X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Target Acquired: Surprise Target Grabbers from Week 8 and Possible Breakouts for Week 9

A bunch of wide receivers become relevant Week 8, seeing a boost in their target-volume and productivity, while another weapon emerged for Matt Ryan and the explosively dangerous Atlanta Falcons offense. Revis Island is also slowly becoming a vacation spot and not a scene from a wideout's worst nightmare.

Here is a look at the surprise target grabbers from Week 8, and a look at possible breakout options for Week 9 based on the usage they are seeing in the passing game. You can ask me more waiver wire and game day questions on Twitter @DemetriRafto.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and a 3 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

Surprise Week 8 Target Grabbers

J.J. Nelson - (WR, ARI)

Amidst the offensive weapons on the Arizona Cardinals, the unlikeliest of candidates broke out in Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers. J.J. Nelson posted eight receptions on a team-high 12 targets (one more than Larry Fitzgerald), for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Nelson's increased role was hinted at during last week's tie with the Seattle Seahawks, where he saw his then highest target total of the season (seven).

According to ESPN.com, head coach Bruce Arians announced that Nelson will be a starting wide receiver, likely bumping the struggling and injured Michael Floyd out of the third receiver slot. The Cardinals head into a bye, but Nelson is a solid stash for the future and he has a favorable matchup against the San Fransisco 49ers when the Cardinals return to action Week 10.

 

Andrew Hawkins - (WR, CLE) 

With Terrelle Pryor, Sr. spending most of his time, and succeeding, on Revis Island in Week 8 against the New York Jets, Andrew Hawkins was left all alone. Hawkins found plenty of space against Gang Green's weak secondary, scoring two touchdowns during the team's eighth loss of the season. Hawkins added five receptions on a season-high eight targets for 31 yards. Despite the low accumulation of yardage, it was Hawkins' best fantasy performance of the season.

Pryor, although he missed snaps due to fatigue late in Sunday's contest, appears to be healthy after nursing a hamstring injury the week before. This will definitely take looks away from Hawkins, but the Browns should be in another catchup game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, keeping the ball in Josh McCown's hands (he threw the ball 49 times versus New York). Despite the impressive showing, Hawkins hasn't warranted an add off the wire just yet. Let's see how he performs in Week 9.

 

Dorial Green-Beckham  - (WR, PHI) 

Dorial Green-Beckham also had his best showing of the season in the overtime thriller against the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles wideout finished the night with five receptions on a season-high nine targets for 55 yards. The performance is nothing to dance and cheer about, but DGB's role with Philadelphia's offense has the potential to increase.

According to ESPN.com, Eagles receiver Josh Huff was allegedly found with marijuana and a firearm when stopped for speeding. If this leads to a suspension, as I'm sure it will, DGB's target-volume will certainly increase. He could likely be bumped to the team's third receiver slot behind Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor. Until the outcome of this situation is clear, it is safe to leave DGB on the waiver wire.

 

Possible Week 9 Breakout Options

Austin Hooper - (TE, ATL)

What a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers. In the midst of a ton of throwing and scoring, Falcons' tight end Jacob Tamme went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter. In came Austin Hooper, catching all five of his targets for 55 yards. Hooper has not been much of a factor in Atlanta's high-powered offense, but regardless of his low target-volume, he hasn't dropped a single pass yet this season (11 for 11).

With Tamme expected to miss Thursday night's contest versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hooper has been confirmed as the team's starting tight end, according to head coach Dan Quinn and Yahoo! Sports. This immediately boosts Hooper's fantasy value, putting him behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu as the team's top three targets. Hooper is worth an add, especially for those with a tight end on bye or battling injury. He should be on the field for more than 75% of snaps in a pass-heavy offensive attack.

 

Kenny Stills - (WR, MIA)

We all saw what Pryor was able to do against Darrelle Revis last Sunday. That matchup will now likely feature Jarvis Landry, leaving Kenny Stills to face a less than threatening Marcus Williams (if Buster Skrine again misses action). We also saw what someone like Andrew Hawkins was able to do with the open space. Now insert someone more talented, like Stills, and the Jets secondary is in for another rough one.

