Byemageddon ravaged our lineups last week and Week 8 brought more tears to fantasy football managers as Derrick Henry and James Robinson went down with injuries. But this is also the part of the season where we will find gems off the wire who have surprisingly broken out.
There are several players to consider during your weekly waiver wire run in fantasy football based on at least 60% availability. I also include adds for those in deeper league formats. If you have any questions or need any fantasy football waiver wire advice, feel free to hit me on Twitter @101chalk. You can also check out my Waiver Wire Rankings.
Running Back
Boston Scott – Philadelphia Eagles
95% availability on ESPN
80% availability on Yahoo
Gainwell will be the one garnering the most attention, but Scott is the sneaky pivot. Like the rookie, Scott is a dual-threat running back with fantasy football PPR upside… I would expect a near-even split between Gainwell and Scott.
The excerpt above is from my column here last week and just like that Boston Scott is the hottest name on the fantasy football waiver wire. After a 12 carry, 60 yard, and two touchdown performance in Week 8, Scott will be an expensive add this week. From Scott’s usage in Week 7, it looks like the Eagles are deploying Scott as a two-down grinder and using Kenneth Gainwell as the pass-catching third down option. If you missed on Scott last week, just pass unless you can get him for 10% of your remaining FAB or less.
Carlos Hyde – Jacksonville Jaguars
93% availability on ESPN
93% availability on Yahoo
James Robinson has been an absolute force this season but he suffered a bruised heel on Sunday against the Seahawks. In relief, Hyde posted 32 yards on nine carries and caught six passes for 40 yards. Hyde seeing eight targets is something to note here for PPR fantasy football leagues.
It’s early in the week so we need to monitor Robinson’s Week 9 status but Hyde is worth a speculative add. Urban Meyer has managed to drive the Jaguars into the ground less than a full season in, but the Jaguars are putting up points in fantasy as they’re consistently playing from behind.
Jeremy McNichols – Tennessee Titans
98% availability on ESPN
92% availability on Yahoo
With the Tennessee Titans signing Adrian Peterson, McNichols isn’t going to be the every down back. However, he could see a lot of action in passing situations. Prior to Derrick Henry going down, he had 96% of the Titans’ carries. That won’t be the case with Peterson. McNichols should see an uptick in the passing game as well as on the ground.
If you miss out on Peterson, McNichols is someone who’s worth a flier, especially in PPR fantasy football leagues.
Adrian Peterson – Tennessee Titans
100% availability on ESPN
95% availability on Yahoo
Man, we all thought that Derrick Henry was an indestructible force and he pretty much was/is. As Henry makes a stint on IR for at least the next 5-6 weeks (probably longer), an opportunity opens in the Titans back field. In Tennesee, the replacements will be Jeremy McNichols and newly signed Adrian Peterson. Both of these running backs will likely split time (similar situation as in Philadelphia) and I would target the less sought option. In this case, that is McNichols. Most will chase the brand name of one of the greatest backs in NFL history and rightfully so. Pivot and pick up McNichols.
Wide Receiver
Rashod Bateman – Baltimore Ravens
80% availability on ESPN
69% availability on Yahoo
This is likely the last week that Bateman will make this column since I am expecting another breakout game from the rookie coming out the Ravens bye. Bateman has the potential to win fantasy football leagues and he has several paths to get there. The talent and chemistry with Lamar Jackson are there. The targets just need to keep coming. It’s indisputable that Mark Andrews is the alpha in Baltimore but Bateman is making a case for the team’s top wide receiver. Remember, he’s only played two full NFL games to date.
Jamal Agnew – Jacksonville Jaguars
98% availability on ESPN
98% availability on Yahoo
I’m in the minority but I like Jamal Agnew more than Laviska Shenault. Agnew has emerged as Trevor Lawrence’s trusted target. Agnew saw 12 targets in Week 8 and caught six of them for 38 yards and touchdown. The fantasy points were there, so hope that your league mates are box score chasers and looking over those 12 targets. Agnew has seen 25 targets in his past three games.
Tight End
Dan Arnold – Jacksonville Jaguars
96% availability on ESPN
95% availability on Yahoo
Trevor Lawrence also fed Dan Arnold 10 targets on Sunday, giving way for a career day. Arnold caught eight passes for 68 yards and looks to have developed chemistry with Lawrence. Arnold is startable in PPR fantasy football formats until further notice for those in need of a top 12 TE. There isn’t much outside of Agnew and Arnold but those two are worth adds this week.
For more fantasy football advice, make sure to check out The Undroppables.
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