Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 8 Pickups
Is your fantasy team in need of new blood? Each week I’ll bring to you the best pickups to make ahead of the waiver deadline. All the players I list will be owned in fewer than 50 percent of leagues, with the ownership percentage coming from Yahoo.com.
Quarterbacks
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers (11% Owned): Kaep did exactly what was expected of him for the second straight week – put up RB-like production on the ground, and mediocre stats through the air. 143 yards and one touchdown are terrible passing numbers, but 80+ rushing yards are becoming a theme. Kaepernick is a fine option this week going up against the Saints, one of the worst defenses in football.
Jared Goff, Rams (1% Owned): This is an add for deep keeper leagues, and preferably two-QB leagues. Case Keenum is absolutely atrocious, and it’s only a matter of time before the Rams say Goff couldn’t possibly be worse. Who knows if he’ll be useful, but he’s a No. 1 overall pick. Might as well take a shot if you have depth, because his time is coming.
Running Backs
Thomas Rawls, Seahawks (40% Owned): Get him now! Rawls is just a few weeks away from returning, and when he’s back he will have a role. Christine Michael hasn’t topped 3.5 yards per carry for three consecutive weeks, and Pete Carroll doesn’t give f**k about our fantasy teams. He’ll be excited when Rawls is ready.
Jeremy Langford, Bears (31% Owned): Like Rawls, Langford’s return appears imminent. He’s less exciting, but Chicago has refused to allow Jordan Howard to become a bona fide lead dog. He’s been ceding work to Ka’Deem Carey, so it is reasonable to think at the very least Langford will reclaim a third down role.
Kenyan Drake, Dolphins (1% Owned): Drake’s status has risen to official handcuff. Arian Foster just retired (WTF?!) cementing Jay Ajayi as a Top 10 RB the rest of the way. Savvy owners will swoop in and pick up Drake, because he’ll be a high-usage player in the event Ajayi gets hurt.
Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers (19% Owned): Don’t let his Week 6 volcanic eruption fool you—that’s not who Adams is. But adding Adams means you’re adding a player who is consistently targeted, and an increasingly trusty red zone option. He has the potential for real stinkers, but he has been able to save his performances with a score more often than not.
Brandon LaFell, Bengals (12% Owned): Sometimes it’s not about being excited by the talent of the guys you’re adding. LaFell excites exactly zero fantasy owners, but he’s racked up four touchdowns in the last three games, along with 21 targets. TE Tyler Eifert is back, so he may see a reduction in volume, but in deep, three-WR leagues LaFell is a handy player.
Jamison Crowder, Redskins (37% Owned): Crowder continues to get very little respect despite developing into Kirk Cousins’ top target not named Jordan Reed. Crowder is explosive, and drawing six targets per game with no reason to believe that will slow down.
Tight Ends
Jack Doyle, Colts (31% Owned): Monitor Dwayne Allen’s status. If he’s out again, Doyle is going to be a big time option.