Week 8 – Fantasy Waiver Wire Pick Ups

Welcome to Week 8, fantasy friends.  We’re at the mid-way point in the season, and now’s the time where things get serious.  A critical step to fantasy domination involves successfully navigating the waiver wire.  A lot of big names are on bye this week (Foster, Ray Rice, Brandon Marshall, CJ2K, T. Rich) and a lot of big injuries have sidelined players (Roddy White, Jay Cutler, Reggie Wayne, Doug Martin).  If you’re struggling to replace someone this week, you’ve come to the right place.  Here are our top Week 8 Waiver Wire pick ups.

Ivory should get the bulk of the carries from here on out.

Ivory should get the bulk of the carries from here on out.

Chris Ivory, RB Jets (% owned in Yahoo! leagues, 55%)

Ivory is still available in 45% of Yahoo! leagues.  If one of those is yours, you best go and pick him up right now.  For most of the season, Ivory has been stuck in RB by committee hell, splitting time with Bilal Powell and Mike Goodson.  However, Goodson’s out on IR and done for the season, and Ivory seems to have won over the starting job from Powell.  Last week, Ivory ran the ball 34 (yes, 34!) times, for 104 yards, clearly outpacing Powell, who carried the ball 3 (yes, 3) times.

That distribution of work bodes well for Ivory going forward. 

Roy's got a good chance to hit paydirt again this week.

Roy’s got a good chance to hit paydirt again this week.

Roy Helu, Jr., RB Washington (54%)

Roy has quietly put together 3 straight double-digit fantasy weeks, and he’s now starting to cut into Alfred Morris’ touches.  While Alfred is still the feature RB, he’s become more of an early down back, and Roy has filled in on 3rd downs, short yardage situations, and in the hurry up offense.  Roy only had 12 carries for 46 yards last week, but…wait for it…3 tds.  This means Roy is getting the all important goaline carries. 

It'll be like Terrelle's back in the Big 10 for a day.

It’ll be like Terrelle’s back in the Big 10 for a day.

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Oakland (35%)

If you’re in need of a QB this week, Terrelle may be the guy you’re looking for.  Playing at home against the (suddenly inept) Steelers D, Pryor has a chance to put up solid numbers, both in the air and on the ground.  Over his last 3 starts, Pryor has averaged 239 yards in the air and 41 yards on the ground, while also throwing 4 tds and 3 ints. 

We know it's weird, but the Jets actually offer some fantasy value.

We know it’s weird, but the Jets actually offer some fantasy value.

Jerome Kerley, WR NY Jets (26%)

Chances are, you missed out on picking up Jarrett Boykin and/or Harry Douglas, who are both now owned in more than 70% of leagues.  If you were lucky enough to get one of them, great.  If not, and you’re still in need of a WR, Kerley’s a nice fill in.  Last week, he went 8/97/1, and, more importantly, led the team in targets with 10.  Even if he doesn’t replicate those numbers this week, he should be getting a good amount of passes thrown his way.  Pencil him in as a WR3/flex.

If you're desperate for a RB this week, Brandon's in line to see an increased workload this week.

If you’re desperate for a RB this week, Brandon’s in line to see an increased workload this week.

Brandon Boldin, RB, New England (12%)

Although the Patriots employ the worst RB by committee in the league, Brandon has some value this week, especially in PPR leagues.  Shane Vareen is injured, which has move Brandon up the depth chart, and also moved him into Shane’s role of the passing-down back.  He also has a favorable matchup against the rushing-friendly Dolphins defense. 

BONUS PICK UPS!!!

Because The Machine loves you, here are two bonus waiver wire pick ups.  These guys will be hot next week, but if you got a roster spot available, pick them up now.

DHB will get (another) chance to live up to his Top 10 draft status.

DHB will get (another) chance to live up to his Top 10 draft status.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Colts (45%)

DHB is still available in over half the leagues.  That will change dramatically next week, as the Colts come off the bye.  With Reggie Wayne done for the year, DHB will come in and replace him as the featured WR.  And with Trent Richardson still sucking, the Colts will open up the offense and turn to the passing game more.

Andre will be the #1 back for the G-Men, grab him now and thank us later.

Andre will be the #1 back for the G-Men, grab him now and thank us later.

Andre Brown, RB, NY Giants (19%)

Wait, you mean the same Andre Brown that has a broken leg and hasn’t played all season?  Yeah, that one.  Andre is scheduled to return to the G-Men in Week 10 (Giants are on a bye next week) but, more importantly, he’s going to return as the featured back.  With injuries to Wilson and Jacobs, the Giants currently have 7th round rookie Michael Cox and (forgotten) Peyton Hillis in the backfield.  Andre should come in and immediately pay dividends.  Get him while you still can.

BRSM

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