The Dolphins and Ryan Tannehill, fresh off of a bye, have certainly elevated their game over the past couple of weeks. Stills is coming off his best performance of the season, catching five of eight targets for 100 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills. He has another favorable matchup against a Jets squad that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Stills should be picked up off the wire, if he isn't owned already.

 

Tyreek Hill - (WR, KC) 

Prior to Week 8's contest against the Indianapolis Colts, Tyreek Hill had tallied three touchdowns on the season, but had been relatively overshadowed because of his lack of targets and yards. He broke out in Week 8 facing a vulnerable Colts defense. Hill caught five of six targets for 98 yards and a touchdown (his second in as many weeks).

Travis Kelce and Jeremy Maclin have been inconsistent during the 2016 campaign, the receiver struggling more so than the tight end, while Spencer Ware is in danger of missing Sunday's game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering a concussion last week. Nick Foles could draw the start over Alex Smith, who also went down with a concussion. Foles, in relief of the Chiefs' starting quarterback, connected with Hill for one of his two touchdowns through the air, and is much more of a frequent passer than Smith. Considering Kansas City's head coach Andy Reid is the one who drafted Foles, I'd say the odds of him producing against a weak Jaguars team are pretty favorable. Hill will be one of the top waiver wire adds of the week.

 

Other Options: Adam Humphries (WR, TB) vs JAX, Quincy Enunwa (WR, NYJ) @ MIA, Eric Ebron (TE, DET) @MIN

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Chris Boucher

Active Thursday vs. Kings
Jalen Duren

Won't Return Thursday After Ankle Injury
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Ruled Out Again Friday
Josh Hart

Sidelined for Fourth Straight Game
Kyshawn George

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday
Joel Embiid

Cleared to Play Thursday vs. Mavericks
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ruled Out for At Least Four Weeks
Bo Bichette

Yankees Showing Interest in Bo Bichette
D'Angelo Russell

Ruled Out Thursday With Illness
George Kittle

Listed as Questionable for Week 18
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Active Versus Nets
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Trending Towards Playing
Clint Capela

Steven Adams and Clint Capela Sidelined Thursday
Miles Wood

Blue Jackets Place Miles Wood on Injured Reserve
Dak Prescott

May Not Play Full Game in Week 18
Conor Garland

to Miss One Week
Egor Demin

Won't Suit Up Against Houston
Marco Rossi

to Miss at Least One Week
Ace Bailey

Still Out on Thursday Night
Tari Eason

Active on Thursday
Yegor Chinakhov

Set for Penguins Debut Thursday
Lauri Markkanen

Ruled Out on Thursday
Tanner McKee

Will Start for Eagles in Week 18
Shayne Gostisbehere

Misses Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Keyonte George

Unavailable on Thursday
Michael Porter Jr.

Out on Thursday
Auston Matthews

Returns From One-Game Absence
Josh Allen

Trending Towards Resting in Week 18
William Nylander

Remains Out Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Will Officially Return in Week 18
Tobias Harris

Won't Suit Up Against Miami
Lauri Markkanen

on the Injury Report for Thursday Night
Keyonte George

Battling an Illness, Might Miss Thursday's Game
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Won't Play on Thursday Evening
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
Jordan Love

Clears Concussion Protocol, Won't Start in Week 18
George Kittle

"Absolutely" Expects to Play in Week 18
Clayton Tune

to Start for Packers in Week 18
Chris Olave

Ruled Out for Week 18
Tom Wilson

Wraps Up 2025 With Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Nets Second Career Hat Trick
Frank Vatrano

to Miss Six Weeks With Shoulder Injury
Conor Sheary

Noah Laba Exit With Injuries Wednesday
Brayden McNabb

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Miles Wood

Exits Early Wednesday
Gavin Brindley

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Battling Illness, Questionable Thursday
Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP