Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds Week 8

It’s Time To Ride The Gus Bus

What a year it has been for fantasy football. The injury gods were peaceful and content early in the season and have come for vengeance the last few weeks. In Week 7, the most significant casualties were Breece Hall, J.K. Dobbins, D.K. Metcalf, Mike Williams, and David Njoku. With Breece lost for the season and the other four out for a substantial period, it will cause a massive shift as teams scramble to replace the lost production.

So, where do we go from here? Well, that’s the million-dollar question; and ideally, if you have a bench player you can turn to, that’s the dream scenario. But unfortunately, I know not all of you have that option; so I am presenting my best bets to replace that missing production for Week 8. These players are available in over 50% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues.

Running Back

Gus Edwards Rostered 16.1% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (20% FAAB)

I was all over Gus Edwards this week; as the Ravens had to activate Gus from the PUP list or risk losing him for the season. Baltimore yielded, and Gus came back to lead the backfield in snaps and carries; producing a monster fantasy day with a couple of touchdowns. With Dobbins expected to be out for at least three additional weeks, you are getting the starting running back in one of the best offenses in football. Sometimes in fantasy, it is as simple as that.

Gus Edwards is available in 75% of @SleeperHQ leagues.

Do whatever it takes to get him.

— Jesse Moeller (@JMoeller05) October 21, 2022

Chuba Hubbard Rostered 25.8% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (15% FAAB)

I know what you are thinking. Jesse, why pick up Hubbard when Foreman out-snapped him and finished with more points on Sunday? Hubbard was the clear favorite of the two before he suffered an ankle injury in the 4th quarter. Chuba also finished with more routes run and targets. He’s the RB to target in Carolina as long as there are no injury concerns.

Prior to Hubbard's injury:

Snap rate
63% – Chuba Hubbard
40% – D'Onta Foreman

Rushing attempts
8 – Hubbard
4 – Foreman

Routes
11 – Hubbard
8 – Foreman https://t.co/Qv18QZRZcy

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) October 25, 2022

Khalil Herbert Rostered 44.3% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)

Once again, on national television, Herbert was the better running back for Chicago. Coach Eberflus rewarded Herbert with a sizeable role as it crept closer to an even split backfield more than it ever has in the past. Herbert has earned the trust of the Bears coaching staff and should be rostered in all leagues in case the takeover ever happens.

Wide Receiver

Wan’Dale Robinson Rostered 13.6% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (10% FAAB)

After seven weeks, the Giants finally have given us a WR we can rely on for fantasy. Wan’Dale led the Giants in targets and yards for the second consecutive week. The second-round rookie out of Nebraska is living up to the hype. Wan’Dale will continue becoming more of a focal point for the offense as we progress throughout the year.

Parris Campbell Rostered 2.8% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)

The Parris Campbell breakout is finally happening! Few players have suffered the injury curse quite like Campbell. In his first three seasons, Campbell played in a total of 15 games, and missed 34. He could not stay healthy, but his luck has changed this year. Campbell has seen double-digit targets and out-snapped Alex Pierce for the second consecutive week. He is establishing himself as the number two option alongside Michael Pittman. Campbell also has one of the lowest aDOT in the league, so he will not suffer as much with Sam Ehlinger, the Colts new starting QB.

Josh Palmer Rostered 26.2% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)

Palmer is the big winner with the Mike Williams injury as he steps into the Chargers WR2 role moving forward. The Chargers are on a bye in Week 8, but this move is about stashing Palmer for the long run. Palmer has proven effective when he has a significant role in the offense. In eight career games with a 60% snap share or above, Palmer has averaged 7.6 targets, 42 yards, and 12.53 PPR Points.

Tight End

Greg Dulcich Rostered 7.8% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)

The TE position is a dumpster fire, so finding someone with the pedigree Dulcich has is worth taking a flier on. While the Broncos offense has been a letdown, Dulcich, in his second career game, saw a 19% Target Share and 70%+ of the possible routes on offense. I will happily chase that upside.

Greg Dulcich's 2nd NFL game:

* 47-of-79 snaps (59%)
* 23 slot, 22 inline, 1 wide, 1 backfield
* 34 routes on 48 Brett Rypien dropbacks (71%)
* 9 targets for a 19.5% share
* 6-51-0 result
* Albert O a healthy scratch again https://t.co/kMZ7A4MXkn

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) October 24, 2022

Cade Otton Rostered 7.8% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)

Otton was again the primary benefactor of Cameron Brate’s absence, as he was third on the team in snaps, routes ran, and targets. Otton gets a juicy matchup against Baltimore, 27th in fantasy points allowed to the tight end position.

Harrison Bryant Rostered 0.2% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (1% FAAB)

We have a potential injury situation for Browns starter Njoku that could linger for weeks. Grab Bryant, as the offense is desperately in need of weapons. Bryant was the go-to tight end down the stretch. He was also the only tight end after the Njoku injury.

Quarterback

Justin Fields Rostered 23.1% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)

You need to believe in talent at a certain point, and Justin Fields has averaged 19.59 fantasy points in his last three games. The three-headed rushing attack was primarily led by Fields, thanks to the 34 rush attempts in that timespan. Fields is finally getting comfortable with the Eberflus system; and just in time as the Bears play the Cowboys in Week 8. After that matchup, the schedule opens up quite nicely. Games against Miami, Detroit, and Atlanta are on tap. We could see Fields take the breakout to another level in the second half.

Justin Fields is already the QB5 on the week with a half to play.

This is his third straight QB1 week.

— Ryan McDowell (@RyanMc23) October 25, 2022

Daniel Jones Rostered 28.9% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (4% FAAB)

Who would have guessed that Danny Dimes is the QB10 of the year? He is another Konami code quarterback succeeding, mainly due to his rushing performance. Jones is only eight rushing attempts away from breaking his career high in a season. Next up are the Seattle Seahawks, who are 26th in fantasy points allowed to the position.

Deshaun Watson Rostered 15.1% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)

Watson is not available to come back until after Week 11, but you can stash him if you have an IR spot. Now would be the time to take advantage as he is one of the few quarterbacks who can level the playing field against Allen, Mahomes, Hurts, or Lamar this season. Teams without an elite option at the position are giving up substantial points each week, and if you are trying to find a better starter, grab Watson and hold.