Week 7 brought us lots of excitement but also several injuries to many different positions. Running Backs continue to take the largest hit but some of the injuries from week 7 could be minimal. We also had several guys rise up who we least expected and some repeat players. Lets take a look at our top waiver wire targets.
Teddy Bridgewater (ESPN 31% Yahoo 44%)
My guy Teddy didn’t quite get the win against his former squad but in the fantasy world he showed us how consistent he could be with his 3rd 250 yard 2 TD performance. Now I am not going to anoint him a Hall of gamer, I will state that those are great numbers when you are looking for a streaming QB. Im going to go out on a limb and guess he makes it a 4th straight game with those numbers against Hotlanta who just loves to lose in brutal fashion.
Derek Carr (ESPN 26% Yahoo 29%)
Carr has quietly been efficient for the Raiders and had himself another respectable fantasy performance against a top tier defense. He threw close to 300 yards and 2 touchdowns which should not be out of the question against the Browns defense in week 8. Solid streaming option for the QB position.
Nelson Agholor (ESPN 2% Yahoo 3%)
Agholor was the top wide out for the Vegas Raiders who took a snacking against the Bucs. Agholor finished with 5 catches on 9 targets for 100+ yards and a TD. The catches/yards/targets all were season highs and he marked his 3rd straight game with a TD. He is not the sexiest waiver wire pick but there definitely is some value. Carr has faired well this year but the lack of pass catching playmakers is concerning to me so Agholor could benefit from that.
Christian Kirk (ESPN 48% Yahoo 55%)
Kirk certainly will be a hot commidity this week after snagging 2 score against the Seahawks in an eventful game. Kirk was dealing with some injuries earlier on but his role in the offense is beginning to be carved out more and more. He has a solid schedule moving forward where he should continue to eat as the 2nd best pass catching option for the Cardinals. He should be added in all formats.
Allen Lazard (ESPN 24% Yahoo 33%)
It doesn’t seem long ago Lazard was making a name for himself as a staple in the Packers offense. Lazard is eligible to cone off the IR and thats great for Rodgers who has been having trouble finding some consistency from anyone not named Adams. This risk with this pick is if when will Lazard return to the field? There are rumors of GB trying to trade for WR depth. All I know is the Packers could benefit right now from a guy who was ranked in the top 10 before his core injury. Keep a close eye on his status.
Rashard Higgins (ESPN 0% Yahoo 1%)
OBJ suffered a torn ACL Sunday which is devastating to fantasy owners and obviously to the star. With his season clearly over, who is the next man up in the dog pound? Well I can tell you Higgins was the dog that was the loudest catching 6 bones on 110 yards. The Browns play the Raiders, Texans, Eagles and Jaguars coming up which is good news for Browns wideouts. Huge oppturnity for the youngster.
Brandon Aiyuk (ESPN 21% Yahoo 48%)
One of my favorite rookies from the draft is finding his way in the NFL. He had possibly his best receiving game yet leading the team in targets, receptions and yards (6/7/115). He has found a nice groove with Jinny G which is important considering his teammate Deebo Samuel left week 7s game with a hammy injury. Aiyuk might be your best receiving target on the wire with for week 8 when he faces the Seahawks (32nd ranked against pass) in a division matchup. I also have to throw in there he has an amazing playoff schedule! Solid grab right here folks.
Sterling Shepard (ESPN 36% Yahoo 28%)
I do not condone Shepard all that much but its hard to ignore facts. When he’s on the field and healthy (which has become a rarity) he has shown productive outings. He’s a comfort for Daniel Jones out of the slot and he was leaned on against the Eagles. He is one of my last targets but nonetheless could provide value if your bench is depleted.
Marcus Johnson (ESPN 0% Yahoo 1%)
Lets not forget about Johnson who had a bye this week. In week 6 we saw a clear example of taking advantage of a situation. With the Colts depleted at receiver Johnson who was on the practice squad stepped up with a 5 catch 100 yard performance who showed big play ability. He’s not my first second or even third choice from the wire but he’s on my radar.
Chase Edmonds (ESPN 56% Yahoo 62%)
I am not going to spend too much time on him because frankly he is talked about every week in this report. He has flex appeal even if Drake plays but now Drake is waiting on MRI results. He is a must add regardless of the injury outcome. Gods Plan.
Jamaal Williams (ESPN 45% Yahoo 63%)
How obvious are people to not add Williams for yesterdays game? With Jones out it was a gimme that Williams would feast and he finished the day as a RB1. If Jones is a no-go Week 8 you have to get him on your roster and in your starting lineup. If you are an Aaron Jones owner you HAVE to add this man. You spent heavy to draft Jones and adding his handcuff in crucial god forbid we see an injury come playoffs. I am beginning to think he was not picked up in more leagues because of the fear Dillon would outsnap him. That should not deter you away, Williams is the clear next man up.
Carlos Hyde ( ESPN 5% Yahoo 10%)
We all know by now Chris Carson suffered a foot injury but what we don’t know is the extent of it. He could miss sometime and if he does Carlos Hyde steps in as the starter for the Hawks. Hyde stepped in after Carsons injury and gave a productive effort. He even caught a few passes to help him in the PPR department. He is owned in such a small number of leagues but very soon might be a huge help to so many of you struggling with the million RB injuries to your roster. He doesn’t have the best matchup next week against SF but he may be your best option if Carson misses weeks of action.
Giovanni Bernard (ESPN 49% Yahoo 59%)
I pinned Bernard as a RB2 with Mixon ruled out this past week and he certainly made his presence felt. We know he has huge PPR upside if he’s starting which showed upon the stat sheet. Gio is only rosterable if Nixon obviously is out. His week 8 status is still up in the air but I would still love to snatch Gio in case he gets the nod against a Titans defense who isn’t to hot against the run. Also always Start Bernads Stache for obvious reasons.
JaMycel Hasty (ESPN 3% Yahoo 21%)
I Would love to be speaking positive about Jeff Wilsons performance but he is a 49ers RB so he clearly got hurt. Hasty stepped in after Wilson 3 TD performance and rushed for 9 carries on 57 yards. We clearly need to check the status of all 49ers RBs each week but as of now Hasty might be the lead back if Wilson and others are out. While 49er backs are always getting hurt, they also are usually productive.
LaMical Perine (ESPN 11% Yahoo 16%) Frank Gore (ESPN 24% Yahoo 29%)
I do not feel good about either of these guys for the record. Both of these backs play in a poor offense but could be helpful in deeper formats if you have players hurt or on a bye. Both looked somewhat efficient but Gore was the better back. They had an equal amount of carries but Gore outperformed. Remember, this is more of a desperation add or deeper league add.
Zach Moss ( ESPN 38% Yahoo 46%)
Moss for sure is a guy we need pay close attention too. He out rushed Singletary this week despite having one less carry. We heard a lot of preseason buzz of Moss surpassing DS down the line and it could be coming soon. To risk the claim now? If you wait too long it could be to late. If you have room on your bench I think this move could pay off down the stretch.
Dallas Goedert (ESPN 29% Yahoo 47%)
I took the time last week to mention Goedert coming off the IR. When he will play is the question but that should be sooner rather then later. This is one of Carson Went favorite targets and a guy who finished as a top 10 tight end last year despite being 2nd on the depth chart. He is a must add for ROS.
Logan Thomas (ESPN 9% Yahoo 26%)
The Football team tight end grabbed a TD in his week 7 performance against the Cowboys making it 2 straight weeks with a score. Many thought it was over after his week 4 and 5 performances but he’s starting to show signs of life. Thomas has a bye week 8 but in deeper formats he could be a nice roster for the weeks prior.