As we’re closing in on the end of the fantasy regular season, making moves is key. Some of these players listed below can be good assets down the stretch for the playoff run, and some can be good for key matchups. Here are the top five wavier wire pickups for Week 8 that could make an impact for your fantasy team.
Wide Receiver Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins
Kenny Stills has had good back-to-back fantasy performances. He has taken advantage of DeVante Parker’s injury totaling three touchdowns in that span.
In Week 6, he caught all four of his targets for 49 yards and a score. In Week 7, he caught six of nine targets for 85 yards and two scores.
After a quiet first half against the Jets, Stills came alive. He helped the Dolphins out of a hole by scoring both touchdowns from their backup Matt Moore after Jay Cutler went down with an injury.
If Moore starts next week, he has a nice rapport with Stills, connecting for a touchdown in each of his three starts in 2016. If Parker misses time, Stills makes a good WR3/flex option on Thursday night against the Ravens.
Running Backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders
With Marshawn Lynch suspended for Week 8, this opens the door for both DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. If you need a running back for one week, this could be the way to go.
Both backs had nine carries, but Washington had two more yards (33) and a rushing touchdown. They also each had four targets, with Richard catching one more pass for 38 more yards. They will likely share the ball once again against the Bills, but Washington should be targeted first as he will get the ball in goal line opportunities.
Running Backs Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys
The Ezekiel Elliott saga continues about his suspension. He played in Week 7 and had a monstrous game and will likely play in Week 8. After that, it’s all up in the air. If not already, it’s time to grab both Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden.
Rumors have suggested his suspension could start Week 9. There’s also rumors it could be next season. Anything can happen in the NFL.
There will for sure be a hearing regarding his suspension. When the time comes, Morris and McFadden will likely split carries when Elliott is out. Morris will likely get the first shot because he has been playing all season. But McFadden will get his carries as he had over a 1,000 yards back in 2015 and has proven he be a lead back in this offense.
These backs have value and should be picked up as they can be key players down the stretch if the suspension happens.
Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to make his presence felt after scoring his third touchdown in six games this year. He has clearly outperformed Martavis Bryant after Week 7 against the Bengals.
He may not get as many targets, but he has more than Bryant has had in the past two weeks. The other thing is he is finding the end zone consistently. He is not a bad option if you need wide receiver depth as he is making a push to becoming a WR2 on the Steelers and taking over for Bryant, who has requested to be traded.
Running Back Dion Lewis, New England Patriots
When it comes to the New England Patriots and their running backs, it could change any week. However, after solid back-to-back games, Dion Lewis looks to have taken over as the main rusher for the Patriots.
Lewis was favored in the rushing attack over the bruiser Mike Gillislee. A week after he logged double-digit carries (11) for the first time this season, he continued with 13 carries for a season-high 76 yards as the Patriots coasted against the Falcons in a Super Bowl LI rematch.
Gillislee had a season-low eight carries for 31 yards and hasn’t had a touchdown since Week 2. It looks as if Gillislee has lost his job and the Pats will continue with the hot hand in Lewis.
Lewis can be viewed as a low-end RB2 as he is now the work-horse in New England. James White will remain as the pass-catcher in the offense, but Lewis will also get a fair share of targets in the passing game.
Gillislee should be left to waivers as he becomes a touchdown-dependent RB4.
Featured image from nfl.com.
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Craig!
“From our Haus to Yours”