It is a “Bye-Polcalypse” this week in the NFL, as six, count ’em six teams are on bye this week. With so many teams on bye, the waiver wire is huge for Week 8. There are some good players available, so make sure you get your waiver claims in on time. Here are the best players to add off the waiver wire going into Week 8 of the NFL season.
Top Quarterback
Josh McCown – New York Jets
If you need a quarterback for Week 8, Josh McCown is probably the best route to go. McCown has been great the last two weeks of the season, averaging just under 24 fantasy points per game. He already has two rushing touchdowns this season and is on pace for a career-high in passing yards and passing touchdowns. McCown plays the Falcons in Week 8, who have given up at least 12.48 points to quarterbacks in every game this season.
Top Running Back
Giovani Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals
The waiver wire is lacking many good options at running back, but if you need someone to start in Week 8, Giovani Bernard is owned in just 22% of Yahoo leagues and could have a big day against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are giving up the second most points to running backs this season. Bernard does most of his fantasy damage through the passing game. The Colts give up 10.12 yards per reception to running backs this season, fifth highest in the NFL. Even if the Bengals backfield is crowded, the Colts have given up a touchdown to multiple backs in three of their six games this season.
Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington could be smart adds as well if Lynch is suspended for Oakland’s Week 8 game against Buffalo.
Top Wide Receiver
Marquise Goodwin – San Francisco 49ers
There are more options at wide receiver than most other positions, on the waiver wire this week. The challenge with the wide receiver position is determining, which wide receiver offers the highest ceiling or safest floor. For Week 8 of the NFL, the best wide receiver option may surprise you.
Marquise Goodwin has been quietly underrated this season. Goodwin is 28th in the NFL in receiving yards this year. He has yet to score a touchdown but should continue to see a high volume of targets as the 49ers are forced to play catch-up against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in Week 8. The Eagles have been bad at limiting big plays this season, and with Goodwin’s speed, he could get behind the secondary and take one to the house.
Top Tight End
Vernon Davis – Washington Redskins
Although O.J. Howard is coming off a week, where he was the top tight end in fantasy, he has yet to establish himself as a reliable fantasy option. Instead of Howard, Vernon Davis is the best waiver wire add at tight end this week. Davis has been reliable all season, even with Jordan Reed in the lineup. Davis faces the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. The Cowboys are right around the league average in terms of points allowed to tight ends. However, this Washington-Dallas game will be all about the offense, meaning Davis could see a high volume of targets go his direction.
Top Defense
Cincinnati Bengals
Getting the Indianapolis Colts, who will once again be without Andrew Lucks, gives the Bengals a great matchup in Week 8. Outside of last week, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals defense has been reliable in fantasy this season. From Week 2 to Week 5 (the Bengals had their bye in Week 6), the Bengals defense scored between 7.00 and 14.00 fantasy points. The Colts offensive line is horrendous, which bodes well for the Bengals. They have twice this season recorded six sacks in a game.
Top Kicker
Stephen Hauschka
Sitting on the waiver wire in about two-thirds of Yahoo leagues, Hauschka is a good, safe add for Week 8. Hauschka has finished with double-digit fantasy points in each of his last four games, including a season-high 19 in Week 3 at home. The Bills should be able to move the ball against Oakland, giving Hauschka opportunities to put points on the board.
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