Welcome to Week 8 everyone. This may sound like a recurring theme, but it is once again a quiet waiver wire going into Week 8. This is one of the rare seasons when they have been few players worthy of significant FAAB spending; consider Ty Montgomery and Jacquizz Rodgers both had news boosting their values after waivers process in the majority of leagues. Alas, there are still useful pieces for those prepping for a playoff run.

Once again, we have some injuries to report.  Brian Hoyer (forearm), Jerick McKinnon (ankle), Geno Smith (ACL), and Cody Kessler (concussion) all had to leave their respective games.

Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 8. Each price recommendation will be based on a $100 FAAB budget. Be sure to also check out our weekly waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all Week 8 options.

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 8 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs

If Jay Ajayi (69%) or Jacquizz Rodgers (45%) are available in your league, they are the top two options.

Devontae Booker (DEN, RB) - $12-16

38% owned in Fleaflicker

We've highlighted Booker in this segment before, but this is the final call. Booker looked fantastic on Monday night, piling up 83 yards on 17 carries and a score. He had 56 of those yards after contact; CJ Anderson had 36. He continued to shine as the 1B in what has become a running back committee, a la Tevin Coleman. Anderson left Monday's game with a shoulder injury but was able to return. The injury factor plus Booker's production makes him a no brainer to add in Week 8 if he's still out there.

Chris Thompson (WAS, RB) - $8-10

39% owned in Fleaflicker

Thompson has always had PPR value, but his game on Sunday plus Matt Jones' hands has opened the door for standard leagues to take notice. Thompson led the Redskins in carries with 12 for 73 yards and added seven catches for 40 yards in the pass game. The increase in carries were a direct result of Matt Jones fumbling in the first half, who looked awful (10 carries, 27 yards). Thompson has become a safety blanket for Cousins and should continue to see his role increase. Thompson gets the Bengals in London this week, who are 29th in the league versus running backs in the passing game. Thompson should shine once again in Week 8.

Zach Zenner (DET, RB) – $4-7

10% owned in Fleaflicker

Zenner is known among football enthusiasts as a preseason star, but injuries have forced his way onto the fantasy table. Zenner got the "start" for Detroit and received nine carries for 29 yards and a score. Fantasy owners who plugged him in their lineups were saved by the 1-yard plunge, but otherwise he was relatively quiet. It looks like Zenner will get another crack in Week 8 and he gets another favorable matchup. The Texans are ranked 25th in rushing and were gashed for 190 yards on Sunday. Desperate owners in deep leagues could do worse than roll out the preseason stud.

Matt Asiata (MIN, RB) - $5-8

27% owned in Fleaflicker

There's nothing exciting about Asiata's game, but you know what is exciting? Playing time. Jerick McKinnon had to leave the game in Week 7 and Asiata capitalized with 12 rushes for 55 yards and six catches for 25 yards. Asiata isn't going to break out large runs but if McKinnon is forced to miss Week 8, he should be in line for a 20+ carry game. The Bears have the 20th ranked run defense, making this an excellent chance for Asiata to crack the 100-yard plateau for the first time in 2016.

Also Consider: Tim Hightower (NO, RB) - $2-4, Andre Ellington (ARI, RB) - $1-3, Thomas Rawls (SEA, RB) - $4-7, Jeremy Langford (CHI, RB) - $2-4

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers

Ty Montgomery is the No. 1 available option in leagues he was not scooped up.

Davante Adams (GB, WR) - FAAB Bid: $4-7

25% owned in Fleaflicker

Ever since Jordy Nelson left a preseason game in 2015, Adams has been frustrating fantasy owners everywhere. Adams failed to capitalize on the increased playing time last year and was coming off a concussion heading into Thursday's game versus the Bears. So of course Adams saw 16 targets (13 caught) for 132 yards and two scores. They were the most targets of a Packer this season. Adams has now scored in four of six games this season and is stepping his game up while Jordy Nelson is struggling. As Nelson draws Desmond Trufant in Week 8, Adams should thrive once again versus a beatable Falcons secondary.

