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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.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up 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

 




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Cristopher Sánchez

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Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Lifted From Wednesday's Game Early With Hamstring Strain
Younghoe Koo

Jets Sign Kicker Younghoe Koo on Wednesday
Quinn Ewers

Looks Good in Wednesday's OTA Practice
Kenley Jansen

Exits Relief Appearance on Wednesday With Groin Injury
Ty Johnson

Taking Part in OTAs
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Cutting Laterally at OTAs
Tre' Harris

has Been a Top-Three Receiver During Offseason Program
Makai Lemon

Already Working With Starters in OTAs
AJ Barner

Undergoes Offseason Procedures, Not Taking Part in OTAs
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Might Not Return Until Midseason
Von Miller

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Alvin Kamara

Not at OTAs But Preparing for the 2026 Season
Lamar Jackson

"Absolutely" Wants to Stay With Ravens Long-Term
Mason Plumlee

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Victor Wembanyama

Receives Warning From NBA
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Hawks Promote Onsi Saleh to President of Basketball Operations
Jalen Williams

Listed as Questionable for Game 6
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Ruled Out for Game 6
Michael Penix Jr.

Not Cleared for 11-on-11 Work
Jacoby Brissett

Still Absent From OTAs This Week
George Kittle

Still Hoping to be Ready for Week 1
Micah Parsons

Expected to Open Training Camp on the PUP List
Tucker Kraft

Packers Hopeful Tucker Kraft Will Participate in Training Camp
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Held Out of OTAs on Wednesday
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Michael Thorbjornsen Trending in Wrong Direction Entering Colonial
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Harry Hall

Hoping Putter Carries Him at Colonial
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Looks to Regain Momentum at Colonial
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Struggles in Game 5 Loss to Thunder
Alex Caruso

a Difference-Maker Again in Game 5
Pierceson Coody

Looking to Stay Hot at Colonial
Jared McCain

Produces 20 Points in First Playoff Start
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Scores Game-High 32 Points in Game 5 Win
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Ups and Downs Could Continue at Colonial
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Tries to Keep Momentum Rolling at Colonial
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Looking to Rebound at Colonial
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Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year
Jalen Williams

is Ruled Out for Game 5 on Tuesday
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Kenny Atkinson to Remain Cavaliers Head Coach Next Season
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
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Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
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Mackenzie Blackwood

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Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Nathan MacKinnon

Will Suit Up Tuesday
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Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
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Hideki Matsuyama

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Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
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DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
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Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
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Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
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Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Evan Mobley

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James Harden

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Donovan Mitchell

Remains Committed to Cavaliers
Mikal Bridges

Cools Off in Game 4 Against Cavaliers
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
Frederik Andersen

Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Shayne Gostisbehere

Scores First Postseason Goal
Taylor Hall

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Andrei Svechnikov

Scores Game 3 Winner in Overtime
Gage Jump

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Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Valeri Nichushkin

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4
Oliver Kapanen

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Max Domi

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Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

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Christopher Bell

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Tyler Reddick

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Dylan Cease

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

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Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
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Kyle Larson

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Ty Gibbs

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Austin Dillon

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Chase Elliott

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Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

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MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
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Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
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Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
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Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
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Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
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LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
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North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
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Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
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Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
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