another talented receiver for him to use. I prefer Daniel Jones this week as a stream, but Wentz isn't a bad consolation prize. FAAB: $5-$10

Secondary Targets

Deshaun Watson, HOU - There's no guarantee Watson plays this season, but there have been multiple trade rumors swirling around him. Obviously, where he lands is important, but we've seen his ability to score fantasy points with little help. The trade deadline is Nov. 2, so if a deal doesn't happen he can be safely dropped. FAAB: $4-$8

Mike White, NYJ - It's important to emphasize that this isn't a pick for most leagues, where a more talented quarterback on a much better team should be available on waivers. However, White is an option for super-flex/two-quarterback leagues. While we don't have a timetable on Zach Wilson's return it seems like it's not going to be soon. White was on the practice squad last season so he knows the Jets offense and could rack up some fantasy points playing in garbage time each week. Watch RotoWire's injury notes to see the timetable for Wilson's injury. FAAB: $3-$6

RUNNING BACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, PHI - It's yet to be determined how much time, if any, Miles Sanders will miss, but it's highly unlikely he's back this week and probably longer. Gainwell had nine touches to Scott's eight, and I prefer Gainwell. This week is an excellent matchup against the Lions and adjust your bid once we get information about the extent of Sanders' injury. FAAB: Gainwell $6-$12; Scott $4-$8

SECONDARY TARGETS

Kenyan Drake, LV - There's a Seinfeld or duck here, but I'm going to spare everyone from it. Josh Jacobs has had toe and foot injuries and now adds a chest injury to his resume this season. Drake would be higher on this waiver list except the Raiders are one of the two teams on bye so he won't help you this week, and Jacob could be back the following week. The coaching change may have helped Drake and if Jacobs misses an extended amount of time, Jalen Richard should be on your radar in deeper leagues. FAAB: $3-$6

WIDE RECEIVER

PRIMARY TARGETS

Darius Slayton, NYG - Sterling Shepard could be back as could others of the Giants' wide receivers, but if they're not, Slayton is a great option. He had nine targets Sunday and if his teammates are out again, he's a great play to matchup and stream with Daniel Jones given the matchup. Look for him to get a similar amount of targets (Jones loves to go to his top wide receiver) and again, this is a great matchup. FAAB: $5-$10

Allen Lazard, GB - Lazard would be lower this week, however, it appears that Davante Adams (COVID-19) will miss Thursday's showdown with the Cardinals. Lazard has scored in consecutive weeks (11 targets) and appears to be earning the trust of Aaron Rodgers. Marquez Valdes-Scantling could return this week as well and is worth a bid. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Kalif Raymond, DET - You have to respect what the Lions tried to do Sunday in Los Angeles with all the special teams play, but they also had opportunities to go for it on fourth and short and did not. That said, it was a nice game for Raymond who has now seen 15 targets in his last two games. The pride of Holy Cross, he won't be a big touchdown guy, but in PPR you can think of him as Brandin Cooks-lite. He gets the Eagles at home this week and has had 12.8, 9.7, 19.6 and 17.6 fantasy points (PPR) in four of his last five games. Raymond also returns punts for the Lions, so bump him up a little if your league counts that. FAAB: $4-$8

Michael Gallup, DAL - With a Week 7 bye, it made sense for the Cowboys not to rush Gallup back in Week 6. This week it seems like he might return; if not it should be sometime soon. If you've been holding onto Gallup (40 percent on Yahoo) expect some bad trade offers for him this week. I wouldn't start him quite yet, given he's not likely to see a full complement of snaps. Gallup should still make a fantasy impact, just be patient.  FAAB: $4-$8

Russell Gage, ATL - Gage returned with a bang Sunday, catching four passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He's going to see softer coverage playing with Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts and will have the occasional big game. I don't trust him on a weekly basis, but if you're in a pinch and looking for wide receiver help, he's your guy. FAAB: $3-$6

TIGHT END

SECONDARY TARGETS

C.J. Uzomah, CIN - Uzomah would be higher on this list but there will be a lot of helium for him this week after scoring three touchdowns the last two weeks. He's had more than three targets this season once and only one red-zone target, making five touchdowns an unsustainable pace. His two biggest games this season came against teams (Jacksonville) ranked 30th against the position and 32nd (Baltimore). After saying all of that, tight end has been a difficult position to navigate, so if you need help, bid higher here. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Tommy Sweeney, BUF - Raise your hand if you knew who Tommy Sweeney was before reading his name. If you raised it, stop lying (unless you're a Bills fan). Sweeney is going to be Buffalo's starting tight end this week after Dawson Knox underwent hand surgery a week ago. In relief of Knox a couple Mondays ago, Sweeney caught a one-yard touchdown pass and is slated for a lot more work while Know is out. Josh Allen has shown a penchant to throw to his tight end, so this is a good opportunity against Miami this week. FAAB: $2-$4

DEFENSE

Los Angeles Chargers - Looking at a realistic list of available defenses on waivers, the Chargers are the team that sticks out to me.  There's a few factors working in their favor this week: they are at home, coming off a bye and facing a team who had a game Sunday that has to travel across the country to play a "late" game. Mac Jones was fantastic Week 7, but that was the lowly Jets and he's still a rookie. I'd expect multiple turnovers by him. FAAB: $3-$6