Tyrell Williams (SD, WR) - FAAB Bid: $7-12

56% owned in Fleaflicker

This is more of a friendly reminder if someone cut Williams loose in your league. Williams now has 100+ yards in two of his past three games and has continued to be a reliable target for Philip Rivers. Williams has 11 targets in the red zone this year according to NFLsavant, which is fourth in the NFL. Williams gets a tough draw with Denver next week (28 yards in Week 6), but after his bye in Week 11 it's a cakewalk. Look for Williams to be a key piece come fantasy playoff time.

Russell Shepard (TB, WR) - FAAB Bid: $4-7

5% owned in Fleaflicker

If you tuned into the Buccaneers-49ers game and thought you were watching Vincent Jackson, I don't blame you. Shepard, No. 89 for Tampa Bay, took over the No. 2 role with V-Jax out for the year and shined. He caught five passes for 77 yards and a score, making nifty plays throughout the first half. Newcomer Cecil Shorts saw zero targets and Adam Humphries remained in the slot role, making this Shepard's job to lose. He gets the leaky Raiders secondary next, who are 29th versus the pass. Shepard is a sneaky add available in almost all leagues.

Also Consider: Marquise Goodwin (BUF, WR) - $2-4, Kenny Stills (MIA, WR) - $2-4, Marqise Lee (JAC, WR) - $2-4

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends

Jack Doyle is the No. 1 tight end in leagues he remains available.

Vernon Davis (WAS, TE) - FAAB Bid: $2-4

20% owned in Fleaflicker

We touted Davis last week but the tight end well is pretty dry in Week 8, so we'll circle back. Davis continued to play well in Jordan Reed's absence, catching six passes for 79 yards against Detroit. Reed is still uncertain for next week in London, with early reports saying it's 50-50. One factor to consider; long flights overseas can be rough on concussion symptoms. I expect Davis to get another start versus a defense ranked 28th versus tight ends.

Antonio Gates (SD, TE) - FAAB Bid: $2-4

63% owned in Fleaflicker

It's only fitting Gates shows up as Halloween approaches. The Walking Dead was a big presence in the Chargers 33-30 road win at Atlanta, seeing a team-high 10 targets. He only caught five for 38 yards, but it's assuring to see him play a full game. As long as he is in the lineup, he remains a red zone threat for Rivers and will carry TE2 value.

Also Consider: C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU, TE) - FAAB Bid: $3

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks

Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF) - FAAB Bid: $5-7

68% owned in Fleaflicker

It's a shallow week for Quarterbacks, so here's a floor play for owners. Taylor has yet to put together a big game, with the loss of Sammy Watkins playing a big part. He hasn't eclipsed 300 yards all year and has been under 200 yards four games. So why play Taylor? Two factors: his legs and the Patriots. He has 103 rushing yards over his last two games including a touchdown and will continue to be forced to make plays with his legs given his offensive weapons. The Patriots should be ahead in this game, forcing Taylor to play catch up and abandon an ailing LeSean McCoy. It won't be pretty, but Taylor should produce for owners needing a fill in.

Alex Smith (QB, KC) - FAAB Bid: $3-5

58% owned in Fleaflicker

There is nothing fun about playing Alex Smith. He misses the easy throws, makes the tough ones, and is part of a run-heavy offense. So why play him? His opponent, the Colts. The Colts are ranked 29th versus the pass and are dead last versus tight ends. Similar to the AFC Wild Card game, I expect for Smith and Travis Kelce to pile up the points in what should be another shootout.

Also Consider: Trevor Siemian - $1-2

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense

Jets D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3

42% owned in Fleaflicker

Welcome back to fantasy relevance, Jets defense! After a terrible stretch (vs SEA, @ PIT, @ ARI), the Jets got an ailing Joe Flacco and took advantage to eclipse double digit fantasy points. Now the Jets gets the Browns, who may be without Cody Kessler and forced to use Kevin Hogan. Hogan created plays with his legs, but the Jets rank 5th versus the run. Jets should have a field day.

Falcons D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3

13% owned in Fleaflicker

You're probably thinking, wait didn't they just give up 33 points? While true, the Falcons D is always putting up fantasy points. They had four sacks, an interception and a fumble recover for a touchdown on Sunday, piling up double digit fantasy points for the third time in four games. The Packers have been a stagnant offense in 2016, making this a sneaky defensive play for seasonal and DFS purposes.

 

 

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