NFL Waiver Wire: Week 8 Pickups

The waiver wire is thin this week. There are some interesting running back situations in Oakland, with Marshawn Lynch possibly done for the season (and his career), and in Buffalo where LeSean McCoy's concussion should open the door for others in that backfield. The injury bug hit Miami's receiving corps, and there's a new group of four teams on the bye.

If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.

Byes: Atlanta, Tennessee, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas



This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. 

QUARTERBACK

Hail Mary

Cody Kessler, JAC - While Blake Bortles will start in London this week, the leash is short. Kessler will take reps with the first team this week just in case he's needed Sunday. This recommendation is for two-quarterback or super-flex leagues where owners might be handcuffing one of their starters with that team's backup. Rostering Kessler instead of said backup could prove a wise move if Kessler ends up taking over, as owners will have another starting quarterback without needing an injury. Kessler didn't exactly light up the scoreboard last Sunday, throwing a pick with a 5.2 YPA, but he came in cold and the Texans have one of the better defenses in football. FAAB: FCFS or $1

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Jalen Richard, Doug Martin, OAK - The Raiders put Marshawn Lynch on IR on Monday, essentially ending his season, especially for fantasy. That'll leave Richard and Martin to divide the backfield workload. Richard is the player to target over Martin. Richard has already had a role in the offense with 10 touches in each of his last two games while Lynch was healthy. He's easily the better pass-catcher of the two, and there are multiple red flags when looking at Martin. Aside from a monster game in Oakland his rookie season (25 carries for 251 yards, four touchdowns), he averages less than 3.9 yard per carry for his career. In 2016 he was suspended for PED use and since then in 309 carries has averaged less than 3.0 yard per carry. Richard, on the other hand, averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season following a 5.9 clip in his rookie season. All of these stats point to Richard being the more desirable player. However, Gruden seems to favor "veteran" players and could move Martin into Lynch's role (an average of 15 carries per game) without adjusting Richard's role at all. FAAB: Richard $10-$15, Martin $5-$10

Chris Ivory, Marcus Murphy, BUF - LeSean McCoy left Sunday's loss with a head injury and is in the concussion protocol. Ivory finished Sunday's game with more than 100 yards from scrimmage, the second time he's done that this season. Murphy was also productive in Sunday's shellacking as he finished with 70 yards from scrimmage. Ivory handled the bulk of the carries Week 3 when McCoy missed the Minnesota win and finished with 126 yards from scrimmage, so it's safe to assume he'll handle the bulk of the workload Monday night. While it doesn't look good, McCoy hasn't been ruled out yet this week, even if his timetable to return is uncertain. That makes Ivory and Murphy's FAAB value tougher to nail down. FAAB: Ivory $6-$12, Murphy $2-$4

Secondary Targets

Kenjon Barner, NE - A knee injury could keep Sony Michel out of Monday's night potential massacre in Buffalo, putting Barner in line for a significant role out of the Patriots' backfield. James White would get the majority of the touches, but Barner would be in line for 10-12 touches at a minimum if Michel is out. An MRI revealed Monday no structural damage to Michel's knee, meaning it might be a short absence for the rookie out of Georgia. Barner draws a good matchup this week against Buffalo, a team who was just gashed by Marlon Mack for 159 yards from scrimmage. Keep in mind Barner is probably going to be relevant for a week or two and he'll be second fiddle to James White. FAAB: $2-$4

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Courtland Sutton, DEN - According to multiple reports, there have been phone calls and discussions with Broncos brass in regard to dealing either Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders. Sutton caught his second touchdown last Thursday, making a spectacular diving catch in the end zone on a trick play. Obviously any deal for Thomas or Sanders would move Sutton into a starting role opposite whoever stays, providing a higher player count and a nice boost to his targets. Sutton has upside to be a fantasy team's No. 3 wide receiver or flex, especially once the bye weeks hit when six teams will be out. FAAB: $3-$6

Danny Amendola, Jakeem Grant, DeVante Parker, MIA - Miami has been hit by the injury bug with Kenny Stills out for at least this week and Albert Wilson possibly out for the season. That leaves Amendola, Grant and a disgruntled Parker to catch passes from Brock Osweiler Thursday night. Amendola has had 18 targets from Osweiler the last two weeks, parlaying them into 14-143-1. Grant has had one big game (two catches, 70 yards, two touchdowns Week 3 against Oakland) and Parker has the most upside of the trio. The problem is Parker hasn't shown anything this season when he's been on the field, and it's not a great matchup against the Texans on the road. Still, someone has to catch the ball and there could be garbage-time production in this one if Houston jumps out to a big lead. FAAB: Amendola $3-$6, Grant $2-$4, Parker $2-$4

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Michael Roberts, DET - Roberts has played in only three games this season, getting four targets, but has turned those into two touchdowns. Matthew Stafford gave Eric Ebron 85 and 86 targets in his last two seasons as a Lion. Luke Willson has been less than impressive, so it would make sense for Roberts to take over more of the pass-catching role. Also, Roberts is used to being a red-zone target, scoring 16 touchdowns during his last year in college at Toledo. FAAB: $2-$4