RADIO
We're on to Week 8 and that means just six weeks left for most of you before the fantasy playoffs. Whether you're fighting for your playoff lives, or comfortably in and trying to bolster your roster, we've got you covered. There wasn't a lot of change in the wide receiver landscape in Week 7, but with seven teams on bye and fantasy relevant players like Larry Fitzgerald, Jordy Nelson, DaVante Adams, Rishard Matthews and more out, owners are likely needing to dig onto the wire.
As usual, my wide receivers waiver wire column for Week 8 is split into a few different sections. Based on your league size, and whether it's PPR scoring, the recommended waiver wire pickups are arranged from higher priority to lower priority ones. I also point out a few players that can be cut in most formats.
If you are not exactly sure who you should add (or drop) from your teams, or have a question about your lineups, you can find me on twitter @ChrisMangano and I will be more than happy to help you out.
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Frontrunners for Week 8 - Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Kenny Stills (WR, MIA) 21% owned (6-8% FAAB)
Stills was a dark horse add last week, but is a priority add this week. Stills had a season high nine targets and turned them into six catches for 85 yards and two scores. That's great and all, but the real reason for him being a priority add is the injury to Jay Cutler. Last year with Matt Moore under center Stills was second on the team behind Jarvis Landry with a 21% target share. Moore looked for Stills often in this one and there's a legit chance Stills becomes the number two target even when DeVante Parker is healthy.
Ted Ginn (WR, NO) 51% owned (6-8% FAAB)
Another suggested add last week, Ginn's ownership went from 44% to 51%, so at least 7% of you are paying attention. All Ginn did on Sunday was turn seven targets into seven catches for 141 yards. Over the last two weeks, Ginn has scored the seventh most PPR points for wide receivers. Ginn offers the kind of weekly upside that can put your team over the top and needs to be owned everywhere.
Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL) 38% owned (2-3% FAAB)
Sanu was a suggested priority add last week and he did not disappoint, turning 10 targets into six catches for 65 yards. He is one of those guys who goes ignored by the fantasy community while continually putting up weekly flex, or better, numbers. In the four healthy games he has played this year he ranks second only to Julio Jones on the team for targets and has a 25% target market share. No, Sanu is not going to win you your league, but he is a great bye week fill-in that won't sink your week.
Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ) 19% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Over the last two weeks here are stats for two wide receivers:
WR A: 14 targets, 8 catches, 111 yards, 1 touchdown, 241 air yards, 16% team target market share
WR B: 17 targets, 7 catches, 111 yards, 1 touchdown, 249 air yards, 23% team target market share
Any guesses? Here's a hint, WR A is 93% owned while WR B is 19% owned (hopefully you guessed B). WR A is... DeSean Jackson. Jackson is started in most lineups every week, while Anderson isn't even rostered on most teams. That needs to change. Anderson has nine more targets than any other Jets receiver over the last two weeks and has emerged as Josh McCown's number one target. Anderson can help you in Week 8 and the rest of season.
In The Running - Week 7 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Marqise Lee (WR, JAC) 40% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Over the last two weeks, Lee has 16 targets, nine catches and 155 yards, good for 15th in wide receiver PPR points over that time. Lee seems due for a big second half as he has zero touchdowns and that is sure to change. Despite Hurns' big week, Lee is still Blake Bortles' number one target. The Jaguars are on bye this week, so owners who don't need a fill-in for Week 8 can likely get ahead of the game and grab him for cheap.
Robert Woods (WR, LAR) 37% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Woods gets no respect, and that will likely continue after his teammate, Cooper Kupp, caught a touchdown while Woods was left scoreless. Make no mistake, however, Woods is Jared Goff's number one receiver. Over the last two weeks Woods has 10 catches for 129 yards on 14 targets to Kupp's 6 catches for 86 yards on 13 targets. Like Lee, Woods is on bye this week but is worth adding for the stretch run.
Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) 42% owned (1-2% FAAB)
As mentioned above, Kupp has just one less target than Woods over the last two weeks and has emerged as Goff's 1B. Kupp will often get good matchups out of the slot, as he did in Week 7, and will be an excellent start those weeks. He'll have weekly flex value going forward.
Josh Doctson (WR, WAS) 13% owned (2-3% FAAB)
Newly signed wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, Sr. was nowhere to be found in the first half, playing just one snap. Instead it was Josh Doctson getting the start. While Pryor did play more in the second half, he didn't do much and could continue to lose snaps to Doctson. If Doctson can assume control of the number one spot on this offense he could have real weekly start potential going forward. He's a great stash for teams who can afford to wait.
Corey Davis (WR, TEN) 25% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Something is wrong with this Titans passing game and Davis may be the answer they need. The Titans are getting into the red zone more often than they did last year, but have settled for 22 field goals. In the only complete game Davis and Marcus Mariota have played together, Davis had 10 targets, six catches and 69 yards. He has legit WR2 upside in an offense that needs a spark. Stash him if you can.
Dark Horses - Week 7 Wide Receivers Waiver Wire
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT) 14% owned (1-2% FAAB)
My guess is Schuster will be a hot waiver add this week after scoring a touchdown, but owners should exercise caution. Yes, he is the clear number two behind Antonio Brown, and Martavis Bryant may be on the verge of being benched. But despite that, Schuster has seen just six targets over the last two weeks and has just a 12% team target market share. He's a viable flex play in PPR formats for desperate teams but not much more than that.
Kenny Golladay (WR, DET) 15% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Since his Week 1 explosion, Golladay has been a forgotten man. Dealing with a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 4, and being the odd-man out in the offense, left Golladay on many waiver wires. He has a real chance to pay off this week, however, as Golden Tate will likely be out. Don't break the bank on him as he will return back to third wide receiver duties once Tate is healthy, but he makes for a nice one or two week play for teams in need.
Allen Hurns (WR, JAC) 38% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Hurns is coming off a five-catch, 101-yard game, but now has just three double-digit PPR games on the season. He is the only other receiver of note alongside Marqise Lee but has a low weekly floor. Still, he will be useful on those weeks when teams are desperate at the position.
Chris Moore (WR, BAL) 0% owned (1% FAAB)
Moore has seen 15 targets over the last two weeks with Jeremy Maclin sidelined and Mike Wallace missing most of Week 7 with a concussion. His value is 100% dependent on the health of Maclin and Wallace so don't go crazy trying to get him. Still, if Maclin and/or Wallace miss Week 8, Moore could have WR4/flex value as a fill-in play.
Time To Say Goodbye
Sammy Watkins (WR, LAR) 86% owned
I suggested Watkins as a drop last week and 3% of you dropped him. Well done you three percenters! As for the rest of you, what are you waiting for? He is fourth on the team in targets and sports just a 13% target market share. Even with the improved offense, this offense isn't strong enough to support four fantasy players.
Tyrell Williams (WR, LAC) 68% owned
This one hurts. I like Williams and wanted to see him build off his 2016 campaign but alas, that is not happening. Williams has just four targets over the last two games and is losing snaps to rookie Mike Williams. Time to say goodbye, unfortunately.
Bennie Fowler (WR, DEN) 14% owned
You served us well, Mr. Fowler, but you failed to reach the end zone this week and the likely return of Emmanuel Sanders means your time has come.
